Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

What’s Up?

On Saturday morning Anita and I explored Outback Key to the very end on a super-low tide. With the dreary conditions, we concentrated on creating pleasing blurs of the tern, shorebird, and gull flocks blasting off. We had plenty of those. Late on what was a cloudy morning I sat on the beach and butt-wiggled close enough to isolate single Red Knots with the 200-600/1.4X TC, and the a9 ii. The versatility of the 2-6 continues to amaze me.

On Saturday evening we had a wonderful dinner in our Gulfport AirBNB apartment with our super-hosts, Warren and Dawn. Anita did a great job with the grilled jumbo shrimp and portobello mushrooms with a brown sugar/soy sauce/balsamic vinegar glaze. Warren and Dawn brought a box of chocolate-coated macadamia nuts for dessert. There were twelve of them. Anita had two, Dawn had one, and Warren did not eat any. Someone emptied the box but I am not saying who ..

On Sunday morning, the overnight rain continued. We packed up and were in the car by 7:00am heading back to ILE. In the rain.

This image was created on 2 OCT 2020 at Fort DeSoto Park. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 353mm), the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and the blazingly fast AF king, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera. ISO 5000. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2000 sec. at f/10 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:05am on cloudy morning. Tracking Flexible Spot (M) Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version. Great Blue Heron squawking in flight

More Good Stuff on the SONY 200-600 G Lens

The 2-6 does just fine with birds in flight with the 1.4X TC as long as long as you can deal with working at the relatively dark (i.e., slow) wide open aperture of f/9. That means on dreary days you will often be working with ISOs in the 5000 to 1000 range. Or higher. The good news is that with RawDigger you can learn to create practically noise free image files from the get-go and clean up that noise easily with Topaz DeNoise AI.

For hobbyists who cannot afford a SONY 600mm f/4 OSS GM lens (yours for only $12,999.98) the 2-6 might be the best value ever in a telephoto zoom lens. Be warned that for birds in flight you will want an a9 or an a9 ii while staying away especially from the a7r iv. The 61-MP monster just does not do well with birds in flight with the 200-600 but does much better with the 600 GM. I have no clue as to why.

Why the TC?

Many might ask why I had the TC on and then zoomed out to 353mm. It is proper to add a TC when you need more reach. I had done that in part just to see how the 2-6 would do with the TC in low light. I had done some bathing Sandwich Terns and incoming skimmers. When I saw the GBH hunting in the surf, I walked ahead of the bird to get the wind behind me. For most bird photography, keeping the wind at your back is a good plan, especially when light angle is not a concern. I had gotten close to the heron and done some tight head and neck pattern stuff and then headed west on the beach when I heard a loud squawk. I had already set the lens for tern flight so when I saw the heron flying left to right I simply spun the rear dial three clicks clockwise to increase the ISO from 2500 to 5000 as the heron is much darker than any tern. The exposure was confirmed as perfect by RawDigger.

Tracking Flexible Spot (M) for Flight?

Recently I have begun experimenting with Tracking Flexible Spot (M) for flight rather than my preferred Center Zone. SONY e-Guide co-author Patrick Sparkman loves Wide for flight. For flight photography, both Zone and Wide require a bit less skill and hand-eye coordination than Tracking Flexible Spot (M). With the latter, you must keep the tracking spot on pr very close to the bird’s head or neck. When the heron squawked, I went with Tracking Flexible Spot (M) as that was what I had set: I did not have any time to change the AF mode.

Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version. Side by side 100% DeNoise comparison

The Side by Side 100% DeNoise Comparison

The important thing to note here is how little noise there is in the original image. — the one on the left. After clicking on the image to enlarge it, notice that in Auto “Remove Noise” was set to the very low value of 8. AI stands for Artificial intelligence (indeed!). So why did my ISO 5000 image show so little noise? Because I have improved my exposure skills by working with and studying RawDigger. Less noise is one of the many benefits of learning to m-ETTR, mega-expose to the right.

Do not expect a ton of fine feather detail in an ISO 5000 image created in low light. That said, the optimized image above looks quite lovely.

Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version. Side by side 400% DeNoise comparison

The Side-by-Side 400% DeNoise Comparison

Above is a 400% view of the trailing edge of the far wing (as shown in the Navigator window in the upper right corner of the DeNoise screen capture). As expected, there will always be some noise in an ISO 5000 image when viewed at 400%. As expected, DeNoise AI cleaned that up beautifully even with the very low setting.

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 :).

What’s Up?

Fall arrived at ILE on the morning of Wednesday 30 September as the months keep rolling by. We drove down to the lake and saw a few cranes and lots of vultures, but it was so windy and chilly that we never got out of the car. My streak was in jeopardy but on our way back to Fort DeSoto we stopped at a gorgeous marshy field packed with several hundred thousand beautiful pink blossoms interspersed with green marsh vegetation. Which brings us to the subject of today’s blog post. Read on to exercise your brain cells, be inspired, and improve your nature photography.

Amazingly, I was able to arrange for the sale of Patty McCulloch’s Canon 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for the BAA record-low price of $5497.00, the sale of her Canon EF Extender 1.4X III in near-mint condition for a very low $229.00, the sale of her Canon EF Extender 2X III in excellent condition for only $228.00, and the sale of her Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro lens in excellent plus condition for a very low $499.00, all before they were to be listed in this blog post!

If you are looking for a specific used item, shoot me an e-mail, and let me know what you are looking for.

Great Topaz News (Corrected)!

I did not realize that folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to use this link.

Wanted to Buy

I have someone looking to purchase a used Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM lens. If you have one that you would like to sell, please get in touch via e-mail.

Topaz Stuff

As I said on Sunday and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.

Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide.

Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro back in stock!

We received a dozen Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pros via DHL. We ordered twenty … Anita North has been using one and said, “With my weak fingers, the Levered-Clamp is a Godsend.

RawDigger e-Guide and Video Advance Copy Available

Save $10 Now

The RawDigger e-Guide and Video is almost finished. It will sell for $51.00. If you are anxious to get started with RawDigger, learn to mega-Expose to the Right, and wind up with the highest quality image files, you can save $10.00 and have a chance to review a pre-publication copy of the guide by sending a PayPal for $41.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net with the words RawDigger e-Guide and Video Pre-publication Copy cut and pasted into the Subject line.

You will of course receive a link for the completed PDF when the guide is finished.

Please Remember

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so will not cost you a single penny and if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save at least $50.00 on all orders greater than $1000.00. 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 will be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

The BAA Used Gear Page

Right now, the Used Gear page is red hot! It is 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% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list at the bottom of the page.

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 overnight 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 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the 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 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.

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 3% on all orders. 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.

New Listings/Great Bargains

Canon EOS-1DX Mark II with tons of great extras

BAA Record-low Price!

Patricia McCulloch is offering a Canon EOS-1DX Mark II in excellent plus condition for the BAA record-low price of $2279.00. The sale includes the original box, an L-plate, the strap, one battery, the LC-E19 Battery Charger, an extra Canon LP-E4N Battery Pack, a LensCoat BodyGuard, The Instruction Manual, the Interface Cable, 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 Patty via e-mail.

The 1DX Mark II is Canon’s rugged, blazingly fast professional digital camera body. It features an amazing AF system and high quality image files with great dynamic range. When he used Canon, it was the choice of Arash Hazeghi, one of the world’s premier birds in flight photographers. This body is still in production and currently sells new for $4,499.00. Save a very sweet $1800.00 by grabbing Patty’s today. artie

Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC Wide-Angle Lens for Canon

Patty McCulloch is offering a Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC Wide-Angle Lens for Canon in excellent plus condition for a very low $424.00. The sale includes the original box, the lens pouch the front and rear lens caps, and insured ground shipping to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Patty via e-mail.

