August 22nd, 2018 Stuff
I spent Tuesday afternoon with IPT veteran Michael Goodman at Nickerson. We had a rough start with winds from the east and mostly sunny skies but by 5:30pm the clouds came in and the birds got very active. We stayed so late that I wound up working at ISO 8000! We even had some skimmers skimming in the ocean. I meet Michael again on Wednesday afternoon; conditions are forecast to be perfect: partly cloudy with WSW winds. If you would like to join us, call me on my cell at 863-221-2372.
Big News on the Galapagos Front
Right now I have eight deposits for the 2019 Galapagos Photo Cruise with another couple interested … The trip needs ten registered within two months so right now things are looking very good. If the archipelago is on your bucket list, please get in touch via e-mail with questions. If you might be registering with a friend or a spouse do ask about the two at a time discount. See the complete details here.
Long Island Small Group Instruction
I will be returning to my old haunts on Long Island from 15-27 August, prime time for bird photography. The skimmer sessions have all run with a single registrant and the photography has been great.
Shorebird Sessions
Because of the flooded conditions at the East Pond, it is highly likely that the JBWR sessions will run at Nickerson Beach … The plan was for folks to join me at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay WR on the ideal tides to photograph southbound migrant juvenile shorebirds. With full frame bodies, a minimum of a 500mm lens with TCs is recommended. 400mm OK with crop factor bodies.
Important note: The Shorebird Mornings are dependent on suitable water levels at the East Pond. If the pond is flooded, the sessions will be conducted at Nickerson Beach.
JBwR Shorebird Morning: Friday, AUG 24, 2018. 6:00 – 9:30am plus a working brunch: $375/session. Limit 4/Openings 3.
JBwR Shorebird Morning: Saturday, AUG 25, 2018. 6:00 – 9:30am plus a working brunch: $375/session. Limit 4/Openings 3.
Please inquire via e-mail for multiple session discounts.
To register, please call Jim or Jen with your credit card in hand: 863-692-0906. I hope that you can join me.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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 old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D and 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. You can always see the current listings by clicking on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
Unsolicited, via e-mail, from Pierre Williot
I would encourage anyone who wants to sell some of their photographic equipment to contact Art. High-end photographic equipment can be difficult to sell. Art, with is widely read daily posts, will allow you to sell your equipment fairly easily for a reasonable price and commission. Please, seriously consider the price that he suggests as it can be hard to face the reality of the actual value of well loved equipment! Art is well aware of the current market for second-hand photographic equipment.
Used Gear Page News
After a month or so in the summer doldrums, sales on the Used Gear page have been picking up recently:
Todd Koudelka sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens (“the “old five”) in very good plus condition for the BAA record-low price of $3199.00.
Pierre Williot sold his canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens (the original 600 IS) in very good to excellent condition for $3999.00 in mid-August.
Todd Koudelka sold a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV in near-mint condition (but for a few tiny, barely visible scratches) for the BAA record-low-by-far of $2249.00 (was $2449.00) in early August.
Ron Gates requested that the listing for his Canon 70-200mm lens be removed and kindly sent me a check for 4% of the original asking price.
Julie Brown sold her Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS lens (the original version) in excellent condition for $2099 in early August.
IPT veteran Bill Wingfield sold a Wimberley V-2 WH-200 Gimbal Head in very good condition for a ridiculously low $299.00 and a Gitzo GT3532LS Carbon Fiber tripod in good condition for only $249.00, bot in early August.
IPT veteran Bill Wingfield sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM lens in excellent to near-mint condition for $1049.00 in late July 2018.
Pierre Williot sold his Canon EOS 5DS R in like-new condition for the BAA record-low-by-far price of $1999.00 (was $2399.00).
New Listings
Canon EF 500mm f/4 L IS Lens (the original IS model) plus extras!
Richard Gollar is offering a Canon EF 500mm f/4 L IS (the original IS model, the “old five”) in near-mint condition for $3399.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the original tough front lens cover, the lens strap, a Really Right Stuff LCF-50 plate (along with the original foot), a LensCoat, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Richard via e-mail or by phone at 1-810-922-8598 (Eastern time).
