Questions for You
1- Which is the stronger image? Why did you make your choice?
2- Which sky color do you prefer, the slightly blue sky in Image #1 or the grayer sky in Image #2?
3- What are two reasons that I had zero chance of creating a sharp, pleasing take-off shot despite the fact that Pre-Capture (PC) was set to ON with the P-C time set to one full second?
Canon EF 600mm f4/L IS II Lens
BAA Record-low Price for Excellent Plus condition!
Used Gear Page vet Todd Koudelka is offering a Canon EF 600mm f4/L IS II lens in excellent plus condition for a BIRDS AS ART record low $5333.95. The glass is perfect with no scratches or blemishes. There are two practically imperceptible paint blemishes on the barrel and two others on the base of the lens hood. The sale includes the lens trunk, the rear lens cap, the lens strap, the front lens cover, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses.
Please contact Todd via e-mail or by phone at 1-608 577 5375.
The 600mm f/4 lenses have been the state of the art super-telephoto lenses for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many years. When I was using Canon and could get it to my location, my 600 II was always my go-to weapon. It is fast and sharp and deadly alone or with either TC. With both the EF 600mm f/4L IS III and the RF 600mm f/4L IS going for $12,999.00, and used 600mm versions IIs very hard to find, you’d do well to grab Todd’s lens ASAP. Not to mention that B&H is offering a used one — Condition: 8+ Moderate wear, in other words, in relatively poor condition, here, for $6,933.95. Todd is beating that used price by $1600.00!
Add a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R to use this lens with your Canon mirrorless camera. artie
What’s Up?
There are two (currently un-photographable) young Bald Eagles in the nest across the South Canal. Two first winter Bonaparte’s Gulls have been hanging out with the Forster’s Terns on the pier railings. Tuesday morning was not great despite the nice light and the first east wind since I got back from Homer. I did have a few decent chances on Ospreys bringing in nesting material.
Today is Wednesday 5 March 2025. I should have mentioned previously that my 19-stitch incision is healing nicely. I got lots of work done on my 2024 taxes yesterday. I will be heading down to the lakeshore this morning almost as always. Whatever you plan on doing, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Supporting My Efforts Here
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, are all set for gear, or live overseas, consider leaving a BAA Blog Thank You Gift here.
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please consider using one of my affiliate links when purchasing new gear. It will never cost you a single penny. To support my effort here, please order from B&H by beginning your search here. Or, click here, to order from Bedfords and enter the discount code BIRDSASART at checkout to receive 3% cash back to your credit card and enjoy free Second-Day Air Fed-Ex shipping. It is always best to write for advice via e-mail.
In many cases, I can help you save some serious dollars. And/or prevent you from purchasing the wrong gear from the wrong shop.
|
|
This image was created on 3 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter, and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 1600. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1000 second at f/10 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:58:49am on sunny morning. Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #1: Boat-tailed Grackle male displaying |
Why Photograph Common Birds?
Boat-tailed Grackles are abundant at Indian Lake Estates in most seasons. Though the males, with their long oddly shaped tails and iridescent colors, are quite handsome, their appearance does not hold a candle to many more colorful passerines (perching birds). In addition, the golden tones of the females are quite pleasing.
I often pass this species by but on occasion, will do my best to photograph both sexes.
The question is why? There are many explanations. Here goes, in the order of importance as I see things:
1- Photographing black birds with iridescent feathers is a great way to fine-tune your understanding of exposure.
2- Photographing common species taking flight allows you to learn a ton about your camera’s autofocus system and, about Pre-Capture (if your camera body offers this amazing feature).
3- In addition, by attempting to photograph common species taking flight, you get to learn about choosing effective shutter speeds.
4- Common species often provide a chance to capture images depicting a variety of interesting behaviors.
5- Photographing something is always better than photographing nothing.