This fast Wide-Angle 24mm lens works well with both APS-C & full-frame camera bodies. It yields an 84° view when used with a full-frame 35mm camera, or 57.6° when used with an APS-C camera. It is excellent for landscapes, cramped interiors, street photography and general photography of all kinds. Four low-dispersion (ED) glass elements and two aspheric elements produce sharply defined images with a minimum of flare and ghosting. The lens focuses as close as 9.84″ from the lens allowing for great creativity in the righthand. All focus and exposure functions are manual; there is no AF or auto exposure. artie & B&H

Grab Bag #1

Patty McCulloch is offering an eclectic grab bag of the items below for the incredibly low price of $299.00. The total value of this package new is just under $800.00.

Canon Angle Finder C. The Angle Finder C lets you adjust the viewing angle while also providing a 1.25x to 2.5x switchable magnification. Provided with built-in variable diopter correction, supplied with Finder Adapters Ec-C, Ed-C to fit any EOS camera. Sells new for $199.00.

Canon Extension Tube EF 25 II. Extension tubes allow you to focus closer than the lenses Minimum Focusing Distance. This updated version II is fully compatible with Canon Digital EF-S lenses, as well as standard photo EF and TS-E lenses. This sells new for $139.95.

MacroPlus Extcm Auto Focus Metal Macro Extension Set for Canon EOS EF EF-S SLR Cameras. Was $29.99.

Singh-Ray 77mm LB Warming Circular Polarizer Filter. Great for your 24-105mm and 100-400mm lenses, and great for rainbows and stormy skies. Sells new for $210.00.

Sekonic L-308S Flashmate Digital Incident, Reflected & Flash Light Meter. Exceptionally portable and versatile in its design, the L-308S Flashmate Light Meter from Sekonic is a versatile meter that blends both photo and video-oriented functions into a single unit. A newer version of this sells for $219.00.

Grab Bag #1 includes all of the items above and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your grab bag will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made. Please contact Patty via e-mail.

Grab Bag #2

Patty McCulloch is offering an eclectic grab bag of the items below for the incredibly low price of $499.00. The total value of this package new is roughly $1400.00!

Think Tank Airport Security V2.0 Roller Bag in excellent condition. This is my main rolling bag. My V2.0 has been around the world with me many times. The virtually identical V3.0 sells new for $419.75.

Vanguard Up-Rise II 48 Photo Backpack in excellent plus condition. Formerly sold for $199.00. Click here to see the item.

NatureScapes Skimmer GroundPod II in excellent condition. Gets your big lens right down where the low perspectives are. This sells new for $99.95 here.

Hoodman HoodLoupe Outdoor LCD Viewfinder for 3.2″ Screens. For outdoor viewing of your rear LCD even in bright conditions. This sells new for $89.99.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens. This item, the classic “standard” lens, sells new here for $125.00.

Benro TAD38CB3 Series 3 Adventure Carbon Fiber Tripod with B3 Ball Head in excellent condition. This item, no longer in production, is still available new for $440.00. Click here for info.

Grab Bag #2 includes all of the items above and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your grab bag will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made. Please contact Patty via e-mail.

Colleen Miniuk

Colleen Miniuk

I promised a few weeks ago to share the work of some really good new and different photographers with you here. In addition, I am constantly advising folks to look at as much good photography as they can. Toward that end, I urge you to check out some of Colleen Miniuk’s galleries on her website here. As a peek at her galleries will reveal, Colleen a generalist who is a really good landscape photographer. Be sure to check out her eight Natural World galleries; the images in Abstracts are superb. View, learn, and be inspired.

The Color Wheel is from Stay at Home Artist. Text and design by Colleen Miniuk.

No More Rules! Human Perception in Compositions

I received an e-mail last week with a link to a free webinar sponsored by Singh-Ray and conducted by a fine photographer named Colleen Miniuk. I watched it and enjoyed it and am pleased to share the link to the replay with you here. When I watched the webinar I thought that it did not very much apply to bird photography, but when I thought about it some more, I realized that it was very much about bird photography. I especially enjoyed her comments on color and of course, her comments on image design.

Colleen uses lots of Singh-Ray filters. If you are inspired to purchase a filter or two after watching the webinar, please remember to use the ARTIE10 code at checkout to save ten percent. My favorites are the 77mm circular polarizer and the 77 and 95mm ND filters. Visit the Singh-Ray webs here.

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 :).