Is anyone exploring the Olympus OM-1 for birds and wildlife?

[StefanSC]

There were relatively few contributors and a portion were older Olympus users. I am wondering what OM-1 users here on Backcountry Gallery think a new OM-1 camera would need to provide in order for them to upgrade.

Well, as a young Olympus user (as in I got my OM-1 a month ago, it is my first Olympus/ OMDS camera and I am way below the average age of the user base ), here are the things that I would like to see in an OM-1 mk II:

1) ON/OFF switch must be around the shutter button. And the employees that came up with it's current placement need to be fired.

2) Wake-up time needs to be improved massively. For a camera that feels this fast in use, it's wake-up time if it goes to sleep is atrocious.

3) BIG buffer increase. This is a camera that can go 50fps in RAW. 90 frame buffer doesn't cut it. It needs to at least match the D500s buffer.

4) And to help with the buffer, drop the SD card slots. Put in a single CF-Express type B card slot, glue 128 GB of UFS 3.1 (or even better, 4.0) storage on the main board for back-up.

5) Third control wheel around the D-Pad. Great for people who shoot Manual + Auto-ISO.

6) Proper menu redesign. I've avoided Olympus cameras in the past for their horrible menus and the OM-1 is slightly better than previous ones but still...

7) As part of the menu redesign, unify the AF settings in a single place that is easy to use with the camera up to your eye. And allow people to customize the SCP.

8) As long as we are at the AF phase... fix tracking without subject detection. It's a mess even compared to the old DSLR 3D Tracking not to speak of Sony's capabilities.
8.1) Copy Near-AF/Far-AF functionality from Panasonic. While the OM-1 seems to not be so attracted to backgrounds as other mirrorless cameras, I am still finding situations when having that functionality at a button's call would be handy.

9) A 25-ish Mpx sensor would be nice. And they can even bump up the body size if they want to keep it cool as the camera feels a bit cramped.

All that would probably get me to upgrade in 2-3 years time. For now, I am enjoying the OM-1s and 300mm f4's output. It's a fast camera and a great lens.

But I like my Panasonic G9 better for anything that isn't wildlife related.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Photographer_Bill]

Well, as a young Olympus user (as in I got my OM-1 a month ago, it is my first Olympus/ OMDS camera and I am way below the average age of the user base ), here are the things that I would like to see in an OM-1 mk II:

1) ON/OFF switch must be around the shutter button. And the employees that came up with it's current placement need to be fired.

2) Wake-up time needs to be improved massively. For a camera that feels this fast in use, it's wake-up time if it goes to sleep is atrocious.

3) BIG buffer increase. This is a camera that can go 50fps in RAW. 90 frame buffer doesn't cut it. It needs to at least match the D500s buffer.

4) And to help with the buffer, drop the SD card slots. Put in a single CF-Express type B card slot, glue 128 GB of UFS 3.1 (or even better, 4.0) storage on the main board for back-up.

5) Third control wheel around the D-Pad. Great for people who shoot Manual + Auto-ISO.

6) Proper menu redesign. I've avoided Olympus cameras in the past for their horrible menus and the OM-1 is slightly better than previous ones but still...

7) As part of the menu redesign, unify the AF settings in a single place that is easy to use with the camera up to your eye. And allow people to customize the SCP.

8) As long as we are at the AF phase... fix tracking without subject detection. It's a mess even compared to the old DSLR 3D Tracking not to speak of Sony's capabilities.
8.1) Copy Near-AF/Far-AF functionality from Panasonic. While the OM-1 seems to not be so attracted to backgrounds as other mirrorless cameras, I am still finding situations when having that functionality at a button's call would be handy.

9) A 25-ish Mpx sensor would be nice. And they can even bump up the body size if they want to keep it cool as the camera feels a bit cramped.

All that would probably get me to upgrade in 2-3 years time. For now, I am enjoying the OM-1s and 300mm f4's output. It's a fast camera and a great lens.

But I like my Panasonic G9 better for anything that isn't wildlife related.

View attachment 75507

View attachment 75508

View attachment 75509

Love the images, and agree with much of your assessment. Was the last shot taken with pre-capture shutter?