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 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. With the new 500 II selling for $8,999 you can save a bundle by grabbing Richard’s virtually pristine lens. artie
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II USM Lens
Roger Williams is offering a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II USM lens in like-new condition (but for a single faint scratch on the front element) for the “it’s-your-lucky-day” price of only $899.00. The sale includes the original rear and front lens covers, the CD, the tough fabric carrying case and strap, the original product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Roger via e-mail or by phone at 1-651-402-8125 (Central time).
I owned and used this incredibly versatile lens for birds and wildlife and landscapes and Urbex for many years with both teleconverters. It was great indoors for events like granddaughter Maya’s dance recitals. A new copy of the 70-200 II currently sells for $1,949 so you can save a pretty penny by grabbing Roger’s lens right now. artie
Tan, men’s extra large Xtrahand Magnum Vest
John Lowin is offering a tan, (men’s extra large) Xtrahand Magnum vest by Vested Interest for $229.00. The sale includes two additional large lens pouches and a rain cover/half pancho that covers the photographer’s head, shoulders, camera, and a long lens. Photos are available upon request. All in near-mint condition. The sale also includes insured ground shipping by major courier to mainland US addresses only (unless other shipping arrangements are made). Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact John via e-mail or by phone at 1-262-242-3559. Central time.
As most of you know, I use and depend on my (Magnum) Xtrahand Vest extensively both in the field and for air travel. At spots in the Southern Ocean and in the Galapagos archipelago, it is absolutely indispensable as it allows me to carry the extra lenses that I might need, along with water, food, and extra clothing. Without a backpack! As Vested Interest has gone out of business, this represents a rare chance to get yourself an Xtrahand Vest at a greatly reduced price. artie
Navy blue (woman’s small) Xtrahand Magnum Vest
John Lowin also offering a navy blue (woman’s small) Xtrahand Magnum vest by Vested Interest for $199.00. The vest is in like-new condition. The sale also includes insured ground shipping by major courier to mainland US addresses only (unless other shipping arrangements are made). Please contact John via e-mail or by phone at 1-262-242-3559. Central time.
As most of you know, I use and depend on my (Magnum) Xtrahand Vest extensively both in the field and for air travel; it has saved my butt many times when traveling on small planes and puddle jumpers when they want to check or gate-check your roll aboard. At spots in the Southern Ocean and in the Galapagos archipelago, it is absolutely indispensable as it allows me to carry the extra lenses that I might need, along with water, food, and extra clothing. Without a backpack! As Vested Interest has gone out of business, this represents a rare chance to get yourself an Xtrahand Vest at a greatly reduced price. artie
Canon EF 200-400 f/4L IS USM Lens with Internal 1.4x Extender (with extras!)
Price dropped $300 on 21 AUG 2018!
Mike Diersing is offering a Canon EF 200-400 f/4L IS USM lens with Internal 1.4x Extender in very good-plus condition (the glass is immaculate) for the crazy, BAA record-low-by-far price of $6,899.00 (was $7,199.00). The sale includes a Really Right Stuff LCF-53 lens foot, a Realtree Max-5 LensCoat, the front and rear lens caps, the original tripod and monopod mounts, the lens trunk with keys, the lens strap, the lens manual, and insured ground shipping via FedEx to US addresses only.
Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Mike via e-mail.
This is the world’s best lens for a trip to Africa. It kills also in the Galapagos and in South Georgia, the Falklands, and Antarctica. And I use mine a lot at Bosque and other dusty places where the built-in TC helps to keep your sensor clean. And I love it in the Palouse for its versatility. Recently, I often found myself wishing that I had taken the 200-400 rather than my 500 II on the Bear Boat Cubs IPT. Many nature photographers use it as their workhorse telephoto lens as it offers 884mm at f/8 with an external 1.4X TC added. The lens sells new at B&H right now for $10,999.00. You can save a neat $4,100.00 by grabbing Mike’s lens right now. 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, 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.
