Thanks to all who left holiday wishes at yesterday’s short blog post.
I’ve been swimming every day with the pool at a very comfortable 76 or so degrees. I went down to the lake this morning and did some underexposed testing. As I figgered, the images made at the right exposure looked great at ISO 1000: 1/800 sec. at f9. When I reduced the ISO to 50 and lightened the image in post, the image was very noisy and excessively contrasty.
I head to DeSoto tomorrow for two days with a new private client.
Enjoy today’s Keeping Warm video (below) by clicking on the Play arrow. There will be lots more videos coming soon. You should be able to use your Amazon Prime account after clicking on any of the Amazon links below.
San Diego IPT Late Registration Discount
I am offering a $400 late registration discount on the San. Diego IPT. Please e-mail if you would like to join us.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
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.
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
The Keeping Warm Video
There is nothing worse than being confronted with great birds right in front of you with your hands so cold that you cannot feel or press the shutter button. Learn how I have finally figured out how to beat cold hands and cold feet after only 36 years by pressing the Play button above. Enjoy, and stay warm.
Your questions and comments are of course welcome.
The World’s Greatest Heated Gloves
Several years ago, against my better judgment, I purchased a pair of heated gloves for my last trip to Japan. They were 100% bogus; my hands froze. The batteries lasted ten minutes. But a friend from Canada who routinely vacations in places with temps in the -20 to -30F range recommended these highly. In short, the MotionHeat 12V Heated Gloves – Full Set performed amazingly well. As shown in the video, I fine-tuned the set-up for photography. You can order a pair by clicking here and then choosing Shop USA. or Shop Canada. Or, you can call John Victor at (+1) 905-492-8886. Follow his sizing advice. If you call, please let them know that you learned about his gloves via BIRDS AS ART. If you order online, please do the same or shoot John an e-mail. Be sure to watch the whole video before ordering.
Neos Navigators
Neos Navigators will keep your feet warm and dry in snowy, slushy conditions. Wear them on top of your hiking boots or even your Sunday-go-to-meeting footwear. You will, however, need two pairs in different sizes to do that. Or wear them on top of a pair of MEC Get Down Booties to keep your feet warm anywhere anytime. Like I did for three days on the sea ice with the Emperor Penguins …
TrailHeads Men’s Running Gloves – Black Touchscreen Gloves – Power Stretch Lightweight Gloves make great glove liners underneath the MotionHeat Heated Gloves. I keep an extra pair in my Think Tank bag for cold mornings in Florida and warm mornings at cold places. These lightweight touchscreen gloves have conductive fabric on tips of the thumbs and forefingers so that you can use your touchscreen devices without having to remove your gloves.
I will have one or two Carhartt Men’s Acrylic A18 Watch Hats on my head to stay warm on cold or very cold mornings. These are the same hats that I use for packing my camera gear safely into Think Tank Rolling Bags for air travel.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
San Diego IPT Late Registration Discount
I am offering a $400 late registration discount on the San. Diego IPT. Please e-mail if you would like to join us.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; WED JAN 7, 2020.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions; and Bird of Paradise flowers. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and the subject of blinkies. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well. And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-lunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own.
A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “Arthur Morris) to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due upon registration. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
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Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
The sun finally came out briefly yesterday and it was sunny with blue skies at ILE at 8:30 on Tuesday, December 24 but by 8:45 the clouds had returned in force. As the pool temps were up from a low of 70 to 78 degrees, my swim on Monday afternoon was absolutely balmy. Yesterday I created a free video with tips on photographing in cold weather. It will include info on the fabulous Motion Heat gloves that I used at Bosque this year. It will run in the next blog post.
I will head down to the lake as soon as I publish this blog post.
San Diego IPT Late Registration Discount
Please e-mail for San Diego IPT late registration discount information.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
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.
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 two weeks 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. In addition to the recent sales below, there are several pending sales.
4th Generation Design Mongoose M3.5 Action Head
IPT veteran Dane Johnson is offering a. Mongoose M3.5 Action Head in like-new condition for the crazy low price of only $249.00. The head was used only twice. The sale includes the tool kit, the original user document and insured ground shipping via major courier to US lower 48 addresses only. Your item will not ship until payment clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Dane via e-mail or by phone at 1-559-593-0989.
I used various versions of the Mongoose with great success for well more than a decade with all of my telephoto and intermediate telephoto lenses ranging from the 70-200mm f/2.8 to the 800mm f/5.6. and including the 600mm f/4 with the 2X TC! (All Canon.) As the current version sells for $680 plus shipping, you can save a neat $431.00 by being the first to get in touch with Dane. artie
SONY Price Drops
Sony Alpha a7R Mirrorless Digital Camera
Sale Pending first day of listing
Top pro-Jim Zuckerman is offering a Sony Alpha a7R Mirrorless Digital camera in excellent condition for an incredibly low $749.00 (was $1399). The sale includes two batteries, the original box, the charger, a ProTama Lens Mount Adapter (for Canon EF/EF-S Lenses to Sony E-mount camera), and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 1-615-414-7644 (Central time).
