SPONSORED: Wildlife Wonders with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

Sponsored: Pro photographer Rob Cottle shares how a change of camera lightened the load of his nature captures

Name: Rob Cottle

Location: South Wales, UK

Subject: Wildlife and travel

Equipment: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II and OM-D E-M1 Mark I, M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm 1:4.0 IS PRO, 1.4x converter, M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm 1:2.8 Pro M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18 mm 1:4.0-5.6, M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm 1:2.8 Macro

Rob Cottle is an “image maker, workshop taker and critter lover” with a passion for wildlife photography. Although the three P’s – perseverance, planning and patience – now define his approach, his shooting ethos has changed dramatically over the last few years. 

“When I first started, like most, I had a tendency to go out without much of a plan and end up with grab shots. I’d rush from sighting to sighting and mostly end up frustrated,” he says. “I soon realised that patience was the only way, and to not follow action but wait for it to come to you. I will often position myself for the light rather than the subject.”

Besides delivering superb image quality, Rob needs a camera that delivers all the essential functions at his fingertips. “It needs to be customisable to the way I work, responsive, and the autofocus needs to put up with the demands of wildlife photography (which in my case is predominantly carried out in low light). I want to travel light and not feel encumbered by equipment.”

Rob used a Canon EOS 7D Mark II as his wildlife-capturing tool for years, alongside an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark I as his ‘everything else’ camera. “I always loved using it, so when the OM-D E-M1 Mark II was released and the reviews were extremely favourable for wildlife work, I was keen to try it – especially when I wanted to reduce the weight of my kit!”

[The camera] needs to be customisable to the way I work, responsive, and the autofocus needs to put up with the demands of wildlife photography

After trialling the system, Rob was knocked out that a camera that looked this good was on a par if not surpassing his previous cameras. “When I pack my kit into my backpack I reduce the weight by over a third and this is a huge help when flying or simply carrying,” he says. “I have now made the complete switch to mirrorless and only own micro four thirds equipment.”

Rob recently bought the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II along with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4 IS PRO lens and uses this setup with a previously bought M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 Pro (to go with his first E-M1 Mark I). 

“This setup has enabled me to replicate my previous Canon gear at a much reduced weight but with no loss in quality, control or facilities,” he explains. “The autofocus is fast, white balance is the best I’ve used and the {{wysiwyg??}} display is always a huge help in judging exposure.” 

While Rob may have changed his tools, for him, the beauty of wildlife never fails to lose its sense of wonder. “I don’t need to look much further than the wildlife; it engages and inspires and I desperately try to do it justice.”

I try to create an image that evokes a mood or atmosphere – it’s all about the combining of light, the animal and its surroundings

A pro upgrade

Why Rob is excited to use the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II 

“This camera has opened up not only new possibilities, but it’s a joy to use and carry. There are features on it that other systems do not have and which I have barely scratched the surface with. I’m really looking forward to using them to my advantage in the future. I think sometimes we forget that photography is fun (not life and death) and if any camera starts to be a brake to enjoying ourselves and we venture out less, then we are doing something wrong!

OM-D E-M1 Mark II greatest hits

MAXIMUM MOBILITY

The E-M1 Mark II body weighs in at only 498g approx. (body only). By switching camera systems, Rob has substantially lightened his carrying load.

MADE FOR THE REAL WORLD

A professional camera needs to be durable and robust. The OM-D E-M1 Mark II’s magnesium-alloy body is designed to withstand the elements.

REVOLUTIONARY FOCUS

Armed with 121 phase-detection autofocus points, the OM-D E-M1 Mark II’s precise autofocus system keeps up with the demands of wildlife photography.

A TRUE PERFORMER

Wildlife is notoriously unpredictable, but the continuous shooting speed of up to 60 frames per second captures every frame of action.

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