Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

What’s Up?

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.

Please contact Jim via e-mail.

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.

Please contact Jim via e-mail.

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.

Please contact Paul via e-mail.

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.

Please contact Paul via e-mail.

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.

Please contact Paul via e-mail.

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.

Please contact Paul via e-mail.

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.

Please contact Paul via e-mail.

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

What’s Up?

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.

What’s Up?

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.

Please contact Paul via e-mail.

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.

Please contact Paul via e-mail.

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.

Please contact Paul via e-mail.

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.

Please contact Paul via e-mail.

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.

Please contact Paul via e-mail.

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

What’s Up?

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

What’s Up?

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.

Please contact Harold via e-mail.

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.

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.

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 🙂

To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog or Bedfords, for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.

As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.

I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.

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’s Up?

I must be getting pelicanned-out, at least in the afternoons. I took off for the. second afternoon it a row! I am however looking forward to meeting Patrick Sparkman at the cliffs early this morning, Saturday, January 25, 2020.

I fly home early this coming Monday.

Cleaning Up: Part I

You can find all the items I talk about in the video in the BAA Online store here.

ps: be sure to see Part II of this video immediately below: Cleaning Up — Duh!

Cleaning Up — Duh!

Well, I left out some important stuff about sensor cleaning so I added Part II. You can order your LensPen and other sensor cleaning accessories in the BIRDS AS ART OnLine Store here. The upper left corner of the sensor of my a9 ii had gotten pretty bad so I had a go of it with a LensPen and missed only a single speck. I will get after that this afternoon. IAC, the improvement as seen in an f/22 sky-test was dramatic. (Sensor cleaning details and the f/22 sky-test instructions are included with the purchase of a LensPen.

Comments and Questions

Comments and questions are of course welcome.

What’s Up?

We met Ed Dow at Morro Bay on Tuesday morning for yet another great session with the Long-billed Curlews and Marbled Godwits. At 9:10am, Luis and I packed up and headed back to San Diego. He did a remarkable job of getting us there in his wreck-of-a Ford Expedition in about five and one-half hours. To say that his SUV is on its last legs is a big understatement. But it did the job. After we photographed at my favorite afternoon spot in La Jolla, we had a quick dinner of Lamb Lollies at the Promiscuous Fork. Then Luis kindly dropped me off at my AirBNB. We meet again today for a morning session with the pelicans. Then brunch at Cafe Vahik. After that, Luis will drop me off at my car rental, transfer all of my photo gear to my vehicle, and head back to Los Angeles. With fingers crossed …

While on the beach, the three of us had the pleasure of meeting and hanging with photojournalist Jon Pearson of Omaha, Nebraska. I am hoping to do a feature on him and his remarkable work here soon.

I am glad that many enjoyed re-reading MLK’s I Have a Dream speech from 1963. It is even more inspiring to hear it on YouTube here.

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 original Canon 100-400mm IS zoom lens and f/4L IS lens and the then MP-King, the EOS-1DS 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 #31: Bald Eagle landing

As I was reviewing this blog post before hitting Publish, I noted the big YELLOW cast in the image above: R = 253, G = 239, B = 209 at the brightest WHITEs on the head. To correct the color cast, I brought the image into Photoshop, created a new layer, went Filter > Camera Raw, and clicked the White Balance eyedropper on the brightest WHITEs. Voila! Learn that trick and tons more 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. Image #31A: 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:

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!

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 f/3.5-5.6 IS (zoom) lens in near-mint condition for the you-might-as-well-give-it-away-free price of $99.00 in mid-January 2020.
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) in early January.
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.

Re-listed

Canon EF 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6 L IS USM (Zoom) Lens

BAA Record-low Price
Price reduced $100 on January 2020

Jerry Barrack is also offering a Canon zoom lens EF 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6 L IS USM (the white version) in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $599.00 (was $699.00). The sale includes the lens hood, the rear cap, the lens bag, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Jerry via e-mail or by phone at 1-201-638-3510.

