What’s Up?
Miracle of miracles, it did not rain a drop here on Friday. That morning — yesterday — I made some nice images of new-for-me wildflower, Seaside Primerosewillow. I think 🙂 This morning, Saturday 13 JUNE 2020, I worked the small crane colts for a bit and then found and photographed another new wildflower — Forked Bluecurls. I am sure on that ID. It was a tiny weenie flower, about 3/16 X 1/2 inch at most.
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92 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.
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 16 MAY 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. I used the Induro GIT 404L/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the 61-MP Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 1000. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/4 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:23am on a then-drizzly morning. Tracking Flexible Spot (M) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection as the AF point tracked the chick’s right eye. Image #1: Sandhill Crane one-week-old chick stretching |
My Favorite
In the Sandhill Crane Chicks 361-Image — the Picking Your Keepers Video blog post here, I asked Which of today’s six featured images is your favorite?. Images #3 and #5 were the consensus favorties, but I liked Image #1 (above) best for the pose, the wateer droplets on the feathers, and the few streaks of rain.
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This image was also created on 16 MAY 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Again I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) 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 wheel: 1/1250 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:41am on a then completely sunny morning. Tracking Flexible Spot M AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed superbly. Image #5: Sandhill Crane one-week-old chick resting on bed of plants with tiny white flowers |
In the same blog post, with regards to Image #5 immediately above, I asked the following image design question:
Why did I opt to sit while creating Image #5 rather than to lie down flat as I had done in Image #4?
There was no correct answer to that question. The reason that I did not get lower was that the taller clump of leaves below the chick’s head would have significantly blocked our view of the tiny crane; as I go lower, the clump of leaves would have gotten higher as my perspective changed …)
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Picking Your Keepers: The 361 Sandhill Crane Chick Images Video |
Picking Your Keepers: The 361 Sandhill Crane Chick Images Video
Sit beside me as I work on my laptop picking 76 keepers from a very good 361-image morning session with the two very tame week-old Sandhill Crane chicks. Learn to pick the best image or two or three from a series of similar images. Learn the fine points. Learn to see what I am looking for. With today’s high frame-rate/high MP camera bodies, learning to edit tightly while identifying your very best images is an important skill.
Important note: during the third edit I deleted 36 additional images leaving me with 40 keepers from the great morning of 16 MAY.
See the sample video here. To purchase the full video, click here.
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This image was created on 3 JUNE 2020 at the TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy Airport by Greg Gulbransen. He used a tripod-mounted Rodenstock 50mm lens on the Phase One IQ4 150MP Digital Back with the XT Camera body. ISO 64. Four seconds at f/14. Image courtesy of and copyright 2020 Greg Gulbransen. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version. Image #2: The Long TWA Hallway |
My Favorite
In the Greg Gulbransen Photographs the TWA Hotel at JFK! blog post here, I again asked for folks to comment on their favorite. Though I really loved #1, Image #2 was my clear favorite because of its graphic nature and bold colors. Those who did not spend some time browsing Greg’s work here really missed a lot. Looking at excellent photography is a great way for you to improve your photography, no matter the subject.
Nikon Fire Sale Price Drops
Many multiple IPT veteran, dear friend Anita North, and yours truly are selling a load of great Nikon lenses cheap. BIRDS AS ART is handling the shipping. 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
Price reduced $100.00 on 6-13-20
Anita North is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low $8965.95 (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 $3,331.00. This lens sells new for $12,296.95. 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
Price reduced 50.00 on 6-13-20
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 $995.95 (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 $1,101.00 by being the first to grab Anita’s lens. 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
Price reduced $50.00 on 6-13-20
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 $696.95 (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 $700.00 artie
Nikon D850 DSLR Camera (Body Only)
BAA Record-low Price!
Price reduced on 100.00 5-28-20
Price reduced on 100.00 6-13-20
Arthur Morris is also offering a Nikon D850 DSLR Camera (Body Only)in excellent plus to like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1,795.95 (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 $1201.00 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
Price reduced $10.00 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 $486.95 (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 $610.00! artie
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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 :).
Thanks for the replies. When I first bought into Sony in January, I bought an A9ii with the 200-600. When I came to purchase an A7RIV with a 100-400 and a 70-200 three months later – all Sony prices had gone through the roof in Australia. It was mid pandemic here, but I could not get any other reason for prices jumping 18-22% on most bodies and G lenses.
I guess I will see what happens when things quieten down Globally.
Love my A9ii/200-600 with Arts Sony e-Guide set ups – it feels like cheating somehow.
Re – Used prices dropping. In view of the massive price of Sony Supertelephoto lenses – the 600 f4 is now around A$27,500 here in Australia , about US$17,800 !!! – could you not use a late version Canon or Nikon 600 f4 with a convertor on your Sony body?
I will persist with my Sony 200-600 lens on the A9ii and A7RIV until I see a price correction – if ever.
Barry Barfield, Brisbane, Australia.
Hi Barry. That is hard to understand — actually this morning it works out to 18,845.04 USD.
I have never tried the big lenses with an adapter but others have and report poor AF performance …
with love, artie
Hi Barry, I feel your pain and while the adapted lenses aren’t perfect they are a reasonable alternative with some caveats. Though I can’t speak to adapted Nikon lenses, my experience with the large Canon primes with a Sigma MC-11 have been largely favorable. In most circumstances the tracking is excellent, though occasionally in backlit/contrasty situations it struggles and fails to “rack”. Manually AF’ing to get the lens in near or pre – focus allows the lens to snap into absolute focus. This is rare, occurring less than 5% of the time and my 500 IS II f/4 with a 1.4x III tc produces fabulous images paired to a a7riv (or a9).
Perhaps, I’m “old school” but I’m still of the mindset that one invests in lenses/system rather than a body per se. As Artie will attest, there is nothing on the market which will perform to the level of the a9(ii) or will produce images with the cropability (is that even a word?) of the a7riv. IMHO, the Sony lens line up still has some holes in its offerings and as you’ve observed is priced out of reach for many enthusiasts. For whatever reason, I couldn’t bring myself to liquidate my collection of Canon equipment. Though I am ever hopeful that the Canon R5 will be true game changer especially if it offers a9 like af with a higher MP sensor, the prospects are uncertain. We’ll find out in a few months whether my thinking was strategic or idiotic?
Consequently, would I recommend going out a buying large Nikon/Canon primes and experimenting? Probably not. If you have access to these large primes, enjoy experimenting, and can part with around $100 us for an adapter, it’s a functional alternative while you save ridiculous sums of $ to buy the Sony primes.