The Alpha a7R Mirrorless Digital Camera from Sony incorporates a full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor into an E-mount body thus providing the light gathering capability and detail-rich imaging of a full-frame sensor with a compact, lightweight and versatile mirrorless interchangeable lens camera system. Differing from the full-frame Sony Alpha a7, the Alpha a7R omits the low-pass filter from its 36.4MP sensor, thus optimizing its high resolution, detail-rich imaging capability. In addition, the sensor features a new gapless lens design to increase corner-to-corner light collecting efficiency. The standard ISO sensitivity range of 100-25600 provides rich saturation in bright light and clear, low-noise images in low-light situations. This camera sells new for $1898. B&H
This, the first of the a7R series, would be an inexpensive way to get introduced to the SONY system. It is a great body for both travel and general nature photography. And you will save thousands as compared to a new a7R III or a7R IV. artie
Sony Alpha a7r IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Price Reduced $200.00 on 21 DEC BAA Record-low Price!
Multiple IPT veteran Larry Master is offering a Sony a7r IV Mirrorless Digital camera body in absolutely like-new condition for only $2898.00 (was $3098.00). In pristine condition, the body has only 3817 shutter actuations. The sale includes all accessories and insured UPS ground shipping to lower-48 US addresses. Your item will not ship until payment clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Larry via e-mail or by phone at 1-518-645-1545 (Eastern time zone).
You’ve seen the incredible detail in my a7r IV images made with a variety of SONY lenses and both teleconverters. I’ve been using my 7r IV for 80% of my bird photography and my a9 II in pure flight situations. As the 7r IV sells new right now for $3498.00 you can save a cool $600.00 by being the first to grab Larry’s pretty much new SONY mirrorless body. artie
FE Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price Price reduced $400 on 22 DEC 2019
William Schneider is offering a Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens in mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $10,297.00 (was 10,697.00). This immaculate lens has seen little use. The sale includes the lens hood, the lens trunk, the front lens cover, the rear lens cap, the lens strap, and insured shipping via Fed Ex Ground. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Bill via e-mail e-mail or by phone at 1-(262) 269-8628 (Eastern time zone).
This super-fast lens is amazingly light at 6.4 lbs, the same weight as the Nikon 300mm f/2.8. Patrick made lots of great images at St. Paul in the Pribilof Islands last July with the lens alone and with either the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. He really enjoyed the 8.86 ft close-focusing capability and the beautiful bokeh that the lens produces. As this lens sells new right now for $12,998.00, you can save a cool $2,701.00 by grabbing this virtually new lens asap. artie
ps: at the time of publication this lens is very hard to get; it is not in stock at B&H or at Bedfords.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
ISO 1000. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO assigned to the rear wheel: 1/500 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. Shade WB at 8:09am on a typically overcast morning.
To expose to the right, I was likely +2 stops off the sand alone or about +1 1/3 as framed. With most camera systems, exposing to the right (as seen by the histogram on the PM screen capture above is the way to go as it results in larger file size and excellent control of noise. Blog regular Adam Rubinstein has sent me several e-mails suggesting a different approach with SONY bodies: shoot everything 2-3 stops underexposed and open the image up during post-processing. He suggests that ISO 320 is ideal for SONY. I will try shooting some comparisons with tame, static subjects. In addition to comparing the noise levels, it would be interesting to compare the file sizes of the test images …
Note the beach crud in the original … Shade WB was an error; I meant to set Cloudy. During the RAW conversion in Capture One I cooled the image down by reducing the WB via the slider.
Camera RAW (ACR) HSL Adjustments
Camera RAW (ACR) HSL Adjustments
Many folks do not realize that you can take a TIF file from a Capture One or a DPP 4 or other RAW conversion engine and make adjustments in Photoshop via Filter > Camera RAW Filter (ACR). As always, it is best to work on a layer so that you can fine-tune your results by changing the Opacity of the layer or you can refine them by adding a Regular Layer Mask.
For today’s featured image I went Filter > Camera RAW Filter and then worked on the HSL tab. To bring up the rich CYAN color of the water I reduced the Luminance of the GREENs, AQUAs, and BLUEs after first increasing the Saturation of each of those colors just a bit. I find it a bit easier to make changes to specific colors with the HSL tab in ACR than using the Color Editor in Capture One …
For the beach clean-up, I used my usual cadre of Photoshop tools: the Patch Tool, the Spot Healing Brush, and Content-Aware Fill. I used the Add to Selection Lasso Tool to select all of the crud on the beach and then hit Shift/Delete to execute Content-Aware Fill. With not a lot of detail in the sand this worked to perfection and saved a ton of time as compared to removing the distractions one crud at a time …
This image was created on July 31 on the 2019 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime IPT at Gardner. Bay. I used the handheld Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens (at 303mm) with the high mega-pixel Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 1000. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. Shade WB at 8:09am on a typically overcast morning.
