What’s Up?
I spent the better part of Monday and Tuesday micro-adjusting my two new 5D Mark IV bodies with all of my lenses and TCs… Whew. Almost done.
Condolences to my former (and first) wife Dana Geils and her sister Rachel Bedford on the loss of their younger brother Brian Wenger on Tuesday. My two daughters, Jennifer and Alissa, loved their Uncle Brian.
Condolences also to the friends and family of long-time veteran bird photographer Tony Mercieca of Chula Vista, CA. Tony, who had been photographing birds for many more decades than I, always had a wry smile on his face and a wise-crack to go with it. I saw him in Coronado on my last visit to San Diego.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of the folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
Nikon Gear
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR Lens
Huge Price Reduction/Price Reduced $1000 on SEPT 27, 2016!
IPT veteran and good friend Mark Hardymon is offering a used Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR lens in excellent condition for the by far BAA record low price of $5999. The sale includes the original trunk (CT-607), a Wimberley low profile tripod foot, the original Nikon tripod foot, a LensCoat soft front lens cover, the original Nikon front lens cover, a black LensCoat, all other original accessories, and insured ground shipping via UPS. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Mark by e-mail or by phone at 614-296-2277 (Eastern time).
The 600 f/4 lenses are ideal for those who do birds and wildlife. This older version of the Nikon 600 weighs 11.16 lbs. This model is still in production and sells new at B&H for $9,394.00. The newer lighter version, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens (designated by “E” rather than “G” after the f/4) weighs 8.4 pounds but costs $12,296.95. Thus, Mark’s lens is a great buy for someone young and relatively strong who would like to save $4395. artie
The Streak: 320!
Today’s blog post marks a totally insane, irrational, illogical, preposterous, absurd, completely ridiculous, unfathomable, silly, incomprehensible, what’s wrong with this guy?, makes-no-sense, 320 days in a row with a new educational blog post. There should be no end in sight until my big South America trip next fall. Or not… As always-–and folks have been doing a really great job recently–-please remember to use our B&H links for your major gear purchases. For best results use one of our many product-specific links; after clicking on one of those you can continue shopping with all subsequent purchases invisibly tracked to BAA. Your doing so is always greatly appreciated. Please remember: web orders only. And please remember also that if you are shopping for items that we carry in the new BAA Online Store (as noted in red at the close of this post below) we would appreciate your business.
Three great camera bodies cheap! Dan Cadieux used a 7D body to create all of the images in today’s blog post!
Canon EOS 7D Camera
Ed Hutchinson also is offering an EOS 7D camera in like-new condition for $379. There are no scratches, scuff marks, or other blemished to suggest the camera has been used. The camera comes in the original box with all in-box items as purchased (except as noted below), including battery pack & charger, strap, cables, documentation, and warranty card. One of the two discs originally included, EOS Digital Solutions Disc, is missing, however downloading the current software from the Canon web site is recommended as the information on the disc is now outdated. The package also includes David Busch’s Compact Field Guide for the Canon EOS 7D. The camera will be sent by insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only.
Your camera will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Ed by e-mail or phone at 832-689-8111 (Central time).
This 7D would make a great starter camera body for any new digital photographer. artie
Canon EOS 7D Camera Body
Henry Raymundo is also offering a Canon EOS 7D camera body in excellent condition for $399 with an extra battery. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the original CDs and cables, the battery charger, an extra battery (as noted above) and insured ground shipping via major courier. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangement are made.
Please contact Henry via e-mail or by phone at 1-(303) 880-0424 (Mountain time).
The original 7D digital camera body makes an ideal starter camera for someone just getting started with digital. Be sure to learn to expose to the right with this body (especially) to keep the small pixel noise to a minimum. artie
Canon EOS 7D
Joseph Higbee is also offering a Canon EOS 7D in excellent condition for $299. The sale includes the camera in the original box with all in-box items including battery, charger, strap, cables, manual, CD and warranty card. Insured ground shipping via UPS to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Joe via e-mail or by phone at 253 846-1254 (Pacific time).
This 7D would make a great starter camera body for any new digital photographer or a great gift for a young photographer.. artie
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This image was created by Dan Cadieux with the old 100-400 IS L zoom lens (at 260mm) now replaced by the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens and the old Canon EOS 7D (now replaced by the greatest ever value in a digital DSLR, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II.) ISO: 800. Image #1: Snowy Owl in snow vertical
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Dan Cadieux
Dan Cadieux, a Canadian federal government employee, lives with his wife Chantal in Ottawa Canada. He is the proud father of two boys and two girls and an avid bird/nature photographer in his free time. He is a skilled, hard-working moderator in the Avian Forum at Bird Photographers.Net. As of 1:54 pm on September 21, 2016 he had started 2928 threads and posted 20,903 comments. Many of his threads include one of his great images posted for critiquing. In most of the comments he is critiquing the work of others telling what he likes, what he does not like, and offering suggestions for improvement. He is an invaluable member of the BPN staff. You can learn more about Dan here.
