Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

March 9th, 2024

I Did Not Want to Like the Sony a9 iii Mirrorless Body ...

Note

This blog post took 4 1/2 hours to create.

I Did Not Want to Like the Sony a9 iii Mirrorless Body …

Based on what I had heard about the Sony a9 iii, and having been absolutely in love with the Sony a-1 for several years, I really did not want to like the Sony a9 iii. I figured that the 24.6-megapixel a9 iii raw files would pale when compared to the superb 50.1 MP raw files of the a-1. I was sure that file size would be the deal breaker.

In truth, the a9 iii files are superb with lots of fine detail. And I love the colors of the a9 iii images. Using my new workflow as detailed in the Digital Basics III Video Series, the optimized images look great. I am 100% positive that they will pass muster when I begin submitting my a9 iii images to Getty.

While I have been thrilled by the a-1’s 30 fps frame rate, 120 fps opens up a whole new world for flight photographers. Be sure to check out the video below to see what I am talking about. I cannot wait to work with the a9 iii and my 600mm f/4 GM lens!

Yikes! I almost forgot to mention that if you use one of my affiliate links to purchase your a9 iii, you are invited to shoot me your receipt via e-mail. After it checks out, I will send you my a9 iii CAMSET.DAT file, instructions on how to load that to your a9 iii, a complete Buttons and Dials guide, and additional brief comments. Lucky you!

What’s Up?

I got my hands on an a9 iii in Homer and set it up as best as I could in a short time. With the weather looking good for Friday morning, we woke early and headed to Stick Marsh. With Jim driving, I had an a-1 and the a9 iii on my lap. As I went over every menu item on the a9 iii, I realized that I had been mistaken. The menus on the two bodies were in fact quite similar, if not identical (but for the new stuff on the a9 iii). By the time we got to the recreation area, I pretty much had the camera figured out. I did not, however, learn how to close the shutter curtain with power off until after we got home.

I was in position by 6:45am and began creating images. The morning was quite overcast and the sun did not break through completely until just after 8:00am. There was a fair amount of action and though I was shooting more aggressively than I usually do, I was quite surprised when I filled a Delkin 160GB CF-Express A card early on. With pre-capture set to one full second and the frame rate maxed out at 120fps, you will fill cards quickly.

I created 9046 images without hardly realizing it. I peeked at the images briefly and chose a few to optimize. The formal edit using Photo Mechanic took 20 minutes on the clock. Photo Mechanic will become more valuable as frame rates continue to increase. As Camera Bits recently ended their affiliate program, I will be offering a Photo Mechanic Getting Started Guide asap. It will cost $25.00. If you are new to Photo Mechanic, you will surely want a copy of the guide so that you can get off to a perfect start.

I kept 200 images but 152 of those were kept to create the movie-like spoonbill in flight video below. That left me with 48 keepers on what was a mostly dreary morning. I will keep a handful of the 152 after I create the movie. So let’s say I wind up with as most 55 keepers. The leaves me with a keeper rate of .006% — less than one percent.

Why so low? The light was lousy for most of the morning. I was shooting aggressively so that I could see lots of raw files and learn about the AF system. And every time that you start a new series, the camera will save 120 pre-capture images! In any case, I found culling the images in Photo Mechanic easy as the family jewels literally jump off the screen.

Today is Saturday 8 March 2024. I was hoping to head down to the lake this morning but it was dark and drizzly so I opted to stay in and finish today’s blog post on the Sony a9 iii. That done, I am headed down to the lake for a (shirtless) 1.5 mile Vitamin D walk.

I learned minutes ago that multiple IPT veteran Brian Bowers is signing up for Homer #2. And it looks as if many multiple IPT veteran Vasili Chernishof will be re-upping for both 2025 Homer IPTs. If that works out, there will soon be only a single opening left for the first IPT. I was glad to learn that Ralph Fletcher’s Canon EF 600mm f4/L IS II lens in excellent condition sold for the asking price of $4,999.00 just minutes after it was listed in the last blog post.

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you are also having a great day.

Please remember to use the B&H links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

Roseate-Spoonbill-3200-braking-to-land-_A931996-Stick-Marsh-Fellsmere-FL-Enhanced-NR

This image was created at Stick Marsh on 8 March 2024. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000: 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be 1/2 stop short of dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:05:42am on heavily overcast morning.

Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.

Image #1: Roseate Spoonbill in flight braking to land
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300mm f/2.8 GM Lens/a9 iii

When I first visited Stick Marsh several years ago, I realized instantly that Sony needed to make a lightweight 300mm f/2.8 lens. Yesterday with the 300mm f/2.8, I was able to sit farther back than I used to when using the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the 1.4X TC. Not to mention that I gained one full stop of ISO by being able to work at f/2.8 rather than f/4.

As it turned out, I was correct. Of the many thousands of images that found their way into the trash, most of them were razor sharp, well-framed images of spoonbills in flight. I kept only those with family jewels potential. In short, the Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) is the perfect lens for Stick Marsh. And for Homers eagles as well.

The First Ever BIRDS AS ART Lens Guide

Impressed by my Sony 300mm f/2.8 images? Use either my Bedfords or B&H affiliate link to purchase your Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens and shoot me your receipt via e-mail and request a copy of the first-ever BAA Lens Guide. It will be published sometime in late March as I have a lot more to learn about this amazing new lens.

How Birds Fly by John K. Torres

I met and interviewed John Kenneth Terres several decades ago for a Bird Watchers’ Digest article. He gifted me a signed copy of “How Birds Fly.” Several months ago, when I could not find it, I ordered a copy from Amazon and was totally blown away. While viewing my a9 iii images rapid fire yesterday in Photo Mechanic, I felt as Terres must have felt when he finally saw some slow motion movies of birds in flight. The experience was incredible. Click on the logo link above to order your copy. If you love flight photography, you owe it to yourself.

Roseate Spoonbill Movies

Watch the two flight movies; you will be amazed and delighted.

Great-Blue-Heron-3200-head-portrait-_A936744-Stick-Marsh-Fellsmere-FL-Enhanced-NR

This image was also created at Stick Marsh on 8 March 2024. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 8:03:44am on then mostly sunny morning.

Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.

Image #2: Great Blue Heron head portrait
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When the Sun Finally Came Out

When the sun finally came out yesterday, I added the 2X TC to the 300mm f/2.8 GM lens and went to work. I was thrilled to see the super sharp results. Handholding at 600mm is simply a joy. Good bye tripods. Unless and until I need 840 or 1200mm.

Roseate-Spoonbill-3200-in-flight-300mm-2X-_A938247-Stick-Marsh-Fellsmere-FL-Enhanced-NR

This image was also created at Stick Marsh on 8 March 2024. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 640: 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 8:16:51am on then mostly sunny morning.

Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.

Image #3: Roseate Spoonbill in flight
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Lightweight Handheld 600mm Flight Photography

This image thrilled me even more than Image #2 did. Handholding the 300mm f/2.8/2X III combo is a dream. I can do it all day long in part because of its small size. I am not sure if the a-1 will do as well with flight with the 300mm f/2.8/2X III combo.

Do Understand

Do understand that purchasing the latest greatest camera gear will not make you a better bird photographer. You need to study and practice. And look at as many great images as possible. Period. There are hundreds if not thousands of folks with $5,000.00 or $10,000 or even $30,000 or more worth more of great gear who simply do not have a clue as to how to make a good photograph. How do I know this? I see them every day at great shooting locations around the world.

What is the solution? Join me somewhere on a BAA Instructional Photo-Tour. I will not be doing them forever …

Typos

With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.

March 7th, 2024

The 2024 Nickerson Beach IPTs -- skimmers, terns, and oystercatchers galore. And a Used Canon 600mm f/4L IS II

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Announcing the 2024 Nickerson Beach IPT

Join me to photograph Black Skimmers, Common Terns, American Oystercatchers, and more!

The Summer 2024 Nickerson Beach 3 1/2 day Terns, Skimmers, & Oystercatchers IPTs

July 29 – August 1, 2024. 3 1/2 days: Afternoon session on MON 29 July through the afternoon session on THURS 8 August: $2099.00. Limit: 6. Openings: 5

August 5-8 2024. 3 1/2 days: Afternoon session on MON 5 August through the afternoon session on THURS 1 August: $2099.00. Limit: 6.

