April 27th, 2021 What’s Up?
The DeSoto IPT got off to an incredible start on Monday. The morning session was filled with pairs of copulating Royal Terns, a dancing Reddish Egret, two wonderfully cooperative Laughing Gulls in a perfect setting, and a nice variety of shorebirds, including and especially some fairly bright Sanderlings molting into breeding plumage. The sweet light and the east wind made bird photography a pleasure.
Jake Levin and Jim Miller arrived with brand new SONY Alpha a1 bodies that they had not set up. I suggested that I copy all of my settings to their bodies using the Save/Load Settings feature so that we would be on the exact same page. Both agreed. The process took less than a minute. Both were utterly astounded by the AF performance of the a1 as the AF system locked onto the bird’s eyes and never let it go. And with ISO on the rear wheel, getting the right exposure is a snap (as long as you have the correct Zebra settings as detailed in the Sony Camera User’s e-Guide). Note: everyone in the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group receives a free copy of the Sony Camera User’s e-Guide if they do not already have a copy.
Though the east wind persisted in the afternoon, we enjoyed a second great session on Monday afternoon with lots of shorebirds including Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitcher, Semipalmated and Black-bellied Plovers, Least Sandpiper, Sanderling, and Willet. And one of the Willets was quite proficient at catching and eating small crabs.
I created 4023 images yesterday. I have not finished my first edit. I did make many fine images.
Thanks to the many who commented on yesterdays four Osprey images. I will be chiming in on that topic and catching up with some previous blog questions in tomorrows post.
Today is Tuesday 27 April 2021. The forecast for St. Pete this morning is again perfect: clear skies with a nice east wind. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you have a great day.
This blog post took about one hour to prepare and makes 125 consecutive days with a new one. Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head, for example, is available from B&H and/or Bedfords and is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great if you opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to save money at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And doing so always earns my great appreciation.
Canon EF 800mm f/5.6 L USM Lens
IPT veteran Sandra Calderbank is offering a Canon EF 800mm f/5.6 L USM lens in excellent condition for $6798.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the original tough front lens cover, the lens strap, the original Canon tripod foot, a Really Right Stuff replacement foot, a LensCoat cover and a Hoodie 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 Sandra via e-mail or by phone at 1-828 412 1047 Eastern time zone.
I used this lens, often with a 1.4X TC, as my main super-telephoto lens for close to five years. It is a superb lens that offers lots of reach for those working with birds that are skittish. It is great from the car. I was astounded that about 15 of the 67 images in the San Diego exhibit (and in the 100 Best CD as well) were created with my 800. I missed it terribly for years. As the lens sells new at B&H for $12,999, Sandra’s lens — that will kill with an R5 — is a superb buy; grab it now and save a very sweet $6201.00! artie
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
IPT veteran Sandra Calderbank is offering a Canon EOS 7D Mark II in-near mint condition with 21,069 actuations for $649.00. The sale includes the strap, the original product box, one battery, the front cap, the software, manual, & cables, a Really Right Stuff plate, 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 Sandra via e-mail or by phone at 1-828 412 1047 Eastern time zone.
Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II until about four years ago when we both committed — at the time — to using full-frame Canon bodies. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. One thing is for sure: the 7D Mark II is the greatest value ever in a digital camera body. artie
Please Remember
With income from IPTs now at zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free second-day air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order to save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs (remember those?) 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 26 April 2021, first morning of the second DeSoto IPT. Lying flat on my belly in the wet sand, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 840mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 800. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/1000 sec. at f/10 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:15:50am on a clear, sunny morning.
Wide/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #1: Dunlin ruffling
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How Low Do You Go?
One of the main topics that we covered during both sessions dealt with how low to go and how to get there. We had folks lying or sitting on the wet sand and hand holding. Some used the tilted rear screen while sitting. Some sat behind their lowered tripods and some lay on the ground with the tripod legs splayed flat. During the afternoon session, I tried the Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro atop a Skimmer II.