You can see more of Dan’s old 7D images here and learn about his post-processing here, both on the BAA Blog.
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This image was created by Dan Cadieux with the hand held Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and the Canon EOS 7D (now replaced by the greatest ever value in a digital DSLR, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II.) ISO 800 Image #2: Chestnut-sided Warbler male.
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Let’s not forget….
Let’s not forget that good photographers make good images with whatever gear they have in their hands. At a time when everyone is lusting for the latest greatest super-telephoto lens and the state of the art $6K camera body, the body of work that Dan Cadieux, our top BirdPhotographer’s.Net Avian Moderator, put together while working “only” with the much-maligned EOS-7D is beyond impressive. As we were saying, good photographers make good images, and great photographers make great images.
Even with the beautiful framing and flowers that this image would have failed without the perfect over-the-shoulder look back head angle. Please do not think that that was the result of luck. I know for a fact that Dan was praying for the bird to look back at him… Or not 🙂
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This image was created by Dan Cadieux with the hand held Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and the Canon EOS 7D (now replaced by the greatest ever value in a digital DSLR, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II.) ISO 800 Image #3: Great Black-backed Gull eating mackerel.
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After…
Not too long after Dan added the 500 II to his gear bag he upgraded to the 7D Mark II. Though not as maligned as the older 7D, many folks look down their nose at the newer 7D. In the not-too distant future I will be sharing two collections of Dan’s amazing higher ISO 7D Mark II images with you here. Hold on to your seat belts; this guy is good!
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This image was created by Dan Cadieux with the hand held Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and the Canon EOS 7D (now replaced by the greatest ever value in a digital DSLR, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II.) ISO 800 Image #4: Great Black-backed Gull swallowing mackerel.
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Taking Advantage!
When Dan came across a once in a lifetime natural history situation at Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton island in the summer of 2014–many hundreds of beached mackerel–he responded by making a slew of great images. It is not enough to be lucky, you need to be lucky and prepared through hard work, skill, and practice. Read the whole story, see more images, and find a link to the video in Dan’s blog post here.
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This image was created by Dan Cadieux with the hand held Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens and the Canon EOS 7D (now replaced by the greatest ever value in a digital DSLR, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II.) ISO 800. Image #5: Northern Flying Squirrel babies in nest.
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Facebook Follow-up!
Learn how Dan uncovered an amazing photo opp by following up on a cell phone image posted on Facebook by his brother and sister-in-law in the blog post here.
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This image was created by Dan Cadieux with the hand held Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and the Canon EOS 7D (now replaced by the greatest ever value in a digital DSLR, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II.) ISO 800 Image #6: Red Fox
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High Key Running Success…
To create a successful image here Dan needed to push the exposure all the way to the right to keep the snow white and avoid under-exposing the subject. In addition, he needed to choose and upper AF point in order to ensure sharp focus as the fox ran toward him. Missions accomplished!
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This image was created by Dan Cadieux with the hand held Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and the Canon EOS 7D (now replaced by the greatest ever value in a digital DSLR, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II.) ISO 800 Image #7:Bufflehead hen.
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Getting Low is the Way to Go!
Here Dan was lying flat on the ground so as to provide an intimate view of this lady Bufflehead. Again notice the sharpness and the perfect exposure with detail in both the BLACKs and the WHITEs.
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This image was created by Dan Cadieux with the hand held Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and the Canon EOS 7D (now replaced by the greatest ever value in a digital DSLR, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II.) ISO 800 Image #8: Pine Marten
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Your Favorites?
Please leave a comment and let us know which two of Dan’s fabulous images made with the old 7D are your favorites. And do let us know why you made your choices.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, 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 would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above we, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack!
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right 🙂
That is so sad. I really liked Tony. I spent most of a Saturday sitting on a bench overlooking La Jolla cliffs photographing Peregrine Falcon chicks with him. We got along really well as he was an Engineer and and bird photographer.
He told me amazing stories about working to save the Peregrine Falcon from extinction due to DDT. He was instrumental in saving this amazing creature. He told me a story about repelling off of the Coronado bridge to put a chick that he raised back into the nest. He then watched it for a couple of days, and saw it get hit by a car on the bridge. He said he cried like one of his own children had died.
I wish that I could have known him better.
Wow. They are all stunning. Favorites are the snowy owl for the centered pose, white background, the stare and most of all the talons. Other favorite is the fox, for, again, centered pose, white background, and being on the same level and running behavior.
Condolences to Dana, Rachel, Jennifer, Alissa, and, of course, you.
Thanks for reminding us of Dan’s workflow and the resulting wonderful images. I just re-read the original page, and I’m wondering, since he upgraded to the 7DII, if he’s updated his software as well; in the post he was using LR3 and CS2; those are pretty old (now); has he upgraded to more current versions, and, if so, has the workflow changed?
