What’s Up?
Photography at ILE becomes more difficult each day as the heat of summer intensifies. Few flowers are blooming and there are not many birds around. On a more positive note, The Perch has been becoming more active lately.
The forecast for today — Thursday 2 July (can you believe that it is July?), is for sunny to partly cloudy with a high of only 92 degrees along with afternoon thunderstorms. The pool is up to 91 degrees … I will be heading down to the lake before 7am to see what I can find.
BLACKER OR BLUER?
In the Aquatic Jewels! Which version do you prefer? And More on RawDigger and Exposing to the Right blog post here, I asked if folks preferred the blacker version or the bluer version.
The first folks who commented liked the blacker version. Then Gary Axten wrote this:
I’m going to buck the trend; I prefer the blue version. The blue bleeding into the oof highlight on the blue version looks more natural than the blue into black. Plus I prefer the water colour.
Have you considered focus stacking for images like this?
And then, Adam agreed:
I share Gary’s observations and find the blue version a bit more natural and realistic. The background glow provides balance against the iridescent blue on the edges.
I agree; the bluer version is my favorite by far for the reasons above.
Focus Stacking?
In his comment, Gary Axten asked:
Have you considered focus stacking for images like this?
I have thought about focus stacking for some of my flower photography, but rejected the idea for several reasons:
1- SONY does not offer automatic focus stacking.
2- Doing it manually is too much work for me.
3- With the Sigma 150/Vello adapter combo I am bracketing the exposures like a maniac because Zebras only work (to some degree, at least), when I am wide open. That would mean creating far too many images.
With the (floating) spatterdock image made at a shutter speed of 1/6 second, it is likely that the flower would move at least a bit during the creation of five or ten or 15 images …
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Via e-Mail from Chris Latham
I bought the e-guide and videos for my A9 and A7r4 cameras and whilst I initially thought the price was a little steep at $125, I soon realized the amount of work that went into testing the vast array of menu settings that you promote. I made a couple of tweaks to the custom key layout but the instruction on the use of zebras (with both ISO and Exposure Comp) is worth the price of admission alone.
Perhaps we could meet up for a beer in Seahouses next time you’re over for a UK Puffins and Gannets IPT so I could thank you in person for the effort you and Patrick have put into this great guide and the videos. Chris
Via e-Mail from Phillip Bird
As a new user of the Sony A7RIII I ordered your Sony e-Guide as soon as I unpacked the camera. Buying the guide is one of the best camera-related investments I have ever made. I am learning so much and I’m sure that the guide is saving me a great deal of time and frustration in dealing with all of the options available on this amazing camera. Thanks to you and Patrick for putting this guide together. Phill
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 $50. 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.
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100 sold to rave reviews.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
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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.
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 the used prices of many 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 … That said, the prices on used Nikon gear are dropping 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
Patrick Hogue sold his Nikon D500 DSLR Kit in excellent condition and a 16mm-80mm F2.8-4.0 VR Nikkor zoom lens in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $985.00 and a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens in near-mint condition for a very low $3195.00 (was $3450.00), both in mid-JUNE 2020.
Anita North sold her Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens in excellent plus condition for a BAA record-low $3045.95 (was $3095.95) in early JUNE 2020.
Arthur Morris sold his Nikon D850 DSLR Camera (Body Only) in excellent plus to like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1,795.95 (was $1995.95) in early JUNE 2020.
Patrick Hogue sold his Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens in excellent plus condition for $850.00 (was $896.95) and a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV Digital Camera in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $998.00, both soon after being listed in late-MAY 2020.
Carol Anderson, wife of the late Walt Anderson — inventor of the Better Beamer, sold a Canon 200-400 f/4L IS USM lens with internal 1.4X Extender in excellent plus condition for $4998.00 and a Canon EOS-1DX Mark II camera body in like-new condition for $2798.00, both soon after they were listed in early June 2020.
Anita North sold her Nikon D500 DSLR in excellent plus to near-mint condition for a BAA record-low price of $895.95 in mid-June 2020.
Price Drops
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV dSLR
Price Reduced $100.00 on 2 JULY 2020
John Bowden is offering a Canon EOS 5D Mark 4 in near-mint condition for $1599.00 (was $1,699.00) — the shutter count is only 16,172. The sale includes a ProMediaGear universal L-bracket (model PLX3 — an $89.95 value), the original product box, the manuals, the EOS Digital Solution Disk, the EOS Digital Software Instruction Manual, the camera strap, the single battery (with the protective cover), the charger, the front cap, the interface cable, the cable protector, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Photos are available upon request.
Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact John Bowden via e-mail or by phone at 1-919-358-5717 (Eastern time zone).
