What’s Up?
On Wednesday morning, I spent almost three hours photographing what I think were Tropical Royalblue Waterlily flowers in a drainage ditch on Orange just past Alba. The longer I stayed with them, the more the blossoms opened up and the more beautiful they became. Finally I succumbed and waded into the ditch almost up to my waist with the 180 macro on the tripod!
This morning, Thursday 30 JULY 2020, was one of those whatever could go wrong did go wrong mornings. First, I returned to the Alba spot to photograph a new-to-me species of yellow wildflower. There had been about 30 beautiful blooms there on Wednesday. The roadside strip had been mowed … Next was a gorgeous, just-fledged baby Osprey that sat in a field for ten minutes as I set up the 600 GM in my new vehicle. Just as I positioned my SUV, got the right exposure, and framed the image mama flew over calling and the handsome young bird flew off. And so it went …
Feel free to leave a comment as to which of today’s featured flower images is your favorite. And do let us know why you made your choice.
Wanted to Buy, Again
If you are looking to sell a Canon 600mm f/4L IS II lens, please get in touch with me via e-mail. I have another potential buyer. The first notice like this resulted in a sale before the lens was even listed …
SONY a7r IV Sale: only one in stock
Bedford’s is offering $300 off on the SONY body that I use the most, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital Camera. Was $3,498.00, now $3,198.00. Use the BIRDSASART code at checkout and save another $50.00. In all, you save $350.00). Most of my tight head portraits are created with the 600 GM, the 2X TC, and the a7r iv. In addition I use it for most of my bird photography and all of my macro photography. Click here to order, but hurry as there are only two in stock. And don’t forget to enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout to save an additional fifty bucks.
Please Remember
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The BAA Used Gear Page
The BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Past Sales list at the bottom of the page.
Via e-Mail from Multiple IPT veteran and good friend, Donna Bourdon
Donna is a long-time Canon shooter who is dipping her toes into the SONY waters. After purchasing her a9 ii and 200-600 from Steve Elkins at Bedfords, she enjoyed a healthy discount on the SONY guide. She sent me this last night:
I never could have set my new a9 ii without the video. It is amazing that you and Patrick were able to figure out this complex camera so quickly and then develop and shar the guide and the videos with us. Donna
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
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107 sold to rave reviews. The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris |
The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)
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.
Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.
The BAA Used Gear Page
The BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Past Sales list at the bottom of the page.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers 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. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
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This image was created on the morning of 22 JULY 2020 in our butterfly garden at Indian Lake Estates. I used the Induro GIT 404L/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM lens with the Metabones Canon EF/EF-S Lens to Sony E Mount T Smart Adapter (Fifth Generation) and the 61MP monster, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body ISO 1600: 1/5 sec. at f/32 in Manual mode. The exposure was confirmed as perfect by RawDigger from a series of bracketed images. AWB at 7:52am on a still, partly cloudy morning. Manual focus using the combination of Manual Focus Toggle and Focus Magnifier tips from the SONY e-guide along with the 2-second timer. The flower, resting on a wooden fence, was perfectly still. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version. Image #1: Passion Flower, Maypop, or Apricot Vine (Passiflora incarnata) detail. |
Macro Photography Plan B: Part II!
I’ve always liked the narrow field of view of longer macro lenses like the Canon EF 180mm f/3.5. When I gave up on the Sigma 150mm macro (for Nikon) with the Vello adapter for SONY, Patrick Sparkman suggested that the Canon 180 macro with the Metabones adapter would be a great combination. He was right. Having sold my Canon 180 macro (along with my Canon 100mm f/2.8 IS macro) years ago, I purchased a used Canon 180 macro from NYC friends Alan and Sara Levine and the Metabones Adapter from B&H.
