Kowa

The combination of a full size single lens reflex (SLR) camera with the Prominar 500mm F5.6FL (Prominar 500mm) is excellent for capturing high resolution images. However, some users may have found it difficult to capture these images using the manual focus. The release of the Olympus OM-D EM-5 (or OM-D) makes it easier to find the proper focus point so wild bird photography is much easier and more enjoyable while still employing manual focus.

All camera manufacturers are releasing a variety of mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILC) which are rapidly increasing in market share since they are mid-way between a full blown SLR camera and a compact digital camera.
Among these, the Olympus OM-D adopts the Micro Four Thirds System, and uses a 4/3 inch image sensor to deliver a high 16 megapixel resolution image. Since it also offers 9 frames per second high-speed sequential shooting and incorporates a swift response electronic viewfinder (EVF), it is well suited for wild bird photography.

When the OM-D is used with the Prominar 500mm, the following fields of view are obtained:

• TX10 with the F5.6* = 1000mm
• TX07 with the F4* = 700mm
• TX17 with the F9.6* = 1650mm

* Equivalent focal length in 35mm format

This super telephoto system is very lightweight (2.5kg) so it is much more portable than other systems. A system with similar performance using an SLR camera and large aperture super telephoto lens would weigh about 5kg and would cost over 1 million yen in Japan. In contrast, the Prominar 500mm with OM-D is very reasonably priced and highly functional. Wild Bird photography often requires extensive walking so the increased mobility is a strong and attractive attribute. Also, the resolution is comparable with the combination of an SLR camera with a large-aperture super-telephoto lens. Images that I have taken with the Prominar 500mm with OM-D have been chosen as cover photos on the June 2012 edition of BIRDER magazine (published by Bun-Ichi Co, Ltd).

When compared to an SLR camera system, the only item missing from the Prominar 500mm and OM-D system is the auto focus. However, the OM-D’s electronic viewfinder incorporates functions that support manual focusing including a swift response speed, an easy-to-view 1.44 million dot LCD that makes perfect focusing easily identified and understood, and a function that allows partial screen enlargements. In addition, the image stabilization system of the OM-D reduces hand and camera shake. The major cause of camera shake in SLR cameras is the vibration caused by the mirror operation. This can be a particularly serious problem when taking photographs inside dark woodlands when light is drastically reduced. In contrast, since mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras do not incorporate mirrors, there will be absolutely no mirror shock. Therefore, a higher percentage of higher quality photos will be taken at lower shutter speeds when compared with photos taken with conventional SLR cameras.

For these reasons the compact and high resolution “PROMINAR 500mm + OM-D” combination is a system that I would recommend for all photographers, from beginners to highly experienced users.

I hope that you will use this as a first choice camera system when photographing wild birds.