What’s Up?
Bird photography in the mornings at ILE has been a struggle for the last two days. Today, Monday 17 AUGUST 2020 I spent an hour working from my SUV with a flock of White Ibis feeding in the grass near the base of the pier …
Most folks preferred Image #2 in yesterday’s Backing Up for Vulturine Tree-scapes blog post here. And so did I, so I posted it here on BPN. Click on the link to see what others had to say. Crack Avian Forum Moderator and skilled photographer Daniel Cadieux pointed out a big screw-up in the processing …
Canon Mirrorless Help Requested
If you have a few great images made with an EOS R5 or and EOS R6, please shoot me no more than 3 of your very best via e-mail to be considered for use in the next blog post. So yes, please hurry. Please attach the images as JPEGs 1200 pixels wide or tall and less than 395KB. thanks with love, a
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 of more than $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.
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The Promaster Replacement Rear Cap |
If You’re Anything Like Me …
If you’re like me, you are constantly losing or misplacing front or rear lens caps or camera body caps. When I was using Canon I hated that the caps got loose with wear. And the off-brand replacement capes were no better. I used to line the inside of my Canon caps with small strips of duct tape so that they would not fall off. My Nikon caps were fine but I did lose a few. And the same is true with SONY. Part of the problem with me is that the rear compartment of my SUVs are always a big mess. The further problem is that SONY caps are both super-expensive and almost impossible to get.
I was, therefore, thrilled to learn from Steve Elkins at Bedford that he carries both the rear lens caps and the body caps for SONY. These relatively inexpensive accessories are made by Promaster as follows:
The good news is that the fit is snugly. The Body Cap is for your SONY bodies, the Rear Cap is for your lenses. The bad news is that Promaster does not yet make the front teleconverter covers. Best not to lose one of those! I ordered three of each just so that I do not have to spend too long looking for a cap when I need it.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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.
SONY e-Guide Revision Sent Today via e-Mail
Today, I sent 106 e-mails with links to a revised version of the comprehensive SONY e-Guide. I discovered an error dealing with a misconception that I had with Enlarge Initial Position feature. If you own the guide and did not receive the link for the revision, please get in touch via e-mail.
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106 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. Note: I had to archive four plus years of sales because the page was too long for Word Press!
Sony FE 2.8/16‑35mm GM Wide Angle Zoom Lens
Multiple IPT veteran and good friend William Schneider is offering a Sony FE 2.8/16‑35 GM wide angle zoom lens in like-new condition for the very low price of $1498.00. The sale includes the original box and everything that came in it along with insured shipping via Fed Ex Ground. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Bill via e-mail e-mail or by phone at 1-(262) 269-8628 (Eastern time zone).
This super-fast wide angle zoom is a landscape shooter’s dream lens. It sells new right now for $2,098.00 AT B&H so you can save a cool $600.00 by grabbing his virtually new lens asap. artie
A fast and flexible wide-angle zoom, the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM Lens from Sony is a wide-angle zoom designed for full-frame E-mount mirrorless cameras. Distinguished by its constant f/2.8 maximum aperture, this lens offers consistent performance throughout the zoom range and benefits working in low-light conditions. The optical design incorporates two extra-low dispersion elements to reduce chromatic aberrations along with two XA elements and three aspherical elements, which significantly controls spherical aberrations for a high degree of image sharpness and clarity. Additionally, a Nano AR coating has been applied to limit ghosting and lens flare for increased contrast and color fidelity when working in strong lighting conditions.
Complementing the optical assets, this lens is also notable for its inclusion of an 11-blade circular diaphragm to produce smooth, soft-edged bokeh with selective focus imagery. For controlling focus, two Direct Drive SSM AF groups are employed that are quick and quiet, and also lend more responsive control for manual focus operation. The lens also sports a dust- and moisture-sealed design to support shooting in inclement conditions and a dedicated focus hold button and AF/MF switch. As part of Sony’s esteemed G Master series, this lens is designed to achieve notably high resolution and sharpness through the correction of a wide variety of spherical and chromatic aberrations. Additionally, these lenses feature robust and intuitive-to-handle physical designs to benefit both photography and cine applications. B&H
Canon EOS-1DX Mark II
BAA Record-low Price!
Multiple IPT veteran Larry Master is offering a Canon EOS-1DX Mark II in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $2797.00. The sale includes an extra battery, the original product box and everything that came in it including the front body cap, 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 Larry via e-mail or by phone at 1-518-645-1545 EDT.
The EOS-1DX Mark II is a Canon flagship professional camera body. I made many fine images with mine. It is rugged and fast and featured Canon’s best AF system (before the release of thee 1DX III). The 1DX II sells new for $4,999.00 so you can save a very cool $2302.00 on this great deal. artie
Canon EF Extension Tube Set
BAA Record-low Price!
Multiple IPT veteran Larry Master is also offering a Canon Extension Tube Set, the EF 12 II and EF 25 II, in excellent plus condition for the BAA record-low price of $122.90. The sale includes 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 Larry via e-mail or by phone at 1-518-645-1545 EDT.
As regular readers know, I used extension tubes often to reduce the minimum focusing distances of my two Canon macro lenses and my super-telephotos. I used them behind a TC to focus closer with AF and at times, in front of a TC to get even closer while having to use manual focus). The pair sells for $224.90 so you can save an even $101.00 by grabbing the pair. artie
Canon EF 500mm f/4L USM Telephoto Lens
Dennis Bartsch is offering a Canon EF 500mm f/4L USM Telephoto lens in near-mint condition for $2399.00. There are no signs of wear or blemishes and the glass is immaculate. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the original tough front lens cover, the lens strap, an Arca Swiss compatible lens plate, a LensCoat, 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 Dennis Bartsch via e-mail or by phone at 1-267-625-3144) Eastern time zone.
The 500mm f/4 lenses have been the world’s most popular telephoto lenses for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many decades. I owned and used and loved my “old five” for many years. If you use Canon and don’t have the cash for a 500 II and can handle the additional 1 1/2 pounds, then this is your best super-telephoto option. Most everyone can produce sharp images with this lens and a 1.4X TC. Folks with good to excellent sharpness techniques can do the same with a 2X TC. A new 500 II sells right now for $8,999.00 so you can save an amazing $6,600.00 by grabbing Dennis’s original version 500mm f/4 IS lens (the “old five”) right now. artie
I had the same problem with lens and body caps. My big issue was losing a black cap in a black lined camera bag, car, pouch, etc. My solution was to get some orange electrical tape and put a small piece on the camera cap and or spray paint the caps with a bright color paint. (If spray painting I would purchase some inexpensive caps and not do the original ones.) This makes them easy to see. FYI, I use the tape on my cases for my glasses too.