Booking.Com
Several folks on the UK IPT used the Booking.Com link below for there Edinburgh hotels, got great rates, and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
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 August 19, 2018 at Nickerson Beach, Gilgo Beach, Long Island, NY. I used the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens with the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and the Nikon D850. ISO 800. Matrix metering + 1/3 stop: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3. AUTO 0 WB at 5:02pm on a cloudy afternoon.
Center Group (grp)/Continuous (AI Servo in Canon)/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The bottom point of the array was right on the large chick’s eye. Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version.
Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +5. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.
Image #1: American Oystercatchers adult feeding fledged young
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Aging American Oystercatcher
Adult American Oystercatchers have yellow irises, bright red eye skins, and bright orange bills. The young birds have smokey brown irises, dull orange eye skins, and much duller orange bills with the distal half of the bill brown shading to black. If you take a close look at the feathers of the upperparts of the large fledgling, you will see that nearly all of the buffy fringes that characterize the younger juveniles have worn away and that some black first winter feathers are growing in.
A Common Over-saturation Misconception
A common misconception is that the colors seen in a RAW file are never over-saturated. “But I did not increase the saturation!” is a common defense. The orange bills of the adult oystercatchers are a prefect example. The oranges of the adult bills in images created either in warm sunlight or cloudy conditions are often over-saturated as the images come out of the camera. Period. If you do a Levels adjustment and set the Highlight point the ORANGEs and the REDs will often show as over-saturated. And the same may be true when you are viewing the RGB histogram either on the back of the camera or on a computer.
Post-Processing Adult Skimmer Bills
It is best to tame these over-saturated ORANGEs during the RAW conversion. Both ACR and DPP have HSL tabs — Hue/Saturation/Luminance. Simply open the HSL tab, be sure that you are on Luminance, and move the slider to the left to decrease the Luminance. This approach works much better than reducing the Saturation as that results in the bills appearing just plain dull, which they are not. If you need to tone down the bill color a bit more once the image is in Photoshop, select the offending bill, put the selection on its own layer, go Image > Adjustments > Selective Color and add 40-90 points of CYAN to the REDs.
Everything above plus tons and tons more is covered in detail in Digital Basics II.
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This image was also created on August 19, 2018 at Nickerson Beach, Gilgo Beach, Long Island, NY. I used the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens with the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and the Nikon D850. ISO 800. Matrix metering + 1/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/6.3. AUTO 0 WB at 5:23pm on a cloudy afternoon.
Center Group (grp)/Continuous (AI Servo in Canon)/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. This time, the bottom point of the array was right on the adult’s head.
Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +5. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.
Image #2: American Oystercatcher, fledged young eating sand crab
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Evaluating and Comparing Similar Images …
Surprisingly, today’s two featured images are not part of a series; Image #2 was created 21 minutes after Image #1. Enlarge each image by clicking on them. Leave a comment detailing the strengths and weakness of each image. Which young bird has the most engaging head position? Which adult is sharper? Which image has the most pleasing background. Be sure to explain your answers.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If 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 New 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 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 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.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
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 :).
August 21st, 2018 BirdPhotographer’s.Net
BirdPhotographer’s.Net (BPN for short), is flourishing again. Check out the action right now on the first page of the Avian Forum. There are many mega-educational threads. Here are two:
- Roger Smith’s Mallard image here. Is it possible to ruin a good RAW file?
- Raybel Robles’ White-rumped Sandpiper image here. What is the right way to handle sweet, warm light?
I learned early on, in February 1984, that there is no better way to improve your bird photography than having your images critiqued by others. For me, it all started when Milton Heiberg asked, “Why did you put the yellowlegs right in the middle of the frame?” I responded, “Where else would you put it?”
BirdPhotographer’s.Net: Honest critiques done gently. And it ain’t just birds! You will be learning a lot more about BPN here soon.
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This image was created by Ann Pacheco at Nickerson Beach earlier in the season. She used the tripod-mounted Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens with the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III and the EOS-1DX (now replaced by the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. ISO 1000. Evaluative metering probably -1/3 stop off the grass: 1/3200 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB on a sunny afternoon.