I will see if I can get Dan to do an update for y’all.
artie
Hi Loren. Good observation! I now use LR6, and CS6. My workflow is pretty much the same except that the algorithms, especially in CS6, are much improved over what I used to have, therefore some settings have changed a bit. I no longer use contrast in LR as the one in CS6 (and newer versions I am certain) is quite amazing IMO. I also use the blacks slider in LR6 more than I used to. I sharpen less aggressively, but that has more to do with the amazing optics of the 500mm f/4 II that I have acquired since the original article. A few other minor changes, but basically the same. I still do not use layers, and only occasionally masks 🙂
Dan, Thanks for the update 🙂 I appreciated the original article and have taken a lot of your advice into my own workflow. I still use ACR (not LR), but, as you know, it’s basically the same processing so everything you do is adaptable to CS?
All fantastic images, I’ve been a huge fan of Daniel’s work for many years. I’m still with the old 7D and the old (and now very ill) 100-400. #8, Pine Marten gets my vote.
Wonderful photos! My favorites are the snowy owl(sinister/mysterious/gorgeous) the running fox(love the 1 ear turned back listening as it moves away) and the warbler(fantastic framing love the head turned back towards the camera obviously).
I cannot thank you enough for posting these. I’ve been teetering on whether or not to jump into wildlife photography but the funds are not there to buy the latest and greatest. With all my income coming from weddings and family sessions, my priority has always been to upgrade gear for that. Seeing all these 7D bodies for so cheap, I’m thinking I could get that and the 400f5.6 used without breaking the bank. My main takeaway from following you over the last two years is focus on technique. Now that it’s finally cooling off here in the desert, I think the time is right to make the plunge.
YAW and great. Instead of the 400, think of the old 100-400. Like the one Dan used for the opening Snowy Owl! I can’t live without IS!
Best if luck,
artie
I still have, and occasionally use, my trusty old 100-400. I’m sure you meant you CANNOT live without IS 🙂
I forgot the ‘t!
Thanks Dan. I fixed it.
And thanks for the images. Wait till they see your stuff with a good camera, the 7D Mark II!
later and love, artie
A couple of years ago, I struck up a conversation with a gentleman at the Phoenix Botanical Gardens when I saw him carrying the ‘old’ 1-4. He was very friendly and let me shoot for a few minutes. I have to say I wasn’t a fan of the push/pull. I’m sure I’d get used to it but in my memory, it felt awkward. But, I would have to agree with you about wanting the IS. I know I can’t go lower than 1/250 with the 135L if I wish to expect the sharpest images. And I’m afraid I’d find the 300f4IS would be too short so I thought the 400 was the way to go.
I look forward to the next post with the 7d2.
Exceptional images! They are all my favourites!
My condolences to your family for the losses this week.
Wow these photos are fantastic. For me too, the snowy owl is my favorite. I love the look of the eyes, the only color in an otherwise black and white image, the high key feel, body position, and you can see its powerful feet! I also love snowys, the first decent bird photo I took that got me hooked on bird photography was a snowy owl. I also like the bufflehead, I love the eye level perspective and the detail is exceptional. I am excited for them to return to MA, I love photographing the winter ducks! 🙂
Thanks e-Mac. Dan rocks and so does BPN 🙂
later and love and see you in San Diego!?!
a
Oh, man I would LOVE to go to San Diego. Despite going to college not too far from there (Los Angeles) I have never been and what better way to experience the city! But I have a good friend getting married in Pennsylvania on the 15th, so I don’t think the timing will work unfortunately. 🙁
Hey, maybe they will get divorced before they get married 🙂
a
ps: only kidding 🙂
Ha! Believe me, I ran through a bunch of scenarios to see if I could make it work, and have it be worth it (and not be a bad friend). Saving my pennies to see if I can join an overseas IPT possibly…maybe the Puffins/Gannets tour.
I did successfully microadjust my long lenses, and the picture quality seems a lot better with the 5DSR. Still need to do the lenses with TCs. Haven’t gone out to shoot yet and have just taken shots around my yard, but the IQ seems to be a lot better. I did rent another 5DSR for a few days and didn’t microadjust it. Then I compared shots with my camera body and the rental, and mine produced sharper images. I am hopeful that I have solved my sharpness and focus issues! 🙂
🙂 I micro-adjusted for 2 1/2 days. Now I am photographing and reaping the benefits 🙂
Scotland would be great 🙂
later and love, artie
It is taking me forever to do (and so tedious), but I know it will be worth it when it is finished!
Beautiful Images. Thank you for sharing them with us. Dan’s critiques in avian group were really helpful for me. His images are awesome.
I like all the images. I really like Image #6: Red Fox and Image #1: Snowy Owl .
Wow! So many beautiful images, but for me, the snowy owl is hands down my favorite. Those yellow eyes seem to be staring right thru to your soul! Thank you for sharing Dan’s work. I look forward exploring the links you’ve posted.
Was saddened to hear about Tony Mercieca. We had first meant in the early 80’s in Yellowstone. He was very helpful in helping me locate birds. I remember he was always friendly and upbeat. When checking photo credits his name was one I always looked for.