Being too high reveals shells and pebbles on the beach. Being too low loses the birds feet or the lower half of the female of a copulating pair. Note: some of the latter images worked surprisingly well! Other considerations when getting low are the effect of the breaking waves on an image as well as the placement of the horizon line.
As today’s two featured images were created on the edge of a pool, waves were not an issue. For me, the perspective is perfect with a fuzzy peek at the top of the bird’s feet, a killer background, and an intimate look at the life of a shorebird.
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This image was created on 26 April 2021, first morning of the second DeSoto IPT. Lying flat on my belly in the wet sand, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 840mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 800. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/1000 sec. at f/10 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:15:50am on a clear, sunny morning.
Wide/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #2: Dunlin ruffling
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Best?
The a1’s thirty frames/second (only with the fast card while shooting compressed raw) gives you lots of poses to choose from. With this single ruffle, I had about 45 poses to choose from. These two images were chosen from my nine favorites. Your job is even harder: choose the better of these two images and leave a comment letting us know why you made your choice.
SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based advice. We are now up to an astounding 35 folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. More recently, we have been in contact with folks at SONY sharing our thoughts, experiences, and frustrations with the EVF blackout problem.
All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info Updates. Alternatively, they can call Jim weekday afternoons at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
April 26th, 2021 Which is the Best Image?
Selecting my four favorites from the 48 keepers (out of 436 sharp images) after the first edit was a challenge. Now you face a tougher one: which of today’s four featured images is the strongest? All are invited to leave a comment and share their thoughts as to why.
What’s Up?
On Sunday morning, Clemens Van der Werf, Donna Bourdon, Anita North, and I photographed from Clemens’ flat boat. We tried for Snail Kites at a local lake near ILE. With the wind from the west southwest and the sun out most of the time we pretty much struck out with flight shooting but had a few decent perched males.
We headed back to my house for a smoked salmon brunch. Afterwards, I napped, swam, and finished packing. Clemens headed home and the three of us drove over to Gulfport for the second DeSoto IPT.
On Sunday evening, I met most of the group — Jim Miller is driving down from Tallahassee on Monday. We ran through the Designing and creating pleasing and dramatic natural history images and recorded the session with Camtasia. It will be available in the BAA Online Store soon.
Today is Monday 26 April 2021. The morning forecast for St. Pete is for clear with east northeast winds — not great, but pretty darned good. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you have a great day.
This blog post took about two hours to prepare and makes 124 consecutive days with a new one. Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head, for example, is available from B&H and/or Bedfords and is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great if you opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to save money at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And doing so always earns my great appreciation.
My Laptop
Many folks are not aware that I do all of my image processing on a MacBook Pro. Though less than ideal, it is — considering all of the traveling that I do, the best solution for me. And I love the speed and the 4TB internal hard drive. The Apple 16″ MacBook Pro (Updated in 2020, Space Gray) is the updated version of my 2019 device.
Please Remember
With income from IPTs now at zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free second-day air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order to save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs (remember those?) 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 24 April 2021 on Lake Blue Cypress working from Clemens Van der Werf’s flats boat. I used the hand held Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 3200. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/1250 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:20:39am on a heavily overcast morning.
Wide/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #1: Osprey with whole catfish
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The Whole Catfish
It is common to see Osprey flying around with fish, but nine times out of ten they will have already torn off and eaten the fish’s head. Having this bird flying around and around with a whole, fresh caught catfish was a real treat.
Many Great Catfish Chances
We spotted this male Osprey with a large, whole catfish flying around while the light levels were still quite low; I was doing blurs. The first of two keeper blurs was created at 7:17:17am. Then I switched to sharp. The last keeper of what was a very long series was created at 7:25:06. I wound up with 48 keepers out of 436 sharp images.
The bird would fly into the nest, touch down briefly, take flight, and then circle around again. And again. And again. The show went on for about eight whole minutes. The male finally landed with its mate right on it tail. Breakfast time.