Image #1: Black Skimmer in flight above the colony
Image courtesy of and copyright 2018: Ann Pacheco
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Ann Pacheco
Ann Pacheco is one of many bird photographers who have learned and honed their skills in the Avian Forum at BPN. Check out another great discussion on handling the sweet light in the image above here. One of the things that I love abot BPN is that the members and mods have no problem disagreeing with each other yet do so in a completely civil manner. 🙂 Really!
Thank you Ann for allowing me to share your images here today. You can see more Ann Pacheco images on her Feathered Stories website here.
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This image was created by Ann Pacheco at Nickerson Beach earlier in the season. She used the tripod-mounted Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens with the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III and the EOS-1DX (now replaced by the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. ISO 800. Evaluative metering probably -1/3 stop off the grass: 1/2500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB on a sunny afternoon.
Image #2: Black Skimmer wheeling with fish for young
Image courtesy of and copyright 2018: Ann Pacheco
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My Critique of Image #2
Hi Ann, I did not think that I was gonna like this when I looked at the thumbnail because of the somewhat pancaked view of the upper wing. But I was way wrong. The background is luscious. And the fanned tail and the splayed primaries on the near wing are neat. As is the killer look back head angle. Techs and color look spot on to me.
You can see all of the comments on this image in the BPN thread here.
Exposure Question
Yes or no. Are the exposures for Ann’s two images the same?
Another Canon Fire Sale
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (with extras)
Anthony Ardito is offering a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV body in like-new condition (with extras) for $2,499.00. The sale includes the Canon battery grip (BG-E20), four (4) Canon LP-E6N batteries, the front cap, the owner’s manual, the USA warranty card, the camera strap, the original product boxes, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Anthony via e-mail.
What can I say. The 5D IV was my favorite-ever Canon dSLR. Fabulous image files and an excellent AF system. I owned and use three of them while my 1DX II sat on the shelf in my garage for two years. If you have been dreaming of a 5D IV, grab Anthony’s practically new body asap. The 5D IV currently sells new for $3099.00 so you will be saving a cool $600.00 (not to mention the battery grip and three extra batteries!) artie
Canon EOS-1DX Mark II
Anthony Ardito is offering a Canon EOS-1DX Mark II body in like-new condition (<41,000 actuations)for $3,999.00. The sale includes one (1) Lexar 128gb cfast 2.0 3500x card, one (1) sandisk 64gb cfast 2.0 extreme pro card, one (1) sandisk cfast card reader, one extra Canon LP-E19 battery, the front cap, the owner’s manual, the USA warranty card, the camera strap, the original product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Anthony via e-mail.
The 1DX Mark II is Canon’s rugged, blazingly fast professional digital camera body. It features a great AF system and high quality image files with great dynamic range. I owned and used two of these for several years. As a new 1DX II currently sells for $5,699.00 you can save $1703 on a practically new body with less than 2,000 shutter actuations. artie
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Lens (with extras!)
Anthony Ardito is offering a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens in like-new condition (with extras!) but for one small ding on the near lens barrel for $9,199.00. Other than the 1/8 inch blemish, the lens and the glass are immaculate. The sale includes a Canon extender EF 2X III (a $429.00 value), a CRX-5 low foot/plate (installed) (a $122.00 value), the original foot, the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the tough front lens cover, the lens strap, the original product box, a camo LensCoat, the owner’s manual, the USA warranty card, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Anthony via e-mail.
The 600 II is the state of the art super-telephoto for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports. When I could get it to my location, it was my go-to weapon. It is fast and sharp and deadly alone or with either TC. With a new one going for $11,499, you can save a cool $2,300.00 by grabbing Anthony’s might-as-well-be-new lens right now. And that is without the two valuable extras. artie
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens
Anthony Ardito is offering a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens in like-new condition for $999.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the front lens cap, the lens hood, the original product box, the owner’s manual, the USA warranty card, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Anthony via e-mail.
I owned and used the 24-70II for several years. It is much sharper edge to edge than the lighter, more versatile Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM lens. I consider the 24-70II a must lens for serious landscape photographers. This lens currently sells new for $1599.00. artie
Canon EF 16-35mm F/4L IS USM Lens
Anthony Ardito is offering a Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens in like-new condition for BAA record-low by far price of $449.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the front lens cap, the lens hood, the original product box, the owner’s manual, the USA warranty card, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Anthony via e-mail.
