What’s Up?
Friday was the worst morning for photography at ILE since I began self-isolating here on 22 MARCH. I photographed flower clusters on a sumac bush and made a very few not-too-good crane images. Blooming flowers are scarce. I will leave at about 6:30am today — Saturday 22 AUGUST 2020, head over to Tiger Creek Preserve, make a stop at the Ridge Audubon Center, and then stop in Lake Wales to do some food shopping. I have not been in Publix for more than a month as Jim as been doing the shopping for us.
I learned yesterday that the sale of Denis Westover’s Nikon D5 is pending.
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 had been somewhat depressed, but sales have been brisk for the past few weeks. And over the past year, we have sold many many hundreds of items. Do know that prices of many used items have been dropping steadily. 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 … Recently, however, the Canon used gear market has shown some signs of life. Prices on used Nikon gear have also dropped as well. You can see all the current bargains here on the Used Gear Page.
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 (including some that I missed)
Dennis Westover sold his Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens in excellent-plus condition for a BAA record-low $944.95 the first day it was listed in late July 2020.
John Bowden sold a Canon EOS 5D Mark 4 in near-mint condition for $1499.00 (was $1,699.00) in mid-July 2020.
BAA friend, California botany expert Bob “BugBob” Allen, sold a Canon Extension Tube Set, the EF 12 II and EF 25 II, in excellent plus condition for $124.90 in ealry August 2020.
IPT veteran Matt Schramer sold his Canon EOS 7D Mk II camera body in near-mint condition for a very low $597.00, his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $5,249.00, and a Canon EF 1.4X III teleconverter in like-new condition for $229.00 all within a day or two of being listed in mid-July 2020.
BAA friend, California botany expert Bob “BugBob” Allen, sold his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS II USM in near-mint condition for $1399.00 soon after it was listed in late JULY 2020.
John Buswell sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in near-mint condition for a very low $598.00 in mid-July 2020.
Charlie Curry sold his Canon 11-24mm f/4 L lens in like-new condition for a BAA record low $1499.00 the first day it was listed in late July 2020.
BAA friend, California botany expert Bob “BugBob” Allen, sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Telephoto lens in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $2300.00 (was $2348.00), a Canon EF Extender 1.4X III in near-mint condition for a very low $229.00, and a second Canon EF Extender 1.4X III, this one in excellent condition, for a very low $199.00, all within a day or two of listing in late July 2020.
Anita North sold a Nikon D850 dSLR in excellent plus condition with a shutter count of 222,223for the silly low price of $1298.95 (was $1398.95), another D850 dSLR in very good condition with a shutter count 410,710 for the silly low price of $998.95 (was $1098.95), a Nikon TC-E20 III (2X teleconverter) in like-new condition for a very low $196.95 (was $246.95), and her Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $945.95 (was $1,095.95), all in early to mid-July 2020.
Long-ago IPT veteran Art Leyenberger sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Telephoto lens in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $2349.00 and a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM zoom lens in near-mint condition for a BIRDS AS ART record low $449.00 both soon after listing them in mid-July.
Jamie Baker was offering a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4D ED-IF lens in excellent condition for $2500.00 (was $2750.00) but decided to withdraw the listing and kindly offered to send me a check for 4% of the orginal asking price as detailed in the Items for Sale Info e-mail. Multiple IPT veteran Patricia Fishburne sold a Canon EF Extender 2X II (teleconverter) in near-mint condition for a very low $129.00 and another Canon EF Extender 2X II (teleconverter), this one in excellent condition, for a BAA record-low $99.00, both on the first day of listing in early JULY 2020.
Long-time friend Alan Levine — Alan and Sara knew Elaine! — sold their Canon Macro EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro Lens in like-new condition for the BAA record-low price of $799.00 in early July 2020.
Anita North sold her Nikon TC-E17 II (1.7X teleconverter) in like-new condition for a very low $146.95 (was $196.95) in early JULY 2020.
Gatorland In-the-Field veteran Ron Owen sold his Canon 200-400 f/4L IS lens with internal 1.4X Extender (with extras!) in excellent plus condition for the BAA record-low price of $4900.00 in JUNE 2020.
Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM Lens
Jim Babbitt is offering a Canon 500 mm f/4L IS II lens in excellent plus condition for the BAA record-low price of $5248.00. The lens was serviced regularly by Canon with the last service in February 2020. The sale includes the lens hood, the rear cap, the heavy-duty front lens cover, an Aquatech Silicone front cover, the lens trunk, the lens strap, the manual, both feet, a tired but functional LensCoat, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 1-760 626 6435 (Pacific time zone).
