Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mark II - 4k Video and More Shooting

Background:

We've had some more shooting time with the EM1 Mark II stills and some 4k video.

Image Quality

Here are some sample images.  They range from ISO 200 through 6400.

Oly 12-40/2.8 PRO
1/400, f/2.8, ISO 4000 @ 40mm

Oly 12-40/2.8 PRO
1/500, f/2.8, ISO 5000 @ 40mm

Oly 12-40/2.8 PRO
1/80, f/5, ISO 1000 @ 40mm

Oly 12-40/2.8 PRO
1/80, f/2.8, ISO 2500 @ 40mm

Oly 12-40/2.8 PRO
1/80, f/2.8, ISO 500 @ 40mm

Oly 12-40/2.8 PRO
1/60, f/4, ISO 2000 @ 28mm

Oly 75-300/4.8-6.3
1/250, f/6.3, ISO 2000 @ 228mm

Oly 75-300/4.8-6.3
1/80, f/6, ISO 6400 @ 187mm

Oly 75-300/4.8-6.3
1/100, f/6.7, ISO 6400 @ 300mm

Auto Focus Revisited

I tried testing out the different modes shooting model trains.  I'm still learning the way that the AF modes function.   The single point C-AF worked as one would expect and was the most successful tracking method for me.  I believe that C-AF + Tracking might be better than the previous EM1.1.

The Cross Type and 3x3 block of focus points locked quickly, but there was a problem.  Unlike the way that Nikon cameras work with these kinds of groups AF points, you cannot select the main focus point.  The camera decides which AF point is main within the group you selected.  I often had issues with a moving subject not in focus because the camera picked a focus point below or behind the main subject.

What I would have liked to have seen was, a la Nikon, that the points around the main are used to help the C-AF more accurately track your subject.  I'm going to continue to test the AF types, but my guess is  that the issues are partly mine (lack of knowledge and improper technique) and the camera trying to find the most contrasty part of the scene under the focusing grid.

An example can be found in the images above of the green train.  In Cross or 3x3 grid mode, the camera would select an AF point either below the train on the track or the green body, even though the center of the focus groups were on the front of the train at the face.

Video

Did a more serious set of video shoots in the Cinema 4k Mode.  This was for a news blog I do called Visual Ohio.

Settings were 1/30, f/4, ISO 800.  "Flat" profile with post processing done in Premiere Elements 14.
I would lock focus and then record my shots.

I found the camera a pleasure to work with in video mode.  The IBIS and the 12-40/2.8 PRO were a great combination for capturing the subject above.    Panning was smooth and effective.

Bottom Line:
The EM1 Mark II continues to be a pleasure to work with.  The stills and video performance are great.  I will continue to work with the 

Firmware Update Breathes New Life Into The Olympus 75-300/4.8-6.7 Zoom Lens

Firmware updates are a good thing.  They fix issues in camera or lens operation and sometimes they bring with them better performance or upgrades that give you functionality that you didn't have before.

Not too long ago, the Olympus OMD EM1 received firmware 3.0.  This firmware was to enhance the AF performance on the camera.  They touted the enhancements for the C-AF.  They should also tout the overall AF performance.

Olympus OMD EM5 - 1/640, f/6.7, ISO 200 @ 300mm

One of the things I love most about the Micro Four Thirds camera is the ability to get more reach from a smaller kit with great quality.  By greater reach, we are talking about the field of view being narrower for any given focal length when we are comparing it to the fields of view of a film or digital camera of the 135 persuasion.  Something like a Nikon D700 or Df as an example of a 135.

I had need for a lens with some longer reach, and saw some reviews about the Olympus 75-300mm and the Panasonic 100-300mm lenses.  After much review, I decided on getting the Olympus.  In field of view terms, this lens is a 150-600mm.  Add on top of that the ability with an OMD body to use the built in 2x digital teleconverter and you could have an effective 1200mm field of view.

All this goodness for around $500 used.

Olympus OMD EM5 - 1/500, F/8, ISO 200 @ 208mm

Image quality on the lens is outstanding for the price, especially under the 250mm focal length.  Even out to 300mm, it is still doing very well....but you can start seeing where the compromises needed to be made for this zoom lens.

Another slight hiccup at times was the AF lock at longer focal length, specifically beyond 200mm.  It tended to hunt a lot and could at times mis-focus.  Given the nature of the lens - it needs good light because of the slow aperture range and the mis-focusing I used it rarely.

Olympus OMD EM1 - 1/8000, f/7.1, ISO 3200 @ 3200
You know how erratic chickens are and I wanted to show another example of high ISO images with the EM1

I decided to bring it out the other day as I was heading over to some local parks and thought I'd give it a go again.  I paired it with the Olympus OMD EM5.  Then it all came back to me why I used it rarely.  It was having issues focusing again.  I'm trying to get some birds on a bird feeder at between 250 and 300mm lengths and it would mis-focus a ton.  It got to the point that I started just focusing on the rim of the feeder box and waited for birds to fly into frame.  Lighting conditions were favorable.  I was shooting in bright sunlight, around 1-2pm, no shade, plenty of contrasty subjects.