This is a great, versatile travel and Bosque lens. It sells new for $1349.00. It would make a great starter kit for a beginning nature photographer when paired with the (1.6X) crop factor 7D Mark II above. It sells new at B&H for $1349.00. You can save a handsome $650.00 on this one. artie

Sigma APO Macro 180mm 1:3.5 HSM IF Lens (for Canon EF mount)

Price reduced $100 on January 2020

Jerry Barrack is also offering a Sigma APO Macro 180mm 1:3.5 HSM IF lens in near-mint condition for a silly-low $199.00 (was $299.00). The sale includes front and rear lens caps, the lens hood, 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. Photos are available upon request.

Please contact Jerry via e-mail or by phone at 1-201-638-3510.

I loved my super-sharp Sigma 150 macro for Nikon and 180mm was always my favorite focal length for small subjects for the extra reach it affords. 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 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 6:58am on a mostly clear morning. Image #1: Double-crested Cormorant pre-dawn flight Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.

Shutter Priority with Exposure Compensation (EC) on the rear wheel …

Kudos to Patrick Sparkman for coming up with this killer exposure system. I use it often in extreme low-light situations to create sharp images (like the two in today’s blog post) and for creating pleasing blurs as well. We simply adjust the EC with the rear wheel aiming for faint Zebras on the highlights. In the upcoming big SONY guide, we will explain in detail exactly when and how to use this system. In many situations, it is, however, 100% useless. I am hoping that Patrick and I can get the video portion of the guide done before I leave San Diego on Monday January 27th.

This image was also created on January 12, 2020. Again 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 +1.3 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 7:11am on a mostly clear morning. Image #2: White Pelican pre-dawn flight Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.

Sharp Pre-dawn Flight at 1200mm Should Not Be Possible

I first shared some SONY 1200mm flight images in the SONY Flight Photography at 1200mm! blog post here. Over the last decade, I have seen at most a very few sharp flight images made with either the Canon 500mm f/4 L IS lenses or the Canon 600mm f/4 L IS lenses and a 2X teleconverter. Even with th4e vaunted 1DX II. With the Nikon 600mm f/4 lens, it was difficult to impossible to create sharp images of static subjects with the TC-E20 III. Even attempting flight photography with that combination was totally out of the question.

All of the above makes it completely amazing that AF performance with the SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens and the 2X teleconverter is (albeit mostly with the a9 and the a9 II) so remarkably accurate. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. Sharp pre-dawn flight photography at 1200mm should not be possible, but with SONY it is a reality.

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 🙂

To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog or Bedfords, for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.

As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.

I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.

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’s Up?

Luis and I enjoyed a mega-morning at Morro Bay. We had about 200 tame Long-billed Curlews along with 50 tame Marbled Godwits and a few tame Whimbrels and Willets. I created nearly 2000 images. Surprisingly, more than a few of my tight flight and action images with the a9 ii and the 2-6 were not sharp. Probably due to operator over-excitement. The sunset was decent but one very skilled frisbee-chasing dog scared most of the birds off the beach. Photos soon.

I finally had some time off yesterday to update the Used Gear Page. See the revised list of Recent Sales below.

It looks as is there will be only a single spot left on the second Homer IPT very soon. If you are thinking of joining me, it would be best not to tarry; give Jim a call tomorrow.

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 Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens, the 1.4X II TC, and the then MP-King, the EOS-1DS 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 #30: Bald Eagle head portrait/blood on bill

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

Coming soon: one or two Spoonbill Boat IPTs, a spring Fort DeSoto Sandbar Secrets IPT, and a Nickerson Beach IPT this summer.

Do check out the Galapgos Gallery here.

• 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.

You can see complete IPT info and details here.

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.

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!

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) in early January.
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 soold 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 Jim Miller sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM telephoto lens (the “old five”) in excellent condition for $2399.00, his Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens in excellent condition for a very low $5,699.00, his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens in excellent condition for a BIRDS AS ART record-low $1149.00, his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent condition for only $849.00, a Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (teleconverter) in very good condition for $199.00, his refurbished Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera body in excellent condition for a ridiculously low $699.00, a Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 lens in excellent condition for $129.00, and a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV body in excellent condition for the BIRDS AS ART record-low-by-far price of $1549.00 all in December 2019. Charlie Curry sold his lightly used Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II USM lens in like-new condition for only $3299.00, a Canon Extender EF 1.4x III (teleconverter) in like-new condition for only $223.00, a. Canon Extender EF 2x III (teleconverter) in like-new condition for only $223.00, his Canon Speedlight 600EXII-RT in new condition with the soft case for $249.00, a Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM lens in like-new condition for only $749.00, and a WH-200 Wimberley Head (the current version) in excellent condition with the Wimberley CK-100 Side-mount conversion clamp and the F-1 Flash Bracket for only $399.00 in December 2019. 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.

