Jim and I had a great dinner at the Longhorn Steakhouse near the airport on Wednesday even. I loved my ribeye with crusted parmesan and the creamed spinach.
I was asleep by 8pm and woke at 4am, 30 minutes before the alarm was gonna go off. As I was not comfortable waiting for the 5am shuttle, I had them call me a cab. My flight from Orlando was a 4 1/2 hour piece of cake. As long as I get up every twenty minutes for a short stand oor walk I am fine. We got into Seattle early and my 3-hour 11-minute flight to Anchorage was easy peasy as well. I am now in Anchorage on a four-hour layover waiting for my flight to Homer.
I will be on the boat tomorrow photographing eagles.
Bald Eagles in Snow on Wednesday 19 FEB. I-phone photo couretsy of and copyright 2010: Gabe the boat driver
Last Chance
If anyone out there want to join me at the last minute for all or part of the first Homer IPT please shoot me an e-mail or call my cell at 863-221-2372. No reasonable offer will be refused. Best of all? Snow is in the forecast most every day for the next two weeks!
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 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 many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the 5Ds and 5Ds R, the old Canon 500mm, the EOS-7D, the Canon 200-400 with internal extender, 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. 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 …
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.
Very Recent Sales
Bob Lester sold his Sony A7r iii Mirrorless camera body in Very Good Plus condition (shutter count < 14,000) for only $1698.00 in mid-FEB 2020.
Jim Lewis sold his Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital camera body in-near mint condition for an incredibly low $449.00 (was $699.00) in early FEB 2020.
I learned in FEB 2020 that Joe Randle sold his EF 85mm f/1.8 USM lens in excellent condition for $149.00 in mid-JAN 2020.
Multiple IPT participant Sheldon Goldstein sold his Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG Lens for Canon in like-new condition for $675.00 (was $725.00) in early FEB 2020.
IPT veteran Richard Russ sold his Nikkor 105mm Micro f/2.8G AF-VR lens in near-mint condition for the very low price of $496.95 and a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Special Edition Lens lens in near-mint condition for the silly low price of $106.95.
Barry McKenzie sold his Canon 2X III TC in excellent plus condition for a very low $219.00 and a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon EF in like-new condition for a very low $449.00, both in early FEB, 2020.
Paul Mckenzie sold his Canon EOS 5DS R dSLR in very good condition for only $799.00 (was $999.00), a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM lens in good plus condition for an amazingly low $1,099.00 (was $1,499.00), and a Canon EOS-1D X Mark II dSLR in very good condition with 95,000 actuations for the very low price of $2499.00 (was $2,899.00), all on 9 FEB 2020.
Barry McKenzie sold a Canon 1.4X III TC in very good condition with a single “ding” for a very low $160.00 in early February 2020.
Paul Mckenzie sold his Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM lens in good plus condition for an amazingly low $1,099.00 and his Canon EF Extenders (teleconverters) 1.4X III and 2X III in excellent condition for $200 each on 6 FEB 2020.
Paul Mckenzie sold his Canon EF 100-400mm L IS II USM Zoom lens in very good plus condition for $999.00 on 5 FEB 2020.
And the sale of one Canon 600 III and one Canon 600 II are pending.
Canon 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Internal 1.4X Extender
Multiple IPT veteran Larry Master is offering a Canon 200-400 f/4L IS USM lens with internal 1.4X Extender in excellent condition for $5999.00. The lens has minor nicks and other blemishes on the finish and the lens foot. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the front lens cover, an Aquatech SoftCap, a Realtree Max4 LensCoat, an Arca-Swiss lens plate, the lens strap, the lens trunk, 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 Larry via e-mail or by phone at 1-518-645-1545 (Eastern time zone).
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 used 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. At one point, I 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 this lens as their workhorse telephoto as it offers 784mm at f/8 with an external 1.4X TC added. The lens sells new at B&H right now for $10,999; can save $5000.00 by grabbing Larry’s excellent lens along with all the great extras right now. artie
Canon EF Extender 1.4X III (teleconverter)
Multiple IPT veteran Larry Master is also offering a Canon EF Extender 1.4X III (teleconverter) in excellent condition for $229.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the lens pouch, a LensCoat, 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 Larry via e-mail or by phone at 1-518-645-1545 (Eastern time zone).
As regular readers know, I depended so much on TCs when I shot Canon that I always traveled with two spare 1.4X-s and one spare 2X TC. artie
Canon EF Extender 2X III (teleconverter)
Multiple IPT veteran Larry Master is also offering a Canon EF Extender 2X III (teleconverter) in excellent condition for $229.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the lens pouch, a LensCoat, 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 Larry via e-mail or by phone at 1-518-645-1545 (Eastern time zone).
As regular readers know, I depended so much on TCs when I shot Canon that I always traveled with two spare 1.4X-s and one spare 2X TC. artie
Canon 600mm f/4L IS II USM Lens
Craig Elson is offering a Canon 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $5,996.00. Other than a few very small paint blemishes, it is in perfect condition cosmetically. The optics are mint. The lens was recently cleaned and checked by CPS. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk and keys, the original tough front lens cover, the lens hood, the lens strap, the original lens foot, a 4th Generation replacement lens foot, a RealTree Lenscoat, the original product box,the manual and the warranty card, 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 Craig via e-mail or by phone at 1-704-904-7953 (Pacific time zone).
The 600 II has been the state of the art super-telephoto for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many years. When I was using Canon and could get it to my location, it was always my go-to weapon. It is fast and sharp and deadly alone or with either TC. With a new one going for $$9,499.00, you can save a cool $3503.00 by grabbing Steve’s Craig’s lens today. artie
Canon 500mm f/4L IS II USM Lens
Craig Elson is offering a Canon 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for $5,299.00. There are a handful of paint blemishes, but the glass is in mint condition and the lens was recently cleaned and checked by CPS. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk and keys, the original tough front lens cover, the lens hood, the lens strap, both original lens feet, a 4th Generation replacement lens foot, a Realtree LensCoat, the original product box, the manual and warranty card, 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 Craig via e-mail or by phone at 1-704-904-7953 (Pacific time zone).
The 500 f/4 super-telephoto lenses have long been the world’s most popular for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many decades. Canon’s Series II version is light, fast, super-sharp, and produces amazing images with both the 1.4X and 2X III TCs. The 500 II is relatively small, easily hand-holdable for some folks, and is much easier to travel with, focuses closer than, and costs a lot less than the 600 II. Lastly, and you might find this amazing, the magnification for the 500 II is the same as it is for the 600 II: .15X. How is that possible? Magnification is calculated at the minimum focusing distance of the lens — 12.14 feet (3.7 meters) for the 500 II and 14.77 feet (4.5 meters) for the 600 II. Simply put, the 500 II focuses more than two feet closer than the 600 II. The seller for the last one that sold here had five calls the first day; the first four folks quibbled on price. The fifth one jumped right on it … Please do not tarry if you are seriously interested in Brian’s lens as it too should sell almost instantly. Or not 🙂 As the 500 II goes for $8999 new you will be getting a great lens while saving a very sweet $3700.00. I loved my 500 II 🙂 artie
Canon 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Internal 1.4X Extender
Craig Elson is offering a Canon 200-400 f/4L IS USM lens in very good condition for a BAA record-low-by-far price of $5,699.00. Other than some paint blemishes, the lens is in great condition. The glass is in mint condition and it has been cleaned and checked by CPS. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the original tough front lens cover, the lens hood, the lens strap, the original lens foot, a 4th Generation replacement foot, RealTree Lenscoat covering, the original product box, manual and warranty card, 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 Craig via e-mail or by phone at 1-704-904-7953 (Pacific time zone).
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 used 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. At one point, I 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 this lens as their workhorse telephoto as it offers 784mm at f/8 with an external 1.4X TC added. The lens sells new at B&H right now for $10,999 so you save a substantial $5300.00 by grabbing Craig’s lens today. artie
Canon 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM Lens
Craig Elson is offering a Canon 400 f/4 DO IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for $3,599.00. Only a few very small paint wear spots knock this down from mint. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk and keys, the original tough front lens cover, the lens hood, the lens strap, the original lens foot, a RRS replacement foot, a RealTree LensCoat, 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 Craig via e-mail or by phone at 1-704-904-7953 (Pacific time zone).
I owned and used and loved the 400 DO II when I shot with Canon and found a way to take it on most trips. I took it to Scotland and Nickerson Beach and San Diego. It served me well as my (lighter!) big gun several Galapagos and Southern Ocean (the Falklands and South Georgia) trips. It is a killer for flight photography with or without the 1.4X III TC. It is razor-sharp with the 2X on static subjects and skilled folks have had amazing success hand holding it with the 2X III TC for flight and for action. artie
Canon 300mm f/4L IS USM Lens
Craig Elson is offering a Canon 300 f/4L IS USM lens in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $499.00. This lens was used only once on a trip to Africa in 2016. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the original front lens cap, the zippered lens pouch, the lens foot, a Wimberley P-20 plate, a RealTree LensCoat, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses onlyYour item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Craig via e-mail or by phone at 1-704-904-7953 (Pacific time zone).
I owned and used this great lens for several years. It is a great flight lens and I always loved its close-focusing abilities that made it great for flowers, frogs, and dragonflies. I firmly believe that it is a far better bird photography starter lens than my beloved old “toy lens,” the 400mm f/5.6L lens. Why? It is image stabilized and it does great with all AF points with a 1.4X TC. Grab this one while you can as the price is beyond right. artie
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II dSLR
Craig Elson is offering a Canon EOS-1D X Mark II with 14,004 actuations in excellent plus condition for $3,299.00. But for two small paint wear spots, it would be near-mint. The sale includes the front body cap, an AquaTech padded eyepiece, the camera strap, the charger, 2 extra batteries, the connector cable, a Wimberley P-5 plate, 3 Lexar 64GB CFast cards, a Lexar 128 GB CFast 2.0 525 MB/s card, a Lexar CFast card reader, a RealTree LensCoat, Expert Shield protectors for all the LCD screens, the manual, 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 Craig via e-mail or by phone at 1-704-904-7953 (Pacific time zone).
The EOS-1DX Mark II is Canon’s flagship professional camera body. I made many fine images with mine. It is rugged and fast and features Canon’s best AF system. The 1DX II sells new for $5499.00 so you can save a very cool $2,200.00 by grabbing Craig’s body asap. artie
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV dSLR
Craig Elson is offering a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with 13,140 actuations in excellent to near-mint condition for $1,698.00. The sale includes the BG E-20 Canon vertical grip and its original product box, the body cap, an AquaTech padded eyepiece, the camera strap, the charger, one extra battery, the connector cable, two Lexar 64GB cards, Expert Shield protectors for all the LCD screens, the manual, 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 Craig via e-mail or by phone at 1-704-904-7953 (Pacific time zone).
The high-megapixel 5D Mark IV was my favorite Canon camera body. The AF system was superb and the files large, detailed, and luscious. I used mine with all of my favorite Canon lenses including the 100-400 II, the 500 f/4L IS II, and the 600 f/4L IS II. With the two super-telephotos, I consistently made sharp images with both the 1.4X III and the 2X III TCs. artie
Canon EOS 7D Mark II dSLR
Craig Elson is offering a Canon 7D Mark II with only 7,169 actuations in near-mint condition for $649.00. The sale includes the body cap, an AquaTech padded eyepiece, the charger, oone extra battery, the connector cable, two Lexar 64GB cards, Expert Shield protectors for all the LCD screens, the manual, 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 Craig via e-mail or by phone at 1-704-904-7953 (Pacific time zone).
Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II until about four years ago when we both committed to using full-frame Canon bodies. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. One thing is for sure: the 7D Mark II is the greatest value ever in a digital camera body. artie
Canon EF Extender 1.4X III (teleconverter)
Craig Elson is offering a Canon 1.4x Extender EF III in mint condition for $249.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, a RealTree LensCoat covering, the lens pouch, 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 Craig via e-mail or by phone at 1-704-904-7953 (Pacific time zone).
As regular readers know, I depended so much on TCs when I shot Canon that I always traveled with two spare 1.4X-s and one spare 2X TC. artie
Canon EF Extender 2X III (teleconverter)
Craig Elson is offering a Canon 2.0x Extender EF III in Mint condition for $249. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, a RealTree LensCoat, the lens pouch, 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 Craig via e-mail or by phone at 1-704-904-7953 (Pacific time zone).
As regular readers know, I depended so much on TCs when I shot Canon that I always traveled with two spare 1.4X-s and one spare 2X TC. artie
I am packing like a fiend today, WED 19 FEB 2020. Jim will be taking me to an Orlando Airport motel late this afternoon. I fly to Homer on Delta via Seattle and Anchorage. It is a little bit of a challenge to make Homer by plane in a single day but if I make my (legal) 62-minute connection in Seattle it will be a piece of cake. But it will be a very long travel day as I have a 4-hour 29-minute layover in Anchorage … Wish me luck.
I was glad to learn that the sale of Steeve Leimberg’s Canon 600 II is pending.
SONY 600 GM in Stock at Bedfords
Good friend Steve Elkins of Bedford Camera asked me to let you know that he has a SONY 600mm f/4 OSS GM lens in stock. Please contact him immediately if it has your name on it. Please remember that if you purchase a SONY 600 GM using one of my affiliate links that the new soon-to-be-released SONY Video and e-Guide will be yours for free. (The free offer gets you one of the foud camera-specific video and the complete e-Guide.) Details soon. Remember to use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout too secure the $50 discount on your online order. Steve’s contact info is immediately below.
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.
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 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 many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the 5Ds and 5Ds R, the old Canon 500mm, the EOS-7D, the Canon 200-400 with internal extender, 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. 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 …
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.
Very Recent Sales
Bob Lester sold his Sony A7r iii Mirrorless camera body in Very Good Plus condition (shutter count < 14,000) for only $1698.00 in mid-FEB 2020.
Jim Lewis sold his Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital camera body in-near mint condition for an incredibly low $449.00 (was $699.00) in early FEB 2020.
I learned in FEB 2020 that Joe Randle sold his EF 85mm f/1.8 USM lens in excellent condition for $149.00 in mid-JAN 2020.
Multiple IPT participant Sheldon Goldstein sold his Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG Lens for Canon in like-new condition for $675.00 (was $725.00) in early FEB 2020.
IPT veteran Richard Russ sold his Nikkor 105mm Micro f/2.8G AF-VR lens in near-mint condition for the very low price of $496.95 and a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Special Edition Lens lens in near-mint condition for the silly low price of $106.95.
Barry McKenzie sold his Canon 2X III TC in excellent plus condition for a very low $219.00 and a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon EF in like-new condition for a very low $449.00, both in early FEB, 2020.
Paul Mckenzie sold his Canon EOS 5DS R dSLR in very good condition for only $799.00 (was $999.00), a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM lens in good plus condition for an amazingly low $1,099.00 (was $1,499.00), and a Canon EOS-1D X Mark II dSLR in very good condition with 95,000 actuations for the very low price of $2499.00 (was $2,899.00), all on 9 FEB 2020.
Barry McKenzie sold a Canon 1.4X III TC in very good condition with a single “ding” for a very low $160.00 in early February 2020.
Paul Mckenzie sold his Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM lens in good plus condition for an amazingly low $1,099.00 and his Canon EF Extenders (teleconverters) 1.4X III and 2X III in excellent condition for $200 each on 6 FEB 2020.