The lightweight 16-35 f/4 is the Canon landscape photographer’s dream wide angle lens. artie
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens and a 1.4X III TC
Anthony Ardito is offering a Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens in like-new condition for $1,499.00. The sale includes a Canon extender EF 1.4x III ((a $429.00 value), the rear lens cap, the front lens cover, the lens hood, the original product box, the owner’s manual, the USA warranty card, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Anthony via e-mail.
Y’all know how much I loved and now miss this amazingly versatile lens. artie
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens
Anthony Ardito is offering a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in like-new condition for $1,099.00. The sale includes rear lens cap, front lens cover, the lens hood, the original product box, owner’s manual, USA warranty card, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Anthony via e-mail.
I owned and used the original IS version of the incredibly versatile 70-200 for birds and wildlife and landscapes and Urbex for many years with both teleconverters. It was great indoors for events like granddaughter Maya’s dance recitals. A new copy of the 70-200 II currently sells for $1,949 so you can save a small fortune by grabbing Anthony’s lens. artie
Canon Speedlite (flash) 600EX-RT plus extras
Anthony Ardito is offering a Canon Speedlite (flash) 600EX-RT flash in like-new condition for $399.00. The sale includes the Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT (a $285.00 value), the flash covers, the original product boxes, the owner’s manual, the USA warranty card, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Anthony via e-mail.
This is Canon’s top-of-the-line, most powerful pro flash, with a great extra. artie
Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Lens (for Canon mount)
Mega-bargain!
Anthony Ardito is offering a Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 lens (for Canon mount) in near-mint condition for $250.00. The sale includes rear lens cap, front lens cover, the lens hood, the original product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Anthony via e-mail.
Several folks on IPTs have used this lens and made lots of sharp images. A telling factor is that there are no used copies of this lens available on eBay or in the B&H Used Gear listings. And you simply cannot beat this price. artie
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens (for Canon EF mount)
Anthony Ardito is offering a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Canon EF mount in like new condition for $399.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, front lens cover, the lens hood, the original product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Anthony via e-mail.
The Canon EF mount Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Lens is a fast standard-length prime designed to achieve high optical performance through the incorporation of both three Special Low Dispersion glass elements and one molded glass aspherical element. These elements, coupled with an advanced optical design, work to minimize sagittal coma flare and chromatic aberrations in order to provide high image sharpness and clarity. The lens’ large diameter and floating system also help to correct for vignetting to ensure maintained peripheral brightness. A Super Multi Coating has been applied to lens elements, too, to reduce flare and ghosting for higher contrast and color fidelity. As part of the Art line within Sigma’s Global Vision series, this lens’ is designed to achieve truly notable optical performance and is ideally suited for creative and artistic applications. B&H
The Used Photo Gear Page
You can see the complete listings and past sales 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 :).
August 20th, 2018 Stuff
I met up with IPT veteran and long-time friend Greg Gulbransen for an afternoon photo session on Sunday. We tried the East Pond with no luck at all. Then we decided to do the cormorants on the pilings at the north end of what I call the South Channel Bridge. When we arrived, every piling had a bird on it. By the time we set up in the parking lot, they were all gone. As many south shore beaches had been closed in the morning as a result of washed up medical waste, we called Nickerson to find out if it was open. Good news there. We took the back roads to avoid the Southern State traffic. That brought back many memories of me: lots of striped bass in Far Rockaways and the Capri Beach Club in Atlantic Beach. With thick clouds and an east/northeast wind there was only one place to be. We went right to it and had too much fun and lots of great skimmer flight photography with almost constant midair battles. When those opportunities abated we headed down to the surf where dozens of tame oystercatcher families were feeding on sand crabs and feeding their large chicks.
Last was a fine dinner in nearby Point Lookout. It was great seeing and working with Greg again.
News on the Galapagos Front
Right now I have six deposits for the 2019 Galapagos Photo Cruise … The trip needs ten registered in about two months to run. If the archipelago is on your bucket list, please get in touch via e-mail with questions. If you might be registering with a friend or a spouse do ask about the two at a time discount. See the complete details here.
