What’s Up?
With the unsettled weather and tons of geese, Bosque has been great. The other day I was standing below the tour loop road at a barrier gate to a maintainece road. We had been there several times as it got us a bit out of the wind and a bit closer to the geese and cranes. We had seen a roadrunner on each ocassion; it was both bold and shy. It would practically walk between our tripod legs and then run like the dickens. I was photographing geese and cranes in flight with first-timer Dennis Carlson when suddenly the roadrunner darted into view at point blank range. I rotated the lens in the barrel to vertical and quickly moved the Limit Range switch from Not Full to Full. I spun the shutter speed dial five clicks slower for what I guessed would be a good exposure.
The roadrunner faced us for about two seconds. I had Wide AF set on vertical. As the lens focused I could see that the active points were on the bird’s breast. Not ideal, but I knew that if I tried to change to an upper AF point the opportunity would be lost. So I fired off one frame just an instant before the bird took off.
When we were done for the day and parked behind the hotel, I placed my Delkin 128GB UHS-II Power card in the left-hand pocket of my jeans as I do everyday. Along with the battery. (I had only used one body that afternoon.) When I got to my room, I reached confidently into the left-hand pocket to extract the card. The pocket was empty. The battery was inexplicably in my right-hand pocket, but the card was gone. I checked and re-checked all of my pants and coat pockets, refusing too believe that I had lost a card with images on it, never to be found again. I had never done that before. (I had “lost” many cards before but always managed to find them.)
I went back to the car to see if I had mistakenly left the card in the camera. I had not. Using the flashlight on my i-Phone, I carefully searched around the driver’s seat and in the trunk without success. So I fired up the car and headed back to Brooks where I had purchased some skin cream on the way home thinking that the card might have fallen out when I grabbed my wallet. The card was not on the floor near the check-out counter. And nobody had turned it in.
I went back to the room and re-checked all the pockets again. No card. I was resigned to the fact that the card was gone, and with it, a single good image of the Greater Roadrunner. That night, I dreamed that I had myseriously found the card and was quite happy, at least until I woke up. IAC, I was hopeful, heck, strangely confident that it would turn up.
With six inches of fresh snow on the pavement and atop my rental Mazda, the chances of finding the card on the ground where we had parked near the gate the night before, were non-existant. Thanks to first-timer Doug Jackson who helped my clear the snow off my car that morning. IAC, I continued to have hope. Continued below …
IPT Updates
- The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
Click here for complete IPT info and details.
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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%. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please scroll down here or 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 in no time flat. Over the past year, we have sold many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the EOS-1DX, the old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D, and the 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. Most recently the price of used Canon 600mm f/L IS II lenses have been dropping like a rock with the introduction of the 600 III. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
The Used Gear page has been hot for the past two months with the continuing price drops on Canon and Nikon gear. There are still lots of great buys right now on the Used Gear Page. In addition to the recent sales below, there are many pending sales.
Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens
BAA record-low Price!
IPT veteran Joe Randle is offering a Canon 500mm f4L IS USM Super Telephoto lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $2499.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk with keys, a Realtee LensCoat, a Don Zeck lens cap, the front front lens cover, Wimberley P-40 Arca-Swiss compatible lens plate (a $58 value) 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 Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
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; you can save a big bundle by grabbing Joe’s lens right now. artie
Canon EOS-1D X Professional Digital Camera Body/with Extras!