Paul Mckenzie sold his Canon EF 100-400mm L IS II USM Zoom lens in very good plus condition for $999.00 on 5 FEB 2020.
New Listings
Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Telephoto Lens
Sale Pending first day of listing
Tim McCreary is offering a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Telephoto lens in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $2399.00. The sale includes the lens hood, a drop-in polarizing filter, a LensCoat, the lens trunk, a. replacement foot, the front and rear lens caps, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Tim via e-mail or by phone at 702 328 6159 PDT.
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 so you can save a big bundle by grabbing Tim’s lens right now. artie
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II Lens w/1.4X II TC
Tim McCreary is also offering a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $1099. The sale includes the lens hood, the original box, the carrying case, a Canon Extender EF 1.4x II, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Tim via e-mail or by phone at 702 328 6159 (Pacifc time zone).
This incredibly versatile zoom lens — with its .98 meter close focus — was my favorite Canon telephoto zoom lens. By far. artie
Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens
Sale Pending first day of listing
Tim McCreary is also offering a Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens in near-mint condition for $399.00. The sale includes the lens hood, the front and rear lens caps, the original lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Tim via e-mail or by phone at 702 328 6159 (Pacifc time zone).
The 24-105 was my nerver-leave-home-without-it all purpose mid-range zoom lens. I made a zillion sale-able images with miine. artie
Canon EOS 7D dSLR
Tim McCreary is also offering a Canon EOS 7D dSLR in near-mint condition for an incredibly low $199.00. The sale includes the body cap, the strap, the original box, manual, a third-party battery grip, 2 batteries, the charger, a memory card, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Tim McCreary via via e-mail or by phone at 702 328 6159 (Pacifc time zone).
This is a great body for anyone looking to get started with digital photography, nature or not. Paired with Tim’s 100-400 II, it would make a great starter kit. artie
Canon EOS 7D Mark II dSLR
BIRDS AS ART Record-low Price!
Tim McCreary is also offering a Canon EOS 7D Mark II dSLR in near-mint condition for BAA record-low by far price of $599.00. The sale includes the body cap, the strap, the original box, the manual, a Meike battery grip with remote release, 2 batteries, the charger, a memory card and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Tim via via e-mail or by phone at 702 328 6159 (Pacifc time zone).
Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II until about four years ago when we both committed to using full-frame Canon bodies. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. One thing is for sure: the 7D Mark II is the greatest value ever in a digital camera body. artie
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 Lens for Canon EF
Tim McCreary is also offering a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 Lens for Canon EF in near-mint condition for $229.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the original box, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Tim via via e-mail or by phone at 702 328 6159 (Pacifc time zone).
The Canon EF-mount atx-i 11-16mm f/2.8 CF from Tokina is a versatile ultra-wide zoom well-suited for landscape, architecture, and interior shooting. Characterized by its bright f/2.8 constant maximum aperture, consistent brightness is afforded throughout the zoom range and benefits working in available lighting conditions. The optical design incorporates a series of aspherical and low dispersion elements, which suppress a variety of aberrations for improved sharpness and clarity. Individual elements are also multi-coated to resist flare and ghosting for greater contrast and color accuracy when working in bright or backlit conditions. Complementing the optics, this lens features a One-Touch Focus Clutch Mechanism for fast changing between AF and MF settings, and an internal focusing design is used for responsive focusing performance. B&H
This lens sells new for $449.00. artie
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.
This image was created on the Cozad Ranch in Lynn, TX on April 18, 2005. I used the hand held Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM lens and the long-defunct Canon EOS-1D Mark II. ISO 640: 1/1000 sec. at f/4. At 11:02am on a cloudy morning.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
The redone optimized file for Crested Caracara landing
The Backstory
After I did the program at ILE two weeks ago a lady named Sally, who works in the office there, e-mailed asking if I have any images of caracaras. She wanted a 4X6 inch print for her husband’s birthday. I sent her a few screen-captures and she liked today’s featured image. We agreed on a price and Jim kindly found the optimized file. He copied it to our PC > MAC > PC hard drive. I opened it in Photoshop and was amazed to see how noisy the underwings were. I asked Jim to find the matching RAW file and he did that quickly. (Note: Be sure to save all of your RAW files. Be sure to save them with the file number and the location. And be sure that the file number and the location remain part of the file name for your optimized file. With those steps in your workflow, it is always easy to locate various versions of a given image. The magic file name here was _H2D2400 Cozad Ranch, Lynn, TX.)
The RAW file was originally processed in DDP 3, the predecessor of DPP 4. Purely out of curiosity, I decided to re-convert the RAW file in Capture One. I upped the exposure a bit, adjusted the white and black points, and used only the default noise reduction values. I was astounded to note that the horrific color noise (along with a bit of luminance noise) had been completely eliminated by the Capture One RAW conversion.
400% View of the old Crested Caracara landing file
Noise in Old File
As you can see, the color noise in the original image was really bad despite the fact that the RAW file was only about 1/2-stop under-exposed.
400% View of the redone Crested Caracara landing file
Noise in New File
As you can see, the noise in the new file was pretty much eliminated completely during the Capture One RAW Conversion, again, using only the default noise reductions (on an image created with a 25-year old camera body. To me, the difference is quite remarkable. You can learn more about Capture One in the Capture One Pro 12 Simplified MP4 Video here.
Photoshop Improvements
Note that after the RAW conversion in C-1, I brought the TIF file into Photoshop and eliminated the YELLOW cast in the WHITEs and cleaned up the WHITEs as well. For the former, I created a new layer, reduced the YELLOW saturation, and painted the bill and the legs back in via a Regular Layer Mask. Removing the YELLOW from the orange bill and legs had made the image far too dull. Again working on a new layer, I cleaned up the WHITEs by taking BLACK out of the WHITEs in Selective Color …
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a Paypal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
Everything mentioned above (except for Capture One RAW conversions), and tons more — including all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — is covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my Macbook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: all of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.
You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About two years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One Pro 12 and continue to do so today.
You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair. Folks can learn sophisticated sharpening and (NeatImage) Noise Reduction techniques in The Professional Post Processing Guide by Arash Hazeghi and edited by yours truly. Please use this link to purchase NeatImage.
To introduce folks to our MP.4 videos and the basics involved in applying more NeatImage noise reduction to the background and less on the subject, I’d be glad to send you a free copy of the Free Noise Reduction Basics MP.4 Video. Simply click to shoot me an e-mail to get your free copy.
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 🙂
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.
Facebook
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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 :).
Good friend Steve Elkins of Bedford Camera asked me to let you know that he has a SONY 600mm f/4 OSS GM lens in stock. Please contact him immediately if it has your name on it. Please remember that if you purchase a SONY 600 GM using one of my affiliate links that the new soon-to-be-released SONY Video and e-Guide will be yours for free. (The free offer gets you one of the four camera-specific videos and the complete e-Guide.) Details soon. Remember to use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to secure the $50 discount on your online order. Steve’s contact info is immediately below.
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.
As planned, I tried for pre-dawn blurs on Saturday at Circle Bar B preserve and had lots of good chances. A GBH flew right up to me and posed for about ten minutes on the dark, cloudy, morning. Then I headed to Lakeland for the white pelicans and did just fine keeping 39 images. Then I headed to the Fields Auto Group showroom about 15 minutes to the east, arranged to trade in my Sequoia, and ordered a brand-new 2020 SUV. On Sunday I worked for 11 hours on the new SONY guide and will be doing the same today. I was fortunate to have lots of help from co-author Patrick Sparkman and old friend and skilled photographer Ellen Anon. Today, Monday 17 FEB 2020, will be more of the same.
I fly to Homer, AK on Thursday. If anyone out there is interested in making the first Homer IPT, please know that no reasonable offer will be refused.
I was glad to learn on Sunday that the sale of Cris Hamilton’s Canon 600 III is pending.
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.
American White Pelican horizontal head and shoulders portrait
First, and Simple …
It is very rare that the first image you create during a given shooting session is anything special, but for me, today’s featured image was just that. The image design is quite simple and I just love the aqua water background. The light is soft and the head-angle spot-on with the bill perfectly parallel to the imaging sensor. I created only two frames of this bird. In this image, the first, the nictitating membrane covered the eye. In frame two, the eye was clean and green but the bird had turned its head a bit toward me. So after converting both RAW files in Capture One, I grabbed only the pupil from frame two and — using techniques from APTATS I & II — moved it into place on frame one using the Move Tool (V). That chore took about 30 seconds.
The more that I practice with Tracking: Flexible Spot M, the more proficient I become with creating the exact composition that I want …
I spent most of the rest of the morning working with the 600 GM, the 2X TC, and the a7r iv before leaving the lake to go car shopping. I learn more about my SONY gear every time I am out photographing and wind up loving it more and more. There are still two major things that tick me off about the SONY system. I will share them both with you here soon.
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
You can purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
126 pages, 87 photographs by Joe Przybyla and Arthur Morris.
The PDF for this e-Guide is an electronic download sent via e-mail.
I had thought about doing a guide to some of the great but little-known photo hotspots around central Florida for about a decade, but those plans never came to fruition. I met Joe online in the Avian Forum at BirdPhotographer’s.Net about two years ago. Joe’s photography has improved tremendously over the past few years; he credits the BAA blog, my books and PDFs, and his participation on BPN. The one thing that I learned right from the get-go about Joe is that he is a hard and tenacious worker, always striving to improve his skills and to grow his knowledge base. As he knew of more than a few good spots in central Florida, I broached the idea of us doing a photographic site guide that covered many of the little-known photographic hotspots from Brandon to Lakeland to Joe Overstreet Road to Indian Lake Estates (my Florida home for the past 20 years or so). After more than many, many dozens of hours of effort, The BIRDS AS ART Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide is now a reality. Thanks to Joe’s wife Dottie for her review of our writing. We all learned once again that writing is a process, a back and forth process. All thanks to the white pelicans of Lakeland. Here are the locations that are detailed in this e-Guide:
Indian Lake Estates: Sandhills Cranes with chicks and colts in late winter and spring, lots of vultures, and Ospreys up the kazoo!
Gatorland, Kissimmee: Learn to make great images of wading birds in a cluttered rookery.
The Brandon Rookery: Great for nesting Wood Storks, Great Egrets, and more.
Circle Bar B Reserve, Lakeland: Here you will find a great variety of avian subjects in a great variety of habitats.
Lake Morton, Lakeland: There are lots of silly tame birds here including and especially American White Pelican during the colder months.
Lake Mirror, Lakeland: Tame Anhingas, Limpkins, and a zillion White Ibises at times.
West Lake Parker, Lakeland: Here you will have a chance for two difficult birds, Snail Kite, and Purple Gallinule.
Joe Overstreet Road, Kenansville: Crested Caracara, meadowlarks, Loggerhead Shrike, and much more on the fenceposts and barbed wire.
Each location includes a map, a detailed description of the best spots, best season, light and time of day instructions, the expected species, and an educational and inspirational gallery that is designed to open your eyes as to the possibilities.
You can purchase a copy here in the BAA Online Store.
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 🙂
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.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
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 :).
I photographed for a while at Lakeland on Thursday morning on the way home from DeSoto/Gulfport. And did well. Each day I fall more in love with my SONY gear. I forgot to mention a recent first: on Wednesday morning during the 1 1/2 days I spent with multiple IP veteran Larry Master I headed out with one of my a9 ii bodies on my 200-600 (on my shoulder via the Black Rapid Curve Breathe strap). and my other a9 ii on my tripod-mounted 600 GM! I left the a7r iv in my SUV. The 600 killed in the low light of early morning with the dark green reflections and the shrimp-catching wading birds and the 200-6oo killed on Snowy Egret and Royal Tern flight.
At Lakeland, I went with a7riv on the tripod-mounted 600 GM and an a9 ii on the 100-400 GM on my shoulder via the Black Rapid Curve Breathe strap. When you know exactly what to expect, there are lots options for pairing SONY bodies and lenses …
Via e-Mail from Larry Master
Thanks again for a great 1 1/2 days of SONY instruction and fun photography!
Larry
A Blog Comment by John LeClair
Cris, it was just about a perfect day! We did not have the nesting birds we anticipated but the purpose was to learn from Artie’s vast experience more than anything else. And my wife and I did that in spades.
Thanks for all your help and patience Artie. It was phenomenal.
John
Click on the image to see a larger version.
SONY Lakeland favorites selected from 56 American White Pelican-keepers made during a 70-minute session on the morning of TEUS 14 FEB 2020.
Another Last Second Florida Learning Opportunity
Morning In-the-Field Session: Saturday FEB 15, 2020
Join me at for sunrise blurs at the Circle Bar B Preserve in Lakeland and then move to another great location in Lakeland to photograph tame American White Pelicans and lots more. Morning session (6:45-10:000am) plus a working brunch: $275.00.
The weather is looking perfect for Saturday morning: partly cloudy with northeast winds.
If you would like to join me, please get in touch immediately either via e-mail or by cell phone: 863-221-2372.
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
You can purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
126 pages, 87 photographs by Joe Przybyla and Arthur Morris.
The PDF for this e-Guide is an electronic download sent via e-mail.
I had thought about doing a guide to some of the great but little-known photo hotspots around central Florida for about a decade, but those plans never came to fruition. I met Joe online in the Avian Forum at BirdPhotographer’s.Net about two years ago. Joe’s photography has improved tremendously over the past few years; he credits the BAA blog, my books and PDFs, and his participation on BPN. The one thing that I learned right from the get-go about Joe is that he is a hard and tenacious worker, always striving to improve his skills and to grow his knowledge base. As he knew of more than a few good spots in central Florida, I broached the idea of us doing a photographic site guide that covered many of the little-known photographic hotspots from Brandon to Lakeland to Joe Overstreet Road to Indian Lake Estates (my Florida home for the past 20 years or so). After more than many, many dozens of hours of effort, The BIRDS AS ART Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide is now a reality. Thanks to Joe’s wife Dottie for her review of our writing. We all learned once again that writing is a process, a back and forth process. All thanks to the white pelicans of Lakeland. Here are the locations that are detailed in this e-Guide:
Indian Lake Estates: Sandhills Cranes with chicks and colts, lots of vultures, and Ospreys up the kazoo!
Gatorland, Kissimmee: Learn to make great images of wading birds in a cluttered rookery.
The Brandon Rookery: Great for nesting Wood Storks, Great Egrets, and more.
Circle Bar B Reserve, Lakeland: Here you will find a great variety of avian subjects in a great variety of habitats.
Lake Morton, Lakeland: There are lots of silly tame birds here including and especially American White Pelican during the colder months.
Lake Mirror, Lakeland: Tame Anhingas, Limpkins, and a zillion White Ibises at times.
West Lake Parker, Lakeland: Here you will have a chance for two difficult birds, Snail Kite, and Purple Gallinule.
Joe Overstreet Road, Kenansville: Crested Caracara, meadowlarks, Loggerhead Shrike, and much more on the fenceposts and barbed wire.
Each location includes a map, a detailed description of the best spots, best season, light and time of day instructions, the expected species, and an educational and inspirational gallery that is designed to open your eyes as to the possibilities.
You can purchase a copy here in the BAA Online Store.
Me, early. As good as Fort DeSoto was on Wednesday, I am heading to do the American White Pelicans in Lakeland. I will be on the road from Gulfport before 5:30am.
