This article shares a selection of photographs of small critters that were captured handheld with the M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS zoom lens. This lens is not one that many folks would immediately think of using to photograph bees, wasps and other small critters… but it can be an effective choice.
All of the images featured in this article were captured during a short 1.5 hour visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington Ontario.
NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.
One of the interesting features of the M.Zuiko 150-600 is its ability to deliver a closest focusing distance of 560 mm (~22 inches) on the wide end of its focal length range.
This gives a photographer the ability to get reasonable magnification on small critters, while still maintaining relatively safe shooting distances away from wasps and bees.
As noted in my hands on review review of the M.Zuiko 150-600 I’ve found the image quality of this lens to be very good indeed. RAW files are sharp with good colour rendition.
This is due to its complex optical formulation of 25 elements in 15 groups, which includes 13 special elements (i.e. 2 ED, 4 Super ED, 6 HR and 1 HD).
Another benefit is that the resulting RAW image quality saves me quite a bit of time in post when compared to my M.Zuiko 100-400.
Obviously photographing small critters with a larger, heavier lens like the M.Zuiko 150-600 mm can be a bit challenging.
I captured all of the images in this article using the same short stool that I utilize for my macro photography. This allowed me to use my knees/thighs for added handheld stability.
I spent most of my time photographing wasps and bees in flight, but I did manage a few dragonfly images during my short visit.
Circumstances have not allowed me much time to get out and about with my camera gear over the past couple of months.
This was one of my few dedicated sessions to photograph small critters with the M.Zuiko 150-600 since purchasing this lens.
I was quite pleased with the handling and functionality of the M.Zuiko 150-600 with this subject matter… as well as with the results achieved.
While the M.Zuiko 150-600 does not produce true 1:1 macro photography outcomes, it is quite a good close-up photography option for folks that only want to take a single lens when capturing a wide range of nature images.
While the M.Zuiko 150-600 is larger and heavier than the M.Zuiko 100-400, its ability to provide a much closer minimum focusing distance (i.e. 560 mm vs. 1.3 metres) gives the 150-600 a lot more in-field flexibility when photographing small critters.
This can come in handy if a photographer sets out to do some bird photography… but finds that the local bird life is not very cooperative. A shift to close-up photography is easier done, and can be further enhanced with the addition of the M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter.
Technical Note
Photographs were captured handheld with the camera equipment noted in the EXIF data, and using single point auto-focus. Pro Capture H was used for most of the images featured in this article. With Pro Capture H I used a frame rate of 60 frames-per-second, with both my Pre-Shutter Frames and Frame Count Limiter both set to 15. All images were created from RAW files using my standard process in post. This is the 1,403 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.
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Maybe not true 1:1 Macro, but still amazing and with the IQ, the cropping possibilities can make these kinds of insect photos compete with really good true macro output. I’ve been using the 100-400 + MC-14 for insect photos and that is a very good combination, too. I’m more pleased with it in that role than for BIF – the image quality (or maybe operator performance?) just isn’t A+ for distant birds with that lens/TC combo. But your insect quality here is amazing, much better, and I’m attributing at least part of that to the superiority of the 150-600 over the 100-400. Thanks for sharing these.
Hi John,
I agree that the optical performance of the M.Zuiko 150-600 compared to the M.Zuiko 100-400 is certainly noticeable when doing close-up photography. The shorter closest focusing distance of the 150-600 on the short end of the zoom makes a very large difference when using the lens for close-up photography.
In my experience the benefit of using the MC-14 with the 100-400 or 150-600 isn’t for distant birds, but rather to get more pixels on a subject bird that is at a more moderate distance. A photographer’s style will enter into this issue of course. I tend to get in closer to subjects than my wife does for example. Her photography tends to have more environmental details than much of what I produce. I like to spend time with her images as it reminds me about the value of ‘backing off’ a subject.
Tom
To add to my commentâĤ holding the OM-1 with the 100-400 I feel like itâs a doable but would benefit from a battery grip. Presumably the 150-600 would require a grip given extra size.
Hi Lee,
I would think that a grip would provide more balance and comfort when using a larger lens with your OM-1.
My wife shoots with an E-M1 Mark III and she quite likes it. I’ve used her camera a few times but I don’t find it comfortable to use and after an hour or so… even with a fairly small lens like the PRO 12-40 f/2.8 I get a cramp in my right forearm. Comfort is one of my main concerns with a camera body which is one of the reasons that I use a pair of E-M1X bodies.
Tom
Ive switched back to OM after a hiatus and selected the OM-1. It fits perfect in my hand as a 6 foot male. Most of my photography is travel but Iâd like to get into wildlife. I have the 12-100 and the 100-400 here in the return window period and am debating whether the 150-600 would be the better long term choice. I would probably not take either on a trip unless there were good odds of unique wildlife. Such as Australia, Costa Rica, etc. since travel would be with the family and not purely wildlife focused. Iâd like to also start experimenting with same animal and bird shots like your non macro images and can do so in our yard easily. Cost is not a major factor but weight makes me nervous. What are your thoughts on choosing between the two zooms as a long term decision? Thanks a lot, your articles on GAS and strategy have been very helpful.
Hi Lee,
The M.Zuiko 150-600 and 100-400 are very different animals. I don’t know if you read my comparison article on these two lenses… if not here is a link: https://smallsensorphotography.com/m-zuiko-150-600-vs-100-400-comparison There are quite a few articles on the 150-600 on my website under the Gear Review section.
The PRO 12-100 coupled with the 100-400 makes a wonderful travel kit. This is exactly what I took to Newfoundland last year and the combination performed wonderfully for me.
The M.Zuiko 150-600 is a terrific lens that I love using. Since I bought that lens I have used my 100-400… although I did keep the 100-400 as a smaller, lighter telephoto zoom for travel situations. I had some previous experience using heavier kit handheld back in my full frame days so I personally don’t find the M.Zuiko 150-600 too big or heavy… but that’s just me. Other folks may find that they need to use a monopod or tripod with it.
The M.Zuiko 150-600 is a pretty big step above the 100-400 in terms of in-field flexibility, build quality, image quality, and handling. The trade off is its larger size and weight which could be a deal breaker for some folks.
Another option could be to keep your 100-400, buy an MC-14 if for additional reach (you don’t already have one), and investigate the M.Zuiko PRO 90 mm f/3.5 IS macro lens (this macro lens also takes the MC-14 and MC-20 teleconverters). My wife now uses our 60 mm f/2.8 macro and I absolutely love the PRO 90 mm macro as it significantly expands my handheld macro photography potential. You may find that the 100-400 with MC-14 and the PRO 90 mm macro may give you more overall in-field flexibility, than the 150-600 would.
Tom
Absolutely amazing photos!
Thanks Ray… glad you enjoyed them!
Tom