 

[Woody Meristem]

I doubt anything would get me to "upgrade" to a new model, the cameras already have more capability than I can use. And that's probably true for the vast majority of photographers. Upgrading is great for the companies since they can now sell a lot of cameras to people who just have to have the newest, shiniest (and most expensive) camera. You folks upgade, I'll buy your old gear for a song and be happy, happy, happy.

 

[Tom Reynolds]

1) ON/OFF switch must be around the shutter button. And the employees that came up with it's current placement need to be fired.

2) Wake-up time needs to be improved massively. For a camera that feels this fast in use, it's wake-up time if it goes to sleep is atrocious.

If this is a problem set the time before going asleep up

3) BIG buffer increase. This is a camera that can go 50fps in RAW. 90 frame buffer doesn't cut it. It needs to at least match the D500s buffer.

Would be nice but you'll get used to shooting in bursts.

4) And to help with the buffer, drop the SD card slots. Put in a single CF-Express type B card slot, glue 128 GB of UFS 3.1 (or even better, 4.0) storage on the main board for back-up.

Again, would be nice but I don't want to see the weight increased

5) Third control wheel around the D-Pad. Great for people who shoot Manual + Auto-ISO.

Allowing a quick set of exposure compensation. Very good idea

6) Proper menu redesign. I've avoided Olympus cameras in the past for their horrible menus and the OM-1 is slightly better than previous ones but still...

You will get used to them

7) As part of the menu redesign, unify the AF settings in a single place that is easy to use with the camera up to your eye. And allow people to customize the SCP.

8) As long as we are at the AF phase... fix tracking without subject detection. It's a mess even compared to the old DSLR 3D Tracking not to speak of Sony's capabilities.

Subject detection works great. AF otherwise not so much. I agree.

8.1) Copy Near-AF/Far-AF functionality from Panasonic. While the OM-1 seems to not be so attracted to backgrounds as other mirrorless cameras, I am still finding situations when having that functionality at a button's call would be handy.

9) A 25-ish Mpx sensor would be nice. And they can even bump up the body size if they want to keep it cool as the camera feels a bit cramped.

I would like a bit better also as long as the weight is kept down.

 

[GrandNagus50]

It's Rip Van Winkle time for me with regard to the world of OM Systems technology. I understand there are firmware updates available for both the OM1 camera and the 150-400mm zoom. I cannot find anything at the OM Systems site about the lens update, i.e., what it's for, where the firmware link is located. On top of that, on the OM Systems site the price of the lens is now listed as $14,999.98. WHAT? Did I fall asleep for months or years?

 

[Pauhana]

Wow…….it does. Gotta be a typo

 

[Palmor]

Wow…….it does. Gotta be a typo

If you click into the lens the price is correct, someone made a mistake on that top level page

 

[Tom Reynolds]

It's Rip Van Winkle time for me with regard to the world of OM Systems technology. I understand there are firmware updates available for both the OM1 camera and the 150-400mm zoom. I cannot find anything at the OM Systems site about the lens update, i.e., what it's for, where the firmware link is located.

Yes, the OM-1, 300f4 and 100-400 all have updates. Current OM-1 software is ver. 1.5, 300f4 is ver. 1.6, 100-400 ver. is 1.1.

If you upgrade with the lens installed, OM Workspace will update the lens firmware after the camera.

1-Update OM Workspace. The Om Workspace update will allow you to update the camera and lenses.
2-Update body
3 Update lens

Update increases AF stability for video and keystone compensation.

 

[StefanSC]

Love the images, and agree with much of your assessment. Was the last shot taken with pre-capture shutter?

Yup. I am finding the OM-1 pre-capture function to work a bit better than the G9 so I am using it more:

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

If this is a problem set the time before going asleep up

There isn't much that I can do except that .
Still, I have missed shots because the camera was just a split second too late to wake up.
On the other hand, I got shots that I wouldn't normally get as the camera was very quick on the initial subject lock-on compared with my D500.

Would be nice but you'll get used to shooting in bursts.

I usually do that. Nice controlled ~10 frames bursts.