A $1399 Discount Offer
I am offering a phenomenal $1399 late registration discount on the first Homer IPT. $1399 is not a typo. 2 slots are open.
The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPT
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00 Limit 5 photographers/Openings:2.
Please e-mail if you would like to cross off Doing the Homer Bald Eagles from your bucket list.
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 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 many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the 5Ds and 5Ds R, the old Canon 500mm, the EOS-7D, the Canon 200-400 with internal extender, 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. 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 …
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.
Very Recent Sales
Multiple IPT participant Sheldon Goldstein sold his Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG Lens for Canon in like-new condition for $675.00 (was $725.00) in early FEB 2020.
IPT veteran Richard Russ sold his Nikkor 105mm Micro f/2.8G AF-VR lens in near-mint condition for the very low price of $496.95 and a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Special Edition Lens lens in near-mint condition for the silly low price of $106.95.
Barry McKenzie sold his Canon 2X III TC in excellent plus condition for a very low $219.00 and a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon EF in like-new condition for a very low $449.00, both in early FEB, 2020.
Paul Mckenzie sold his Canon EOS 5DS R dSLR in very good condition for only $799.00 (was $999.00), a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM lens in good plus condition for an amazingly low $1,099.00 (was $1,499.00), and a Canon EOS-1D X Mark II dSLR in very good condition with 95,000 actuations for the very low price of $2499.00 (was $2,899.00), all on 9 FEB 2020.
Barry McKenzie sold a Canon 1.4X III TC in very good condition with a single “ding” for a very low $160.00 in early February 2020.
Paul Mckenzie sold his Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM lens in good plus condition for an amazingly low $1,099.00 and his Canon EF Extenders (teleconverters) 1.4X III and 2X III in excellent condition for $200 each on 6 FEB 2020.
Paul Mckenzie sold his Canon EF 100-400mm L IS II USM Zoom lens in very good plus condition for $999.00 on 5 FEB 2020.
Price Drops
Canon EF Extender 1.4X II
Price Reduced 50.00 on 13 FEB 2020
BPN friend Ravi Hirekatur is also offering a Canon EF Extender 1.4X II (the 1.4X II teleconverter) in excellent condition for the very low price of $120.00 (was $179.00). The sale includes the front and rear caps, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Ravi via e-mail or by phone at 1-608-217-9593 central time.
The 1.4X II TC is every bit as sharp when used with older lenses such as the original 100-400 above and the original 500 and 600mm f/4 lenses. The series III TCs provide advantages only when paired with the series II and III lenses. I used this item more than quite often when I was using Canon, often with great success. artie
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 DG HSM Lens for Canon
Price Reduced 101.00 on 13 FEB 2020
Multiple IPT participant Sheldon Goldstein is offering a Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 DG HSM lens for Canon in like-new condition for $749.00 (was $850.00). The sale includes the lens cover, the rear cap, the protective carrying case, and insured Fed-Ex Ground shipping to lower 48 US addresses. Your lens will ship after your check clears unless another payment method is used.
Please contact Shelly via e-mail or by phone at 1-646-423-0392 (Eastern time).
This lens is designed for use with full-frame Canon digital cameras; it offers a dramatically ultra-wide coverage with field-of-views ranging from 122° to 84.1° making it ideal for dramatic landscape photography. It is a superb architectural lens that is great for creating images of the tightest of interiors. Using Canon bodies with APS-C sensors (like the 7D Mark II) will give you an effective zoom range of 17-35mm. B&H
An Incredible Buy!
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM Lens
Price dropped $600 on 11 FEB 2020!
Paul Mckenzie is offering a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens in mint condition (but for a very few minor blemishes on the lens hood) for the BAA record-low-by-far price of 10,399.00 (was $10,999.00). The sale includes the lens hood, the front lens cover, the rear cap, the original product box, the instruction manual, the warranty card, the strap, and insured shipping via FedEx. The sale does not include the LS600 soft case. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
The 600 III is the latest Canon version of my favorite weapon of mass destruction for bird photography. With its super balance, light weight, incredible sharpness, and a five-stop Image Stabilization system, the 600 III is a technological marvel. The lens tips the scale at a relatively svelte 6.71 lb — about one ounce heavier than the SONY 600mm f/4GM OSS lens. It is a fraction under two pounds lighter than the Canon 600 II. Thus, it is eminently hand-holdable for many folks. As this lens sells new for $12,999.00, you can save a neat $2600.00 by being the one to grab Paul’s pretty much new lens. This lens is super-sharp with either TC, one of the great advantages of Canon over Nikon … artie
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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.
Flexible Spot (M) Tracking — Continuous (C) AF was active at the moment of exposure.
Click to enlarge and enjoy a larger version.
Great Egret — face detail of young bird
Should Have Been a Vertical!
Thanks to multiple IPT-veteran Larry Master for suggesting during our working brunch that I should have cropped yesterday’s featured image to a vertical … With 61 million pixels in the RAW file, he was right, but only 100%.
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 🙂
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.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
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 :).
Larry Master and I had a great afternoon at DeSoto. And best of all, Larry learned a ton about his SONY a9 ii. We have a full day together, today, WED 9 FEB 2020.
This Just In!
Larry and I had a killer Wednesday morning at DeSoto. We started with several species of wading birds catching shrimp (and one large sculpin!) in still, mirror-like greenish-black water. On the beach, we had large flocks of Red Knot, and some great incoming Royal Tern flight photography to go along with a big Snowy Egret/Red-breasted Merganser feeding spree. At our last stop, we had dozens of handsome molting Laughing Gulls, many dozens of Willets, and a pair of tame American Oystercatchers. We are dining at the Neptune Grill in Gulfport as I type!
Last Second Florida Learning Opportunity
Morning In-the-Field Session: Thursday FEB 13, 2020
Join me at DeSoto or in Lakeland to photograph tame American White Pelicans and lots more; right now the location is your call. Morning session (6:45-10:000am) plus a working brunch: $250.00.
Price Drop on a Gem
Canon 600mm f/4L IS USM III Lens
Price dropped $600 on 12 FEB 2020!
IPT veteran Cris Hamilton is offering a Canon EF 600 f/4L IS III USM Lens in mint condition for $10,899..0 (was $11,499.00). The sale includes the original shipping box and everything that came with the lens: the lens hood, the rear cap, the front lens cover, the soft case, the instruction manual, the warranty card, the lens strap, a Realtree LensCoat, 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 Cris via e-mail or by phone at 1-724-746-1954 (Eastern time zone).
The 600 III is the latest Canon version of my favorite weapon of mass destruction for bird photography. With its super balance, light weight, incredible sharpness, and a five-stop Image Stabilization system, the 600 III is a technological marvel. The lens tips the scale at a relatively svelte 6.71 lb — about one ounce heavier than the SONY 600mm f/4GM OSS lens. It is a fraction under two pounds lighter than the 600 II. Thus, it is eminently hand-holdable for many folks. As this lens sells new for $12,999.00, you can save a neat $2,100.00 by being the one to grab Cris’s pretty much new lens right now. This lens is super-sharp with either TC, one of the great advantages of Canon over Nikon … artie
Flexible Spot (M) Tracking — Continuous (C) AF was active at the moment of exposure.
Click to enlarge and enjoy a larger version.
Great Egret — face detail of young bird
More on Flexible Spot (M) with Tracking
I am learning a lot more about this AF Area each day:
1- you must be very precise when first acquiring focus.
2- following foraging shorebirds and other moving subjects requires practice to build your confidence.
3- it is friggiin’ amazing!
I am headed over to St Pete later this morning to meet up with multiple IPT veteran Larry Master at Fort DeSoto this afternoon for 1 1/2 days of pretty much private SONY In-the-Field Instruction. I will do my swim at 8:30am today and then have the bloodwork for my next check-up done on the way over. A nice crowd of non-photographers was present at my program last night at ILE. Thanks to Jim Litzenberg for his assistance.
Thanks to those who left comments at yesterday’s An Absolute Pleasure blog post here.
I spoke by phone and e-mail with John LeClair. He said that Tricia had been nervous about coming to Gatorland thinking that she might be in over her head. He continued by saying that his wife felt 100% comfortable and appreciated my gentle approach to teaching. And, she learned a ton!
A $1399 Discount Offer
I am offering a phenomenal $1399 late registration discount on the first Homer IPT. $1399 is not a typo. 2 slots are open.
The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPTs:
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00 Limit 5 photographers/Openings:2.
Please e-mail if you would like to cross off Doing the Homer Bald Eagles from your bucket list.
Florida Learning Opportunity
Morning In-the-Field Session: Thursday FEB 13, 2020
Join me at DeSoto or in Lakeland to photograph tame American White Pelicans and lots more; right now the location is your call. Morning session (6:30-9:30am) plus a working brunch: $250.00.
San Diego II Picking Your Keepers Instructional Video
San Diego II Picking Your Keepers Instructional Video
$20 via electronic download. Order your copy from the BAA Online Store by clicking here.
Today’s featured image was a keeper in the San Diego II folder. In this one hour, sixteen-minute Capture One screen capture video, sit beside me as I pick my keepers from an almost 800-image folder entitled San Diego II. Learn what makes one image better than other very similar ones. Learn the minutiae of head angle and light angle and the compositional fine points (including the importance of using diagonal lines to your images) that make one image a keeper and others in the series insta-deletes. Learn more about wing positions and flight poses and tons more. In the video, I comment on my image optimization plans for many images and throw in some in-the-field and capture tips as well. With today’s digital camera bodies offering superb autofocus accuracy, fast frame rates, and often ridiculously large image files, learning to edit (pick your keepers) tightly is an important skill to develop.
The editing teaser was done in Photo Mechanic, the main video in Capture One. But it does not matter whether you use one of those programs or Bridge in Photoshop or Lightroom to pick your keepers; it is the principles that are involved in making each keep-or-reject decision that will prove to be invaluable.
During IPTs, editing sessions like the one in the video are extremely popular; everyone always learns a ton — why didn’t I see that? — and folks often clamor for more.
$20 via electronic download. Order your copy from the BAA Online Store by clicking here.
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 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 many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the 5Ds and 5Ds R, the old Canon 500mm, the EOS-7D, the Canon 200-400 with internal extender, 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. 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 …
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.
New Listing
Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens (with extras!)
Barry McKenzie is offering a Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS USM lens in excellent plus condition for a very low $3,399.00. The sale includes the hood, the rear cap, the lens trunk, a LensCoat, the CD, two front lens covers, the Canon PL-C52 polarizer, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Photos available on request. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
The 300mm f/2.8 lenses have long been the favorites of the world’s best hawks-in-flight photographers. And since they perform superbly with both teleconverters, they make a great workhorse lens for bird photographers who wish to hand hold, especially those with crop factor bodies like the 7D Mark II or those with some of the newer Canon bodies likee the very popular Canon EOS 90D… artie
An All-Time Bargain!
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM Lens
Price dropped $600 on 6 FEB 2020!
Paul Mckenzie is offering a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens in mint condition (but for a very few minor blemishes on the lens hood) for the BAA record-low-by-far price of 10,399.00 (was $10,999.00). The sale includes the lens hood, the front lens cover, the rear cap, the original product box, the instruction manual, the warranty card, the strap, and insured shipping via FedEx. The sale does not include the LS600 soft case. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
The 600 III is the latest Canon version of my favorite weapon of mass destruction for bird photography. With its super balance, light weight, incredible sharpness, and a five-stop Image Stabilization system, the 600 III is a technological marvel. The lens tips the scale at a relatively svelte 6.71 lb — about one ounce heavier than the SONY 600mm f/4GM OSS lens. It is a fraction under two pounds lighter than the Canon 600 II. Thus, it is eminently hand-holdable for many folks. As this lens sells new for $12,999.00, you can save a neat $2600.00 by being the one to grab Paul’s pretty much new lens. This lens is super-sharp with either TC, one of the great advantages of Canon over Nikon … artie
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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.
This image was created on January 10, 2020 at La Jolla, CA. Again, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 397mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 640. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/320 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 10:55am on a cloudy morning.
Upper Right Zone Continuous (C) AF got the job done.
Click to enlarge and enjoy a slightly larger version.
Brown Pelican start of wing stretch
The Correct Answer Was E
In the Image-Difficulty Multiple Choice Quiz blog post here, I posted the following:
What Factors Made Creating This Image Quite Difficult?
A- Getting the framing right
B- Getting the right exposure
C- Getting both eyes visible and relatively sharp
D- A & B
E- A & C
F- A, B, & C
So why was E the only correct answer?
A- is correct because getting the framing right when the bird does something unexpected is very difficult. Here II zoomed out quickly and hoped for the best.
B- is incorrect as getting the right exposure with SONY using Zebras in Manual mode with ISO on the rear dial is child’s play once you learn how to do it.
C- is correct because getting both eyes visible and relatively sharp is extremely difficult (often bordering on the impossible). Getting both eyes visible was actually the pelican’s doing. I got lucky with that, and with getting the eyes relatively sharp. by following my own oft-given advice: when unexpected action occurs press the shutter button. If you try to adjust the AF Area Mode or the location of an AF point, you will surely miss the action. That would surely have been the case here as the action lasted two seconds at most. The red X on the image shows the area of sharpest focus which very closely approximates the location of the active AF point. I was very lucky in that the plane of focus (at the red X) was only slightly in front of the plane of the bird’s left eye … Very lucky!
Both eyes sharpened up nicely with a Contrast Mask as detailed in Digital Basics II.
One of the two great faults with the SONY system is that no SONY software exists and tell the photographer either which AF Area was used or the location of the active AF point. You might say that this is both a crying shame and a huge embarrassment. It is possible to do both of these things in RAW digger. The AF area can be found in the EXIF. Determining the approximate focus location is both difficult and cumbersome. But it can be done. If anyone would like a short tutorial on how to determine the focus location in Raw Digger, please send a PayPal for $10 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure that the words Raw Digger Focus Location are somewhere in the e-mail. It will take a day or two to get the tutorial together. If any income derived is derived here, it will be shared with Patrick Sparkman who taught me everything I know aboout Raw Digger. He is not planning on retiring with the proceeds …
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 🙂
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 :).
I’ve been swimming my 50 lengths (88 to the mile) afternoon with the pool right at 76 degrees. And I have been poking around the lakefront with my photo gear most mornings and afternoons. On Sunday I had the pleasure of meeting John and Tricia LeClair at Gatorland. See more on that below.
A $1399 Discount Offer
I am offering a phenomenal $1399 late registration discount on the first Homer IPT. $1399 is not a typo. 2 slots are open.
The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPTs:
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00 Limit 5 photographers/Openings:2.
Please e-mail if you would like to cross off Doing the Homer Bald Eagles from your bucket list.
ILE Program Tonight!
I am presenting An Indian Lake Estates Bird Photographer’s Story tonight at 7pm at in the clubhouse at ILE:
7510 Red Grange Blvd PO Box 7395 Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. The program will run less than one hour. I hope to see you there.
Florida Learning Opportunities
DeSoto Last-second 2-DAY IPT. Afternoon session on TUES FEB 11th through the morning session on Thursday FEB 13, 2020. 2 DAYS (2 half and one full): $1099.00. Limit 3/Openings 2.
On the last morning, there might be an option to do the super-tame American White Pelicans in Lakeland. Working brunch (included) with image review on WED and THURS. The tides are perfect and the long-range weather forecast looks pretty good FWIW 🙂
If you would like to join us, please get in touch immediately either via e-mail or by cell phone: 863-221-2372.
