Dancing at the Beach. New Nikon Listings and Nikon Price Reductions

What’s Up?

I did see six fly-by Red Knots at Fort DeSoto on Wednesday morning. They never stopped. There have been some shorebirds around, but they have been too spread out to offer any good photo opps. I’ve seen Wilson’s, Snowy, Semipalmated, and Black-bellied Plovers, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitcher, Marbled Godwit, and American Oystercatcher. Waders have included Great, Snowy, and Reddish (dark & white morph) Egrets, Great-blue and Little Blue Heron, White Ibis, Wood Stork, and a single Roseate Spoonbill. I did have a good chance on Wednesday afternoon with a pair of copulating Royal Terns. I will be sharing that rapturous photo with y’all here soon.

Om Thursday morning I went out loaded for bear with the 600 GM, the 200-600, one a9 ii, my 7riv, and both teleconverters; pickings were slim on a very hazy, very hot, and very humid morning. I’ve been walking three-plus miles per day — twice up and back to the Least Tern colony. Please remember, when you visit a protected, roped-off tern colony, be sure to stand very still or sit without moving around much to minimize any possible disturbance.

I created some very different Snowy Egret images this morning at about 10:00am by following my own advice for shooting bright whites birds late in the morning on sunny days: find a bird in the shade. That is generally not easy to do at the beach. But I managed 🙂 Story and photos soon.

I have been missing my daily swim and the two, too-cute and very tame crane chicks …

77 sold to rave reviews. The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris

Recent Comments

From Ian Newton via e-mail:

After struggling with the Sony menu system, the SONY e-Guide has saved me weeks of frustration with my new a9. Thank you!

From Frank Sheets via e-mail:

I did not like using Zebras but I tried the suggestions in the guide and now I am geting every exposure right-on with the data all the way to the right! Great job guys.

The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)

Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.

Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.

Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.

This image was created on 27 MAY 2020 at Fort DeSoto. I used the Induro GIT 304L/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, Sony FE 1.4x teleconverter, and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 400. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:49am on a pretty clear morning. Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version. Happy lady frolicking in surf with Snowy Egrets

Dancing at the Beach

There was a pair of Snowy Egrets chasing bait and each other in the surf and I thought that a wide shot with some waves in the frame made from a long way off might be interesting. When the birds passed a young woman walking in the surf, I pressed the shutter button.

Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART

Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. Please understand that e-Bay prices are bogus. And the same is true of the prices of used gear including my dear friends at B&H and the other mega-outfits. They offer you pennies and then try to sell the stuff to ignorant folks for ridiculously high prices. With their huge international exposure, they occasionally find someone …

The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells. With the pandemic and the down economy the market is somewhat dpressed. That said, the prices of used phoo gear only go one way: down. The longer you wait, the less you will get for your gar. Period. Over the past year, we have sold many many hundreds of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the 5Ds and 5Ds R, the old Canon 500mm, the EOS-7D, the Canon 200-400 with internal extender, and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. Most recently the price of used Canon 600mm f/L IS II lenses have been dropping like a rock with the introduction of the 600 III. The prices garnered for used Canon gear has tanked completely as demand has dropped tremendously. It is ironic that for decades Canon gear had very strong resale value …

Note: all BAA Used Gear sales include insured ground shipping via UPS to lower 48 US addresses only. Others who live elsewhere are invited to e-mail the seller for shipping surcharge info. Sellers should charge you only the difference between shipping to the farthest US location from their home and the charge to a non-lower-48 address.

