Birds in Flight, Micro 4/3 (OM-D/M.Zuiko)

Bird Kingdom BIF Test Images

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This article features some Bird Kingdom BIF test images captured handheld with an M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS zoom. As regular readers know, Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls is one of my favourite spots to visit… especially when wild bird migration periods are over.

NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 123 mm, efov 246 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-800, cropped to 3189 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 2.4 metres

The facility has two primary viewing areas where the captive birds are allowed to fly freely.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 100 mm, efov 200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-6400, cropped to 3704 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 10.1 metres

Bird Kingdom is one of the largest facilities of its kind in terms of having free flying birds… however the space is obviously very cramped when compared to being outdoors in a natural environment.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 150 mm, efov 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-6400, cropped to 2863 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 17.5 metres

From a composition standpoint, virtually all of my Bird Kingdom BIF test images ended up with busy, distracting backgrounds.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 285 mm, efov 570 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-1250, cropped to 3216 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 16.4 metres

This was to be expected when shooting inside a building… so I wasn’t anticipating that I’d have any ‘keepers’ from my visit.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 150 mm, efov 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-2500, cropped to 3694 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 3.7 metres

My main objectives were simply to practice my eye/hand coordination and shutter release timing.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 138 mm, efov 276 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-6400, cropped to 3105 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 2.3 metres

In the past when visiting Bird Kingdom I have concentrated my efforts on perched birds with the intent of working on my composition skills, and using some slower shutter speeds.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 138 mm, efov 276 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-16000, cropped to 3053 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 9.1 metres

With this visit I accepted the reality that using a shutter speed of 1/2500 in an indoor environment would push my ISO values up. As you can see in the image above, and the next two that follow… I pushed things up to ISO-16000 a few times.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 138 mm, efov 276 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-16000, cropped to 3053 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 9.1 metres

The resulting quality wasn’t great at ISO-16000… but that’s why I like to push my camera gear when doing test images.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 169 mm, efov 338 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-16000, cropped to 3608 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 9.4 metres

It allows me to establish realistic shooting boundaries given the specific lighting conditions that I’m facing.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 123 mm, efov 246 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-6400, cropped to 3448 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 9.5 metres

Even at ISO-16000 my photographs were underexposed… as were many of my images at ISO-6400… leading to noise reduction that was more aggressive than usual.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 244 mm, efov 488 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-6400, cropped to 3103 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 19 metres

The Scarlett Ibis birds provided a few opportunities for some precise moment captures when they were just launching into flight.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 100 mm, efov 200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-12800, cropped to 3833 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 6.5 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 150 mm, efov 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-6400, cropped to 2874 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 17.5 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 100 mm, efov 200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-6400, cropped to 3565 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 8.4 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 123 mm, efov 246 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-6400, cropped to 4126 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 3.8 metres

Two of my favourite Bird Kingdom BIF test images were of a Barbary Dove illustrated above, and the Zebra Finch below.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 186 mm, efov 372 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-6400, cropped to 2912 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 3.3 metres

Capturing these Bird Kingdom BIF test images was a good opportunity to get in some practice time with the M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS zoom lens.

Technical Note

Photographs were captured handheld with the camera equipment  noted in the EXIF data. All images were created from RAW files using my standard process in post. This is the 1,424 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

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8 thoughts on “Bird Kingdom BIF Test Images”

  3. Hi Mr Thomas
    Do you notice “noticeable” differences in ISO performance and focus speed (with all the firmware updates) between the MX1 and the Oly OM-D E-M1 III in your “practice”, day-to-day real-life? In the EU, both models are around the same price now, in the used market… And I’m

    Reply

    1. Hi Antonio,

      I don’t use my wife’s E-M1 Mark III very often, but when I have I’ve not noticed any differences with ISO performance. Focus speed with both cameras is very good. I haven’t used her camera enough to make a comparative comment. The E-M1 Mark III does not provide AI Subject Tracking so it does not meet my needs with bird photography.

      Her camera is much lighter, but does not provide the comfort, handling and ergonomics of my E-M1X. If I use her camera for more than an hour, even with lighter lenses I get a cramp in my right forearm. With heavier lenses like the PRO 40-150 f/2.8 or larger lenses the cramping happens within a few minutes.

      Tom

      Reply

  4. Very good idea Thomas to test and practice BIF from that point of view you seem to have captured everything well.
    It’s interesting that you used the 100-400 to capture the shots too. That’s a lens that I am testing this month with a view to purchase with a 30% discount code I have from OM Systems.
    Thanks again

    Mark

    Reply

    1. Hi Mark,

      The 100-400 is a very good lens which I have enjoyed using for a number of years. Being compatible with M.Zuiko teleconverters give the lens a lot of in-field flexibility, especially with the MC-14… with only one stop of light loss. I still use my 100-400 periodically when I want something lighter and smaller than my 150-600… but with more reach than my wife’s 75-300 II.

      Tom

        Reply

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