Center Zone Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure.
Today’s Featured Image: Galapagos Sealions playing l
The Optimized Version
As is typically more of a problem with higher megapixel camera bodies like the SONY a7R III & IV, the Nikon D850, and the Canon 5DS R, motion blur on the head of the seal on top was a bit of a problem. As the image was so cute, I attempted to fix that with a Contrast Mask (Unsharp Mask at 15/65/0). For web display, the results were just fine.
Gardner Bay for Galapagos Sealions
On any Galapagos trip, you will run into the sealions on most landings. Gardner Bay, with its lovely white sand beaches and lots of sealions of all ages, is my very favorite place to photograph them. In addition to these playful pinnipeds, we get to photograph Hood Mockingbird, Galapagos Dove, and several species of Darwin’s finches.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a Paypal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
Everything mentioned above (except for Capture One RAW conversions) and tons more — including all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — is covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my Macbook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: all of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.
You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About two years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One Pro 12 and continue to do so today.
You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair. Folks can learn sophisticated sharpening and (NeatImage) Noise Reduction techniques in The Professional Post Processing Guide by Arash Hazeghi and edited by yours truly. Please use this link to purchase NeatImage.
To introduce folks to our MP.4 videos and the basics involved in applying more NeatImage noise reduction to the background and less on the subject, I’d be glad to send you a free copy of the Free Noise Reduction Basics MP.4 Video. Simply click to shoot me an e-mail to get your free copy.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
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Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
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.
For this trip to run, I need ten deposit checks in hand by June 15, 2020. In the event that it does not run, your deposit will be refunded in full no questions asked.
Strict Limit: 12 photographers (plus the leader)
If you are considering this trip, be sure to check out the new Galapagos Gallery here.
This trip is THE best Galapagos Photo-Cruise in the world. By far. No one else offers a trip that visits the top three world-class landings twice each. What does this trip offer? The world’s best Galapagos guide, a killer itinerary, a great boat (the Samba), a great crew, and me, with thirteen Galapagos Photo-cruises under my belt. Pre-trip gear suggestions and advice and twice-daily, pre-landing, location-specific briefings. In-the-field photo instruction and guidance. Jeez, I almost forgot: fine dining at sea! Do know that there are one-week Galapagos trips (six full and two half- days on the boat “from $9995”! Thus, this trip represents a tremendous value; why go all that way and miss half of the great photographic locations? And why not visit the three very best spots twice each?
The great spots that we will visit include Tower Island — including Darwin Bay (almost surely twice!) and Prince Phillips Steps, Hood Island (including Punta Suarez, the world’s only nesting site of Waved Albatross (almost surely twice!), and Gardner Bay — each of the preceding are world-class wildlife photography destinations that rank right up there with the best of Antarctica, South Georgia, the Falklands, Africa, and Midway. We will also visit Fernandina, Puerto Ayora for the tortoises and Darwin’s Finches, Puerto Egas—James Bay, and North Seymour (twice!) for nesting Blue-footed Boobies and both frigatebird species in most years, South Plaza for Land Iguanas and seabirds, Floreana for Greater Flamingoes, and Urbina Bay, all spectacular in their own right. We visit every great spot on a single trip. Plus lots more.
There will be lots of opportunities to snorkel on sunny middays for those like me who wish to partake. (The park service does not approve our second visits to the same great locations until right before the trip; we have never been turned down. We will be the first boat on each island in the morning and the last boat to leave each island every afternoon. If we are blessed with overcast skies, we will often spend 5+ hours at the best sites. And as noted above, mid-day snorkeling is an option on most sunny days depending on location and conditions. On the 2015 trip most snorkeled with many thousands of dolphins. I eased off the zodiac to find hundreds of dolphins swimming just below me.
Note that some of the walks are on the difficult side. Great images are possible on all landings with either a hand-held 70-200mm lens and a 1.4X teleconverter or an 80- or 100-400mm lens. In the past, I have taken a longer lens ashore on most landings as they better fit my style. In 2019 I did the whole trip with my Nikon 500PF and my SONY 100-400.
The Logistics
SUN August 15, 2021: Arrive in Guayaquil a day early to ensure that we do not miss the boat.
MON August 16, 2021: Introductory sessions.
TUES August 17, 2021: We fly to the archipelago (Baltra) and board the Samba. Heck, on some trips, folks made great images at the dock in Baltra while our luggage was being loaded!