That being said, I can think of a scenario I really want to catch (Bee-eaters in flight trying to steal insects from each-other) where the buffer might be an issue as I would really like to get that split second where both birds are hanging onto the same insect but that means following the action through for a few seconds... Maybe Pro-Capture will help .

Again, would be nice but I don't want to see the weight increased

The OM-1 is not much smaller than a G9 but the size difference makes the G9 easier to use with the 300mm f4 and heavier lenses. The balance just feels nicer, the grip meatier (and I don't have large hands by any measure).

On the other hand, both overwhelm something like a 17mm f1.8...

You will get used to them

Not really. I was playing with the G9 and the OM-1 and man those OM-1 menus are so much worse to use than the G9's. As long as I am using multiple systems, I'll probably be frustrated by that menu .

I would like a bit better also as long as the weight is kept down.

They could move the OM-1 innards into an OM-5 type body for people who want to save as much weight as possible and then get a newer sensor with more MPX in a slightly bigger body with better cooling (G9 is about as big as I would like to see an m43rds body be).

 

[riseform]

Just back from a Costa Rica trip and my fingers were working buttons on the camera like piano keys in "Root Beer Rag". Mirrorless cameras require a lot more adjustments than DSLRs to truly appreciate their benefits.
Still loving this MFT camera and lenses.
No buffer issues as I have learned not to lean on the shutter. No need for fifty butt shots once a flight pattern turns. I'm also ok with 20 MP. My images are mostly viewed on a phone, computer or TV screen.
My main wish would be fore a single button to immediately return to auto ISO from manual ISO without changing any other settings rather than spinning the dial to return. It'd also be nice if the histogram were visible while changing ISO rather than having to pick one and then view the histogram in the viewfinder.

 

[eaj101]

Off the top of my head I'd like to see a big improvement in the ability to handle higher ISOs - less noise, mostly. That alone might be enough if the change is big enough. Of course I'd like to get more pixels-on-subject. There are a lot of other things that aren't perhaps enough to provoke an upgrade - improve subject detection, improve tracking.

But don't compromise the things that really set it apart - stellar optical performance and reach in a small and light package. I spend a lot of time with just the OM-1 and the 300 f4, by themselves.

 

[orangecafe]

Well, as a young Olympus user (as in I got my OM-1 a month ago, it is my first Olympus/ OMDS camera and I am way below the average age of the user base ), here are the things that I would like to see in an OM-1 mk II:

1) ON/OFF switch must be around the shutter button. And the employees that came up with it's current placement need to be fired.

2) Wake-up time needs to be improved massively. For a camera that feels this fast in use, it's wake-up time if it goes to sleep is atrocious.

3) BIG buffer increase. This is a camera that can go 50fps in RAW. 90 frame buffer doesn't cut it. It needs to at least match the D500s buffer.

4) And to help with the buffer, drop the SD card slots. Put in a single CF-Express type B card slot, glue 128 GB of UFS 3.1 (or even better, 4.0) storage on the main board for back-up.

5) Third control wheel around the D-Pad. Great for people who shoot Manual + Auto-ISO.

6) Proper menu redesign. I've avoided Olympus cameras in the past for their horrible menus and the OM-1 is slightly better than previous ones but still...

7) As part of the menu redesign, unify the AF settings in a single place that is easy to use with the camera up to your eye. And allow people to customize the SCP.

8) As long as we are at the AF phase... fix tracking without subject detection. It's a mess even compared to the old DSLR 3D Tracking not to speak of Sony's capabilities.
8.1) Copy Near-AF/Far-AF functionality from Panasonic. While the OM-1 seems to not be so attracted to backgrounds as other mirrorless cameras, I am still finding situations when having that functionality at a button's call would be handy.

9) A 25-ish Mpx sensor would be nice. And they can even bump up the body size if they want to keep it cool as the camera feels a bit cramped.

All that would probably get me to upgrade in 2-3 years time. For now, I am enjoying the OM-1s and 300mm f4's output. It's a fast camera and a great lens.

But I like my Panasonic G9 better for anything that isn't wildlife related.

