217: Landscape Photography with the OM System In-Camera 2x Teleconverter

In this video I share my results and discuss my thoughts on an experiment I carried out find out whether or not shooting JPEGs with a built-in digital teleconverter would be any use for landscape photography. You might be quite surprised at how it turns out when I compare images from a range of lenses at their maximum focal length.

Edited, mixed and produced with DaVinci Resolve 17.

[thomasphillips]

Those are pretty impressive results. The fern at 600 is great, nice to know Dave that the converter can be relied on. Great video thanks as always.

[audreypeters]

I have tried this on the 40-150mm with bird photography and was very impressed. I’d always heard that digital zooms are not worth using, but it certainly is impressive with Olympus when you need it. Thank you for a great experiment.

[elke]

Thanks for this tip. I've never used the built-in digital teleconverter because I was convinced it wouldn't produce good images. I'll give it a try. I like your channel. I'll subscribe.

[DavidLstar]

I have just tried this on my OM-1 with a 12-40 f4 Pro. I have been truly amazed by the results.

[swwee]

EM1 Mk 1 EM1 Mk II both got digital teleconverter. It's a hidden gem. Works for me. Most effective with the 40-150 f2.8 pro lens together with MC 2.0. Also works well with the 75-300mm.

[petermcginty]

Thank you, David. I have also used the digital teleconverter with photographing people surfing. I have used it on my OM-5 with a Lumix 100-300mm lens. I agree, perfectly acceptable shots that have made great holiday memories. 😊

[danielr.sepulvedaranspilot]

Very interesting, while everybody else tells us MFT users not to rely on the the in camera tele converter here comes your beautiful photos to make me go out and try this technic. Thanks for sharing.

[alangibson]

Just dipped my toe into MFT buying a OM-D E-M10 IV for a starter and I am loving this DTC.

[ScottAllshouse]

I have a hunch Gavin Hardcastle's video two weeks ago prompted many to check their cameras for some type of digital teleconverter. He thought it was exclusive to his Sony. I tested my EM1.3 with the OLY 12-100 F4 Pro during a mountain hike this weekend and got great results on the resulting JPEGs. I compared these with the RAWs. I only carry the OLY 12-100 F4 Pro during my mountain hikes and assigned the digital teleconverter to the FN button on the lens. This will help me get the longer reach on the rare occasions I need it.

[bothkindsofmusic]

Excellent video. I have used the digital teleconverter with the 150-400mm F4.5 Pro lens. I have set the lens to 400mm with the built in 1.25 TC. Even hand held, the results are amazing!

[sue.Hoo]

Funny isn’t it for years I’ve heard experienced, or professional photographers saying you should only shoot raw and preferably with prime lenses. Influenced by recommendations I bought an Olympus 40-150 f2.8 pro lens, yes it’s sharp, but I found it heavy and didn’t enjoy using it, sold it and bought Panasonic 14-140 instead, much happier with this lens, I still shoot jpg too!

Too many photographers insisting you have to be a purist, so thank you for showing what great results can be had with budget lenses and using inbuilt computational tools. 👍

[iqueque]

Amazing, I have been shooting with EM5 and EM1/2 for years and have never bothered to try it. Can’t wait to try. Thanks for the nudge.

[gregm]

For the record, Olympus has offered the DTC Function from the original E-M5 on all OMD models, and now OM models. I have been using and preaching the benefits of the DTC for years, and generally got laughed at -- I don't really care. I use it regularly as I am a Jpeg only shooter anyway and get great results. I use it with my Olympus 100-400mm f/5-f/6.3, so at full zoom I get an FF equivalent FOV of 1600mm @f/6.3 -- that is hard to argue with, given the size and weight of the lens. Those wildlife photographers who are lucky enough to own the Olympus 150-400mm f/4.5 Pro lens, can flip on the built-in TC, with the DTC and get a crazy 2000mm @ f/5.6 equivalent!
I have mine programmed to my 'Video' Button.

[johndavies]

Great video, I have an OM1 and didn't know about this feature as still learning about my camera, also i was looking to buy a 1.4 or 2X converter, after seeing this i will definitely be giving it a go soon and hopefully save my self some pounds in gear weight and money . Thank you

[jeffdrew]

A plus! A few years ago a bunch of talented photographers convinced me to shoot RAW, period! The grumpy geezer in me pushed back; JPG & RAW selected; and my world expanded! Oh my! So push the buttons on the camera and in post and have fun. Disclaimer: I’m retired and don’t do commercial work or live in my darkroom anymore! And I’m subscribing to this brilliant channel!

[philneath]

Thanks for the video. It mirrors my experience with DTC on EM5ii and comparing results side by side on the screen. I have it switched by the front button alongside the lens.

[jasongold]

so wonderful to watch without crappy idiotic ads! Tele converters are useful.

[metalmick]

I too, was very pleasantly surprised at the quality the digital TC yielded on my OM-1. Even more pleasing is the fact that it gives me a RAW file as well, to further process.

[lesmontanjees]

Thanks so much for this, David! It's always been greyed out on my Lumix g85 (yes, Lumix cameras have it too) so I just ignored it. Having now switched on jpeg I've been able to give it a whirl and the results are amazingly good. I'm a birdo, monitoring shorebirds here on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, and I can use all the tele I can get from my Lumix 100-300mm when looking for photos of leg flags on small waders. Thanks a million!

[lyndsaywheelans]

I will have to try this. Thanks for the tip! After watching your trip to Norway series and seeing all of your beautiful images, I purchased a used lumix 35-100 f4-5.6 for just over $300 CAD. I’ve been so impressed that I can carry a 70-200 in my pocket and get some decent reach and compression in my shots. It doesn’t have quite the feel of the Oly pro. I enjoy watching your channel. Thanks again for the tips and great images.