Morning In-the-Field Session: Thursday FEB 13, 2020
Join me at DeSoto or in Lakeland to photograph tame American White Pelicans and lots more; right now the location is your call. Morning session (6:30-9:30am) plus a working brunch: $250.00.
Flexible Spot (M) Tracking — Continuous (C) AF was active at the moment of exposure.
Click to enlarge and enjoy a larger version.
Image #1: American Alligator close-up of tail
An Absolute Pleasure
It was an absolute pleasure meeting and working with John and Tricia LeClair at Gatorland on Sunday morning. We met for an In-the-Field Session at 6:45am and wound up photographing until after 11am despite the clear, too-sunny conditions. John, the more experienced photographer, had been avidly following BAA for years and had read just about everything I have ever written. He used Nikon — a 500 PF and the 80-400 VR with a D850. As I figured, Tricia had inherited his Canon gear — a 100-400 II and a 5d IV. The good news is that both were eager to learn. The bad news was that there were very few birds. Normally by this date, there would be many dozens of Great Egret nests. Yesterday there were only three and those were as close to unphotographable as you can get.
We moved around a lot and found some non-breeding birds Great Egrets here and there. We worked on exposure and did some backlit stuff. I talked Tricia into working in Manual exposure mode; like many beginners, she was somewhat afraid of it. Well, not only did she catch on quickly, she was nailing every exposure. I began calling her “The Exposure Queen.” And I was able to (correctly) talk John out of using AUTO ISO with Manual mode explaining that by using AUTO ISO you are giving up the total control that comes with using the purest form of Manual. John most enjoyed learning to see the shot. As always on IPTs II am quick to point out situations (and fine points) that excite me enough to raise my lens. John kept asking, “Why didn’t I see that?” Tricia enjoyed learning about the importance of sun angle and learning more about the buttons and dials on her 5D IV.
As there were so few birds, we took advantage of the numerous gators and did lots of teaching using them as our guinea pigs. We had some great backlit subjects and worked a ton on depth-of-field — when you need it and when you don’t. By the time we left — stopping along the way to do some birds hanging around the gator feeding and a very handsome captive parrot, we all agreed that even with the lack of nesting birds, it had been a perfect day.
Tricia was something of a birder and pointed out several Pileated Woodpeckers. I reciprocated by finding a Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, a Northern Parula, a White-eyed Vireo, and lots of Gray Catbirds. All were very difficult subjects at best. John got a half-way decent image of the parula!
We enjoyed a great working lunch at Ruby Tuesday’s. John soaked up everything that I had to say about head-angle while reviewing his images. After I had busted him a few times for creating head portraits with the bird too low in the frame with too much negative space above the bird, he busted me back for the same thing. I used my inexperience with Tracking Flexible Spot (M) as my excuse. It does take a bit of practice and a bit of getting used to; it is imperative to take great care when initially placing the AF spot on the bird’s face or eye … I finally hit the road at 1:22pm!
Image #1 Image Question
Would you have removed the tiny orange lead during post-processing? Why or why not?
Flexible Spot (M) Tracking — Continuous (C) AF was active at the moment of exposure.
Click to enlarge and enjoy a larger version.
Great Egret breeding plumage head portrait
Patience and Dallying Rewarded
I was packing my gear when I saw what looked like a very handsome bird land very close to the three existing nests. I was right — it was a gorgeous bird. The situation was a difficult one as we are shooting through very tight openings and were well off sun angle. We stuck it out for about fifteen minutes and all got something decent (including Image #2 for me). Then the bird hopped up into the clear with a blue sky background for head portraits but it did not stay long. And neither did we.
As noted here previously (though not often), with lots of light, I did just fine hand holding 200-600 with the 1.4X TC even with the more–demanding the 7R IV (as compared to the a9 ii).
Your Favorite?
Which of today’s two featured image do you like best? Please let us know what you liked best about your choice.
I was glad to learn on Friday afternoon that the second Homer Bald Eagle IPT is now sold out. There are two slots open on the first IPT. If you are at all interested in making this IPT please get in touch asap via e-mail or by cell phone: 863-221-2372; you might be shocked at the size of the late-registration discount that I am offering.
It was a lot cooler here on Friday than it had been on Thursday. The pool was down only a single degree from yesterday but the air temperature was down about 15 degrees. I swam my 50 lengths without my neoprene vest and was shivering when I got out.
Long-time BAA friend and supporter John LeClair and his wife Tricia will be joining me at Gatorland for an In-the-Field session and working brunch on Sunday as the updated weather forecast for Sunday (ENE winds at 16 rather than NE at 8) looked a bit better. Wish us luck 🙂
On Friday, I spent a lot of time working on the big SONY Camera User’s Guides. Patrick has sent me links for the last 3 camera videos so that I can review them. This will be the best User’s Guide I have ever produced, in part, because the SONY cameras are so complex and offer so many options.
Homer Bald Eagle Photography Lessons
Click on the play triangle to learn about getting the right exposure for black and white subjects in sunny conditions or on cloudy or snowy days, the best lenses for eagle photography in Homer, creating pleasing blurs, basic and advanced composition, and tons more in this free video. Click on the little broken white square lower right next to YouTube to view the video full screen. Hit Escape to exit full screen. Enjoy!
Florida Learning Opportunities
DeSoto Last-second 2-DAY IPT. Afternoon session on TUES FEB 11th through the morning session on Thursday FEB 13, 2020. 2 DAYS (2 half and one full): $1099.00. Limit 3/Openings 2.
On the last morning, there might be an option to do the super-tame American White Pelicans in Lakeland. Working brunch (included) with image review on WED and THURS. The tides are perfect and the long-range weather forecast looks pretty good FWIW 🙂
If you would like to join us, please get in touch immediately either via e-mail or by cell phone: 863-221-2372.
Morning In-the-Field Session: Thursday FEB 13, 2020
Join me at DeSoto or in Lakeland to photograph tame American White Pelicans and lots more; right now the location is your call. Morning session (6:30-9:30am) plus a working brunch: $250.00.
IPT Updates
The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPTs:
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00 (Please e-mail for late-registration discount info). Limit 5 photographers/Openings:2.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Sold out.
The 2020 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — MAR 19 thru the morning session 22 MAR 2020: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Sold out
The GALAPAGOS Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT/The Complete Galapagos Archipelago Photographic Experience. August 17-31, 2021 on the boat. 13 FULL and two half-days of photography: $14,999.00. Limit: 12 photographers/Openings: 6.
San Diego II Picking Your Keepers Instructional Video
San Diego II Picking Your Keepers Instructional Video
$20 via electronic download. Order your copy from the BAA Online Store by clicking here.
Today’s featured image was a keeper in the San Diego II folder. In this one hour, sixteen-minute Capture One screen capture video, sit beside me as I pick my keepers from an almost 800-image folder entitled San Diego II. Learn what makes one image better than other very similar ones. Learn the minutiae of head angle and light angle and the compositional fine points (including the importance of using diagonal lines to your images) that make one image a keeper and others in the series insta-deletes. Learn more about wing positions and flight poses and tons more. In the video, I comment on my image optimization plans for many images and throw in some in-the-field and capture tips as well. With today’s digital camera bodies offering superb autofocus accuracy, fast frame rates, and often ridiculously large image files, learning to edit (pick your keepers) tightly is an important skill to develop.
The editing teaser was done in Photo Mechanic, the main video in Capture One. But it does not matter whether you use one of those programs or Bridge in Photoshop or Lightroom to pick your keepers; it is the principles that are involved in making each keep-or-reject decision that will prove to be invaluable.
During IPTs, editing sessions like the one in the video are extremely popular; everyone always learns a ton — why didn’t I see that? — and folks often clamor for more.
$20 via electronic download. Order your copy from the BAA Online Store by clicking here.
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 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 many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the 5Ds and 5Ds R, the old Canon 500mm, the EOS-7D, the Canon 200-400 with internal extender, 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. 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 …
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.
New Listings
Canon EOS 7D Mark II dSLR
Kenneth Fraser is offering a Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $647.00. The sale includes one battery, the charger, the front lens cap, the strap, the original product box,, and insured ground shipping via Fed-Ex or UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Kenneth via e-mail or by phone at 336-288-9025 (Eastern time zone).
Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II until about four years ago when we both committed to using full-frame Canon bodies. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. One thing is for sure: the 7D Mark II is the greatest value ever in a digital camera body. artie
Canon 100-400 L IS II Lens
Kenneth Fraser is also offering a Canon 100-400 L IS II lens in near-mint condition for $1099.00. The sale includes the front lens cap, the tough fabric carrying case, the hood, the original product box, and insured ground shipping via Fed-Ex or UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Kenneth via e-mail or by phone at 336-288-9025 (Eastern time zone).
This incredibly versatile lens with its .98 meter close focus, was my favorite Canon lens. artie
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Lens
Karl Schneck is offering a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Lens in excellent plus condition for a very low $5399.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the original tough front lens cover, the lens strap, a LensCoat, 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.
The 600 II has been the state of the art super-telephoto for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many years. When I was using Canon and could get it to my location, it was always 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 an incredible $6100 by grabbing Karl’s lens today. artie
Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II Lens
Karl Schneck is also offering a Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II in excellent plus condition for a very low $3799.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the original tough front lens cover, the lens strap, a LensCoat, 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.
I owned and used and loved the 400 DO II when I shot with Canon and found a way to take it on most trips. I took it to Scotland and Nickerson Beach and San Diego. It served me well as my (lighter!) big gun several Galapagos and Southern Ocean (the Falklands and South Georgia) trips. It is a killer for flight photography with or without the 1.4X III TC. It is razor-sharp with the 2X on static subjects and skilled folks have had amazing success hand holding it with the 2X III TC for flight and for action. artie
Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (teleconverter)
Sold on the first day of listing
Barry McKenzie is offering a Canon 1.4X III TC in very good condition with a single “ding” for a very low $160.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, 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.
As regular readers know, I depended so much on TCs when I shot Canon that I always traveled with two spare 1.4Xes and one spare 2X TC. artie
Canon Extender EF 2X III (teleconverter)
Barry McKenzie is also offering a Canon 2X III TC in excellent plus condition for a very low $219.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the lens pouch, the original 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.
As regular readers know, I depended so much on TCs when I shot Canon that I always traveled with two spare 1.4Xes and one spare 2X TC. artie
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon EF)
Barry McKenzie is also offering a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon E in like-new condition for a very low $449.00. The sale includes the hood, the rear cap, the front lens cap, the original, the soft case, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Photos available on request. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
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. Wide-to-normal zoom is designed for APS-C-format Canon EF-mount cameras likee the 7D Mark II and provides a 28.8-56mm equivalent focal length range. The impressively bright constant f/1.8 maximum aperture is well-suited for working in low-light conditions and also provides greater control over the focus position when using shallow depth of field techniques. Five Special Low Dispersion (SLD) elements are featured in the optical design and help to reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations for improved clarity and color accuracy.Four aspherical elements are used to help limit distortion and spherical aberrations and also contribute to greater overall sharpness and accurate rendering. A Super Multi-Layer Coating has been applied to lens elements in order to minimize lens flare and ghosting and contribute to producing contrast-rich and color-neutral imagery, even in backlit conditions. Integrated HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), along with an internal focusing system, realizes quick and quiet autofocus, which is further complemented by an optimized AF algorithm to produce smoother focusing performance. The HSM also permits full-time manual focus control simply by rotating the focus ring at any time.The rounded nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a smooth and pleasing bokeh quality. Constructed using a Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material for greater precision and use in wide temperature variations. Additionally, a brass bayonet affords improved mounting accuracy and rigidity.. B&H
This high-quality landscape lens sells for $639.00; you can save a handsome $190.00 by grabbing Barry’s lens ASAP. artie
Canon EOS 7D Mark II dSLR
Paul Abravaya is offering a Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera in like-new condition for a very low $650.00. The camera has < 20,000 actuations (rated at 200,000 actuations). It recently underwent a clean and check at CPS. The sale includes the original product box and evereything that came in it: one battery, the charger, the front lens cap, the strap, the user manuals and sooftwre, and insured ground shipping via Fed-Ex or UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Paul via e-mail.
Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II until about four years ago when we both committed to using full-frame Canon bodies. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. One thing is for sure: the 7D Mark II is the greatest value ever in a digital camera body. artie
An All-Time Bargain!
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM Lens
Price dropped $600 on 6 FEB 2020!
Paul Mckenzie is offering a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens in mint condition (but for a very few minor blemishes on the lens hood) for the BAA record-low-by-far price of 10,399.00 (was $10,999.00). The sale includes the lens hood, the front lens cover, the rear cap, the original product box, the instruction manual, the warranty card, the strap, and insured shipping via FedEx. The sale does not include the LS600 soft case. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
The 600 III is the latest Canon version of my favorite weapon of mass destruction for bird photography. With its super balance, light weight, incredible sharpness, and a five-stop Image Stabilization system, the 600 III is a technological marvel. The lens tips the scale at a relatively svelte 6.71 lb — about one ounce heavier than the SONY 600mm f/4GM OSS lens. It is a fraction under two pounds lighter than the Canon 600 II. Thus, it is eminently hand-holdable for many folks. As this lens sells new for $12,999.00, you can save a neat $2600.00 by being the one to grab Paul’s pretty much new lens. This lens is super-sharp with either TC, one of the great advantages of Canon over Nikon … artie
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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.
This image was created on yet another “flying circus” afternoon, January 15, 2020. I used the Induro GIT 304L/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body) that features incredibly accurate AF. ISO 2000. Exposure determined by Zebras: 1/2000 sec. at f/4.5 in Manual mode. AWB at 4:33pm on a cloudy afternooon.
Center Zone Continuous (C) AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper version.
Image #1: Brown Pelican flying low over rocks
What’s Not to Love?
There are many things that I like about this image.
1- The painterly look.
2- The soft light and the color palette.
3- The dorsal view of the pelican (aka, “top shot.”)
4- The way the crop framed the seaweed-covered rocks (especially in the upper right corner).
5- The two different tones of green seaweed.
6- The mixture of aqua water and the breaking waves.
Did I leave anything out? Are there any negatives?
SONY Flight AF Against Backgrounds Other Than Sky
Shooting birds in flight against backgrounds other than skies with Canon and to a lesser degree with Nikon is often problematic as the AF point drops off the subject and grabs the background. Nikon does a lot better than Canon when birds are flying against backgrounds or trees or tall grasses or the ocean or rocks as in Image #1 above. SONY is 100% totally amazing. Once you have locked focus and the system is tracking, it never lets go, it never goes for the background. Keep reading for an astounding example of SONY flight AF in action.
This image was created on January 12, 2020. I used the Induro GIT 404/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and the blazingly fast Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body) that features incredibly accurate AF. AUTO ISO: 1600. Shutter Priority +1.7 stops/correct compensation determined by Zebras: 1/1000 sec. at f/8 in Shutter Priority mode with exposure compensation on the rear wheel. AWB at 7:14am on a mostly clear morning with the sun behind some thin clouds on the eastern horizon.
Image #2: Double-crested Cormorant pre-dawn flight behind a tree!
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
Bird Flying Behind a Tree!