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This image was also created on 24 April 2021 on Lake Blue Cypress working from Clemens Van der Werf’s flats boat. I used the hand held Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 3200. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/1250 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:20:40am on a heavily overcast morning.
Wide/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #2: Osprey with whole catfish
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Gear and Shutter Speed Decisions
The 200-600 with the a1 is a deadly combination, especially when hand holding for flight photography. The 600 GM is much heaver, much larger, and thus — much more difficult to hand hold. So why not go with the 2-6?
In the extreme low light conditions of a very overcast morning, the 600 at f/4 saves you four clicks (1 1/3 stops) of ISO. Had In sunny conditions, I will almost always opt for the 200-600 for flight while choosing 1/3200 second as my ideal shutter speed. On Saturday morning, once I switched from doing blurs to trying to create sharp images, I really skimped on shutter speed by first working at 1/1250 second. When things brightened up a bit, I moved up to 1/1600 second. All of the images were more than sharp enough on the bird’s eyes.
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This image was also created on 24 April 2021 on Lake Blue Cypress working from Clemens Van der Werf’s flats boat. I used the hand held Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 3200. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/1600 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:23:25am on an overcast morning.
Wide/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #3: Osprey with whole catfish
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My Biggest Problem
Even though the SONY 600 f/4GM is the lightest (by one ounce over the Canon 600 III) 600 f/4 ever produced, my biggest problem was with the framing, keeping the bird in the center of the frame. Only practice and weight training can help me there.
The SONY AF System
The performance of the SONY AF system at any focal length (when the a1 is set up properly as detailed in the in e-mails to the Sony Alpha a1 Info & Updates group), continues to amaze me. Early on, there was lots of discussion within the group with many preferring multiple back button approaches. For me a simple shutter button approach with the right AF settings that yield 99% sharp-on-the-eye images is best. By far. It is super-simple and mega-effective.
SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based advice. We are now up to an astounding 35 folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. More recently, we have been in contact with folks at SONY sharing our thoughts, experiences, and frustrations with the EVF blackout problem.
All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info Updates. Alternatively, they can call Jim weekday afternoons at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.
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This image was also created on 24 April 2021 on Lake Blue Cypress working from Clemens Van der Werf’s flats boat. I used the hand held Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 3200. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/6000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:25:04am on an overcast morning.
Wide/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #4: Osprey with whole catfish
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Eye Doctor Work
In the dingy light, and with the bird’s nictitating membrane covering part of the eye or eyes in two of the four images, I did some eye doctor work on each of today’s featured images. I used the Clone Stamp Tool to lose the nictitating membrane, selected and brightened the yellow irises, and used Tim Grey Dodge and Burn to darken the pupils. Then I selected the bird’s face in each image and applied a Contrast Mask to selectively sharpen and darken that layer only.
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The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II.
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The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
The Eye Doctor and Contrast Mask techniques mentioned above, and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques (with the exception of Capture One RAW Conversions) — along with all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my MacBook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: all of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.
You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About two years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One Pro 12 and continue to do so today.
To purchase Capture One, please use this link. Then you can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here. The next step would be to get a copy of Arash Hazeghi’s “The Nikon Photographers’ Guide to Phase One Capture One Pro e-Guide” in the blog post here.
You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair. Folks can learn sophisticated sharpening and (NeatImage) Noise Reduction techniques in The Professional Post Processing Guide by Arash Hazeghi and edited by yours truly. Please use this link to purchase NeatImage.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
April 25th, 2021 What’s Up?
Donna Bourdon, Clemens Van der Werf, and I enjoyed a stellar, cloudy-bright Saturday morning on Lake Blue Cypress. We enjoyed another fine dinner on the pool deck: rib-eye steak done rare on the grill, barbecued Brussels sprouts, and some more fine wine. After we ate, I edited the 2287 image folder from that morning. Most were of Ospreys in flight. I kept 11 out of 370 blurs and 48 out of 436 of the landing-with-whole-catfish images. All in all I kept only 97 images of the original 2287. Deleted 2190. Perhaps 30 or 40 will survive the second edit …
Today is Sunday 25 April 2021. We are headed back to a local lake for more Snail Kite photography. The forecast is for partly cloudy turning cloudy with a gentle breeze from the southwest. Not great, not terrible. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you have a great day.