Recent Sales

Anita North sold her Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED (Macro) lens in like-new condition but for a barely-visible tiny (less than 1/16 inch) crescent-shaped scratch on the front element for the BAA record-low by-far price of $ $396.95, a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $996.95, Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1196.95 a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1,346.95, and a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $546.95, all within a day of listing.
Jim Lewis sold his Canon EOS-1D X in near-mint condition with extras for a BAA record-low $1,500.00 (was $1,895.00) in early MAY 2020.
Kevin Spencer sold his Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM lens in excellent condition for $6,799.00 to a local buyer in early MAY 2020.
BPN friend Ravi Hirekatur is sold his Canon EF Extender 1.4X II (the 1.4X II teleconverter) in excellent condition for the ridiculous, you-might-as-well-give-it-away price of $89.00 (was $179.00) in early MAY.
Gary Meyer sold his Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6 VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $3096.95 and a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $226.95, both on the first day of listing in early MAY 2020.
Jerry Barrack sold his Canon EF 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6 L IS USM zoom lens (the white version) in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $459.00 (was $699.00) in early MAY 2020.

New Nikon Listings

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens

Patrick Hogue is also offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens in near mint condition for a BAA low $3450.00. The sale includes the original box, the lens bag, the front and rear lens caps, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Patrick via e-mail or by phone at 1-760-898-6770 (Pacific time zone). .

The 500 PF was my favorite Nikon lens; I hated giving it up. It is easily handheld by most folks; It kills for flight and does well with the 1.4X teleconverter. It is still hard to find a new one. Save $502.00 and get yours soon. artie

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR Lens

Sold first day of listing

Patrick Hogue is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lens in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $1195.95. The sale includes the original box, the front and rear caps, the lens bag, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Patrick via e-mail or by phone at 1-760-898-6770 (Pacific time zone).

This practically tiny telephoto lens is great for tight work, especially birds in flight at close range. It weighs practically nothing (1.66 lbs) and is deadly with the TC-14E. As this sells new for $1996.95 you can save a neat $801.00 by being the one to grab Patrick’s lens. artie

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Lens

Patrick is also offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens in excellent plus condition for a very low $896.95. The sale includes the original box, the front and rear caps, the lens bag, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Patrick via e-mail.

This was my first Nikon lens. It is an incredible value. It is sharp and versatile and inexpensive. And it does well with the TC-E14 when the sun is out. As this one sells new for $1,256.95 you can save an even $501.00 by being the first one to grab Patrick’s lens. artie

Nikon D500 DSLR Camera w/16mm-80mm F2.8-4.0 VR Nikkor Zoom Lens

BAA Record-low Price!

Patrick Hogue is also offering a Nikon D500 DSLR Camera in excellent condition and a 16mm-80mm F2.8-4.0 VR Nikkor zoom lens in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $1,196.95. The sale includes the original box, the front body, cap, the battery charger, the strap, both caps for the lens, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Patrick via e-mail or by phone at 1-760-898-6770 (Pacific time zone).

The D500 is Nikon’s top-of-the-line crop factor body. It multiplies your focal length by 1.5X. Joe Przybyla and Dan Kearl, both excellent photographers on Bird Photographer’s.Net, use the D500 as their workhorse camera bodies. Joe, the co-author of The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide, was after this old dog for a long time to try a D500. The zoom is a quality wide-angle with dozens of uses. The pair sells new for $2,593.90 so you can save a small fortune — $1,396.95 — by taking this real deal. artie

Nikon Fire Sale Price Drops

Many multiple IPT veteran and dear friend Anita North is selling a load of great Nikon lenses cheap. BIRDS AS ART is handling the shipping. That’s me. And yes, Anita switched to SONY and loves it.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR Lens

BAA Record-low Price!
Price reduced $200.00 on 5-28-20

Anita North is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low $9065.95 (was $9265.95). The front element is immaculate, the finish on the hood is dinged up pretty good but is functionally perfect, and the body of the lens is excellent plus. The sale includes the lens trunk, the strap, the front cover, the rear lens cap, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.

