San Diego Gear Bag/Delkin Flash Card Price Drops

What’s Up?

Another day, another swim; the pool was down 3 degrees to 74F after the previous night’s cold front. Again, I made some decent progress on the 7D Mark II User’s Guide. Today’s blog post took about 2 1/2 hours to prepare. It was published at 7:10am from my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. If you are one of the very few who missed the Canon Digital Learning Center “Bird Photography with Arthur Morris” seven video series, be sure to click here for a link and the complete details. I still have many exciting new images, tales, and lessons from my recently concluded trip to share with you here over the course of the next few weeks and am looking forward to doing just that. Do consider joining me in South Georgia next October for the trip of a lifetime

Please Remember to use our Affiliate Links 🙂

To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you use our the B&H and Amazon affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your purchases. B&H Is recommended for you major photography gear purchases, Amazon for your household, entertainment, and general purpose stuff. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod heads, Gitzo tripods, Wimberley heads and plates, LensCoats and accessories, and the like. We sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And we are always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. I just learned that my account was suspended during my absence; it should be up and running by Monday at the latest.

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San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects. With annual visits spanning more than three decades I have lots of experience there….

San Diego Gear Bag

I am pretty sure that I have never been to San Diego without a 600 or a 500. Till this year.

Because of a mis-communication with my contact at B&H I did not have a brand new Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens waiting for me when I got home from South America. It would be both conceivable and practical to do the whole San Diego trip with the 100-400 II, a 7D Mark II, and a 1D X. I am still scrambling to get my hands on a 100-400 II for the trip. If you know of a local camera store with one on the shelf, please shoot me their contact info via e-mail.

If I do get a 100-400II I am sure that there will be at least a morning or two when I head out with just the new lens, a camera body or two, and a 1.4X TC in my vest.

Note: We have LensCoats for the 100-400L IS II in stock in the BAA Online Store; purchase yours here.

I needed to carefully consider taking either the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens or the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens with Internal 1.4x Extender.

The 600 II is great for the ducks, great for making super-tight images of pelican parts, and very good for shorebirds. The 200-400 is far more versatile allowing for virtually unlimited framing options. The pelicans are often quite close. The money shot with them is the head throw. When you have a perfect situation you often need to wait for the head toss. Those waits can be long ones. On the surface it would seem that hand holding the 100-400II would be best. But keeping even this relatively light lens raised for what might be a considerable period of time quickly gets old. I’d much prefer the 200-400 on a tripod.

In addition, with the 1.6 crop factor of the 7DII, I will be able to create the super-tight pelican stuff that I love either with the built-in TC alone or by adding an external Canon Extender EF 1.4X III to the mix. With both TCs and the 7DII I will be able to enjoy effective of equivalent (your choice of words) 1254.4mm, roughly the equal of the 600II/2X III/1D X combination (1200mm).

Taking all of the above into account we put the 200-400 into the lens trunk, put that into our old, large, dependable, well-taped-up, heavy duty cardboard shipping box, and sent it UPS-3 day to the San Diego hotel. Along with my hiking boots, my tripod, and my Mongoose M3.6 tripod head.

As getting the 100-400II is not a given, I am bringing the venerable and versatile Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens. Great for the pelicans in flight or for a variety of bird-scapes and scenics with either camera body (or with a 5D Mark III).

Choices for Nikon Folks

Telephoto lens choices for Nikon folks, especially those using full frame bodies, are more difficult. If I were in that group, I would lean more towards bringing the 11.16 pound (sorry, big advantage to Canon there) Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR AF lens than to bringing the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens. I’d make sure, however, to have a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens on hand.

Those whose big lens is the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II should bring along their Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II lens as well.

For Nikon folks using 1.5X crop factor cameras the choices are that much more difficult….

Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings.

Auxiliary Lenses

Also along for the ride will be the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II and the Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS . I used each successfully on the Southern Ocean trip both on landings and from the zodiacs.

There were more than a few times on that trip when I wished that I had had the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens along and vowed to bring it on pretty much every trip that I make. When you are out in nature it is rare that something tiny and interesting does not catch your eye. The 100 macro IS will be in the bag.

As always, I will be traveling with three Canon 1.4X III TCs and two 2X III TCs.

Camera Bodies

I will have along two 1D X bodies, my 7D Mark II, and the 5D Mark III. I will likely use each of them at some point on the trip.