This blog post took less than an hour to prepare and makes 123 consecutive days with a new one. Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head, for example, is available from B&H and/or Bedfords and is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great if you opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to save money at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And doing so always earns my great appreciation.
Stuck in Time
Via e-mail from Steve Schiff
Hi Artie —
I think your shutter counter is stuck again. From your recent blog posts:
4/21: This blog post took more than an hour to prepare and makes 119 consecutive days with a new one.
4/22: This blog post took more than an hour to prepare and makes 119 consecutive days with a new one.
4/23: This blog post took more than an hour to prepare and makes 119 consecutive days with a new one.
4/24: This blog post took more than an hour to prepare and makes 119 consecutive days with a new one.
Steve in NJ
Working too fast has its hazards! Thanks to Steve, I have corrected my errors and will probably refrain from making similar ones for at least a week or two.
Please Remember
With income from IPTs now at zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free second-day air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order to save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs (remember those?) 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 along a canal at Lake Blue Cypress on 23 April 2021. I used the hand held (???) lens with the (???) teleconverter and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 1000. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/13 in Manual mode. AWB at 6:18pm on a sunny afternoon.
Wide/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and nailed the focus. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Red-shouldered Hawk head portrait
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Focal Length Quiz
This is the free and wild red-shoulder that we encountered on Friday afternoon when all seemed hopeless. It was beyond silly-tame, and more amazingly, it was sitting with its back to the wind so that its face was perfectly lit. The image as presented represents the full frame original capture.
After clicking on the image to see the larger version and checking out the 100% crop of the bird’s eyeball below, I’d love for you to guess (or figure out — there is a single clue …) the lens and TC that I used along with the focal length.
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This image was created along a canal at Lake Blue Cypress on 23 April 2021. I used the hand held (???) lens with the (???) teleconverter and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 1000. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/13 in Manual mode. AWB at 6:18pm on a sunny afternoon.
Wide/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and nailed the focus. Click on the image to see a larger version.
An unsharpened 100% crop of the eyeball of the Red-shouldered Hawk head portrait image
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What an Eyeball!
Click on the image to enlarge the eye and you can see the three of us in Clemens’ flats boat. Clemens is the tall one in the back. The bird was so tame that I eventually stood on the bow platform without flushing the bird. Note the sharpness of the eyelashes in the front of the eye (to our right) and the reflection of the eyelashes at the back of the eye (to our left).
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This image was created along a canal at Lake Blue Cypress on 23 April 2021. I used the hand held (???) lens with the (???) teleconverter and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 1000. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/13 in Manual mode. AWB at 6:18pm on a sunny afternoon.
Wide/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and nailed the focus. Click on the image to see a larger version.
The active AF point for the Red-shouldered Hawk head portrait image
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The Active AF Point
The performance of the SONY AF system at any focal length (when the a1 is set up properly as detailed in the in e-mails to the Sony Alpha a1 Info & Updates group), continues to amaze me. Early on, there was lots of discussion within the group with many preferring multiple back button approaches. For me a simple shutter button approach with the right AF settings that yield 99% sharp-on-the-eye images is best. By far. It is super-simple and mega-effective. Note: info on the program that I use to ascertain SONY AF point information is detailed in one of the SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group e-mails. I plan on making that information available here soon for all SONY camera users. You guessed it, I am working on a guide. 🙂
SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based advice. We are now up to an astounding 35 folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. More recently, we have been in contact with folks at SONY sharing our thoughts, experiences, and frustrations with the EVF blackout problem.
All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info Updates. Alternatively, they can call Jim weekday afternoons at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
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