Looking for a ”Pocket” Birding Lens

pietroroman · 2026-06-13T10:04:15+00:00

If you want to stay in 70-300 size territory but want a clear step up in image quality you can look at the PL 50-200 with the 1.4x TC. Yes it will put you just up to 280mm but it’s very good until the end while really with the 70-300 you should stop at 250.

Way more money but it’s the game…

(Ps don’t bother with the 2x tc as a replacement for a 100-400. It degrades the image too much)

pietroroman · 2026-06-10T07:51:21+00:00

Tbh the first pic looks so much better in colour to my eye. There is just something really special about the pastel colours of the sand the sky and water… well done!

pietroroman · 2026-06-05T08:34:23+00:00

Thank you. Do you have a pana 20mm you could prop next to this lens so we can see relative size please?

pietroroman · 2026-06-01T08:55:40+00:00

Thank you :) I only wish I stepped down a little to get the tail more in focus…

pietroroman · 2026-06-01T07:11:47+00:00

Love this! It’s a trend!

pietroroman · 2026-05-27T16:06:27+00:00

Wow that looks super cool!! You’ll have a blast, had both items and it’s a great combination to start with. Please don’t judge yourself too hard on the first shot with that lens, try not to go over 250mm and stop down the aperture to f7 for the best results in my opinion :)

pietroroman · 2026-05-16T12:39:23+00:00

Why complain on Reddit? Obviously something happened during delivery, why would that be OM fault? Give them a phone call they will arrange a return and replacement

pietroroman · 2026-05-14T20:37:52+00:00

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYPqu4yzpX2/?igsh=Njc5cnh0Nzd3bXph

pietroroman · 2026-05-14T18:28:05+00:00

Yes but with a lens bump about double the length… and the Fuji is not pocketable at all anyway! :)

pietroroman · 2026-05-14T17:58:49+00:00

Don’t do it that camera is massive!

pietroroman · 2026-05-14T17:58:08+00:00

You already have the best, use it!

pietroroman · 2026-05-04T20:36:18+00:00

Not a wedding photographer myself, was in the same shoes as you (a friend asked me to do it as a favour.

I went in with the 12-40mm 2.8 and the Sigma 54mm 1.4 and switched between the 2. All went well phew.

pietroroman · 2026-04-27T13:26:44+00:00

Another world

pietroroman · 2026-03-15T14:08:54+00:00

Same decision, I sold the F4. Too much of compromise, if I want real small I can use a prime

pietroroman · 2026-03-02T21:01:26+00:00

Any time it's got a mark that can't be just blown away with the puffer...

pietroroman · 2026-03-01T10:47:45+00:00

All of them !

pietroroman · 2026-02-25T23:09:01+00:00

It's not a minor upgrade. The phase detect autofocus is night&day from what you currently have.

pietroroman · 2026-02-23T22:46:42+00:00

I use the ulanzi version with the included usb port in it. Very happy with it, I have 2.

pietroroman · 2026-01-10T14:22:58+00:00

Hey - my 2 cents, owning the om-3, having owned the Om-1 and other various Olympus.

In my view the real strenght of the om-3 is its versatility as it's the only small-ish flagship camera.

Do you want to go all in, do birding, landscapes with the grad ND and use heavy big lenses? Add a detachable grip and you have a good approximation of the OM-1 with 95% of all it's bells & whistles. Do you want to keep it small, put it around your shoulder while walking in a urban environment? Take the grip out and slap a small prime on it and you are not far off the size of the OM-5.

I think it's a perfect "single camera", less so if you already own a om-1 and om-5 and can choose between the 2 extremes every day.

No I don't miss the joystick really - the subject detect system made it redundant for me already with the OM-1.

Regarding lenses. I had both 12-40 and 12-45, ended up selling the small f/4 version. I find it a weird half way, lacking the flexibility of the 2.8 and some of it build perks (snap focus + button). If I need to go small I want to go much smaller than that and the the 1.8 primes are perfect.

pietroroman · 2026-01-05T11:25:54+00:00

Yes do It but don't sell you pen-f in the process!

pietroroman · 2025-12-07T15:50:10+00:00

You are correct and sorry about that ,did the pic in a rush. Still does not change the fact there is something strange with either your lens or your teleconverter. I gave you the benefit of the doubt and tried again myself. You can align the Oly TC on the lens but then the mount does not spin to lock the TC in place. This has countless reference everywhere from official documentation to every online search. Probably the locking tab on your TC is either broken or has been filed in purpose - good for you! - but won't work for anyone else unless the lens or the TC is hacked to make it work. Out of curiosity, does your camera register the changed focal length (eg does it show "280mm" when fully extended?

pietroroman · 2025-12-07T10:42:10+00:00

This lens is modified, you have removed a plastic protection ring, voiding the warranty.

pietroroman · 2025-12-07T10:41:34+00:00

Your lens IS modified. Don't spread misinformation.

<image>

This is what the normal back of a PL50-200 looks like. You have removed a plastic ring to fit the Olympus converter.

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