Singh-Ray Filters: In Case of Rainbows

Singh-Ray filters have been used by the world’s top photographers for many decades. Who? Art Wolfe, Tony Sweet, my new friend Ian Plant, my friend and oft-business partner, Denise Ippolito, Nevada Weir, Brenda Tharp, Cole Thompson, Chuck Kimmerle, and the late Galen Rowell among others. Singh-Ray has been and is the name in quality filters. I will have both my 77 and 82mm Singh-Ray Warming Polarizers in my vest in San Diego in case of rainbows.

No other filter manufacturer comes close to matching the quality of Singh-Ray’s optical glass that is comparable to that used by NASA. And they continue to pioneer the most innovative products on the market like their ColorCombo polarizer, Vari-ND variable and Mor-Slo 15-stop neutral density filters. When you use their filters, you’ll create better, more dramatic images and, unlike other filters, with absolutely no sacrifice in image quality. All Singh-Ray filters are handcrafted in the USA.

Best News: 10% Discount/Code at checkout: artie10

To shop for a Singh-Ray 5-Stop Mor-Slo Fliter (for example), click on the logo link above, click on “Neutral and color
Solid Neutral Density Filters (glass), then click on “Mor-Slo™ 5, 10, 15 and 20-Stop Solid Neutral Density Filters (glass),” choose the size and model, add to cart, and then checkout. At checkout, type artie10 into the “Have a coupon? Click here to enter your code” box, and a healthy 10% discount will be applied to your total. In addition to enjoying the world’s best filter at 10% off you will be supporting my efforts here on the blog.

Think Tank Rolling Bags

I will be using the larger of my two Think Tank rolling bags, the Airport Security™ V 2.0 Rolling Camera Bag. I used the slightly smaller of the two, the Airport International™ LE Classic for my Southern Ocean trip. I am going with the larger bag in anticipation of having a 100-400 II to bring home 🙂

Please click on my Think Tank affiliate link here to earn a free gift when you purchase a Think Tank Rolling Bag.

The Think Tank Glass Limo

The Think Tank Glass limo was so fantastic on the Southern Ocean trip that I am bringing it to San Diego even though there are very few long walks. I will be doing a blog post soon detailing how I use this great bag.

Please click on my Think Tank affiliate link here to earn a free gift when you purchase a Glass Limo.

The San Diego Site Guide

The San Diego Site Guide is, as all of our Site Guides are, the next best thing to being on an IPT. I share all the hard-earned secrets learned over three decades of birding and bird photography in and around America’s Finest City. Learn more or purchase here.

Delkin Flash Card Price Drops

Please note the new lower prices for Delkin flash cards:

32GB 700X CF Card: $54.99
64GB 700X CF Card: $84.99
128GB 700X CF Card: $194.99

32GB 1000X CF Card: $74.99
64GB 1000X CF Card: $99.95
128GB 1000X CF Card: $219.95

You can purchase yours at the new low prices above by calling Jim at 863-692-0906 or by clicking here.

Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART

Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog or via a BAA Online Bulletin is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charges a minimum of 20% plus assorted fees! Yikes. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly–I offer free pricing advice, usually sells in no time flat. In the past few months, we have sold just about everything in sight. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the old Canon 500mm, the EOS-7D, and the original 400mm IS DO lens have been dropping steadily.

Used Gear Cautions

Though I am not in a position to post images of gear for sale here or elsewhere, prospective buyers are encouraged to request for photos of the gear that they are interested in purchasing via e-mail. Doing so will help to avoid any misunderstandings as to the condition of the gear. Sellers are advised to take care to photograph their used gear with care against clean backgrounds so that the stuff is represented accurately and in the best light; please pardon the pun :).

These Price Reductions Just In!

Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM Lens, the “old six”

An Amazing Package for Someone Young and Strong. Or Old and Strong.

Price reduced $400 on 1/26/2015!

Gerald Barrack is offering a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens for the record-low price of $5199, or $5399 with the 1.4X II and 2X II TCs thrown in. The lens is in very good condition with perfect glass and many dings and wear on the painted surface that do not affect function. Photos are available upon request. The lens was given a clean bill of health after a clean and check by Canon in Nov. 2014. The gear will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made. The sale includes the lens trunk, the front leather hood, the rear lens cap, and insured ground shipping within the continental US.

Interested folks can contact Gerald via e-mail or try him on his cell at 201 638 3510 (Easter Time Zone).

The old six was my workhorse super-telephoto for too many years…. artie

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV/Lowest Price Ever!

Price reduced $301 on 1/26/2015!

Gerald is also offering a used Canon EOS 1D Mark IV body again for a record low price: $1599. The body is in very good to excellent condition and is in perfect working order having been check by CPS in November 2014. The body has several scuff and wear marks that do not affect function. Photos are available upon request.