View attachment 75507

View attachment 75508

View attachment 75509

Hi there. I have the OM-1 100-400mm. You mentioned a fast camera. Did you mean the 300mm is pretty fast. Considering adding that Len to get less grain in lowish light. I use post production with great success for the grain but it smooths out the photos too much at times.

 

[orangecafe]

Off the top of my head I'd like to see a big improvement in the ability to handle higher ISOs - less noise, mostly. That alone might be enough if the change is big enough. Of course I'd like to get more pixels-on-subject. There are a lot of other things that aren't perhaps enough to provoke an upgrade - improve subject detection, improve tracking.

But don't compromise the things that really set it apart - stellar optical performance and reach in a small and light package. I spend a lot of time with just the OM-1 and the 300 f4, by themselves.

I agree on less noise.

 

[StefanSC]

Hi there. I have the OM-1 100-400mm. You mentioned a fast camera. Did you mean the 300mm is pretty fast. Considering adding that Len to get less grain in lowish light. I use post production with great success for the grain but it smooths out the photos too much at times.

When I say a camera is fast, I mean it's responsive, it reacts quickly, is always ready to shoot.

When I say a lens is fast, I usually mean that the lens has a large aperture (f4-f2.8-f2-f1.4 .... depending on the focal length).

I think you should post a few samples of the shots you think are smoothed out too much.

Alongside the examples I added in you other thread, here's an 1:1 ISO 8000 shot in the worst light with the OM-1 and 300mm f4 with noise reduction using Adobe AI Denoise. (you can find the whole shot in web res here https://bcgforums.com/threads/eurasian-treecreeper.30463/ )

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[orangecafe]

Thanks so much. I’ll post a few that were shot in cloudy conditions that are too smoothed out. I used Photoshop AI on the raw files.

 

[Tom Reynolds]

Use topaz photo AI which automatically masks the subject and only removes noise from the background

 

[orangecafe]

(Yellow bird is misidentified. It’s a female Orchard Oriole)

 

[orangecafe]

Yellow bird is misidentified by me. It’s a female Orchard Oriole)

 

[orangecafe]

Use topaz photo AI which automatically masks the subject and only removes noise from the background

But the bird needs de-noise as well. I’ve been reading articles and some say Photoshop/ Adobe is just as good as Topaz. I already have PS. I guess I’m trying to improve the amount of light I can get to hit the sensor first (by exploring what gear if any will help (not including 11k f2 lenses) with less need for as much de-noising.

 

[Nimi]

But the bird needs de-noise as well. I’ve been reading articles and some say Photoshop/ Adobe is just as good as Topaz. I already have PS. I guess I’m trying to improve the amount of light I can get to hit the sensor first (by exploring what gear if any will help (not including 11k f2 lenses) with less need for as much de-noising.

Bigger sensor. That simple.

 

[orangecafe]

Bigger sensor. That simple.

I think so.

 

[Tom Reynolds]

I just ain't buying it. No offense but the duck shot posted here was shot with a 300f4 + an MC20 teleconverter. Plus it was cropped 50%. I turned off Camera Raw sharpening but used the lens blur function to artificially reduce the DOF, then used Topaz Photo AI. I tried the various Topaz sharpen options and picked the one I liked best.

You are shooting @ F6.3. This was at F8

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Nimi]

I just ain't buying it. No offense but the duck shot posted here was shot with a 300f4 + an MC20 teleconverter. Plus it was cropped 50%. I turned off Camera Raw sharpening but used the lens blur function to artificially reduce the DOF, then used Topaz Photo AI. I tried the various Topaz sharpen options and picked the one I liked best.

You are shooting @ F6.3. This was at F8View attachment 76167

On my phone, the feathers have no details, the eye is not in focus and the duck is soft overall.

 

[Palmor]

Thanks so much. I’ll post a few that were shot in cloudy conditions that are too smoothed out. I used Photoshop AI on the raw files.

Can you post the original without noise reduction.

 

[Tom Reynolds]

On my phone, the feathers have no details, the eye is not in focus and the duck is soft overall.

Probably squeezed it too much to post it.