This one stunned me. I was shooting flight in pre-dawn light at 1200mm when this cormorant flew directly behind a tree. Yes. At 1200mm. And yes, directly on the other side of the tree. The result? THe flying cormorant was sharp as the system continued to track it accurately even though it flew behind the tree. I know that this is hard to believe but I had seen it before.
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 🙂
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.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
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 :).
I have been doing my morning walk with my SONY 200-600 with the a9 ii in all conditions. On clousy days, I try for blurs. Whatever the weather, I strive to learn more about exposure and the various AF modes. Most days produce a very few keepers at most, but I am always learning something or at least trying.
Today was a strange weather day in central Florida. It began overcast with a pretty good south wind. By lunchtime, it was mostly sunny and very warm. The winds got stronger and stronger from the south. By the time I got into the pool at about 2:30pm, the wind was whistling through the pines that pretty much surround the pool. And the pool had warmed up to 78 degrees — a far cry from 65 degrees less than two weeks ago! I turned off the pool heater and then swam without my neoprene vest for the first time since last year. I was totally comfortable doing my 50 lengths.
Anybody want to go to Homer to photograph eagles cheaply? Please get in touch immediately either via e-mail or by cell phone: 863-221-2372.
Florida Learning Opportunities
Morning In-the-Field Session: Saturday FEB 8, 2020
Join me at Gatorland to photograph breeding plumage Great Egrets at point-blank range. Morning session (7-10am) plus a working brunch: $250.00. Right now the weather looks dead solid perfect for Saturday morning in Kissimmee.
If you would like to join me, please get in touch immediately either via e-mail or by cell phone: 863-221-2372.
DeSoto Last-second 2-DAY IPT. Afternoon session on TUES FEB 11th through the morning session on Thursday FEB 13, 2020. 2 DAYS (2 half and one full): $1099.00. Limit 3/Openings 2.
On the last morning, there might be an option to do the super-tame American White Pelicans in Lakeland. Working brunch (included) with image review on WED and THURS. The tides are perfect and the long-range weather forecast looks pretty good FWIW 🙂
If you would like to join us, please get in touch immediately either via e-mail or by cell phone: 863-221-2372.
Morning In-the-Field Session: Thursday FEB 13, 2020
Join me at DeSoto or in Lakeland to photograph tame American White Pelicans and lots more. Morning session (6:30-9:30am) plus a working brunch: $250.00.
San Diego II Picking Your Keepers Instructional Video
San Diego II Picking Your Keepers Instructional Video
$20 via electronic download. Order your copy from the BAA Online Store by clicking here.
In this one hour, sixteen-minute Capture One screen capture video, sit beside me as I pick my keepers from an almost 800-image folder entitled San Diego II. Learn what makes one image better than other very similar ones. Learn the minutiae of head angle and light angle and the compositional fine points (including the importance of using diagonal lines to your images) that make one image a keeper and others in the series insta-deletes. Learn more about wing positions and flight poses and tons more. In the video, I comment on my image optimization plans for many images and throw in some in-the-field and capture tips as well. With today’s digital camera bodies offering superb autofocus accuracy, fast frame rates, and often ridiculously large image files, learning to edit (pick your keepers) tightly is an important skill to develop.
The editing teaser is done in Photo Mechanic, the main video in Capture One. But it does not matter whether you use one of those programs or Bridge in Photoshop or Lightroom to pick your keepers; it is the principles that are involved in making each keep-or-reject decision that will prove to be invaluable.
During IPTs, editing sessions like the one in the video are extremely popular; everyone always learns a ton — why didn’t I see that? — and folks often clamor for more.
$20 via electronic download. Order your copy from the BAA Online Store by clicking here.
Price Drops
Canon EOS-1D X Professional Digital Camera Body with Extras!
Price dropped $100 on 6 FEB 2020!
Jim Lewis is offering a Canon EOS-1D X in near-mint condition with extras for a very low $1,795.00 (was $1,895.00). The sale includes the original box, the CD’s, the strap, the cables, the manual, the front body cap, the charger w/LPE4N battery and an extra Canon LPE4N battery, 2 Lexar 1066X CF cards (one 32GB & one 64GB), a Canon RS-80 N3 remote switch, 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.
Several rugged 1D X bodies served as my workhorse cameras for about four years. I made many hundreds of family jewels images in all types of weather all around the world. artie
Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Great Extras!
Price dropped $250 on 6 FEB 2020!
Jim Lewis is offering a Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital camera body in-near mint condition with some great extras for an incredibly low $449.00 (was $699.00). The sale includes the original box, the strap, the manual, the charger and battery, the VPB-XT2 Power Booster with 2 batteries (3 batteries total), the MHG-XT2 hand-grip, the RR-90 remote release, 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.
Offering a more conventional form factor and packing in UHD 4K video recording, FUJIFILM’s X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera certainly aims to fill the needs of many working professionals and serious amateurs. Equipped with a 24.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS III image sensor and the X-Processor Pro Engine, users will be able to capture finely detailed imagery quickly and with low noise at sensitivities up to ISO 51200. The powerful combination permits rapid image capture at up to 8 fps with full AF tracking or at up to 14 fps using the silent electronic shutter. In terms of AF, the X-T2 uses an Intelligent Hybrid system with 325 points that ensures accurate, fast tracking of subjects in all modes. B&H
Paul Mckenzie Canon Fire Sale Price Drops!
Good friend, the incredibly talented and oft-major contest honoree Paul Mckenzie, is switching to SONY and is selling all of his Canon gear. He lives in Hong Kong and will be shipping all purchased gear from there via Fed Ex. Due to the high cost of shipping, there is a minimum order of $700.00. In addition, the buyer will need to pay the wire transfer charges on their end; these should not exceed $40.00. To offset these restrictions, each item below is priced below fire-sale prices. I expected that most of these items wouoold be sold on the first day of listing, but that did not happen so Paul has dropped most of the prices. As Paul travels a lot both for business and photography, shipping may be delayed somewhat.
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM Lens
Price dropped $600 on 6 FEB 2020!
Paul Mckenzie is offering a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens in mint condition (but for a very few minor blemishes on the lens hood) for the BAA record-low-by-far price of 10,399.00 (was $10,999.00). The sale includes the lens hood, the front lens cover, the rear cap, the original product box, the instruction manual, the warranty card, the strap, and insured shipping via FedEx. The sale does not include the LS600 soft case. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
The 600 III is the latest Canon version of my favorite weapon of mass destruction for bird photography. With its super balance, light weight, incredible sharpness, and a five-stop Image Stabilization system, the 600 III is a technological marvel. The lens tips the scale at a relatively svelte 6.71 lb — about one ounce heavier than the SONY 600mm f/4GM OSS lens. It is a fraction under two pounds lighter than the Canon 600 II. Thus, it is eminently hand-holdable for many folks. As this lens sells new for $12,999.00, you can save a neat $2600.00 by being the one to grab Paul’s pretty much new lens. This lens is super-sharp with either TC, one of the great advantages of Canon over Nikon … artie
Canon EF 100-400mm L IS II USM Zoom Lens
Sold on 5 FEB 2020
Paul Mckenzie is offering a Canon EF 100-400mm L IS II USM Zoom lens in very good plus condition for $999.00. The sale includes the lens hood, the soft carrying case, and insured shipping via FedEx. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
This incredibly versatile lens with its .98 meter close focus, was my favorite Canon lens. artie
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II dSLR
Sold on 9 FEB 2020
Paul Mckenzie is offering a Canon EOS-1D X Mark II dSLR in very good condition with 95,000 actuations for the very low price of $2499.00 (was $2,899.00). The sale includes one battery, the charger, a high-speed SanDisk 128GB Extreme Pro CF card (515 MB/s), a high-speed San Disk, the Canon remote switch (RS-80N3), and insured shipping via FedEx. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
The fast, rugged, 1DX Mark II is Canon’s flagship professional digital camera body. artie
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens
Sold on 9 FEB 2020
Paul Mckenzie is offering a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM lens in good plus condition for an amazingly low $1,099.00 (was $1,499.00). The lens shows lots of evidence of being used but well cared for as the front element is pristine. The sale includes the lens hood, the lens trunk, and insured shipping via FedEx. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
This the sharpest Canon lens I have ever used; I made many award-winning and best-selling images with it.
The 300 f/2.8 lenses have long been the favorites of the world’s best hawks-in-flight photographers. They perform superbly with both teleconverters. artie
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens
Paul Mckenzie is offering a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens in good plus condition for $700.00. This lens, the first IS version, shows lots of wear but the front element is perfectly clean. The sale includes the lens hood, the soft carrying case, and insured shipping via FedEx. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
The 70-200 f/2.8 lenses are extremely versatile. I have a hundred uses for mine including bird-scapes, scenics, and dance recitals! They perform superbly with both teleconverters. artie
Canon EOS 5DS R dSLR
Sold on 9 FEB 2020
Paul Mckenzie is offering a Canon EOS 5DS R dSLR in very good condition for only $799.00 (was $999.00). The sale includes one battery, the charger, a high-speed SanDisk 128GB Extreme Pro CF card (515 MB/s), a high-speed San Disk, the Canon remote switch (RS-80N3), and insured shipping via FedEx. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
With the customary low-pass filter neutralized, my 5DS R produced some of the most amazingly detailed images I have ever created. With any system. And I made some great flight shots with mine as well. As this lens sells new for $3,699.00 it represents an amazing buy. artie
Canon EF Extenders (teleconverters) 1.4X III and 2X III
Sold on 6 FEB 2020
Paul Mckenzie is offering these in excellent condition for $200 each with any purchase totaling $700.00 (including the TCs). The sale includes the soft lens pouch and insured shipping via FedEx. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
I am proud to announce the release of the San Diego II Picking Your Keepers Instructional Video. Play the video above (created in Photo Mechanic) to view the free teaser. Scroll down for complete details.
The pool was up to 73 degrees on Tuesday afternoon. The technician from Pool Works visited and quickly determined that the problem with the heater/chiller was with a faulty circuit breaker; that was the best possible outcome.
Please e-mail for Homer IPT late registration discount information.
DeSoto Last-second 2-DAY IPT
Afternoon session on TUES FEB 11th through the morning session on Thursday FEB 13, 2010. 2 DAYS (2 half and one full): $1099.00. Limit 3/Openings 2.
On the last morning, there might be an option to do the super-tame American White Pelicans in Lakeland. Working brunch (included) with image review on WED and THURS. The tides are perfect and the long-range weather forecast looks pretty good FWIW 🙂
If you would like to join us, please get in touch immediately either via e-mail or by cell phone: 863-221-2372.
Canon 600mm f/4L IS USM III Lens
IPT veteran Cris Hamilton is offering a Canon EF 600 f/4L IS III USM Lens in mint condition for $11,499.00. The sale includes the original shipping box and everything that came with the lens: the lens hood, the rear cap, the front lens cover, the soft case, the instruction manual, the warranty card, the lens strap, a Realtree LensCoat, 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 Cris via e-mail or by phone at 1-724-746-1954 (Eastern time zone).
The 600 III is the latest Canon version of my favorite weapon of mass destruction for bird photography. With its super balance, light weight, incredible sharpness, and a five-stop Image Stabilization system, the 600 III is a technological marvel. The lens tips the scale at a relatively svelte 6.71 lb — about one ounce heavier than the SONY 600mm f/4GM OSS lens. It is a fraction under two pounds lighter than the 600 II. Thus, it is eminently hand-holdable for many folks. As this lens sells new for $12,999.00, you can save a neat $1500.00 by being the one to grab Cris’s pretty much new lens right now. This lens is super-sharp with either TC, one of the great advantages of Canon over Nikon … artie
Image #1:Brown Pelican against dramatic BLACK-Ground
Creating Dramatic BLACK-Grounds
To create dramatic images like this, look for situations where the subject is in full sun with a dark background that is completely shaded. In most places, this is a difficult assignment. At La Jolla, it is easy to do on most sunny mornings if you know what to look for and where to look for them. The lower portions cliffs across the small bay are shaded for about 30 minutes after the sun hits the pelicans that are up top. At times, you may need to be 10-20 degrees off sun angle to make things work. Getting taller (often by getting closer) may be necessary to come up with a pleasing BLACK-Ground.
San Diego II Picking Your Keepers Instructional Video
San Diego II Picking Your Keepers Instructional Video
$20 via electronic download. Order your copy from the BAA Online Store by clicking here.
In this one hour, sixteen-minute Capture One screen capture video, sit beside me as I pick my keepers from an almost 800-image folder entitled San Diego II. Learn what makes one image better than other very similar ones. Learn the minutiae of head angle and light angle and the compositional fine points (including the importance of using diagonal lines to your images) that make one image a keeper and others in the series insta-deletes. Learn more about wing positions and flight poses and tons more. In the video, I comment on my image optimization plans for many images and throw in some in-the-field and capture tips as well. With today’s digital camera bodies offering superb autofocus accuracy, fast frame rates, and often ridiculously large image files, learning to edit (pick your keepers) tightly is an important skill to develop.
The editing teaser is done in Photo Mechanic, the main video in Capture One. But it does not matter whether you use one of those programs or Bridge in Photoshop or Lightroom to pick your keepers; it is the principles that are involved in making each keep-or-reject decision that will prove to be invaluable.
During IPTs, editing sessions like the one in the video are extremely popular; everyone always learns a ton — why didn’t I see that? — and folks often clamor for more.
$20 via electronic download. Order your copy from the BAA Online Store by clicking here.
The Homer Bald Eagle IPTs
Please e-mail for Homer IPT late registration discount information.
For the first trip only, I am offering a $500/person discount for those who sign up with a friend or spouse. You can access the complete trip offering here.
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 1.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Greg Ferguson:
I attended this IPT in 2011 and can only say it was the most intensive bird photography I have ever experienced. My arms were tired and sore from shooting so many action photos. It is highly recommended! I called Jim today and signed up for a reprise. Greg
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Dick Curtain:
I attended the Homer IPT in the past and can only say it was a great experience. Many eagles, beautiful scenery, great instruction, and many fond memories. Don’t miss it.
IPT Updates
The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPTs:
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00 (Price reduced to $3999.00!). Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 1.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2
The 2020 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — MAR 19 thru the morning session 22 MAR 2020: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Sold out
The GALAPAGOS Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT/The Complete Galapagos Archipelago Photographic Experience. August 17-31, 2021 on the boat. 13 FULL and two half-days of photography: $14,999.00. Limit: 12 photographers/Openings: 6.
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 🙂
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.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
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 :).
In yesterday’s Image-Difficulty Multiple Choice Quiz blog post here, several folks have played, but so far no right answer. Give it a try — you will likley learn something 🙂
Please e-mail for Homer IPT late registration discount information.
DeSoto Last-second 2-DAY IPT
Afternoon session on TUES FEB 11th through the morning session on Thursday FEB 13, 2010. 2 DAYS (2 half and one full): $1099.00. Limit 3/Openings 2.
On the last morning, there might be an option to do the super-tame American White Pelicans in Lakeland. Working brunch (included) with image review on WED and THURS. The tides are perfect and the long-range weather forecast looks pretty good FWIW 🙂
If you would like to join us, please get in touch immediately either via e-mail or by cell phone: 863-221-2372.
SONY Camera User’s Video & e-Guide co-authors artie and Patrick Sparkman outside of Cafe Vahik in La Jolla.