The sale includes a Really Right Stuff mounting plate, the original Canon camera strap, the battery charger and an extra battery, the instruction manual, and insured ground shipping within the continental US. Interested folks can contact Gerald via e-mail or try him on his cell at 201 638 3510 (Easter Time Zone). The camera will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Two Mark IVs were my workhorse bodies for many years. artie

Used Sigma Zoom Super Telephoto 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO IF HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS

Price reduced $500 on 1/26/2015!

Beth Starr is offering a used Sigma Zoom Super Telephoto 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO IF HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS, aka The Sigmonster, in like-new condition. Used only 3-4 times: $4,999. The sale includes the original shipping box and the original lens case. Includes insured ground shipping in the continental US. You can call Beth on hee cell at 908-625-1589 or contact her via e-mail.

This is a superb lens for folks working from a vehicle with the lens supported by a BLUBB. James Shadle has used the Nikon mount version of this lens on a tripod for years to create many memorable images. Strong folks can save a bundle as this is a steal at $2,899 below the list price. artie

New Listings (1/25/2015)

Used Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens

Sale Pending

As predicted, Rod’s used Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens sold almost instantly for $5200.

Used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Lens

Brad Lincoln is offering a used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Lens in excellent condition for the lowest-ever-by-far price of $4199. The sale includes the front leather hood, the rear dust cap, the strap, the original case with keys, a Lens Coat, a Really Right Stuff 63A Lens Plate, the lens manual, the original warranty card, and insured shipping to US addresses only. The lens had Canon’s 11-Point EF Lens Maintenance Service in March 2014. Photos are available upon request via e-mail. The lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Folks can contact Brad by e-mail or reach him by phone at 1-703 440-5912, 6:00-9:00 pm Eastern Time. There are currently four of these lenses listed on the Used Photography Gear Page here at prices from as low as $4700 to as high as $5250; this is one is priced to sell instantly so best would be to e-mail Brad as it will be first come, first served.

The old five was at one time the world’s most popular telephoto lens. It still makes great images with both TCs. artie

Used Canon 400mm f/2.8L IS II Lens

Melissa Hahn is offering a used Canon 400mm f/2.8L IS II lens in mint condition for $8999. Original owner. The sale includes the lens hood, the E-180D front lens cover, the 400C lens trunk, the rear lens cap, the wide lens strap, a black LensCoat (an $89.99 value), a TravelCoat (a $59.95 value), and insured ground shipping to US addresses. The lens will ship only after your check clears. Glass and lens immaculate. The lens was very recently cleaned and checked by Canon. Photos are available upon request.

Interested folks can contact Melissa on here cell phone at 1-631-404-2965 (eastern time) or via e-mail.

This fast, super-sharp, relatively lightweight (8.49 pounds) super-telephoto lens (the Nikon version weighs 10.2 pounds) is a versatile lens for wildlife photographers. It creates super-sharp images with both the 1.4X III and the 2X III Extenders. It currently sells new at B&H for $10,499 and they are offering a used one for $9,899.95. You can save some significant bucks by grabbing Melissa’s lens now.

Used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM Lens

Zack Skochko is offering a used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM Lens in like-new condition for the amazingly low price of $7499. Save $2,000 right now. No marks, no blemishes, glass perfect. Request photos via e-mail as below. The sale includes the front leather hood, the rear dust cap, the strap, the original lens trunk, a Really Right Stuff replacement foot, the lens manual, the original warranty card, and insured shipping to US addresses only. The lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Folks can contact Zack by e-mail or reach him by phone at 703-965-7432, EST. Day and evenings OK.

Note: Used “new fives” are exceedingly rare. They sell new at B&H for $9499. B&H is offering a used old 500 (Item condition 9) for $6,299.95. This “new 500” is priced to sell instantly so please do not hesitate and risk being disappointed.

Used Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM Lens

Bill Lloyd is offering a one year old used Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM lens in excellent conditions with perfect glass and several minute, barely visible scratches for $949. The hood locks/unlocks smoothly and the focusing ring operates smoothly. Request photos via e-mail as below. The sale includes with the Canon LZ1132 Pouch and Strap (both unused), the lens Guide Sheet, the front and rear lens caps, the tripod mount ring AII(W), and insured shipping to US addresses only. The lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Folks can contact Bill via e-mail.

Though I put my beloved “toy lens” on the map about 2 decades ago, this versatile lightweight lens is still in production for good reason. It makes a great flight lens or a great starter lens. It is super sharp. 7D II folks can add a 1.4X III TC and enjoy tremendous reach (though I recommend using a good tripod and the Mongoose M3.6 with a teleconverter to ensure sharp images). The 400/5.6 sells new today at B&H for $1339.

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