Canon EOS-1D X Professional Digital Camera Body with Extras!

Jim Lewis is offering a Canon EOS-1D X in near-mint condition with extras for a very low $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.

Please contact Jim via e-mail.

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!

Jim Lewis is offering a Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital camera body in-near mint condition with some great extras for an incredibly low $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.

Please contact Jim via e-mail.

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 assures accurate, fast tracking of subjects in all modes. B&H

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 15, 2020 at La Jolla, CA. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 332mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 3200. Exposure determined by Zebras: 1/500 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:12am on a cloudy morning. Zone Continuous/tracking (C) AF worked perfectly here. Click to enlarge and enjoy the larger version. Image #1: Brown Pelicans greeting each other

Miracle Image!

I’ve seen these spectacular greetings dozens of times. And failed dozens of times; why?

• 1- I did not have enough reach.
• 2- I had a fixed focal length lens in my hands and could not frame the image properly.
• 3- The were numerous extraneous gulls, cormorants, and pelicans either in the way or ruining the backgrounds.
• 4- There were one or more poor head angles.

With the SONY 2-6 and a bit of luck on my side, I was able to overcome the odds against success. And the lightning-fast initial focusing acquisition of the SONY a9 II did not hurt either …

tooo

This image was created on January 15, 2020 at La Jolla, CA. Again, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (this time at 600mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 1600. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:54am on a clear morning. . Wide Continuous/tracking (C) AF worked perfectly here. Click to enlarge and enjoy the larger version. Image #2: Brandt’s Coormorant coming in for a landinig

If Ever a Lens was Made for a Location …

If ever a lens was made for a location the SONY 200-600 was made for the cliffs at La Jolla. As seen in Images #1, #3, and #4 the ability to zoom out can often save the day when trying to capture pelican behavior. The 2-6 is just light enough for me to handhold making it easy to move around and quickly get into position (as I did for the magical image, #1). This great zoom lens gives you 600mm (12X magnification) of reach when you need it as you often do for flight photography.

This image was created on January 1, 2020 at La Jolla, CA. Again, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (this time at 493mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 400. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:14am on a clear morning. Wide Continuous/tracking (C) AF worked perfectly here. Click to enlarge and enjoy a slightly larger version. Image #3: Brown Pelican head throw

The Holy Grail of Pacific-race Brown Pelican Photography

Capturing really good images of Pacific-race Brown Pelican head throws is one of the great challenges when photographing at La Jolla. One of my very best efforts, on Fuji Velvia pushed one stop, was honored in a BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition just after the turn of the last century. For me, you need to be parallel to the head throw with nice light and a clean background. Image #3 fits that bill nicely. It was the best of a six or seven frame sequence. As is usual, some were cliipped …

This image was created on January 13, 2020 at La Jolla, CA. Again, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (this time at 344mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 6400. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on th rear wheel: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:02am on a cloudy dark morning. Wide Continuous/tracking (C) AF worked perfectly here. Click to enlarge and enjoy the larger version. Image #4: Brown Pelican landing in low light

Zooming Out for Flight

Being able to zoom out when a bird is flying right at you can spell the difference between success and failure as seen in Image #4. I am becoming so comfortable shooting the a9 II at ISOs in the 4,000 to 10,000 range (pushing all of my exposures far to the right of course) that it is downright silly.

This image was created on January 13, 2020 at La Jolla, CA. Again, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (once again at 600mm) 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: 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:05am on a clear morning. . Upper center Zone Continuous/tracking (C) AF worked perfectly here. Click to enlarge and enjoy a slightly larger version. Image #5: Brown Pelican classic breeding plumage head and shoulders portrait

The Classic Breeding Plumage Brown Pelican Head and Shoulders Portrait

I often receive e-mails asking if image quality with the 200-600 suffers in terms of sharpness and contrast and color when compared to the 600 GM lens. My first answer is always to say that all top quality lenses are sharper than all photographers, even top quality photographers. I can say that the RAW file for Image #5 is breathtaking. The bird featured in Image #5 landed right in front of me when I was down on the lower shelf. All I needed to do was to schooch two feet to my left to get right on sun angle with a distant Pacific-blue background; so I did just that!