I-phone image courtesy of and copyright 2010: Cliff Oliver
The SONY Camera User’s Video & e-Guide
As noted here previously, we wound up doing a separate video for the a9, the a9 ii, the 7R iii, and the 7r iv. Yesterday Patrick sent me the first finished video, the one for the a9. It is quite excellent. I have begun working on the text and galleries portions of the SONY User’s e-Guide that will be included with one or more video purchases. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel …
I had a tasty, healthy brunch at Cafe Vahik every morning that I photographed the pelicans at La Jolla.
The comprehensive SONY Camera Body User’s Guides should be ready before the end of January. For those who have not used a BAA B&H or the Bedford’s BIRDS AS ART discount code at checkout it will be priced oppressively. That means that it will be outrageously expensive. Folks who purchased their gear using my B&H affiliate links or through Steve Elkins at Bedford Camera will receive a very generous discount. The size of the discount will be dependent on what you bought. As regular readers know, I put a tremendous amount of work into the blog and using the BAA Online Store and/or my affiliate links is the very best way to thank me and is greatly appreciated. In addition, using the links often earns you free guides and videos or substantial discounts.
The Homer Bald Eagle IPTs
Please e-mail for Homer IPT late registration discount information.
For the first trip only, I am offering a $500/person discount for those who sign up with a friend or spouse. You can access the complete trip offering here.
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 1.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Greg Ferguson:
I attended this IPT in 2011 and can only say it was the most intensive bird photography I have ever experienced. My arms were tired and sore from shooting so many action photos. It is highly recommended! I called Jim today and signed up for a reprise. Greg
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Dick Curtain:
I attended the Homer IPT in the past and can only say it was a great experience. Many eagles, beautiful scenery, great instruction, and many fond memories. Don’t miss it.
IPT Updates
The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPTs:
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00 (Price reduced to $3999.00!). Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 1.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2
The 2020 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — MAR 19 thru the morning session 22 MAR 2020: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Sold out
The GALAPAGOS Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT/The Complete Galapagos Archipelago Photographic Experience. August 17-31, 2021 on the boat. 13 FULL and two half-days of photography: $14,999.00. Limit: 12 photographers/Openings: 6.
Coming Soon
BAA will be releasing a one hour, sixteen-minute screen capture video in Wednesday’s blog post. Watch me pick my keepers from an almost 800-image folder entitled San Diego II. Learn what makes one image better than very similar ones. Learn the minutiae of head and light angles, compositional fine points including the importance of adding diagonal lines to your images, more on wing positions and flight poses, my image optimization plans for many images, and tons more. With today’s digital camera bodies offering superb AF accuracy, fast frame rates, and often ridiculously large image files, learning to edit (pick your keepers) tightly is an important skill to develop.
By the time the game began, I realized that I wanted the Chiefs to win. With just over 7 minutes left in the game Kansas City’s chance of winning was 4%. I had just about given up hope when the Mahomes’ magic began. The final score of Chiefs: 31, 49ers: 20 did not indicate that San Francisco outplayed KC for much of the game. Patrick Mahomes was named MVP of the Super Bowl LIV and I went to bed happy.
The pool was up to a balmy 71 degrees on Sunday afternoon for my slow 50-length swim; 88 lengths to the mile. On Monday morning steam was rising from the pool as the sun came up. This afternoon’s swim will be a very cold one …
Please get in touch via e-mail or cell (863-221-2372) if a trip to Homer to photograph Bald Eagles at point-blank range is on your bucket list.
Coming Soon
We will be releasing a one hour, sixteen-minute screen capture video in Wednesday’s blog post. Watch me pick my keepers from an almost 800-image folder entitled San Diego II. Learn what makes one image better than a very similar one. Learn the minutiae of head and light angles, compositional fine points including the importance of adding diagonal lines to your images, more on wing positions and flight poses, my image optimization plans for many images, and tons more. With today’s digital camera bodies offering superb AF accuracy, fast frame rates, and often ridiculously large image files, learning to edit (pick your keepers) tightly is an important skill to develop.
The Homer Bald Eagle IPTs
For the first trip only, I am offering a $500/person discount for those who sign up with a friend or spouse. You can access the complete trip offering here.
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 1.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Greg Ferguson:
I attended this IPT in 2011 and can only say it was the most intensive bird photography I have ever experienced. My arms were tired and sore from shooting so many action photos. It is highly recommended! I called Jim today and signed up for a reprise. Greg
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Dick Curtain:
I attended the Homer IPT in the past and can only say it was a great experience. Many eagles, beautiful scenery, great instruction, and many fond memories. Don’t miss it.
IPT Updates
The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPTs:
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00 (Price reduced to $3999.00!). Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 1.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2
The 2020 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — MAR 19 thru the morning session 22 MAR 2020: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Sold out
The GALAPAGOS Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT/The Complete Galapagos Archipelago Photographic Experience. August 17-31, 2021 on the boat. 13 FULL and two half-days of photography: $14,999.00. Limit: 12 photographers/Openings: 6.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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.
This image was created on January 10, 2020 at La Jolla, CA. Again, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 397mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 640. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/320 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 10:55am on a cloudy morning.
Upper Right Zone Continuous (C) AF got the job done.
Click to enlarge and enjoy a slightly larger version.
Brown Pelican start of wing stretch
What Factors Made Creating This Image Quite Difficult?
A- Getting the framing right
B- Getting the right exposure
C- Getting both eyes visible and relatively sharp
D- A & B
E- A & C
F- A, B, & C
The correct answer, as I see it, will be posted here in a few days at most.
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 🙂
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.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
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 :).
Well, today is Super Bowl Day. As two of my three favorite teams this year (San Fran, the Chiefs, and the Saints — and not including the hapless Giants) are in the game, I am not sure who to root for. I am hoping for an exciting, high scoring game that goes down to the final whistle. If you twisted my arm I would have to say that I am partial to Kansas City …
Paul Mckenzie Canon Fire Sale
Good friend, the incredibly talented and oft-honored Paul Mckenzie, is switching to SONY and is selling all of his Canon gear. He lives in Hong Kong and will be shipping all purchased gear from there via Fed Ex. Due to the high cost of shipping, there is a minimum order of $700.00. In addition, the buyer will need to pay the wire transfer charges on their end; these should not exceed $40.00. To offset these restrictions, each item below is priced below fire-sale prices. I expect that most of these items to be sold on the first day of listing, so please do not tarry. As Paul travels a lot both for business and photography, shipping may be delayed somewhat, He will, however, be able to ship all quick sales between February 6-10 (2020).
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM Lens
Price dropped $600 on 6 FEB 2020!
Paul Mckenzie is offering a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens in mint condition (but for a very few minor blemishes on the lens hood) for the BAA record-low-by-far price of 10,399.00 (was $10,999.00). The sale includes the lens hood, the front lens cover, the rear cap, the original product box, the instruction manual, the warranty card, the strap, and insured shipping via FedEx. The sale does not include the LS600 soft case. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
The 600 III is the latest Canon version of my favorite weapon of mass destruction for bird photography. With its super balance, light weight, incredible sharpness, and a five-stop Image Stabilization system, the 600 III is a technological marvel. The lens tips the scale at a relatively svelte 6.71 lb — about one ounce heavier than the SONY 600mm f/4GM OSS lens. It is a fraction under two pounds lighter than the Canon 600 II. Thus, it is eminently hand-holdable for many folks. As this lens sells new for $12,999.00, you can save a neat $2600.00 by being the one to grab Paul’s pretty much new lens. This lens is super-sharp with either TC, one of the great advantages of Canon over Nikon … artie
Canon EF 100-400mm L IS II USM Zoom Lens
Paul Mckenzie is offering a Canon EF 100-400mm L IS II USM Zoom lens in very good plus condition for $999.00. The sale includes the lens hood, the soft carrying case, and insured shipping via FedEx. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
This incredibly versatile lens with its .98 meter close focus, was my favorite Canon lens. artie
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II dSLR
Price dropped $400 on 6 FEB 2020!
Paul Mckenzie is offering a Canon EOS-1D X Mark II dSLR in very good condition with 95,000 actuations for the very low price of $2499.00 (was $2,899.00). The sale includes one battery, the charger, a high-speed SanDisk 128GB Extreme Pro CF card (515 MB/s), a high-speed San Disk, the Canon remote switch (RS-80N3), and insured shipping via FedEx. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
The fast, rugged, 1DX Mark II is Canon’s flagship professional digital camera body. artie
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens
Price dropped $400 on 6 FEB 2020!
Paul Mckenzie is offering a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM lens in good plus condition for an amazingly low $1,099.00 (was $1,499.00). The lens shows lots of evidence of being used but well cared for as the front element is pristine. The sale includes the lens hood, the lens trunk, and insured shipping via FedEx. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
This the sharpest Canon lens I have ever used; I made many award-winning and best-selling images with it.
The 300 f/2.8 lenses have long been the favorites of the world’s best hawks-in-flight photographers. They perform superbly with both teleconverters. artie
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens
Paul Mckenzie is offering a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens in good plus condition for $700.00. This lens, the first IS version, shows lots of wear but the front element is perfectly clean. The sale includes the lens hood, the soft carrying case, and insured shipping via FedEx. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
The 70-200 f/2.8 lenses are extremely versatile. I have a hundred uses for mine including bird-scapes, scenics, and dance recitals! They perform superbly with both teleconverters. artie
Canon EOS 5DS R dSLR
Price dropped $200 on 6 FEB 2020!
Paul Mckenzie is offering a Canon EOS 5DS R dSLR in very good condition for only $799.00 (was $999.00). The sale includes one battery, the charger, a high-speed SanDisk 128GB Extreme Pro CF card (515 MB/s), a high-speed San Disk, the Canon remote switch (RS-80N3), and insured shipping via FedEx. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
With the customary low-pass filter neutralized, my 5DS R produced some of the most amazingly detailed images I have ever created. With any system. And I made some great flight shots with mine as well. As this lens sells new for $3,699.00 it represents an amazing buy. artie
Canon EF Extenders (teleconverters) 1.4X III and 2X III
Paul Mckenzie is offering these in excellent condition for $200 each with any purchase totaling $700.00 (including the TCs). The sale includes the soft lens pouch and insured shipping via FedEx. Your item will ship upon receipt of your wire transfer. All sales are subject to the restrictions noted above.
It’s been dark here for a few days and it was drizzling this morning when I awoke. That after eleven hours of great sleep with only two pit stops, almost surely a record for the last four decades … I am finished watching all ten NFL playoff games on Tivo — I only knew the results of two of the games — and about 20 episodes of Sports Center at Midnight with Scott Van Pelt. If I can finish 19 episodes of Pardon the Interruption before 6:30pm on Sunday, I will be all ready to watch the Super Bowl tomorrow. Who are you rooting for? Why? My answer soon.
If you have any interest at all in joining one of the Homer Bald Eagle IPTs, please contact me immediately via e-mail or try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. There is just one slot left on the second trip, two on the first.
The Homer Bald Eagle IPTs
For the first trip only, I am offering a $500/person discount for those who sign up with a friend or spouse. You can access the complete trip offering here.
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 1.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Greg Ferguson:
I attended this IPT in 2011 and can only say it was the most intensive bird photography I have ever experienced. My arms were tired and sore from shooting so many action photos. It is highly recommended! I called Jim today and signed up for a reprise. Greg
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Dick Curtain:
I attended the Homer IPT in the past and can only say it was a great experience. Many eagles, beautiful scenery, great instruction, and many fond memories. Don’t miss it.
IPT Updates
The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPTs:
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00 (Price reduced to $3999.00!). Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 1.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2
The 2020 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — MAR 19 thru the morning session 22 MAR 2020: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Sold out
The GALAPAGOS Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT/The Complete Galapagos Archipelago Photographic Experience. August 17-31, 2021 on the boat. 13 FULL and two half-days of photography: $14,999.00. Limit: 12 photographers/Openings: 6.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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.
This image was created on January 21, 2020, our last morning at Morro Bay, CA. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 433mm) with the blazingly fast and almost-always-accurate AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 1600. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1600 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:26am on a partly cloudy morning.
Center Zone Continuous/tracking (C) AF.
Click to enlarge and enjoy the larger version.
Image A, the optimized image for Long-billed Curlew taking flight
The Optimized Image
In the Photoshop Hanky-Panky Question … blog post here, I wrote, If you are sure that you see evidence that I did something fairly major in Photoshop to the image above, please leave a comment and state your case clearly. Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t …
This image was also created on January 21, 2020 a fraction of a second before the image that opened this blog post. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (again at 433mm) with the blazingly fast and almost-always-accurate AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 1600. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1600 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:26am on a partly cloudy morning.
Center Zone Continuous/tracking (C) AF.
Click to enlarge and see the relatively crispy eye-skins and the sharp face.
Image B, a Capture One screen capture of Long-billed Curlew crouching before taking flight
The Frame Before …
The wave broke and the bird crouched to take off. I framed the shot, acquired focus, and pressed the shutter button. Note that as the bird had not yet launched when I made this image that the face is sharp and that you can see the crispy eye-skins. Read on to see what happened next.
This is the RAW file for the optimized image that opens this blog post.
Center Zone Continuous/tracking (C) AF.
Click to see that the face is not sharp.
Image C, the Capture One screen capture of the original RAW file of Image A.
The RAW File for the Optimized Image
As the bird took flight I panned right and fired off only a single frame (before the bird left the frame). That brings to mind something I say often on IPTs, universal advice for better flight photography: pan faster! And this one would also have helped: universal advice for better flight and action photography with a zoom lens: zoom wider!
IAC, I was dismayed to see that in the far more dynamic second image, the eye was not sharp.
The eye and face were likely not sharp due to a combination of factors:
1- I jerked the lens to try to keep up with the bird. AKA operator-error. Had I been able to pan smoothly, the image would surely have been sharper on the face and eye.
2- There was some motion blur involved as the shutter speed was a bit too slow to match the speed of the departing bird.
3- It is possible that the AF system of the a9 II was unable to keep up with the bird as it blasted off.
Saving the More Dramatic Image with a Quick Mask
Since I had one sharp face (Image B) and one soft face (Image C) the solution to me was obvious. After converting both images in Capture One, I brought them into Photoshop and painted a Quick Mask of the face of the bird in Image B, placed it on its own layer, and used the Move Tool (V) to bring the image roughly into place atop Image C. By reducing the opacity of the face layer I was able to position it much more accurately. Since the replacement face was slightly smaller than the original face, I needed to use the Transform Tool to resize the new face. While still in Transform mode, I Rotated and Warped the face layer for a pretty much perfect match of the feathers surrounding the eye. All of that as detailed in APTATS I & II. Lastly, I added a Regular Layer Mask to the face layer and feathered the edges with a soft, 50% opacity brush.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a Paypal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
Everything mentioned above (except for Capture One RAW conversions) and tons more — including all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — is covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my Macbook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: all of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.
You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About two years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One Pro 12 and continue to do so today.
You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair. Folks can learn sophisticated sharpening and (NeatImage) Noise Reduction techniques in The Professional Post Processing Guide by Arash Hazeghi and edited by yours truly. Please use this link to purchase NeatImage.
To introduce folks to our MP.4 videos and the basics involved in applying more NeatImage noise reduction to the background and less on the subject, I’d be glad to send you a free copy of the Free Noise Reduction Basics MP.4 Video. Simply click to shoot me an e-mail to get your free copy.
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 🙂
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.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
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 :).