The 500 f/4 super-telephoto lenses have long been the world’s most popular for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many decades. Canon’s Series II version is light, fast, super-sharp, and produces amazing images with both the 1.4X and 2X III TCs. The 500 II is relatively small, easily hand-holdable for some folks, and is much easier to travel with, focuses closer than, and costs a lot less than the 600 II. Lastly, and you might find this amazing, the magnification for the 500 II is the same as it is for the 600 II: .15X. How is that possible? Magnification is calculated at the minimum focusing distance of the lens — 12.14 feet (3.7 meters) for the 500 II and 14.77 feet (4.5 meters) for the 600 II. Simply put, the 500 II focuses more than two feet closer than the 600 II. The seller for the last one that sold here had five calls the first day; the first four folks quibbled on price. The fifth one jumped right on it … Please do not tarry if you are seriously interested in Jim’s lens as it too should sell almost instantly. Or not 🙂 As the 500 II goes for $8999 new you will be getting a pretty much new lens while saving $3751.00. I loved my 500 II 🙂
artie
Canon EOS-1D X Professional Digital Camera Body/with Extras!
Price dropped $300 on 14 FEB 2020!
Price dropped $400 on 26 JUNE 2020!
Price dropped $200 on 21 AUGUST 2020!
Joe Randle is also offering a used EOS 1D-X camera body in excellent condition for only $1,299.00 (was $2,199.00). The sale includes an extra LP-E4M battery, three Delkin Devices CF1000X UDMA 7 64GB cards, 4 Delkin Devices CF1000X UDMA 7 32 GB cards (all in a nice Pelican CF card case), the lens trunk, the front cap, the lens strap, the interface and stereo AV cables with cable protector, the EOS Digital Solution Disk and Software, instructions Manuals. Insured ground shipping via major courier lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
Two fast, rugged 1D X bodies served as my workhorse cameras for more than four years. I used them to create hundreds of family-jewels-type images. I actually liked the 1D X more than I liked my 1D X IIs … artie
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens
BAA Record-low Price!
Price Dropped $300.00 on 8/21!
Angie Birmingham is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR in like-new condition for $7696.95 (was $7,996.95). The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the original tough front lens cover, the lens strap, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.
Your item will not ship until your payment clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Angie via e-mail or by phone at 1-361-815-8852 (Central time zone).
This, the lightest, latest/greatest version of the Nikon 400mm f/2.8 lenses, is superb for large mammals in low light and birds at close range. It is superbly sharp alone or with the TC-14E III. It offers the world’s sweetest Bokeh. As a new goes for $11,196.95 right, you can save a very smooth $3,500 by grabbing Angie’s lens. artie
This super telephoto prime is designed for FX-format Nikon F-mount cameras, however, it can also be used with DX models where it will provide a 600mm equivalent focal length. Its impressively bright f/2.8 maximum aperture excels in difficult lighting conditions and also enables extensive control over depth of field for isolating subjects using selective focus techniques. Two fluorite and two extra-low dispersion lens elements work to reduce chromatic aberrations, improve overall image sharpness, clarity, and color fidelity; and help to minimize the overall weight of the lens. Vibration Reduction image stabilization helps to reduce the appearance of camera shake by up to four shutter speed stops, benefiting this lens’s use in low-light conditions. Additionally, a designated Sport Mode is well-suited to working in fast-paced conditions and a Tripod Mode helps to suppress subtle ground vibrations when working atop a support system. The Silent Wave Motor affords quick, quiet, and precise autofocus performance along with full-time manual focus override. An internal focusing design is also used, where only the internal lens groups are moved during focusing, to maintain the overall length of the lens during use and to promote faster focusing speeds. Dust- and moisture-resistant magnesium-alloy lens barrel benefits the lens’ use in inclement conditions. A removable tripod collar is included with the lens for well-balanced support when working from a monopod or tripod. The collar ring also incorporates ball bearings for smooth transitions between horizontal and vertical shooting orientations. Specialized electromagnetic aperture mechanism provides greater exposure control stability that is especially beneficial when working with fast continuous shooting rates. This 400 f/2.8 is compatible with optional AF-S Teleconverter TC-14, TC-17, and TC-20 teleconverters. B&H
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
Price Reduced $100.00 on 2 JULY 2020
Price Reduced $100.00 on 29 JULY 2020
Price Reduced $500.00 on 21 AUGUST 2020
Anita North is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low $8265.95 (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 $3,531.00. This lens sells new for $12,296.95. artie
Nikon Battery Grip & Charger Kit w/two extra batteries!