In all systems, the 600 f/4 lenses are the weapons of mass destruction when it comes to birds and wildlife. I loved my Nikon 600 both alone and with the 1.4X teleconverter. If you use Nikon gear and have been dreaming of moving up to the big leagues, do get in touch with me ASAP to save $3,231.00. This lens sells new for $12,296.95. artie

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens

BAA Record-low Price!
Price reduced $50.00 on 5-28-20

Anita North is also offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens in excellent plus condition for a BAA record-low $3045.95 (was $3095.95). The sale includes the original box, the front and rear lens caps, thee lens bag, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.

The 500 PF was my favorite Nikon lens; I hated giving it up. It is easily handheld by most folks; It kills for flight and does well with the 1.4X teleconverter. It is still hard to find a new one. Save $551.00 and get yours soon. artie

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Lens

BAA Record-low Price!
Price reduced $50.00 on 5-28-20

Anita North is also offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $746.95 (was $796.95). The sale includes the original box, the front and rear caps, the lens bag, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.

This was my first Nikon lens. It is an incredible value. It is sharp and versatile and inexpensive. And it does well with the TC-E14 when the sun is out. As this one sells new for $1,256.95 you can save an even $550.00 by being the first one to grab Anita’s lens. artie

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens

BAA Record-low Price!
Price reduced 50.00 on 5-28-20

Anita North is also offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1,045.95 (was $1,095.95). The sale includes the original box, the lens bag, the front and rear caps, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.

This was my workhorse lens on the memorable Emperor Penguin trip. It is amazingly sharp and versatile. And it does well with the TC-E14 when the sun is out. As this one sells new for $2,,096.95 you can save an incredible $1,051.00 by being the first to grab Anita’s lens. artie

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED Lens

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Anita North is also offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $796.95 (was $896.95). The sale includes the original box, the lens bag, the front and rear caps, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.

This is Nikon’s state of the art wide-angle zoom lens. It sells new for $1596.95 — get in touch ASAP to save an amazing 800.00. artie

Nikon AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED Lens

Sold

Anita North is also offering a Nikon AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $696.95 (was $746.95). The sale includes the original box, the front and rear caps, thee lens bag, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.

I owned the Canon 8-15mm. I call lenses in this class “circle lenses. They are great fun and give you a chance to be really creative. The Nikon 8-15 sells new for $1,246.95 — get in touch to save $550.00. artie

The Last of artie’s Nikon Gear

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR Lens

BAA Record-low Price!
Price reduced $50.00 on 5-28-20

Arthur Morris is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $746.95 (was $796.95). The sale includes the front and rear caps, the original box and lens bag, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.

This lens is smaller and lighter and costs a lot less than the f/2.8 version. It is relatively fast, very sharp, and extremely versatile. It pairs well with the TC-14E. It sells new right now for $1,396.95. Grab it now to save $650.00 artie

Nikon D850 DSLR Camera (Body Only)

BAA Record-low Price!
Price reduced on 100.00 5-28-20

Arthur Morris is also offering a Nikon D850 DSLR Camera (Body Only)in excellent plus to like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1,895.95 (was $1995.95). The sale includes the front body caps, the original box, the strap, the charger, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.

The D850 was my very favorite Nikon body. I sold my D5 and bought a 2nd D850. It produces superb image files. The AF system kills on birds in flight — be sure to use Group (grp) AF. It sells new for $2,996.95 so you can save a very lovely $101.00 by grabbing my D850. artie

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 VR Lens

BAA Record-low Price!
Price reduced $50.00 on 5-28-20

Arthur Morris is also offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $496.95 (was $546.95). The sale includes the front and rear caps, the original box and lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact artie via e-mail or on his cell at 863-221-2372 before 4pm Eastern time. Please leave a message or text if no answer.

I have always loved the lenses in this class. The Nikon version was a lot sharper than the Canon 24-105. It is a versatile multi-purpose lens with a thousand uses. I keep my SONY 24-105 on the front seat of my SUV every day and use it often. The 24-120 sells new right now for $1,096.95. Grab Artie’s pretty much new lens to save a cool $600.00! artie