The Podcast YouTube Link
You can view and comment on the recent Understand Photography podcast on YouTube here.
The Topics
As many of you know, I had great fun doing the 100th Understand Photography episode with Peggy Farren in Naples last Friday afternoon past. We talked in depth about my getting fired by Canon as an Explorer of Light, my switch from Canon to Nikon, the pros and cons of each system for bird photographers, the best tripod head for bird photography, and lots more. And we did get to include the Long Lens Sharpness Misconceptions and Tips demo.
Long Island Small Group Instruction
I will be returning to my old haunts on Long Island from 15-27 August, prime time for bird photography. The schedules below may be expanded based on demand.
Skimmer Sessions
Join me at Nickerson Beach to photograph Black Skimmers and lots more. Gull predation of young skimmers is likely. With full frame bodies, a minimum of a 500mm lens with TCs is recommended. 400mm OK with crop factor bodies.
Skimmer Afternoon (usually best for flight): Tuesday AUG 21, 2018. 5:00pm till sunset: $250/session. Limit 4/Openings 3.
Skimmer Morning: Wednesday, AUG, 22, 2018. 5:30 – 9:00am plus a working brunch: $375/session. Limit 4.
Skimmer Afternoon (usually best for flight): Wednesday AUG 22, 2018. 5:00pm till sunset: $250/session. Limit 4/Openings 3.
Please inquire e-mail for multiple session discounts.
To register, please call Jim or Jen with your credit card in hand: 863-692-0906. I hope that you can join me.
Shorebird Sessions
Join me at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay WR on the ideal tides to photograph southbound migrant juvenile shorebirds. With full frame bodies, a minimum of a 500mm lens with TCs is recommended. 400mm OK with crop factor bodies.
Important note: The Shorebird Mornings are dependent on suitable water levels at the East Pond. If the pond is flooded, the sessions will be conducted at Nickerson Beach.
JBwR Shorebird Morning: Friday, AUG 24, 2018. 6:00 – 9:30am plus a working brunch: $375/session. Limit 4/Openings 3.
JBwR Shorebird Morning: Saturday, AUG 25, 2018. 6:00 – 9:30am plus a working brunch: $375/session. Limit 4/Openings 3.
Please inquire via e-mail for multiple session discounts.
To register, please call Jim or Jen with your credit card in hand: 863-692-0906. I hope that you can join me.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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 old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D and 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. You can always see the current listings by clicking on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
Unsolicited, via e-mail, from Pierre Williot
I would encourage anyone who wants to sell some of their photographic equipment to contact Art. High-end photographic equipment can be difficult to sell. Art, with is widely read daily posts, will allow you to sell your equipment fairly easily for a reasonable price and commission. Please, seriously consider the price that he suggests as it can be hard to face the reality of the actual value of well loved equipment! Art is well aware of the current market for second-hand photographic equipment.
Used Gear Page News
After a month or so in the summer doldrums, sales on the Used Gear page have been picking up recently.
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, 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. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
Hard to Find Nikon Stuff Available Now
Steve Elkins has several Nikon D850s in stock right now. In addition, he has a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens and an AF-S 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR lens in stock! E-mail Steve about a special deal on either big Nikon lens. The 180-400, like its Canon counterpart, the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM with Internal Extender 1.4x lens — is especially great for trips to Africa, the Southern Ocean, or the Galapagos.
Booking.Com
Several folks on the UK IPT used the Booking.Com link below for there Edinburgh hotels, got great rates, and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
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 the afternoon of Friday, August 17 at Nickerson Beach. I used the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens and the mega mega-pixel Nikon D850 DSLR.. ISO 400. Matrix metering -1/3 stop as framed. 1/5000 sec. at f/5 in Manual mode. AUTO1 WB at 4:05pm on a sunny afternoon (before the clouds took over).
Center Group (grp)/Shutter Button/Continuous (AI Servo in Canon) AF was active at the moment of exposure.
Phase detection AF Fine-tune value: +1. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.