Price Reduced $150.00 on 2 JULY 2020
Price Reduced $100.00 on 2 JULY 2020
Price Reduced $100.00 on 21 AUGUST 2020
Anita North is offering this virtually impossible-to-find-in-stock kit for a ridiculously low $798.00 (was $1148.00). Some folks have been on waiting lists for more than one year. The sale includes the Nikon MB-D18 Multi-Power Battery Pack with EN-EL18c Battery Kit, a Nikon BL-5 Battery Chamber Cover for MB Battery Packs, the Nikon MH-26aAK Adapter Kit (that includes a BT-A10 adapter and an MH-26a dual battery charger), and two extra N-EL18b Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries. Everything is in new condition. The sale includes the original boxes for the Battery Grip & the Charger and insured ground shipping via major courier (to lower-48 US addresses only). Your item will not ship until your check has cleared the bank unless other arrangements are made. (PayPal +4% is fine with same-day shipping).
These items sell new right now for approximately $1488.00 (but only if you are super-lucky enough to find these items in stock) …
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.
Helping you achieve the most from your D850 DSLR, the Nikon MB-D18 Multi-Power Battery Pack with EN-EL18c Battery Kit from B&H includes the accessories needed to achieve a 9-fps continuous shooting rate, as well as extended battery life with up to 5140 shots per charge. This kit comprises the dedicated MB-D18 battery grip for the D850, an EN-EL18c rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a BL-5 Battery Chamber Cover, and the MH-26aAK Adapter Kit and Battery Charger. The Nikon MH-26aAK Adapter Kit includes a BT-A10 adapter and an MH-26a dual battery charger and allows you to charge two of the large batteries at the same time. artie & B&H
Sony a7r iii Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
BAA Record-low By-Far Price!
Price Reduced $200.00 on 21 AUGUST 2020
Anita North is offering a Sony a7 r iii Mirrorless Digital Camera body in excellent plus condition (but for a single nick on the lower-left corner of the rear monitor) for the BAA record-low-by-far price of $998.00 (was 1198.00). The sale includes an a74 iv original box, the battery charger (but not the battery), the front body cover, the strap, and insured ground shipping via major courier (to lower-48 US addresses only). The camera has the above-mentioned nick on the rear monitor, no battery, and no eye-cup.. The camera is, however, in perfect operating condition. Your item will not ship until your check has cleared the bank unless other arrangements are made. (Paypal +4% is fine with same-day shipping).
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.
A SONY a7r iii served me well as my workhorse camera body on the last Galapagos trip. It would make a perfect starter camera for folks looking to get started with SONY. The a7r iii sells new for $2,498.00 at B&H so you can save a ridiculous $1300.00 by grabbing Anita’s camera body now. 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
Price reduced $50.00 on 7-29-20
Price reduced $50.00 on 21 AUGUST 2020
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 $596.95 (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 kills for flight with close birds. And it pairs well with the TC-14E. It sells new right now for $1,396.95. Grab it now to save $800.00 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
Price reduced $10.00 on 7-29-20
Price Reduced $50.00 on 21 AUGUST 2020
Sold 22 AUGUST 2020!
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 $426.95 (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 $620.00! artie
Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Telephoto Lens
BAA Record-low Price!
Price reduced $200.00 on 22 AUGUST 2020!
Sold 27 AUGUST 2020!
BAA friend Kay Kaylor is offering a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Telephoto lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $2147.00 (was $2347.00). There are no dings, dents, cracks, scratches, blemishes, or signs of wear and the glass is immaculate. The sale includes the front lens cover, the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, a LensCoat neoprene lens cover on the hood only, , and insured ground shipping via UPS Ground to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Certified bank check or credit card or PayPal +4%.
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 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 $6,652.00 by grabbing Kay’s original version 500mm f/4 IS lens (the “old five”) right now. artie
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Zoom Lens
BAA Record-low Price!
Price reduced $50.00 on 22 AUGUST 2020!
Sold 22 AUGUST 2020!