Homer is nearly sold out. First-time John Koeniger left his deposit for the 2nd trip this morning. The other six registrants are IPT veterans. Thanks about that for a moment … So there is just one slot left on the second trip, two on the first. If you would like to make this happen for you, please contact me immediately via e-mail or try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. The pool is up to 70 degrees!
Homer Bald Eagle Photography Lessons
Click on the play triangle to learn about getting the right exposure for black and white subjects in sun or on cloudy or snowy days, the best lenses for eagle photography in Homer, creating pleasing blurs, basic and advanced composition, and tons more in this free video. Click on the little broken white square lower right next to YouTube to view the video full screen. Hit Escape to exit full screen. Enjoy!
This image was made with the hand held Canon Lens 100-400mm IS lens (at 300mm). ISO 400: 1/1000 sec.at f/6.3.
If you missed the Homer IPTs announcement (there are two separate trips), or if you are thinking of attending, be sure to see the complete offering here.
Image #33: Bald Eagle on final approach
More On Homer
For the first trip only, I am offering a $500/person discount for those who sign up with a friend or spouse. You can access the complete trip offering here.
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Greg Ferguson:
I attended this IPT in 2011 and can only say it was the most intensive bird photography I have ever experienced. My arms were tired and sore from shooting so many action photos. It is highly recommended! I called Jim today and signed up for a reprise. Greg
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Dick Curtain:
I attended the Homer IPT in the past and can only say it was a great experience. Many eagles, beautiful scenery, great instruction, and many fond memories. Don’t miss it.
IPT Updates
The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPTs:
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00 (Price reduced to $3999.00!). Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 1.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2
The 2020 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — MAR 19 thru the morning session 22 MAR 2020: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Sold out
As much as I love California, it feels great to be home. I swam for the first time in three-plus weeks on Tuesday; the pool was 67 degrees and I was shaking and shivering when I got out after my slow half-mile swim. On Wednesday, the pool was up to a balmy 69 degrees. I’ve been walking every morning and doing a series of shoulder and core exercises most afternoons. I’ve been off insulin for three months and with the keto diet and the intermittent fasting program, I am looking forward to learning the results of my next a1c test in mid-February. I weighed 173 pounds this morning, down from my whoa-you-better-get-back-on-the-wagon weight of 188 1/2 about a year ago. No worries — I have been losing very slowly.
I was glad to learn that the Spoonbill Boat IPT sold out rather quickly. I was also glad to learn that IPT veteran Steve Leimberg sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II Lens in near-mint condition for a BAA Record-low $5400.00 (was $5,989.00) and that Jerry Barrack sold his Sigma APO Macro 180mm 1:3.5 HSM IF lens in near-mint condition for a silly-low $199.00 (was $299.00), both in mid-January.
Homer Bald Eagle Photography Lessons
Click on the play triangle to learn about getting the right exposure for black and white subjects in sun or on cloudy or snowy days, the best lenses for eagle photography in Homer, creating pleasing blurs, basic and advanced composition, and tons more in this free video. Click on the little broken white square lower right next to YouTube to view the video full screen. Hit Escape to exit full screen. Enjoy!
This image was made with the tripod-mounted Canon Lens 500mm f/4L IS lens. ISO 250: 1/2000 sec.at f/5.6.
If you missed the Homer IPTs announcement (there are two separate trips), or if you are thinking of attending, be sure to see the complete offering here.
Image #33: Bald Eagle landing
More On Homer
For the first trip only, I am offering a $500/person discount for those who sign up with a friend or spouse. You can access the complete trip offering here.
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Greg Ferguson:
I attended this IPT in 2011 and can only say it was the most intensive bird photography I have ever experienced. My arms were tired and sore from shooting so many action photos. It is highly recommended! I called Jim today and signed up for a reprise. Greg
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Dick Curtain:
I attended the Homer IPT in the past and can only say it was a great experience. Many eagles, beautiful scenery, great instruction, and many fond memories. Don’t miss it.
IPT Updates
The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPTs:
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00 (Price reduced to $3999.00!). Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2
The 2020 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — MAR 19 thru the morning session 22 MAR 2020: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Sold out
The GALAPAGOS Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT/The Complete Galapagos Archipelago Photographic Experience. August 17-31, 2021 on the boat. 13 FULL and two half-days of photography: $14,999.00. Limit: 12 photographers/Openings: 6.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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.
This image was created on the 2020 San Diego IPT on January 12, 2020 (by me).
Image #1: Photo Mechanic screen capture of A Great Splash as the Wood Duck headed for an oak tree to gather acorns!
Image copyright 2020: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
My Best Effort …
As mentioned here previously, January 12, 2020 was only the second time that I had seen the Wood Ducks blasting out of the water to land in an oak tree and forage for acorns. On both occasions, others got the shoot while I failed. At the least, once I saw what was going on I should have removed the teleconverter. When folks comment (often) that I have a great lens and a great camera, I usually respond by saying that it’s not lens and it’s not the camera, pointing to my chest, then my head, and then my eyes: it’s about the heart and desire, the practiced skills, and the vision of the person holding the rig.
But there are other factors. I write here often that I am not a very good flight photographer. Many folks scoff at that. But because of previously lacking and now deteriorating strength, stamina, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills, the fact is that I am not a very good flight photographer. Kudos to Terry and Luis for getting the shot in a difficult situation.
The two things that I love most about Luis’s image are the water dripping off the bird’s feet and the spectacular view of the evenly lit underwings.
Your Call?
Which of today’s two featured images is the strongest? Please leave a comment with your chooice and the reasons behind it.
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 🙂
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.
Facebook
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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 :).
On a cloudy Sunday morning, Patrick and I enjoyed another great session with San Diego’s tame, beautiful pelicans. I left the 600 in the car and went with the 70-200 f/2.8 GM lens mostly with the 1.4X TC and the a9 II and the 200-600 with the a7 R iv. I have ordered a second a9 ii and a back-up 1.4X teleconverter for Homer. I still have room for you on this great trip.
On Sunday afternoon, Patrick and I spent more than five hours creating four SONY Set-up Videos, one each for the a9, the a9 ii, the a7R iii, and the a7R IV. As you might have suspected, we ran into some technical difficulties to go along with a bit of operator error 🙂 Patrick did the voice-over for the a9 and the a7R ii and I did them for the a9 ii and the a7R iv. Each video, however, includes some interesting dialogue on several salient points. I imagine that it will take Patrick a week or two to get the videos ready for publication.
After creating a great product-shot set to shoot the backs of the cameras for the four guides, Patrick brilliantly figured out a way to shoot an educational Zebras video using actual photographs. He is one smart dude. In the meantime, I will begin working on the illustrated AF and odds and ends text portions of the guide.
My flights to Houston and Orlando were easy-peasy on Southwest. My bags came out quickly. Jim picked me up right on the money at Door 13. After a quick dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse we headed home and arrived safely at 9:15pm.
Homer Bald Eagle Photography Lessons
Click on the play triangle to learn about getting the right exposure for black and white subjects in sun or on cloudy or snowy days, the best lenses for eagle photography in Homer, creating pleasing blurs, basic and advanced composition, and tons more in this free video. Click on the little broken white square lower right next to YouTube to view the video full screen. Hit Escape to exit full screen. Enjoy!
This image was made with a Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS lens and the EOS-1D Mark II. ISO 400: 1/1000 sec. at f/4.
If you missed the Homer IPTs announcement (there are two separate trips), or if you are thinking of attending, be sure to see the complete offering here.
Image #32: Bald Eagles: No Room on the Ice
More On Homer
For the first trip only, I am offering a $500/person discount for those who sign up with a friend or spouse. You can access the complete trip offering here.
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Greg Ferguson:
I attended this IPT in 2011 and can only say it was the most intensive bird photography I have ever experienced. My arms were tired and sore from shooting so many action photos. It is highly recommended! I called Jim today and signed up for a reprise. Greg
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Dick Curtain:
I attended the Homer IPT in the past and can only say it was a great experience. Many eagles, beautiful scenery, great instruction, and many fond memories. Don’t miss it.
IPT Updates
The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPTs:
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00 (Price reduced to $3999.00!). Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2
The 2020 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — MAR 19 thru the morning session 22 MAR 2020: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Openings: 4.
The GALAPAGOS Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT/The Complete Galapagos Archipelago Photographic Experience. August 17-31, 2021 on the boat. 13 FULL and two half-days of photography: $14,999.00. Limit: 12 photographers/Openings: 7.
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 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 very hot for the past month with the continuing price drops on both Canon and Nikon gear. And there have been some great buys on SONY stuff too. There are still lots of solid bargains right now on the Used Gear Page.
Recent Sales
BIRDS AS ART Used Gear Page Mega-hot!
IPT veteran Steve Leimberg sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II Lens in near-mint condition for a BAA Record-low $5400.00 (was $5,989.00) in mid-January 2020.
Regular Used Gear Page seller John Bowden traded in his Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens in excellent-plus condition to a local camera store in early January 2020 and kindly sent me a check for 4% of the original asking price of $598.00.
Jerry Barrack sold his Canon 400mm f/5.6L lens (my old “toy lens”) in very good plus condition with some scuff marks here and there for the BAA crazy record-low price of $549.00 sometime in December.
Jerry Barrack sold his Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Digital Camera Body in near-mint condition for $1599.00 (was $1,999.00) and a Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens for Canon EF in mint condition for $300.00 (was $399.00) in mid-January 2020.
Multiple IPT veteran William Schneider sold his FE Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens in mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $9,897.00 (was $10,697.00) in mid-January 2020.
Jerry Barrack sold his Canon EF 28-135mm (zoom) lens in near-mint condition for the you-might-as-well-give-it-away-free price of $99.00.
David Ramirez sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II lens in excellent plus condition for the BAA record-low price of $5299.00 (was $5699.00)
Jerry Barrack sold a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Digital Camera Body in near-mint condition for $1399 (was listed at 1,999.00) in December 2019.
Ken Siegel sold his Sony a7r III in mint condition for only $1949.00 (was $2049.00) in early December 2019.
IPT veteran Joe Randle sold his Canon 500mm f4L IS USM Super Telephoto lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $2499.00 in December 2019.
Multiple IPT veteran Jake Levin sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in excellent plus condition for $648.00. in December 2020.
IPT veteran Richard Russ sold his Nikon D850 dSLR in near-mint condition for the very low price of $1996.95 and a Nikon 500mm PF lens in near-mint condition for the very low price of $3,096.95 the first day they were listed on January 11, 2020.
Errol Bellon sold his Nikon 80-400 AFS Nikkor f/4.5-5.6 G ED N VR lens in mint condition for a BAA record-low $1096.95 (was $1396.95).
Jim Lewis sold his Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II lens in like-new condition for a very low $3,198.00, a Canon Extender EF 1.4x III (teleconverter) in like-new condition for only $223.00, a Canon Extender EF 1.4x III (teleconverter) in like-new condition for only $223.00, and a Fujinon XF100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS lens is in excellent condition for $899.00 all right after they were listed on December 21, 2019.
Multiple IPT veteran and good friend Monte Brown sold his used Gitzo GT3530 LSV Tripod in very good condition for the practically giving-it-away-for-free price of $200.00 less than an hour after it was listed on 1/18/20.
IPT veteran Dane Johnson is offering a Canon EOS-1D X in like-new condition (with a low shutter count of < 7,100) along with a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens in mint condition for the crazy low price of only $2,399.00 (was 2,599.00), a Canon EF 400mm f/4 IS DO USM Lens in like-new condition for the BAA record-low price of $4,099.00, and a 4th Generation Design Mongoose M3.5 Mongoose Action Head in like-new condition for the crazy low price of only $249.00 all in mid-December.
BPN friend Ravi Hirekatur sold his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4-5.6L IS lens (the original 1-4) in excellent condition for the BAA record-low price of $499.00 in late December 2019.
Sensibly reducing the prices on the items that did not sell, multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller sold his rarely used Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens in near-mint condition for the new BAA record-low price of $399.00 (was $499.00), a Canon 580 EX II Speedlite in excellent condition for only $99.00 (was $199.00), a rarely-used, refurbished Canon Speedlite 430EX II (flash) in near-mint condition for $49.00 (was $99.00), a Canon Extender EF 1.4X II (teleconverter) in very good condition for $99.00 (was $169.00), and a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM L zoom lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low $349.00 (was $449.00). All on the first day of the price reductions! By reducing the prices as I suggested Jim now has $1,000 dollars in his pocket rather than having those items collecting dust in his home ...
BAA friend and multiple IPT veteran Paul Reinstein sold his Canon EOS 5D Mark IV in near-mint condition (shutter count 40,054) for the lowest-ever-by-a mile price of $1749.00 (was $1899.00).
Joe Randle sold his Canon EF 24-70 f2.8L II USM lens in near-mint condition for the very low price of $899.00 in mid-January 2019.
Multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller sold his rarely used Canon EOS 5DS R in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $1599.00 (was $1799.00) in early January 2010.
Multiple IPT veteran Larry Master sold his Sony a7r IV Mirrorless Digital camera body in absolutely like-new condition for only $2898.00 (was $3098.00) in early January 2020.
Top pro-Jim Zuckerman sold his Sony Alpha a7R Mirrorless Digital camera in excellent condition for $1399 in Late-December 2019.
Joe Randle sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II Zoom Lens in excellent plus condition for $999.99 in early January 2020.
Sony a 6300 Mirrorless Camera Body
Harold Marsh is offering a Sony a 6300 Mirrorless Camera Body in excellent to near-mint condition for $449.00. The sale includes the front body cap, a Pro master Crystal Touch LCD screen shield, the camera strap, the original box, the original and one extra Sony NP-FW50 battery, a Promaster external battery charger, a Hoodman Steel 32GB SD HCI memory card, the internal charging cord and adapter, 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.
Fast-focusing and 4K-shooting, the black Alpha a6300 from Sony is a versatile APS-C-format mirrorless digital camera designed for multimedia image-makers. Revolving around a redeveloped 24.2MP Exmor CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor, clean image quality is provided with a wide expandable sensitivity range to ISO 51200, along with accelerated readout speeds for internal 4K30 and Full HD 1080p120 video recording with full pixel readout. Stills shooters also benefit from the apt processing speed, which enables continuous shooting at 11 fps for up to 21 raw frames in a burst, as well as 14-bit raw file output. Complementing both stills and video, the sensor and processor combination also avails 4D FOCUS, which combines a wide-coverage 425-point phase-detection system with a 169-area contrast detection system for quick and precise focusing performance. This focusing system also enables High-density Tracking AF for more efficient and accurate tracking of moving subjects across the image frame. A well-rounded camera for both photographers and videographers, the a6300 is characterized by its speed and further qualified by its refined image and video quality. B&H
This inexpensive, first-generation, crop-sensor body combined with the SONY 100-400 or the SONY 200-600 would make a great entry-level SONY kit for nature and bird photography. The a6300 fits all SONY GM and G lenses. 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.
This image was created on January 21, 2020, our last morning at Morro Bay, CA. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 433mm) with the blazingly fast and almost-always-accurate AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 1600. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/1600 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:26am on a partly cloudy morning.
Center Zone Continuous/tracking (C) AF.
Click to enlarge and enjoy the larger version.
Long-billed Curlew taking flight
The Situation
When I saw this bird lean forward, I zoomed out as fast as possible and fired off only two frames before the bird got ahead of my panning. As you can see, I did not zoom out enough. In the original, I clipped the primaries on both wings. Following my own advice: cut don’t clip, I executed a small crop leaving what to me is a dynamic image.