Note the dead-solid-perfect head angle.

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 🙂

To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog or Bedfords, for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.

As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.

I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.

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’s Up?

Multiple IPT veteran and good friend Luis Grunauer and I left San Diego at 4:30am and photographed at Bolsa Chica Lagoon. I had not been there for many years. The good news is that we had two pairs of Surf Scoters and lots of drake Buffleheads at close range. The bad news is that it was cloudy dark the whole time. The fun started after brunch as we headed up toward Morro Bay, a busman’s holiday for me. My computer was about out of juice so we headed to the nearest WalMart so that I could purchase an inverter. They were out of stock so we headed through LA traffic to Fry’s Electronics in Manhattan Beach where I picked one up. That after it took us 30 minutes to find a parking spot. Mercifully, he was successful.

We had hoped to make the mouth of the Santa Maria River for an afternoon session but that is not looking likely as I type at 2:00pm … By 4pm we were in the middle of a nasty rainstorm with strong winds, dropping temps, and power outages.

If you are considering a switch to SONY you might wish to purchase a copy of The Flight Photography Editing and Education Video Part I below to get an idea of the deadly AF accuracy with the a9 II/200-600 combo. Under examination at 100% with the Capture One loupe, all 530 unedited flight images were either sharp, very sharp, or razor-laser sharp …

I was thrilled to learn that two couples and a single had signed up for the 2021 Galapagos trip; just five more folks are needed by 15 June to make that one a go. In addition, multiple IPT vet Warren Robb signed up for the first Homer Bald Eagle IPT. Now, there are just two slots open on each trip. Scroll down for details.

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 handheld Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens rested on the gunnels of the boat. 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 #29: Emperor Goose

Rarities in Homer

Aside from a gadzillion Bald Eagles and virtually non-stop flight photography, we have encountered some of North America’s most highly sought-after avian rarities. Those have included Emperor Goose (above), Slaty-backed Gull, and Yellow-billed Loon. Who knows what we might turn up this year? Heather Forcier discovered this mega-rarity by looking out the restaurant window at Land End just as lunch was being served. We had cold burgers two hours later!

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

Coming very soon: a mid-March Spoonbill Boat IPT, a spring Fort DeSoto Sandbar Secrets IPT, and a Nickerson Beach IPT this summer.

Do check out the Galapgos Gallery here.

• 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 plus the leader; openings: 7.

You can see complete IPT info and details here.

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.

The Flight Photography Editing and Education Video Part I Click here to purchase.

The Flight Photography Editing and Education Video

In the recent B&H Event Space Photographing Birds in Flight video (here if you missed it) I touched briefly upon the basics of wing positions, poses, and lighting. I realized that there is so much more to cover that I needed to do a few videos that address those topics in detail. With incredibly accurate tracking AF systems and super-fast frame rates, today’s best modern equipment is capable of producing hundreds of sharp flight images in a single session. Just how do you pick the best ones? In this 49-minute video presentation, you can sit beside me as I review 579 flight images on my laptop. All of the images were made on a single day on the San Diego IPT.

In the first section, I review 49 keepers from the morning session pointing out in great detail the positives and negatives of each image. In the next session, I edit (pick my keepers) from 530 flight shots made that afternoon. Keep or delete? What are the nuances that determine the fate of each image? All are covered in this video, the first of a series, I hope … You will learn dozens of flight photography fine points

As stated here previously, I edit (pick my keepers) and convert my SONY images in Capture One after Ingesting them in Photo Mechanic. The SONY images have only small JPEGs embedded while Canon and Nikon bodies have full-sized JPEGs embedded in every RAW file even if you are not capturing RAW + JPEG. Thus, when you attempt to check a SONY image for critical shaprness in Photo Mechanic as it will not enlarge nearly enough to do so. The loupe in Capture One does that brilliantly with images from all three of the aforementioned systems.

Part I deals mostly with birds flying toward the photographer. I am hoping to do a similar video featuring birds flying from side to side. It all depends on the wind.

