Is Zuiko Digital 70-300mm enough for bird shooting?

[wwooaahh]

Hi all ZD 70-300mm users out there, have you used the ZD 70-300mm to shoot birds? If you have, did you shoot hand held or on tripod? Flash required? When I went to Chinese Garden, there were many bird shooters there, and they all used big lenses, with powerful flash. So I am wondering how a ZD 70-300mm would perform.

Another question, what other type of shooting/photography do you use your ZD 70-300mm?

I am thinking of getting one, so asking you guys for the reviews first.

Thank you.

 

[aryanto]

Have you googled this place?
Someone has posted bird pictures taken using little tuna with EC14 and EC20
I think also bigma is a candidate

70-300 ... I dont think so, unless your bird is a bigger variety

 

[Legoz]

If the bird is in front.. Most prob can.

 

[spidey89]

Small birds is tough,bigger birds still ok,probably can go for the bigma 50-500 and maybe even EC14 though the light loss is pretty bad IIRC

 

[hhho]

had been using 70-300mm for sometime (together with E300, E620) for shooting birds and insects mainly.
It is not good for tripod so only handheld most of the times.
During the fine day, flash is not necessary.
You need to get use to slow focusing sometimes and missing a chance of getting one good shot.
It is one of my favourite travel lens because of its light weight.
some shots taken with this lens during last Korea trip.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=677827

if you consider getting it next time, you should bring it along to zoo or birdpark

 

[harper]

I use my 70-300 for plane spotting...

sometimes when the metal birds are resting, then shoot feathered birds...

 

[mabmy]

Hi wwooaahh, the 70-300 is a nice and affordable zoom lens for shooting something that can be quite a distance away, though i do not know how will it fare when used for wildlife birding, but i must say its a nice lens to have when you are shooting animals in a zoo or the bird park. Allow me to show you an example of this lens at work.

This shot of a white tiger was taken at our local zoo, with a focal length of 104mm at F4. As this animal is quite big, it doesn't really pose a problem to shoot especially in a bright sunny condition. for small birds though, maybe you can try like what spidey89 said get the Bigma 50-500.

 

[wwooaahh]

Thank you for all your replies. I guess this lens is not for birding.

 

[eddylynx]

Thank you for all your replies. I guess this lens is not for birding.

It can be a good birding lens, i saw some good photos producing by this lens.

One of the sample from E510 + 70-300mm (not mine ;p)

You can check below link for birding photos mostly taken by E510 + 70-300mm combo

http://www.pbase.com/pipkin/pad

 

[Mad Armour]

Hi all ZD 70-300mm users out there, have you used the ZD 70-300mm to shoot birds? If you have, did you shoot hand held or on tripod? Flash required? When I went to Chinese Garden, there were many bird shooters there, and they all used big lenses, with powerful flash. So I am wondering how a ZD 70-300mm would perform.

IMO, it is a good and cheap lens to start with. Work around it's weakness and you'll be rewarded. If you find you like birding, then you can graduate to 50-200SWD or 300mm if you strike 4D.

Model: E-520
ISO: 400
Exposure: 1/2000 sec
Aperture: 8.0
Focal Length: 300mm
Flash Used: No
Tripod used: Yes.

Model: E-520
ISO: 400
Exposure: 1/1250 sec
Aperture: 7.1
Focal Length: 300mm
Flash Used: No
Tripod used: Yes.

Model: E-520
ISO: 400
Exposure: 1/160 sec
Aperture: 7.1
Focal Length: 300mm
Flash Used: Yes
Tripod Used: No.

Model: E-520
ISO: 400
Exposure: 1/160 sec
Aperture: 5.2
Focal Length: 226mm
Flash Used: Yes
Tripod Used: No

 

[Orangie]

IMO, it is a good and cheap lens to start with. Work around it's weakness and you'll be rewarded. If you find you like birding, then you can graduate to 50-200SWD or 300mm if you strike 4D.

Ppl already complaint 300mm no enough range. You still recommand 200mm and 300mm?:dunno:
BTW I also use 70-300 for birding. Its a poor man's lens to me:bsmilie: My pics ain't as sharp as yours:sweat:

 

[Mad Armour]

Ppl already complaint 300mm no enough range. You still recommand 200mm and 300mm?:dunno:
BTW I also use 70-300 for birding. Its a poor man's lens to me:bsmilie: My pics ain't as sharp as yours:sweat:

Well, if the FF ppl can do birding with 100-400mm, I don't see why we can't with 50-200mm. Not enough reach? Add the EC-14 lo. As for 300mm, that's the longest Oly lens. Can add in a EC-20 for that.

70-300mm is a good lens, IMO. If other ppl can, I don't see why we can't....hahahaha. I think you need a flash that actually talks to your body, though.

 

[jjmoh]

Hi Wwooaahh,

Woah!......Nice user Name and by the way, This Is probably '' The Best Budget Tele-zoom '' In The world In My Opinion. I was The First person In Malaysia To Buy It Via Post From japan when it was first Launch. Beside being made by Tatsuno, this lens has a circular Iris and The bokeh Is Just Nice for Birding and Macro. At The present day price, it's even a bigger Bargain...... By all means go out and buy this lens and It can be used with flash ( Manual flash will do ).....This lens is capable of producing some very sharp Images right out of the Camera if you know the sweet spot ( f/8 to F/16 ).

I am not going to bore you with words, just go to my gallery ( Just a small part of it ) and View for yourself what this kid can do.

Here's The Link : http://gallery.clubsnap.com/member.php?uid=45298&protype=1

And here's An article I wrote about this lens over at the malaysian 4/3 site :

http://mychiaroscuro.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3126

Well, Here's a couple of example of it's capability :

And this were close up In 1:2 Macro mode :

Thanks and I hope that will help...........Uncle James.

Mod at Malaysia's only 4/3 site : www.mychiaroscuro.net

 

[eddylynx]

Agree, this is the most affordable tele photo lens for birding.
As for birding, people says you will never have enough focal range, always want more than what you have now.

Here are some of my noob attempts with 70-300mm, all shots handheld at 300mm

 

[wwooaahh]

Agree, this is the most affordable tele photo lens for birding.
As for birding, people says you will never have enough focal range, always want more than what you have now.

Here are some of my noob attempts with 70-300mm, all shots handheld at 300mm

Haiz, now you make me want a ZD 70-300. Got to start saving money from now. Good shots man! I like to shoot hand held.

 

[senate747]

I just tried bird shooting with the lumix 14-140mm lens in pasir ris and my verdict was that it's better to have something with more focal length cos the birds tend to be too far away most of the time unless they're flying towards you. :bsmilie:

 

[seafood]

Great shots all :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Shows patience in all your shots ... and good handling, too!

Agree, this is the most affordable tele photo lens for birding.
As for birding, people says you will never have enough focal range, always want more than what you have now.

Here are some of my noob attempts with 70-300mm, all shots handheld at 300mm

 

[Orangie]

Here's some of my shots

300mm
1/320s
f/5.6
ISO 400

300mm
1/500s
f/8
ISO 200

300mm
1/1250s
f/5.6
ISO 100