I am still working on occasion with the Laowa 100mm 2X lens when working with tiny subjects. That despite the fact that the tripod collar designed specifically for that lens is very close to being non-functional. That said, working with the solid, sturdy, beautifully-designed tripod collar on the Canon 180 macro is an absolute pleasure. With the rock-solid Induro GIT 404L and the Induro GIT 404L/FlexShooter Pro, my macro efforts are now an absolute pleasure. When I need to work with tiny subjects, I can always go to the trunk of my new SUV for the Laowa …
The combination of the Canon 180mm (1X) macro lens and the Laowa 100mm (2X) Ultra Macro is working perfectly for me. The former is my workhorse macro lens while I go to the latter for tiny subjects and super-close-ups.
Depth-of-Field with Macro
Notice that when working close to 1X magnification near the minimum focusing distance of a macro lens that even f/32 does not get everything sharp …
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This image was created on the morning of 24 JULY 2020 on Orange Avenue about a half mile from my home at Indian Lake Estates. I used the Induro GIT 404L/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM lens with the Metabones Canon EF/EF-S Lens to Sony E Mount T Smart Adapter (Fifth Generation) and the 61MP monster, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body ISO 800: 1/60 sec. at f/8 in Aperture priority +2.7 stops. Yes, Aperture priority. This exposure was confirmed as perfect by RawDigger from a series of bracketed images. AWB at 8:20am on a sunny morning with the flower shaded by my torso. The blossom was picked and Plamped. Note that this roadside patch is mowed regularly. Manual focus using the combination of Manual Focus Toggle and Focus Magnifier tips from the SONY e-guide along with the 2-second timer. Image #2: Yellow Milkwort (Polygala rugelii) blossom. |
Learning Exposure from RawDigger
RawDigger has been a Godsend as far as learning to expose to the right to the max. In an effort to improve and learn more about meshing Zebras with the Canon 180 macro and the 7r iv, I began working in Av (Aperture) priority; I can note the exposure compensation (EC) after the fact. With the subject in Image #2 shaded by my upper body and the background in the sun, RawDigger showed that I needed to add 2.7 stops to the metered exposure to come up with a dead-solid perfect exposure.
Neighbor/friend Ralph alerted me to this stand of flowers when we stopped to chat for the first time five weeks ago.
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Image #2A: Photo Mechanic Screen Capture for Yellow Milkwort (Polygala rugelii) blossom. |
Photo Mechanic Screen Capture for Yellow Milkwort
Most folks would be shocked to learn that a RAW file that looked over-exposed, too bright, flat, and washed out, was actually the perfect exposure and that it would produce a lovely optimized image after the RAW conversion in Capture One … That’s how learning about Exposure with RawDigger goes! I am hoping to have the RawDigger guide finished by the end of August.
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This image was created on the morning of 25 JULY 2020 on Orange Avenue in neighbor/friend Ralph’s backyard. I used the Induro GIT 404L/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM lens with the Metabones Canon EF/EF-S Lens to Sony E Mount T Smart Adapter (Fifth Generation) and the 61MP monster, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body ISO 800: 1/30 sec. at f/11 in Aperture priority +1.7 stops. Yes, Aperture priority. This exposure was confirmed as perfect by RawDigger from a series of bracketed images. AWB at 8:31am on a partly sunny morning with the flower shaded by my torso. The blossom was picked (with permission) and Plamped in place on a spare tripod. Manual focus using the combination of Manual Focus Toggle and Focus Magnifier tips from the SONY e-guide along with the 2-second timer. Image #3: Spanish Needles (Bidens alba) blossom. |
Spanish Needles
This native wildflower species is common and widespread. They introduced themselves to our backyard. But nearly all of the flowers that I have examined have been torn and ratted. I was happy to find this pretty-much-perfect blossom in Ralph’s backyard.