Join me at Nickerson Beach Park this summer to photograph Black Skimmers, Common Terns, and American Oystercatchers. The trip is timed so that we should get to photograph tiny chicks as well as fledglings. There will be lots of flight photography including adults flying with baitfish and mole crabs. Creating great images of the chicks being fed is a challenge but I will do my best to help you toward that end. We will get to photograph a variety of breeding behaviors including courtship, sitting on (incubating) eggs, chick feeding, and more. We may get to photograph pre-dawn and early evening blastoffs. There is generally great afternoon skimmer flight photography that includes frequent midair battles sunny days. And with luck, we might even see a few tiny chicks in addition to fledged and flying young. We will also get to photograph the life cycle of American Oystercatcher. This will likely include nests with eggs and small chicks, young being fed, and surely a few fledglings.

Nesting Piping Plover is also possibly. There will be lots of gulls to photograph; most years I am able to find a few lesser black-backeds of varying ages in addition to the Herring, Ring-billed, and Great Black-backed Gulls. You will learn to identify and age the various gull species. There will likely be some Willets feeding along the surf and with luck we might get to photograph a handsome juvenile or two. In addition to the locally breeding shorebirds, we will likely get to see some southbound migrant arctic-and sub-arctic breeding shorebird species such as Sanderling, Semipalmated Plover, and maybe even Red Knot.

Clockwise from upper left around and back to center: Black Skimmer pair with chick; Black Skimmer fledgling skimming; Black Skimmer with large needlefish; Black Skimmer large chick; Black Skimmer fledgling taking flight; Black Skimmer adult with killifish; Black Skimmer adult landing near nest; Black Skimmer in midair chase; and Black Skimmers at dawn in the red light district.

Afternoon sessions will run from 5:30 till sunset (assuming that entry policies are as they were in 2023. Morning sessions will run from pre-dawn till about 9:00 or 9:30am, roughly 3 1/2 hours.

Many folks head home feeling that while our time in the field was fabulous and productive, that the working brunch sessions were even more valuable. During image review you will learn to select the best images from several thousand made with your 20- and 30 fps (or 120 fps!) camera bodies. And we will process a few images and distribute the screen capture videos for you to learn from after the trip. And all IPTs offer follow-up image critiques.

Change your life: sign up for this IPT today. Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to explore the possibility of renting some Sony gear (including an a1) from me.

Clockwise from upper left around and back to center: Adult American Oystercatcher foraging at sunrise; Adult American Oystercatcher posing on clean sand; predawn skimmer flock blur; Black Skimmer large chick; Black Skimmer landing at nest on cloudy day; Black Skimmer large chick; Black Skimmer sunrise group blur; Black Skimmer adult with Atlantic Silversides; juvenile Semipalmated Plover, and photographer with oystercatcher family.

Some of What You Will Learn on a Nickerson Beach IPT

1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
6- To spot the good and great situations and to choose the best perspective.
7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. You will learn where and when to be (and why).
10- More than you could ever imagine.

Clockwise from upper left around and back to center: Black Skimmer pair with chick; Common Tern landing at nest with small baitfish; large Common Tern chick on pristine beach; American Oystercatchers courtship flight; Common Tern with pipefish; Common Tern fledgling; American Oystercatcher on eggs in high wind; American Oystercatcher nest with three eggs; and Black Skimmer midair battle.

The Details

We will be on the beach very early to enjoy sunrise. The morning sessions will run about 3 1/2 hours. Afternoon sessions will begin at 5:30 and run till sunset. There is never a set schedule on an IPT — we adapt to the conditions. On cloudy mornings with the right wind, we may opt to photograph till 11:30am or so and skip the afternoon session. That especially when the afternoon weather is looking iffy.

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session before and after brunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. Each of these IPTs will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airports are JFK or Islip (if you have lots of Southwest points). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with lodging information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field ridiculously early and stay out late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:00am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We may be getting our feet wet on occasion, especially in the mornings, but those who wish to keep their feet 100% dry can do so.

Your $699 deposit is due now. Credit cards are OK for that. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Once you leave a deposit, you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check. Those who wish to pay for the trip in one fell swoop via check may do so by making the check out to BIRDS AS ART and then mailing it to BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, and clothing and gear advice right after you register. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together may e-mail for discount information.

My Call

Though I loved the background and the clean subject in Image #1, Bald Eagle in flight with spruce tree background, my very favorite was Image #4, Adult and young Bald Eagle squabbling.