Wings over Lower Saxony: Bird photography with the OM System

My name is Yannis, and I am 20 years old. I live in Saxony in Germany, located right on the edge of theElm region. This is a beautiful hill range that has effectively become my second home and my personal studio. By day, my life is quite grounded in technical precision as I work in a very different field. I completed my training as a surveying technician, and I am currently furthering my education to become a state-certified civil engineering technician.

​To be honest, balancing this demanding education does not leave much room for a wide variety of pastimes. While people my age might fill their schedules with team sports, music, or various arts, I dedicate almost all my free time outside of school to photography. It is not just a casual hobby for me. It has become my primary creative outlet and my essential way of connecting with the world around me.

​From Street Corners to Forest Canopies
​My journey into photography is perhaps a familiar story for many, yet it is special to me. It began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many others looking for a meaningful activity during the lockdowns, I bought my first camera to occupy my mind. Initially, I focused on street and automotive photography. I enjoyed capturing the lines of the city and the mechanical details of cars.

​However, the true turning point came when I purchased my first serious telephoto lens. It was the M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO. Looking through that glass changed my perspective entirely. It drew me away from the concrete and into nature. I transitioned completely to wildlife and bird photography, and I have not looked back since. There was something about seeing the world up close that hooked me immediately.

​The Fascination with Wildlife
​What drives me to wake up early and head into the woods is not just the desire for a pretty picture. It is a genuine fascination with biology and nature itself. I love observing animal behaviour and learning new things about the species I encounter. There is a thrill in the hunt for the moment. I am always trying to freeze a split-second interaction or a unique behaviour that reveals the character of the animal.

​When I am out in the field, my inspiration comes from the desire to document these natural events. I want to capture the behaviour of the animals in that exact moment. Whether it is the specific way a bird looks for food or the interaction between two animals, my goal is always to preserve that fleeting second.

​The Gear Switch: Goodbye Lumix G9, Hello OM-1 Mark II
​For a long time, the Panasonic Lumix G9 was my faithful companion. It is a fantastic camera, and I captured many memorable images with it. However, as I became more serious about bird photography, specifically photographing birds in flight, I began to hit a wall. The main issue for me was the autofocus system. It often struggled to keep up with the fast and erratic movements of birds, which led to some frustration in the field.​That frustration led me to the OM System OM-1 Mark II. The difference was immediately noticeable. The autofocus on the OM-1 Mark II is simply incredible. It locks on and tracks subjects in a way that allows me to capture impressive flight shots that were previously a struggle. Beyond the focus, the faster burst speeds are a game-changer for action sequences.

​I also frequently use the computational modes that OM System offers.Specifically, I use the Handheld High-Resolution mode to get 50MP files for detailed static shots. I also utilize Focus Stacking for my macro work, which is incredibly practical to have in-camera.

​However, no camera is perfect. I must admit that I do miss the ergonomics of the Lumix G9. I miss the top-down status display and the third control dial. I also miss the overall larger grip of the G9, which felt very substantial in the hand. But ultimately, for the specific needs of bird photography, the performance of the OM-1 Mark II outweighs these physical preferences.

​My Current Kit
​For those interested in the gear I take on my hikes in the Elm region, here is my current setup. I try to cover everything from wide landscapes to distant birds:

• ​Camera: OM System OM-1 Mark II
• ​Telephoto: M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4 IS PRO
• ​Telephoto Zoom: M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO
• ​Standard Zoom: Panasonic Lumix 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6
• ​Primes: Panasonic Lumix 25mm f/1.7 & M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro
• Teleconverter: Olympus MC 20
• Flash: Godox V480

​Why the 300mm f/4 PRO?
​A question I often get is why I chose the fixed 300mm f/4 PRO over the flexible super-zooms available on the market, like the 100-400mm or similar lenses. The answer comes down to light. I spend a lot of time deep in the forest and shooting at sunrise when light conditions are challenging. The f/4 aperture is crucial for keeping my ISO manageable in these dark environments.

​I absolutely love this lens. The sharpness is outstanding, and the bokeh is pleasing. The image stabilization, known as Sync-IS, is rock solid. One of my favorite features is the focus clutch mechanism on the focus ring. It allows me to switch to manual focus just by pulling the ring back. The autofocus speed is also very fast, which is vital for my work.

​Regarding reach, I also use the MC-20 (2x) teleconverter. I can confirm it works decently well with the 300mm. This gives me massive reach when necessary. I have not yet had the chance to test the MC-14 (1.4x) teleconverter, but the 2x converter is a good tool to have in the bag.

Final Thoughts
​If I could go back in time with the same budget, I would make the exact same decision. The OM-1 Mark II paired with the 300mm f/4 is a powerful combination for any nature photographer.

​However, if budget were no issue, I would have to be honest about my dream gear. The flexibility of the M.Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x PRO would be the ultimate upgrade. But for now, I am more than happy exploring the forests of Lower Saxony with the kit I have. I am enjoying the process of learning more about nature, one shutter click at a time.