BAA friend Kay Kaylor is also offering a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Zoom lens in near-mint condition for a BIRDS AS ART record low $387.00 (was $447.00). The sale includes the both lens caps, the lens hood, the LZ1324 Lens Case, 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.
Certified bank check or credit card or PayPal +4%.
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 original 100-400 is a sharp, amazingly versatile telephoto zoom lens. When I used Canon, I made hundreds of great and sale-able images with this lens (including the front cover of Scott Weidensaul’s book, “Return to Wild America!)” Denise Ippolito loved hers also. Kay’s lens would make a great starter lens for a beginning bird or nature photographer, especially when paired with her 20D (see below). artie
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM Lens
BAA Record-low Price!
Price reduced $100.00 on 22 AUGUST 2020!
BAA friend Kay Kaylor is also offering a Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM lens in near-mint condition for a very low $549.00 (was $649.00). The sale includes a LensCoat Hoodie, (no front lens cap), the rear lens cap, the zipped lens case, the tripod collar, 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.
Certified bank check or credit card or PayPal +4%.
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 400 f/5.6 is my beloved “toy lens.” I put it on the map more than 20 years ago when I began using it for birds in flight. Today, it is still a great flight lens and would make a great starter lens for a new bird photographer, especially one with a 7D Mark II. artie
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (Zoom) Lens
BAA Record-low Price!
Price reduced $10.00 on 22 AUGUST 2020!
Sold 27 AUGUST 2020!
BAA friend Kay Kaylor is also offering a Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (zoom) lens in near-mint condition for the you-might-as-well-give-it-away-free price of &88.00 (was $98.00). 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.
Certified bank check or credit card or PayPal +4%.
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.
Don’t laugh; I used this excellent lens for ten years when I shot Canon. The predecessor to both 24-105s, it is an excellent, do-everything, B-roll, don’t-leave-home-without-it lens. Super-cheap!. artie
Canon EF Extender 1.4X II teleconverter
Price reduced $20.00 on 22 AUGUST 2020!
Sold 27 AUGUST 2020!
BAA friend Kay Kaylor is also offering a Canon EF Extender 1.4X II teleconverter in near-mint condition for the BAA silly record-low price of $119.00 (was $139.00.) The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the leather pouch, and insured UPS Ground shipping to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Certified bank check or credit card or PayPal +4%.
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.
Regular readers know that I have long depended on both teleconverters for much of my bird photography. The series III TCs were designed for the series II super-telephoto lenses but if you have an older lens (like any of Kay’s lenses above, the series II TCs will perform perfectly well for you. artie
Canon EOS-1D Mark II
Sold 22 AUGUST 2020
BAA friend Kay Kaylor is also offering a Canon EOS-1D Mark II in near-mint condition for a silly low $149.00 (was $174.00). The sale includes the front body cap, the strap, the manual, three NP_E3 batteries, the dual charger, and insured UPS Ground shipping to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Certified bank check or credit card or PayPal +4%.
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.
It is hard to believe that you can own a like-new Canon professional dSLR for less than $200.00. I used this body with great success for several years. artie
Canon EOS 20D dSLR
Price reduced $10.00 on 22 AUGUST 2020!
BAA friend Kay Kaylor is also offering a Canon EOS 20D dSLR in near-mint condition for a silly low $64.00 (was $74.00). The sale includes the front body cap, the strap, the manual, two BP-51 batteries, and insured UPS Ground shipping to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Certified bank check or credit card or PayPal +4%.
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 20D was an early Canon dSLR. I owned and used one successfully for nearly three years. Kay’s body would make an excellent starter dSLR for a youngster or a beginning bird photographer, especially paired with either the “old 100-400” or the 400 f/5.6 listed above. artie
Suggested new name for your site:. Birds & Blooms as Art!
Thanks, Ron. If it was you who let Sandy know about Anita’s a7r iii bargain, many thanks.
with love, a
Artie do you find the off brand teleconverters to be inferior to the brand names like Canon, Nikon etc. ?
Hi Hank,
The only ones I have used were the Kenko TCs for Canon and they were amazingly sharp …
with love, artie
Artie when I read all the descriptions of the used equipment there are so many different ratings. Would you put them in order of the best to worst. Thanks
.
Hi John,
From best to worstest 🙂
like-new
near mint
excellent plus
excellent
very good
good
A ton of stuff has sold with this round of price cuts.
with love, artie