Photoshop Hanky Panky?
If you are sure that you see evidence that I did something fairly major in Photoshop to the image above, please leave a comment and state your case clearly. Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t …
From left to right clockwise back to the center: Brown Pelican, Roseate Spoonbill downstroke, Brown Pelican sunrise silhouette, Double-crested Cormorant pre-dawn blur, Roseate Spoonbill flapping after bath, Brown Pelican taking flight, Roseate Spoonbill taking flight, Reddish Egret white morph breeding plumage in flight, and Reddish Egret dark morph breeding plumage in flight.
All images on this card were created by me on the Hooptie Deux at Alafia Banks on the 2018 trip.
You can click on each card to enjoy a larger version.
2020 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — MAR 19 thru the morning session 22 MAR 2020: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Openings: 4.
3 1/2 days on the boat including four morning photo sessions and three afternoon sessions via customized pontoon boat.
Price per day Reduced from the 2018 rates! Please e-mail for details on IPT veteran and couples’ discounts. Pro-rated options may be available …
We will be leaving the dock very early for the morning sessions (weather permitting) in hopes of photographing pre-dawn fly-outs and blast-offs. All sessions are planned for the Alafia Banks Roseate Spoonbill Rookery. We might consider other options in the unlikely event of horrific weather. There will be lots of opportunities for flight photography of several species including and especially Roseate Spoonbill. Also likely for flight photography are nesting Brown Pelican, both morphs of Reddish Egret, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, White and Glossy Ibises, and Double-crested Cormorant. We should have some good chances with birds carrying nesting material. This IPT includes all boat and guide fees, in the field instruction, chest waders (feel free to bring your own of course to assure a perfect fit), and three working lunches on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. For the most part, we will be standing in mid-calf to knee-high water behind our tripods. We help you get in and out of the boat with your gear. This is likely not the best trip for folks with mobility or balance problems. Note however that some folks opt to stay on the boat to photograph. They usually have lots of chances for flight photography of spoonbills and other species but are almost always pretty far away from the spoonbills that land.
All images on this card were created by me on the Hooptie Deux at Alafia Banks
The Timing and Tides are Perfect!
I recently saw a similar trip advertised two months too late for breeding plumaged spoonbills … The 2020 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT represents an incredible opportunity to photograph Florida’s most wanted species. I do hope that you can join us. There will be a meet and greet at 7:00pm sharp on the evening of WED 18 MAR, 2020. All of the images on the cards were made on the Hooptie Deux from late-February through March, prime time for the spoonies in mega-breeding plumage. Many folks have written expressing interest so please do not tarry.
Please e-mail to hold your spot. Then you may either secure your spot by calling Jim or Jennifer at the office at 863-692-0906 and leaving the $500 deposit on a credit card or sending your check for payment in full to us as follows with the check made out to:
BIRDS AS ART and sent here via US mail:
BIRDS AS ART
PO BOX 7245
Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855
If you call to leave your deposit, you will be asked to mail your check for the balance.
Images courtesy of our guide; copyright 2017 Captain James Shadle (aka Froggie). All of the images here were created at Alafia Banks. Card creation and design by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART.
Everybody Loves Spoonbills!
Roseate Spoonbill is one of if not the most sought after avian photographic subjects in Florida. They are generally hard to find and somewhat difficult to approach. They are relatively easy to find at Alafia Banks—heck, you can’t miss seeing them, but even there they can on some days be somewhat difficult to approach. On some days we may be able to get ridiculously close to them. The huge incentive to get out to Alafia Banks in mid-February is the chance to photograph this species at the height of its spectacular breeding plumage…. with long telephoto lenses. A 500 or 600 with a 1.4X TC is perfect for this trip.
Mornings to Alafia Banks for spoonbills and Brown Pelicans (with lots of flight photography often with the birds likely carrying nesting material), Double-crested Cormorants, ibises (both Glossy and White) in breeding plumage. Some of the White Ibises may be sporting their spectacular, distended, red, naked (un-feathered) throat pouches—typically larger in the females. In addition, we may get to photograph egrets including Great and Reddish, both in full breeding plumage, shorebirds, and more. There will be lots of flight photography opportunities. Afternoon trips will most likely be back to Alafia Banks for the spoonbills with an option to visit a more sheltered inland rookery location for a variety of nesting birds. In the event of horrific weather, artie will either take the group to Fort DeSoto or will conduct an extensive image review/Photoshop session. This IPT includes lunches on the full days with small group image sharing and review and some over-the-shoulder Photoshop instruction.
The SONY Zebras Exposure Guide Short Video
If you own a high-end SONY camera body, there is absolutely no reason that you should not be getting a perfect or near-perfect exposure every time with every image even in the most difficult situations — white birds, dark backgrounds, dark birds against white skies, simply pick your shutter speed and aperture and then adjust the ISO on the Control Wheel until you see faint Zebras. It’s that simple. Learn how in the SONY Zebras Exposure Guide Short Video. To order your copy, please send a Paypal to us at birdsasart@verizon.net for $30. Please state in the Paypal that the payment is for the SONY Zebras Exposure Guide Short Video.
Alternatively, you can place a phone order for the SONY Zebras Exposure Guide by calling Jim at 863-692-0906 MON to THURS and most FRI mornings.
Folks who have purchased a SONY lens and/or a SONY body using either my B&H affiliate links or from Steve Elkins at Bedfords will enjoy a $20 discount. If you qualify, please shoot me an e-mail so that I can confirm your discount.
Folks who have purchased the SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens using my links will receive the file for free. If you qualify for a free copy, please shoot me an e-mail so that I can confirm your discount.
After I confirm your discount, you can either call Jim or send us a Paypal (as above).
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 🙂
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.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
What started out as totally foggy turned into a mega-morning at La Jolla. Just for the fun of it I left my 600 f/4 in the trunk, loaned my 200-600 to Patrick Sparkman, and shot the whole session with my SONY 70-200mm GM lens. At 9:00am I added the 1.4X TC. We got really close to some beautiful pelicans and then had some even more beautiful birds land right in front of us. I was doing tight head portraits at 280mm. Then a great brunch as usual at the nearby Cafe Vahik.
ps: Patrick fell in love with the 2-6 and will be buying one soon, using my Bedford link with the discount thank you very much.
The plan is that after one last morning session (on Sunday 26 JAN) Patrick and I will get together and create the long-awaited SONY camera body guide video …
Homer Bald Eagle Photography Lessons
Click on the play triangle to learn about getting the right exposure for black and white subjects in sun or on cloudy or snowy days, the best lenses for eagle photography in Homer, creating pleasing blurs, basic and advanced composition, and tons more in this free video. Click on the little broken white square lower right next to YouTube to view the video full screen. Hit Escape to exit full screen. Enjoy!
This image was made with a hand held Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS lens and the EOS-1D Mark II.
If you missed the Homer IPTs announcement (there are two separate trips), or if you are thinking of attending, be sure to see the complete offering here.
Image #32: Bald Eagle: Striking!
More On Homer
For the first trip only, I am offering a $500/person discount for those who sign up with a friend or spouse. You can access the complete trip offering here.
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Greg Ferguson:
I attended this IPT in 2011 and can only say it was the most intensive bird photography I have ever experienced. My arms were tired and sore from shooting so many action photos. It is highly recommended! I called Jim today and signed up for a reprise. Greg
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Dick Curtain:
I attended the Homer IPT in the past and can only say it was a great experience. Many eagles, beautiful scenery, great instruction, and many fond memories. Don’t miss it.
IPT Updates
The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPTs:
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00 (Price reduced to $3999.00!). Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2
The 2020 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — MAR 19 thru the morning session 22 MAR 2020: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Openings: 4.
The GALAPAGOS Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT/The Complete Galapagos Archipelago Photographic Experience. August 17-31, 2021 on the boat. 13 FULL and two half-days of photography: $14,999.00. Limit: 12 photographers/Openings: 7.
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.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The number one reason that I gave up on Nikon was inconsistent focusing accuracy when working with the Nikon 600mm f/4 VR lens, the TC-E14 teleconverter, and the D850. I AF fine-tuned that rig at 840mm until I was bleary-eyed. I developed new techniques for micro-adjusting. At times I was sure that I had figured something out as every image was razor-sharp on the bird’s eye with the crispy eye-skins that I love. Then the next day focus would be off — either front-focusing or back-focusing — and it was back to square one.
For the Killdeer image above, I was in my vehicle with the rig on the FlexShooter Pro, I was using a single AF point that was placed right on the bird’s eye. I had plenty of shutter speed and I even stopped down four clicks, 1 1/3 stops from f/5.6 to f/9. Yet the image is clearly back-focused with the sharpest focus on the bird’s bill. I simply could not live with this inconsistency and began to look seriously at SONY.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
SONY at 840mm
The Sanderling image was a bit larger in the frame than the Killdeer. Thus, the depth-of-field at f/9 for the Sanderling would be shallower than in the Killdeer image. And the bird was moving. Yet the Sanderling image is clearly sharper and accurately focused on the bird’s eye. As I experimented with the various AF modes, my SNOY results became consistently sharper.
It was at about this time that I decided to work for three months only with my SONY gear as I was still not 100% sold. After only one month, I decided to sell my Nikon gear … I was all-in on SONY.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
Plus a few more …
1- 99% razor-sharp flight images especially with the a9 ii.
2- Razor-sharp images at 1200mm.
3- Fast frame-rate camera bodies that weigh well less than half of the top-of-the-line dSLRs.
4- SONY Zebra technology allows you to get the right exposure every time if you know how to set and use them.
5- SONY offers the amazingly versatile 200-600 lens.
6- No micro-adjusting or focus fine-tuning.
7- A variety of effective AF modes including the amazing Flexible Spot (M) with Tracking!
8- SONY has enabled me too consistently create images that I simply could not make with my Canon or Nikon gear. And Patrick and I are still learing new stuff!
8- SONY is fun!
From left to right clockwise back to the center: Brown Pelican, Roseate Spoonbill downstroke, Brown Pelican sunrise silhouette, Double-crested Cormorant pre-dawn blur, Roseate Spoonbill flapping after bath, Brown Pelican taking flight, Roseate Spoonbill taking flight, Reddish Egret white morph breeding plumage in flight, and Reddish Egret dark morph breeding plumage in flight.
All images on this card were created by me on the Hooptie Deux at Alafia Banks on the 2018 trip.
You can click on each card to enjoy a larger version.
2020 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — MAR 19 thru the morning session 22 MAR 2020: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Openings: 4.
3 1/2 days on the boat including four morning photo sessions and three afternoon sessions via customized pontoon boat.
Price per day Reduced from the 2018 rates! Please e-mail for details on IPT veteran and couples’ discounts. Pro-rated options may be available …
We will be leaving the dock very early for the morning sessions (weather permitting) in hopes of photographing pre-dawn fly-outs and blast-offs. All sessions are planned for the Alafia Banks Roseate Spoonbill Rookery. We might consider other options in the unlikely event of horrific weather. There will be lots of opportunities for flight photography of several species including and especially Roseate Spoonbill. Also likely for flight photography are nesting Brown Pelican, both morphs of Reddish Egret, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, White and Glossy Ibises, and Double-crested Cormorant. We should have some good chances with birds carrying nesting material. This IPT includes all boat and guide fees, in the field instruction, chest waders (feel free to bring your own of course to assure a perfect fit), and three working lunches on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. For the most part, we will be standing in mid-calf to knee-high water behind our tripods. We help you get in and out of the boat with your gear. This is likely not the best trip for folks with mobility or balance problems. Note however that some folks opt to stay on the boat to photograph. They usually have lots of chances for flight photography of spoonbills and other species but are almost always pretty far away from the spoonbills that land.
All images on this card were created by me on the Hooptie Deux at Alafia Banks
The Timing and Tides are Perfect!
I recently saw a similar trip advertised two months too late for breeding plumaged spoonbills … The 2020 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT represents an incredible opportunity to photograph Florida’s most wanted species. I do hope that you can join us. There will be a meet and greet at 7:00pm sharp on the evening of WED 18 MAR, 2020. All of the images on the cards were made on the Hooptie Deux from late-February through March, prime time for the spoonies in mega-breeding plumage. Many folks have written expressing interest so please do not tarry.
Please e-mail to hold your spot. Then you may either secure your spot by calling Jim or Jennifer at the office at 863-692-0906 and leaving the $500 deposit on a credit card or sending your check for payment in full to us as follows with the check made out to:
BIRDS AS ART and sent here via US mail:
BIRDS AS ART
PO BOX 7245
Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855
If you call to leave your deposit, you will be asked to mail your check for the balance.
Images courtesy of our guide; copyright 2017 Captain James Shadle (aka Froggie). All of the images here were created at Alafia Banks. Card creation and design by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART.
Everybody Loves Spoonbills!
Roseate Spoonbill is one of if not the most sought after avian photographic subjects in Florida. They are generally hard to find and somewhat difficult to approach. They are relatively easy to find at Alafia Banks—heck, you can’t miss seeing them, but even there they can on some days be somewhat difficult to approach. On some days we may be able to get ridiculously close to them. The huge incentive to get out to Alafia Banks in mid-February is the chance to photograph this species at the height of its spectacular breeding plumage…. with long telephoto lenses. A 500 or 600 with a 1.4X TC is perfect for this trip.
Mornings to Alafia Banks for spoonbills and Brown Pelicans (with lots of flight photography often with the birds likely carrying nesting material), Double-crested Cormorants, ibises (both Glossy and White) in breeding plumage. Some of the White Ibises may be sporting their spectacular, distended, red, naked (un-feathered) throat pouches—typically larger in the females. In addition, we may get to photograph egrets including Great and Reddish, both in full breeding plumage, shorebirds, and more. There will be lots of flight photography opportunities. Afternoon trips will most likely be back to Alafia Banks for the spoonbills with an option to visit a more sheltered inland rookery location for a variety of nesting birds. In the event of horrific weather, artie will either take the group to Fort DeSoto or will conduct an extensive image review/Photoshop session. This IPT includes lunches on the full days with small group image sharing and review and some over-the-shoulder Photoshop instruction.
The SONY Zebras Exposure Guide Short Video
If you own a high-end SONY camera body, there is absolutely no reason that you should not be getting a perfect or near-perfect exposure every time with every image even in the most difficult situations — white birds, dark backgrounds, dark birds against white skies, simply pick your shutter speed and aperture and then adjust the ISO on the Control Wheel until you see faint Zebras. It’s that simple. Learn how in the SONY Zebras Exposure Guide Short Video. To order your copy, please send a Paypal to us at birdsasart@verizon.net for $30. Please state in the Paypal that the payment is for the SONY Zebras Exposure Guide Short Video.
Alternatively, you can place a phone order for the SONY Zebras Exposure Guide by calling Jim at 863-692-0906 MON to THURS and most FRI mornings.
Folks who have purchased a SONY lens and/or a SONY body using either my B&H affiliate links or from Steve Elkins at Bedfords will enjoy a $20 discount. If you qualify, please shoot me an e-mail so that I can confirm your discount.
Folks who have purchased the SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens using my links will receive the file for free. If you qualify for a free copy, please shoot me an e-mail so that I can confirm your discount.
After I confirm your discount, you can either call Jim or send us a Paypal (as above).
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 🙂
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 :).