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This image of the same flower was of course created on the morning of 25 JULY 2020. For this one I used the Induro GIT 404L/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Venus Optics Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Lens for Sony E and the 61MP monster, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body ISO 800: 1/30 sec. probably at f/8 in Manual mode. The exposure was confirmed as perfect by RawDigger from a series of bracketed images. AWB at 8:45am on a partly sunny morning with the flower shaded by my torso. Manual focus using the combination of Manual Focus Toggle and Focus Magnifier tips from the SONY e-guide along with the 2-second timer. The blossom was picked (with permission) and Plamped in place on a spare tripod. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version. Image #4: Spanish Needles (Bidens alba) — close-up of flower center. |
Going to the 2X Laowa
With a lovely flower and little wind, I walked back to my new SUV and switched the 180mm (1X) macro for the 100mm (2X) Laowa so that I could photograph the flower center at about 1.5X magnification. I could not have achieved this subject size with the Canon 180mm (1X) macro. Yes, the tripod collar is an absolute pain to use but the results are well worth it.
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Image #4A: an unsharpened 300% crop! |
A 300% Crop!
The astounding detail in this unsharpened 300% crop shows exactly why I go to the SONY a7r iv for all of my macro photography and much of my bird photography …
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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 or Bedfords, 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.
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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 :).
Hi Artie —
Hi Steve. Thanks for posting this. I will comment within.
Thanks for your explanation about why you consider Ebay prices to be “bogus” (in your blog post of July 28th.)
YAW.
I do have a few comments about Ebay. First is that it’s not a store or seller in and of itself, but rather a conduit or marketplace for numerous private or individual sellers. These sellers are going to have varying levels of price, quality, and honesty, and a buyer shopping on Ebay needs to understand this and be careful. Never has the phrase “caveat emptor” been more applicable!
Agree. The concept is very similar to the Used Gear which has, over the years, developed oodles of trust.
Second, for items like the Canon camera you mentioned, which is both common and in demand, the auction sales on Ebay should pretty accurately establish a fair value (i.e, a price that buyers are willing to pay), although prices will vary according to factors such as condition, included accessories, reputation of the seller, etc.
I disagree there as there is little proof that anyone is paying the overwhelmingly high prices.
Another thing I wanted to mention is your comments on the offers from the B&H used equipment department. They offered you $1550 for a camera that is really worth closer to $2750.
Actually, to them it is worth $1550 because that is what they are buying them for (if that much …)
— but keep in mind that $2750 is its value to the end user. B&H is a reseller — they’re not going to use the camera, but they need to sell it to an end user at a profit. They have to lay out the $1550 to you (after paying the postage to get the camera to them), then offer it for sale and, once it is sold, stand behind it with a 3-month warranty. (Imagine how many people buy used equipment for a particular project or vacation, then return it to B&H for a full refund — that’s basically a cheap rental, subsidized by B&H.)
You are right about that.
So it doesn’t surprise me that they didn’t offer you more for your camera.
What amazes me is that they must find a few folkss to pay the super-inflated prices. Especially considering that the mark-up on new photo gear from Nikon and Canon and SONY is about 10-13%. Buy for $1550 and sell for more than $3K? That is a bit much.
Having said all that, I do appreciate the service you provide in helping your readers sell their used gear. Your 5% commission is a bargain and very fair, especially compared to Ebay (who takes 13%, including 13% of whatever shipping charges you collect) — and then PayPal takes another percentage! I sell a lot of stuff on Ebay, but so far no photo equipment worth $500 or more. When I do I’ll list it with you for sure!
Great. Thanks again for your original question.
a
From what I’m told, car dealers operate the same way. Mark-up is way higher on used vehicles.
Understood. I just like to see educated consumers …
with love, a
Very Nice Image of Yellow Milkwort. I like the yellow colors. I have a similar plan in terms of Macro. I used Sigma 150 Macro and Tamron 90 macro with sets of extension Tubes. We planted and designed my backyard with native utah flowers. So next year I should have go blossoms to photograph them.
Thanks for sharing the info.
Plan C: Arthur Morris buys a bellows! It’s not as crazy as it sounds if you like working on a tripod, but it does require more work. Don’t want to do the work: Olympus MR with OLY 60mm macro.
Edit- Olympus ML, mirrorless camera.