Worth Noting
As mentioned here previously, Bob Eastman put up three tall perches in the South Marsh when he visited. I helped, but not very much. From north to south they are the “Skinny Perch,” the “V-perch,” and the “pine perch.” Both of today’s images were created on the “V-perch” (though the tight view does not show both sides of the “V.”)
|
|
This image was also and obviously created on 3 March 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter, and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera. ISO 2000. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1000 second at f/10 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:59:29am on sunny morning. Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #2: Boat-tailed Grackle male about to take flight — full width pano crop |
The Pre-Take-off Pose
Many species of birds lean forward just prior to taking flight. Folks with very fast reactions times may not need Pre-Capture to create successful images of birds taking flight. I am not in that group.
Note that the crop here was from the top. The width here represents the full frame original.
Why f/10?
When working a bird large in the frame at relatively close range, it often pays to stop down a bit for additional depth-of-field. Was that plan successful with these two image? I am not sure.
BLUBB Tip
It is vitally important to remember that when using a telephoto lens on the BLUBB or any inferior beanbag, that — if your system offers Direct Manual Focus DMF), you must remember to turn it off either via the switch on the lens or in your camera body’s menu (depending on the system). If DMF is not turned off, you risk throwing off the focus as you recompose or attempt to follow a bird in flight.
Summing Up
Photographing common birds is fun and educational and best of all, doing so helps you to improve your skills and become a better bird photographer.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Art: I prefer #2 — sharp eye and more action-oriented. I would prefer a blue background, but #1 doesn’t look blue to me. So, I’ll go with #2 because that color makes the bird “pop.”
Thanks for reminding me to take pictures of ordinary birds — because that’s about all that’s here after Hurricane Ian and Hurricane, both of which left too much salt in the water.
Both poses are interesting, but the eye contact is better in #2, as Joel says, and I’d go with that one. Do prefer the sky color in #1. Color in the bird’s back is great, reminds me of a bathing drake Blue-wing Teal I photographed recently. As to why you couldn’t get the takeoff, in addition to the shutter speed, I’d guess (1) difficulty of panning up off a bean bag, possibly restricted by the window frame, or (2) possibility of the other half of the V-perch coming into view.
Artie I like #2 as it is showing the eye better but it is really hard to get amazing shots of Grackles
However I do like the slightly bluer sky in #1 and #1 the stronger image as the photo shows the display of the Grackle, you may not have had the room to get the wings with a take off shot and you were at 1000ss so it may have been blurred mostly
Estimated 30 feet from the subject
f:8 at 600mm with 2.0 tel so 1200mm
Hyperfocal distance 9846.46 ft
Hyperfocal near limit 4923.23 ft
DoF near limit 29.92 ft
DoF far limit 30.08 ft
Depth of field 0.16 ft
Depth of field in front 0.08 ft (49.87%)
Depth of field behind 0.08 ft (50.13%)
Estimated 30 feet from the subject
f:10 at 600mm with 2.0 tel so 1200mm
Hyperfocal distance 7815.95 ft
Hyperfocal near limit 3907.97 ft
DoF near limit 29.90 ft
DoF far limit 30.10 ft
Depth of field 0.20 ft
Depth of field in front 0.10 ft (49.83%)
Depth of field behind 0.10 ft (50.17%)
So yes at f:10 helped much gooder even though a tad
Always with love b
1. Both poses remind me of bronze sculptures – love them both. If I had to pick though I’d go with #1 for its grace.
2. I prefer a bit of color in the sky so #1 again.
3. The bird would have flown parallel to the sensor so 1/1000 of a second wouldn’t likely cut it for that action.
I agree with Wells+Jacobsen. (Why is the + there? I have it too.) I like photographing common birds because I get more chances. The more chances I get the more likely I am to get keepers.
Image #2 is, to my eye, clearly more interesting as it portends action. Nevertheless, I prefer image #1. It lifts my spirit.
Thank you kindly, Wells.
with love, artie
I prefer image #2 as the stronger ….. the impending action and head angle/eye contact make it a more interesting image. Really don’t like the sky in either image, would prefer some out of focus clouds or something rather than a total blank. My guess is your shutter speed was too slow to capture a sharp image when the bird took flight. Glad your surgery went well and you are healing nicely.
Thanks, Doc
with love, artie