What can I say? The 5D IV was my favorite-ever Canon digital dSLR. I owned and used three of them while my 1DX II sat on the shelf in my garage for the most part. If you have been dreaming of a 5D IV, grab John’s camera body right now and save a cool $400.00. artie
Anita North’s D-850s
Anita North is a skilled photographer. Over the years, you have seen some of her great images here on the blog. When it comes to pressing the shutter button, she is the most aggressive photographer I have ever run into. Her basic rule is If it’s in the viewfinder, press the shutter button and hold it down! As you might expect, she often gets far behind with picking her keepers.
Anita shoots a ton of frames but her style works well for her. On occasion, she comes up with something magical that most folks — including and especially me — would miss. If you are considering purchasing either of the well-used camera bodies below, do know that the D850 shutters are rated to “200,000 cycles.” As both of Anita’s D850s exceed that (one by miles), that statement is obviously just an estimate. Though I do not shoot nearly as much as Anita, I have never — in my 36 years of photographing birds — had a shutter fail. Neither has Anita. I would not bet against the shutters on either of the camera bodies below might very well outlast the photographer who purchases one of them …
Nikon D850 dSLR #1
Silly Low Price!
Price Reduced $100.00 on 2 JULY 2020
Anita North is offering a Nikon D850 dSLR in excellent plus condition for the silly low price of $1298.95 (was $1398.95) — shutter count 222,223. The rubber eye-cup is missing so there is a bit of wear showing on the metal of the eye-cup. The camera is, however, in perfect working condition. The sale includes the original box, the battery charger, one extra (brand new) Nikon battery, the front body cover, the strap, 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).
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 D-850 was my very favorite Nikon camera body. It has a superb AF system and gorgeous 44MP image files. The D850 sells new for $2,996.95 at B&H so you can save a ridiculous $1900.00 by grabbing Anita’s camera body now. Replacing the shutter if need be will cost you less than $300.00. artie
Nikon D850 dSLR #2
Silly Low Price!
Price Reduced $100.00 on 2 JULY 2020
Anita North is offering a Nikon D850 dSLR in very good condition for the silly low price of $998.95 (was $1098.95) — shutter count 410,710. There are some scuff marks on the corners and the bottom of the camera but otherwise, the camera looks to be in excellent condition. A 1 x 1/8″ strip of the rubber finish is missing on the flash-card door. The sale includes the original box, the battery charger, two extra Nikon batteries, the front body cover, 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, however, is in perfect working 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.
The D-850 was my very favorite Nikon camera body. It has a superb AF system and gorgeous 44MP image files. The D850 sells new for $2,996.95 at B&H so you can save a ridiculous $1900.00 by grabbing Anita’s camera body now. Replacing the shutter if need be will cost you less than $300.00. artie
Nikon TC-E17 II (1.7X Teleconverter)
Sold 2 JULY 2020
Anita North is offering a Nikon TC-E17 II (1.7X teleconverter) in like-new condition for a very low $146.95 (was $196.95). The sale includes the front and rear caps, the pouch, 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).
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 used the TC-E-17 II often with both my 600mm f/4 VR and my 500mm f/5.6 PF lenses. It currently sells new at B&H for $396.95 so you can save a nifty $200.00 on this item. artie
Nikon TC-E20 III (2X Teleconverter)
Price Reduced $50.00 on 2 JULY 2020
Anita North is offering a Nikon TC-E20 III (2X teleconverter) in like-new condition for a very low $196.95 (was $246.95). The sale includes the front and rear caps, the pouch, 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).
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 did make some sharp images with the TC-E-20 III with my 600mm f/4 VR lens. This, the third and best version of the Nikon 2X TC, fits well with the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR and the 300mm f/2.8 VRR lenses. It currently sells new at B&H for $496.95 so you can save a smooth $250.00 on this item. artie
Nikon Battery Grip & Charger Kit w/two extra batteries!
Price Reduced $150.00 on 2 JULY 2020
Anita North is offering this virtually impossible-to-find-in-stock kit for a very low $998.00 (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
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
Anita North is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low $8865.95 (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 $3,431.00. 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
Price reduced 50.00 on 2 JULY 2020
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 $945.95 (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 $1,201.00 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 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
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 Wednesday 1 July 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working down the slope near the canal, I handheld the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens (at 181mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 800. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 7:09am on a morning with aa few clouds in the eastern sky.
Wide AF-C was active at the moment of exposure; the system picked an AF point halfway down the colt’s long neck right on the same plane as the eye.
Click on the image to view a larger version.
Sandhill Crane adult and colt
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The Mother’s Day Crane Colt Family
The colt in today’s featured image was hatched on either 9 or 10 MAY of this year. That makes the colt — now almost as tall is its parents, about 7 1/2 weeks old. How fast they grow! Its nest-mate perished about 2 1/2 weeks ago.
Keep or Delete? Why
The image above is a Capture One Screen Capture. After enlarging the image, please leave a comment letting us know whether you would keep this one or delete it. And let us know why you made your decision. If it is a keeper for you, consider letting us know your plans for the image optimization.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog or Bedfords, for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
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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 :).