Today’s three featured images are four of the photos that earned a B (GREEN color tag). I should have given a B to one or two of the Heerman’s Gulls in flight in front of the grey storm cloud … They are near the end of the video.

You can purchase your copy of the Flight Photography Editing and Education Video Part I for $19 from the BIRDS AS ART Online Store by clicking here or by sending a Paypal to e-mail. If the latter, please include the name of the video in your Paypal. A link to the video will be sent via e-mail. The file is 1.2GB so you will need a good internet collection for the download.

My Capture One Editing Keyboard Shortcuts

Click to enlarge.

My Capture One Editing Keyboard Shortcuts

To set up your Capture One for editing the way that I do as described in the video, go to Edit > Edit Keyboard Shortcuts > Adjustments > Color Tag. I used T to tag my keepers (RED), A to untag, and B (GREEN) for “Best” to designate potential family-jewels type images.

This image was created on January 11, 2020 at La Jolla, CA. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 400: 1/1250 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. Exposure determined by Zebras: 1/3200 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 10;22am on a clear sunny day. Wide Continuous tracking (C) AF worked perfectly by getting razor-sharp focus on the bird’s eye. Click to enlarge and enjoy the spectacular larger version. Image #1: Western Gull turning in flight

Be Aggressive

When attempting to photograph birds in flight, be aggressive. Once you acquire focus with the bird in the zone, flying toward or parallel to you, filling 1/3 to 1/2 the frame, and within ten or fifteen degrees of light angle, hold the hammer down. There is simply no way to predict the instant that will produce a stunning pose. Once the bird is past you — its tail is closer to you than its head — let up. Firing off 100 images of a single bird on one pass will not impress anyone; 100% of your too-small-in-the-frame and butt shots will be insta-deletes.

This image was also created on January 11, 2020 at La Jolla, CA. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 335mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 400: 1/1250 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. Exposure determined by Zebras: 1/2500 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 10:56am on a clear sunny day. Wide Continuous tracking (C) AF worked perfectly by getting razor-sharp focus on the bird’s eye. Click to enlarge and enjoy the spectacular larger version. Image #2: Heerman’s Gull taking flight

Behavioral Knowledge

One of the things explained in the video is that when you see one tern land amongst a group of terns on a beach, the chances are excellent that more terns will be joining the flock. Once I saw a single Royal Tern land, I hustled the group into position with the wind and the light behind us. We were well rewarded with many great chances.

This image was created on January 11, 2020 at Coronado Beach, CA. Again I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 459mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 500: 1/1250 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. Exposure determined by Zebras: 1/2500 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 4:32pm on a somewhat hazy afternoon. Wide Continuous tracking (C) AF worked perfectly by getting razor-sharp focus on the bird’s eye. Click to enlarge and enjoy the spectacular larger version. Image #3: Royal Tern braking to land

Sometimes You’ve Just Got to Use Your Noggin

Many gulls were landing on the edge of the low cliff near The Crevice. Every time a big was would hit they would take flight. I counseled the group to acquire focus on any gull on the edge and fire off a few frames just as a wave hit. Lots of us hit bingo.

Patrick and I witnessed something we had never seen before: a young Western Gull was smashed by a wave while floating in the shallow water and tumbled around as if it were in washing machine. Then it flew off.

I’ve been remiss in not mentioning that all of the spots that we visited on recently -concluded IPT (along with many more) are covered in detail in the San Diego Site Guide.

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 🙂

To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog or Bedfords, for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.

As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.

I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.

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 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 handheld Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens rested on the gunnels of the boat. 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 offeriings here. Image #28: Yellow-billed Loon beginning molt into breeding plumage

Rarities in Homer

Aside from a gadzillion Bald Eagles and virtually non-stop flight photography, we have encountered some of North America’s most highly sought-after avian rarities. Those have included Emperor Goose, Slaty-backed Gull, and Yellow-billed Loon (above). Who knows what we might turn up this year?

What’s Up

Monte Brown stayed on after the IPT for one last morning and again we enjoyed a stellar session with the Brown Pelicans and the nesting Brandt’s Cormorants. I was thrilled to sign up several folks for Homer yesterday. First-timer Mukesh Patel and IPT veteran Marvin Falk are joining the first IPT and good friends and multiple IPT veterans Greg Ferguson and avid international birder Kevin Watson will be joining mega-multiple IPT veteran and great friend Anita North and I on the second IPT. As I have several other folks interested, it would behoove you to get in touch very soon.