Olympus OMD EM1 - 1/2500, f/6, ISO 640 @ 187mm

Going home, I was a little disappointed.  I was getting some old lenses together to trade in for the Olympus 12-40/2.8 and thought that I might sell the 75-300 and save up for the upcoming Olympus 300/4 prime lens.

It dawned on me that I had not tried to use the 75-300 on the EM1 with the new firmware update.  I was planning on going to a local historical farm to shoot anyway, so I brought the 75-300 with me.  This was do or die time for the zoom!!

Olympus OMD EM1 - 1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 800 @ 300mm

All I can say is that I am glad I gave it a second chance.  Talk about a night and day difference.  There was no hesitation, I think I might have missed focus 2 times and I'm pretty sure it was my fault.  The lighting conditions were almost identical to the day I shot it with the EM5.  I was able to lock onto birds sitting on a fence rail jumping around and spinning about and fire away.  New life indeed!!!!!

While I can see me getting the Oly 300/4 if I need to consistently shoot at that field of view a lot more, this zoom will do just fine for the time being.

Olympus OMD EM1 - 1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 1000 @ 300mm

Some extra tips for the 75-300 shooter:

• If you are like me and normally shoot in aperture priority mode, think about switching up to shutter priority mode for those times when you are using the 75-300.  I let the aperture ride where it needs and set the ISO to auto.  I've got no problems using the EM1 all the way up to ISO 6400
• If you are not happy with the performance on the EM5, check it out on the EM1 and the new EM5 Mk II before giving up on it.

Shooting With The Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II

Have had the opportunity to check out and shoot with the Olympus 75-300 f/4.8-6.7 II lens.

This particular copy was obtained used and was shot without a lens hood.  I shot it as I normally would shoot on any other day, any other assignment or any other outing.  I do this because I want to see if the cameras or lenses fit my shooting style.  I also post processed these images as I would any other images I share because for me, it is about the deliverable at the end of the day.  Images straight out of camera mean very little to me in the grand scheme of things.

1/320, f/8, ISO 320 @ 300mm

Why this lens?  I look at it this way.  I can optically get out to a field of view of 600mm and with the 2x digital teleconverter, I can reach out to an astounding effective FOV of 1200mm!!

1/640, f/4.8, ISO 200 @ 75mm

In order to get this kind of reach on an FX sensor size body, the cost would be a whole lot more at the current market rates.  Below I will share some images from this lens at various focal lengths and one using the 2x digital teleconverter.

1/320, f/6.1, ISO 250 @ 200mm

Right to the point - this is a great lens, but not exceptional.  It is wonderful to use right up to about 280mm(560mm FOV) at which point I noticed that it did soften up a bit.

1/800, f/5.1, ISO 200 @ 100mm

It did hunt for focus from time to time, but only at the long end of the zoom range.  It also did miss focus once or twice, but I'm not sure if that was the gears issue or mine - I was hand holding all the shots, so it is possible that the missed focus was due to user error on my part.
The 75-300 is also a relatively fast focuser (not 45/1.8 level - but respectable) and silent because it is classed as MSC (movie and stills compatible).

1/320, f/6.7, ISO 800 @ 300mm

The zoom ring is nice, smooth and precise.  It will get you where you want to be.

The manual focus ring is adequate and useful at times, especially when shooting in the zoo conditions found in our sample images.  Shooting through fences or dirty glass can cause the AF system to focus on the foreground elements and not your subject behind them.

1/800, f/6.7, ISO 200 @ 281mm

The bokeh quality is not one I would call top notch, but respectable.  I do see some jitteryness in the out of focus areas.  I will also state that I've seem way worse.  If you bow to the alter of the bokeh gods - you'll most likely hate this lens...however, you need to also understand that there are really not a lot of options for this zoom or focal length on m43.  The other options being the Panasonic 100-300mm, which optically is indistinguishable from the Olympus.  The Panasonic is also a bit bigger because it uses in lens IS and is a 1/3 stop faster.

1/200, f/6.7, ISO 1000 @ 300mm w/ 2x digital teleconverter

While the aperture is really slow, optically this lens delivers more than what you pay for it - much like the Olympus 40-150 does.  Given the current used prices, you can get yourself an adequate 600mm shooter(optical) or 1200mm (2x digiteleconverter) for under $1000.  Not bad, actually.

All images taken, handheld, with an Olympus OMD EM5, IBIS enabled.  Post processing was done in Lightroom, and any black and white processing was aided with the onOne Perfect B&W plug-in.