Joe Randle is also offering a used EOS 1D-X camera body in excellent condition for only $2,199.00. The sale includes an extra LP-E4M battery, three Delkin Devices CF1000X UDMA 7 64GB cards, four Delkin Devices CF1000X UDMA 7 32 GB cards (all in a nice Pelican CF card case), the front cap, a wide neck strap,Z 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 like the 1D X more than I liked my 1D X IIs … artie
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Zoom Lens
Joe Randle is also offering a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II Zoom Lens in excellent plus condition for $999.99. The sale includes the rear lens cap, at Realtree Lens Coat, the lens hood, a Tiffen circular polarizer, the tripod collar, the tough fabric carrying case, the front lens cap, the original product box, 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 Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
The amazingly versatile 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses are the world’s most popular mid-range telephoto, I made zillions of great images with my Canon 70-200 f/2.8 lenses. It works well with both the 1.4X and the 2X teleconverters, even with a crop factor body. They are easily hand-holdable and are great for tame birds, landscapes, urbex, indoor stuff like concerts and recitals, and just about anything you want to photograph. As new one sells for $1,799.00 you can save $800 by grabbing Joe’s lens right now. artie
Canon EF 400mm f/4L IS DO USM Telephoto Lens
Joe Randle is offering a Canon 400mm f4L IS DO USM Super Telephoto lens in near-mint condition for $1999.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk & keys, the lens hood, a Digital Camo LensCoat, a Don Zeck Lens Cap, the front lens cover, a Desmond DPL-100 QR Lens Plate Quick Release Arca-Swiss compatible lens 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 Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
I used my original 400 DO lens to make hundreds of family jewels-type images. It is great for flight with and without the 1.4X TC and I used it often for close work with the 2X TC. It is easily hand-holdable for most folks. Best of all, it is a great buy. This lens cost about $7K when it was first introduced. artie
Canon EF 24-70 f2.8L II USM Lens
Joe Randle is offering a used Canon EF 24-70 f2.8L II USM lens in near-mint condition for the very low price of $899.00. The sale includes the front lens cover and rear lens cap, the original box, the Canon EW-88C lens hood, an 82mm circular polarizer, the instruction manual, the 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 Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
The 24-70II is the serious landscape photographer’s dream lens. artie
Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM Lens
Joe Randle is offering a used Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM lens in excellent condition for $149.00. The sale includes front lens cover and rear lens cap, the original box, the lens hood, a K&F 58mm Concept UV filter, 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 Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
This super-sharp lens is a favorite of portrait photographers. It sells new for $269.00. artie
Canon Extender EF1.4X III
Joe Randle is offering a used Canon Extender EF 1.4X teleconverter in near mint condition for $229.00. The sale includes front lens cover and 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 Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
As teleconverters are an integral part of my photographic style, I always travel with spares. This sells new for $449.00. artie
Canon Extender EF2x III
Joe Randle is offering a used Canon Extender EF 1.4x lens in near mint condition for $229.00. The sale includes front lens cover and rear lens cap, original box, bag. 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 Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
As teleconverters are an integral part of my photographic style, I always travel with spares. This sells new for $449.00. artie
Canon Speedlite 430EX II
Joe Randle is offering a used Canon Speedlite 430EX II in near mint condition for $75.00. The sale includes the soft case, the original box, the instruction manual, 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 Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
If you want to get started with flash, this is a great buy. artie
Canon Fisheye Zoom Lens EF 8-15 1:4 L USM
Joe Randle is offering a used Canon Fisheye EF 8-15 1:4 L USM zoom lens in near-mint condition for $749.00. The sale includes the front lens cap, the rear lens cap, the original box, the manual, the lens hood, the 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 Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
I loved the circle lens. If you are creative and know to use it, it is super-fun. 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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The Lost Card! |
The Thanksgiving Miracle …
I stopped the car while heading north to the farm fields to photograph some winter wonderland trees heavily laden with snow. When I popped the trunk I looked down at the bumper where most of the snow and ice had fallen off. There sitting as peacefully as could be on the thankfully flat bumper was the missing card, sort of plastered in place by the wet and a bit of mud. I jumped foor joy. And then looked up to the heavens to thank my beloved late-wife Elaine. She has pulled me out of many of a jam, including some life-threatening ones. It is extermely hard to believe that on November 20ieth just past, she has been gone for 25 years. IAC, the card downloaded quickly and easily just before lunch.
Had it not snowed, the card would surely have blown off the bumper somewere on I-25 …
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This image was created on November 27, 2019 on the 2019 Bosque IPT. I used the Induro GIT 404/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera body. ISO 2000. Exposure determined by educated guess: 1/250 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. AWB at 3:49pm on a cloudy dark afternoon. Greater Roadrunner |
One-Frame Wonder …
It is not often with bird photography that you get everything right in a pressure-filled situation, but I was thrilled that I did just that. Dennis was amazed that I got the shot. And so was I, along with being terrribly thankful that the card found itself 🙂
How About You?
If you’ve ever lost a flash card with some great images on it only to find it, please leave a comment and share your story.
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 will be visiting 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 :).