On Thursday morning multiple IPT-veteran and good friend Luis Alberto Grunauer and I will be taking a busman’s holiday trip up to Morro Bay. I should be back in San Diego in less than a week. I fly home on 27 JAN.

If you have any questions on. the video or if you would like to share your thoughts on today’s twoo featured pelican shots, you can do so by leaving a comment below.

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: 3.

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

Coming soon: one or two Spoonbill Boat IPTs, a spring Fort DeSoto Sandbar Secrets IPT, and a Nickerson Beach IPT this summer.

Do check out the Galapgos Gallery here.

• 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.

You can see complete IPT info and details here.

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.

This image was created on January 10, 2020 at La Jolla, CA. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 234mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 500: 1/1250 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. Exposure determined by Zebras: 1/2000 sec. at f.6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 4:06pm in cloudy conditions. Wide Continuous tracking (C) AF worked perfectly by getting sharp focus on the bird’s eye. Image #1: Brown Pelican braking to land

Just a Coincidence?

Today’s two featured images are among my all-time favorite La Jolla pelican flight images. Is that just a coincidence or is it related to my having switched to SONY gear?

Consider the following:

1- The a9 II’s 15 frames per second (actual) enabled me to create 9 images of this incoming pelican and increased my chances of getting the perfect incoming breaking position with the underwings evenly lit (as in Image #1).

2- Every one of those images was tack sharp as are 98 to 99% of the flight images I make with this rig.

3- The 200-600 gives my great reach (a max of 12X) while at the same time allowing me to zoom out for flight photography so that I can fit the bird in the frame.

4- The 2-6 is just light enough for me to hand hold for extended flight photography sessions.

5- The Zebra technology enables me to quickly come up with the great exposures before I make an image. There is no need to make a test frame and then check the histogram. See more on that in the section under Image #2.

So from where I sit, this happenstance is not a coincidence at all.

Does Anything Bug You?

Does anything about this image bug you? As much as I like it, two things about it bug me. Go ahead and take a shot: leave a comment.

This image was created on the “flying circus” afternoon of January 9, 2020. I used the Induro GIT 404/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the blazing fast Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body) that features incredibly accurate AF. ISO 4000. Exposure determined by Zebras: 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 4:06pm on in cloudy conditions. WIDE Continuous/tracking (C) AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version. Image #2: Brown Pelican just after near collision

A Near Midair Collision!

The forecast was for rain starting at 1pm. That did not stop us. With a strong west wind and dozens of pelicans in the air at any one time, conditions for long lens/high ISO flight photography were ideal. We were set up at my favorite afternoon spot for pelican flight photography in stormy conditions. I was tracking the rather handsome bird featured in Image #2 when it just missed colliding with another pelican. It was as if there was a loud warning, Pull up! Pull up! It was right out of Air Disasters. Wide AF performed admirably as I managed three sharp frames despite the almost instantaneous change of course.

Hand Held Flight versus Tripod-mounted Flight

Hand holding for flight is a great technique if and only if you have the strength and stamina to remain effective and comfortable during extended shooting sessions. Shooting flight off a tripod is the only way to go if your rig is too heavy to be hand held. Both techniques require superb hand-eye coordination so that you can keep the bird centered in the viewfinder. Most folks will not be shocked to learn that the more you practice either one the more proficient you will become. Note: the FlexShooter Pro is the best flight photography tripod head I have ever used.

Would You?

If this were your image would you have left the partial wing of the other bird in the frame? Why or why not?

Zebras Rock!

Earlier that afternoon, the sun was going in and out every few minutes. The birds in flight were in the same light as the birds on the cliffs across a small inlet. I had set my shutter speed to 1/2000 second and the aperture to f/6.3 with ISO on the rear wheel. Whenever the light changed, I would frame the distant birds, lower the ISO if I saw lots of Zebras, or raise it until I noted just a smattering of Zebras on the highlights. In The SONY Zebras Exposure Guide Short Video you will learn how to set your Zebras correctly so that you too can consistently come up with near-perfect exposures in short order.

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 🙂

To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog or Bedfords, for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.

As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.

I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.

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 :).