This article features some images of vultures in-flight captured handheld with the M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 zoom and MC-20 teleconverter.
NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4407 pixels on the width, subject distance 45 metres
Yesterday I was out doing some field work for an article concept, when I noticed an unusually high number of vultures perched in a tree adjacent to 40 Mile Creek.
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-800, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3484 pixels on the width, subject distance 38.6 metres
Since I was not specifically planning to photograph birds, I had purposely left my M.Zuiko 100-400 mm zoom lens at home along with the E-M1X that I have set up for this type of photography.
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-640, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4619 pixels on the width, subject distance 36.6 metres
In response to the immediate opportunity to photograph some vultures in-flight, I had to quickly mount my M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 zoom and M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter on my camera.
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-640, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3495 pixels on the width, subject distance 51.8 metres
Then I had to adjust a number of camera settings to replicate my C1 Custom Mode on my other E-M1X that I use specifically for birds-in-flight. I didn’t miss too many image opportunities as these changes only took me a minute or so to complete. It certainly reinforced how important it can be to have the right camera body with me!
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3347 pixels on the width, subject distance 48.2 metres
Like most folks who enjoy bird photography I have more than enough belly shots of vultures in-flight. Typically vultures in-flight are quite high up riding on thermals. They tend to fly in groups called a kettle. When demonstrating this behaviour I don’t typically even bother trying to photograph this species.
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-1000, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3267 pixels on the width, subject distance 68.3 metres
Yesterday morning was by far my best ever opportunity to photograph vultures in-flight that were at tree level. Fortunately there was a strong breeze yesterday morning which caused all of the vultures to fly directly upstream in order to land on a suitable tree branch. This allowed me to adjust my shooting position along the opposite bank of 40 Mile Creek.
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4103 pixels on the width, subject distance 43.6 metres
It appeared to me that a committee of perched vultures was forming so I had a very limited time frame to get my photographs of them approaching in-flight. I’ve heard that once a group of vultures leaves their perched positions, it sometimes can take many hours for them to return.
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-640, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3819 pixels on the width, subject distance 35.6 metres
After capturing a number of generic in-flight photographs, I started to concentrate on creating an image sequence of a vulture coming in… then landing on a branch.
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4071 pixels on the width, subject distance 45 metres
The following group of 11 images were from the same run. It was one of the best sequences I was able to capture yesterday morning. I did not bother processing three of the consecutive images in this run as the bird’s head was obscured by its wings or tree branches.
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4191 pixels on the width, subject distance 45 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4470 pixels on the width, subject distance 45 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3975 pixels on the width, subject distance 46.5 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-640, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4299 pixels on the width, subject distance 45 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-640, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, subject distance 43.6 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-640, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4263 pixels on the width, subject distance 41 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-640, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4455 pixels on the width, subject distance 41 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-640, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4454 pixels on the width, subject distance 41 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-640, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4371 pixels on the width, subject distance 38.6 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-640, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4179 pixels on the width, subject distance 38.6 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-640, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4263 pixels on the width, subject distance 38.6 metres
The image run above is a good demonstration of why I prefer to use a combination of Bird Detection AI with Pro Capture L for my bird-in-flight photography. This combination works well together as Bird Detection AI stays on my subject bird as it approaches… and Pro Capture L allows me to wait until the bird has completed the desired behaviour before I fully depress my shutter release.
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-400, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3387 pixels on the width, subject distance 46.5 metres
When I purchased the M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 zoom, the f/4 PRO version of that focal length zoom was not yet available. If I could go back in time I would have no hesitation to buy the PRO f/2.8 version again.
Although it is more expensive, larger and heavier than the PRO f/4 version, for what I do it is absolutely worth every penny. The PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 zoom remains my favourite M.Zuiko lens because of its wonderful versatility, build quality and optical performance.
I’d like to end this article with another image run of a vulture coming in to land.
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-800, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3663 pixels on the width, subject distance 43.6 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4131 pixels on the width, subject distance 42.2 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4346 pixels on the width, subject distance 42.2 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4932 pixels on the width, subject distance 42.2 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4527 pixels on the width, subject distance 42.2 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4260 pixels on the width, subject distance 42.2 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4346 pixels on the width, subject distance 38.6 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, subject distance 38.6 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4083 pixels on the width, subject distance 38.6 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4275 pixels on the width, subject distance 38.6 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4658 pixels on the width, subject distance 36.6 metresOM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-500, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4455 pixels on the width, subject distance 37.6 metres
The image run above along with all of the other photographs featured in this article were all captured yesterday within a 16 minute time frame at 40 Mile Creek.
As I’ve stated numerous times on this photography website, every photographer should buy and use the camera equipment that best meets their needs. Just because a particular camera system meets the needs of one photographer, it may not be the best choice for another.
After more than 4 years of very intensive use I still love my Olympus camera equipment and I have absolutely no interest in changing anything in my kit.
Technical Note
Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. Images were produced from RAW files using my standard process. This is the 1,319 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO-640, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4862 pixels on the width, subject distance 36.6 metres
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4 thoughts on “Vultures In-Flight With PRO 40-150”
Tom,
These are the only photographs of Turkey Vultures (?) I have seen close up and sharp, in-flight. Fortune favors the prepared. Thanks,
Jack
This was a unique opportunity. I went out again yesterday but did not have as many chances to photograph the vultures coming in to land. I did capture quite a few images of them in-flight at a low altitude… but haven’t processed those images yet. One never knows what opportunities Mother Nature will present to us. Our challenge is to make the best of the opportunities we get 🙂
Brilliant series of photographs. I have both the f2.8 and f4 versions of the 40-150. I use the f4 version for general photography, as it is very light, but it cannot be used with a teleconverter, so I use the f2.8 version for bird photography.
Having both versions of the 40-150 can make sense for a lot of people. I imagine quite a few people would also have the 8-25 f/4 or the 12-45 f/4 for a nice, light travel combination paired with the 40-150 f/4.
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Tom,
These are the only photographs of Turkey Vultures (?) I have seen close up and sharp, in-flight. Fortune favors the prepared. Thanks,
Jack
Hi Jack,
This was a unique opportunity. I went out again yesterday but did not have as many chances to photograph the vultures coming in to land. I did capture quite a few images of them in-flight at a low altitude… but haven’t processed those images yet. One never knows what opportunities Mother Nature will present to us. Our challenge is to make the best of the opportunities we get 🙂
Tom
Brilliant series of photographs. I have both the f2.8 and f4 versions of the 40-150. I use the f4 version for general photography, as it is very light, but it cannot be used with a teleconverter, so I use the f2.8 version for bird photography.
Hi Roger,
Having both versions of the 40-150 can make sense for a lot of people. I imagine quite a few people would also have the 8-25 f/4 or the 12-45 f/4 for a nice, light travel combination paired with the 40-150 f/4.
Tom