Image #1: Black Skimmer incoming/calling in flight
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Nickerson Afternoons
Nickerson afternoons are generally great for flight photography. South, southwest, or west winds are great when it is sunny. If it is cloudy with winds from other directions there will always be at least one good location that will provide lots of flight photography afternoons; the trick is to keep the wind at your back …
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This image was created on the afternoon of Friday, August 17 at Nickerson Beach. Again I used the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens and the mega mega-pixel Nikon D850 DSLR.. ISO 400. Matrix metering -1/3 stop as framed. 1/5000 sec. at f/5 in Manual mode. AUTO1 WB at 4:15pm on a sunny afternoon (before the clouds took over).
Center Group (grp)/Shutter Button/Continuous (AI Servo in Canon) AF was active at the moment of exposure.
Phase detection AF Fine-tune value: +1. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.
Image #2: Black Skimmer/level flight
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Sit or Stand for Flight?
In general, you will have more opportunities for green backgrounds if you stand behind your tripod at full height. And you will have more opportunities for sky backgrounds if you sit behind your lowered tripod.
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As far as flight photography is concerned, I have great confidence with my Nikon gear.
Image #2A: This is an unsharpened 100% crop of Black Skimmer/level flight
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What Can I Say?
For me, and I repeat, for me, I am able to create a far higher percentage of sharp flight images with my Nikon gear than I was with my comparable Canon gear. For me …
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This image was created on the afternoon of Friday, August 17 at Nickerson Beach. Again I used the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens and the mega mega-pixel Nikon D850 DSLR.. ISO 800. Matrix metering +1 2/3 stops off the light blue sky: 1/2000 sec. at f/5 in Manual mode. AUTO1 WB at 4:36pm on a now mostly cloudy afternoon.
Center Group (grp)/Shutter Button/Continuous (AI Servo in Canon) AF was active at the moment of exposure.
Phase detection AF Fine-tune value: +1. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.
Image #3: Black Skimmer/breaking off after an aerial battle
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Here Come The Clouds
Serious students can learn a ton about exposure by studying the EXIF data for the four images presented today. When the clouds first covered the sun, there were still a few patches of light blue sky. But in effect, the birds were shaded so I doubled the ISO and halved the shutter speed. I was very happy with the brightness of the NEF file with this image but still needed to move the Exposure to +0.20 before setting the WHITE point.
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This image was created on the afternoon of Friday, August 17 at Nickerson Beach. Again I used the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens and the mega mega-pixel Nikon D850 DSLR.. ISO 800. Matrix metering +1 2/3 stops off the light blue sky: 1/2000 sec. at f/4.5 in Manual mode. AUTO1 WB at 6:10pm on a now very cloudy afternoon.
Center Group (grp)/Shutter Button/Continuous (AI Servo in Canon) AF was active at the moment of exposure.
Phase detection AF Fine-tune value: +1. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.
Image #4: Black Skimmer with needlefish for young
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Very Cloudy
It continued to get darker as the clouds thickened. I opted not to raise the ISO so I opened the aperture from f/5 to f/4.5. That was not enough. For this one I needed
to move the Exposure to +0.60 before setting the WHITE point. The NEF file here was more than 1/2 stop under-exposed but with the great dynamic range of D850 image files the optimized image looks just fine.
The Lessons
When it is sunny, determine a good exposure while working in Manual mode by checking the histogram and checking for blinkies. With white and black birds like skimmers having a few blinkies on the bright white flanks is just fine; this ensures that the blacks will have maximum or near-maximum detail.
When it is cloudy, you need to be at least 2 stops over the grey sky. And the darker it gets, the more you need to go plus. Do that by raising the ISO, using a wider aperture, and setting a slower shutter speed. Most folks (at times including me) will tend to underexpose images created in cloudy conditions … You can do better than I did by being sure to have at least a smattering of blinkies in the sky.
Your Opinion Requested
#1: Which image is the most dynamic?
#2: Which image has the most evenly lit near-underwing?
#3: Which image here is the strongest? Be sure to let us know why you made your choice.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If 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 New 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 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 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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Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
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 :).
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