TUES August 31, 2021: We disembark the Samba in mid-morning and fly back to Guayaquil midday; most will overnight there.
Most will fly home on the early morning of Wednesday, September 1, 2021 unless they are staying on or going elsewhere (or catching a red-eye flight on the evening of the TUES August 31).
$14,999 includes just about everything: all transfers, guide and park fees, all food on the boat, transfers and ground transportation, your flights to the archipelago, and three nights (double occupancy) in a top-notch hotel in Guayaquil. If you are good to go, a non-refundable deposit of $5,000 per person is due immediately. The second payment of $5,000 is not due until 12/1/20. The final payment of $4,999 per person will be due on 3/1/21. All payments must be made by checks made out to BIRDS AS ART and mailed to Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855.
Again, this trip needs ten participants registered by June 15, 2020 to run, so please do not book your flights until you learn that we are good to go. Purchasing travel insurance within 2 weeks of our cashing your deposit check is strongly recommended. On two fairly recent cruises, a total of 5 folks were forced to cancel less than two weeks prior to the trip. My family and I use Travel Insurance Services and strongly recommend that you do the same. On the 2019 trip one couple went with a bargain rate-company and got stiffed for $30K.
Not included: your round-trip airfare from your home to and from Guayaquil, beverages on the boat, phone calls, your meals in Guayaquil, personal items, and an $700/person cash tip for the crew and the guide to be shared by our guide and the 7 folks who will be waiting on us hand and foot every day for two weeks. The service is so wonderful that many folks choose to tip extra.
The Itinerary
The Logistics
SUN August 15, 2021: Arrive in Guayaquil a day early to ensure that we do not miss the boat.
MON August 16, 2021: Introductory sessions.
TUES August 17, 2021: We fly to the archipelago (Baltra) and board the Samba.
On the Boat
Day 1: Tuesday, August 17, PM North Seymour
Day 2: Wednesday, August 18, Genovesa: AM Darwin Bay, PM Prince Phillips´ Steps
Day 3: Thursday, August 19, Marchena: AM Playa Negra, PM Navigation to Isabela
Day 4: Friday, August 20, Isabela: AM Punta Albemarle, PM Punta Vicente Roca
Day 5: Saturday, August 21, AM Fernandina: Punta Espinoza, PM Isabela: Bahía Urbina
Day 6: Sunday, August 22, Isabela: AM Elizabeth Bay, PM Punta Moreno
Day 7: Monday, August 23, Floreana: AM Post Office Bay, PM Punta Cormorant
Day 8: Tuesday, August 24, Santa Cruz: AM Highlands and Lunch, PM free time in the city with some usually poor internet access.
Day 9: Wednesday, August 25, Española: AM Gardner Bay, PM Punta Suárez
Day 10: Thursday, August 26, Española: AM Punta Suarez, PM Navigation to San Cristóbal
Day 11: Friday, August 27, San Cristóbal. AM Isa Lobos (only until 9 am), PM Punta Pitt
Day 12: Saturday, August 28, AM Santa Fe, PM South Plaza
Day 13: Sunday, August 29, Genovesa: AM Darwin Bay, Navigation to Santiago
Day 14: Monday, August 30, AM James Bay, PM Rábida
Day 15: Tuesday, August 31, North Seymour from 06 to 09 am. We disembark late morning and fly back to Guayaquil midday; most will overnight there.
Wednesday, September 1, 2020: Fly home.
I do hope that you can join us on what will surely be a rich and rewarding photographic workshop.
I’ve been walking every morning and swimming every afternoon. The pool was up to 73 degrees on Friday and a rather balmy 75 degrees on Saturday. On Friday, a cold northwest wind whipped through the pine trees as I swam. Saturday was as grey a day as I have seen — if it had not been about 70 degrees, I would have expected it to snow. I did get down to the lake on Saturday morning with the 200-600 and the a9 II and made some nice flight images of the vultures.
It is Sunday morning, December 22, 2019 and it is dark and raining here in central Florida. I will almost surely get in a swim this afternoon. It looks as if I will be getting over to DeSoto with a private client next week. Hope so.
San Diego IPT Late Registration Discount
Please e-mail for San Diego IPT late registration discount information.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
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 two weeks 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. In addition to the recent sales below, there are several pending sales.
Recent Sales
Multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller sold 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 500mm f/4L IS USM telephoto lens (the “old five”) in excellent condition for $2399.00, a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Lens in excellent condition (with some paint scrapes on the bottom of lens foot where it meets mounting plate) for a very low $5,699.00, a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent condition (there are some tiny paint chips here and there) for only $849.00, his refurbished Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera body in excellent condition with a few small, faint rubs on the body for a ridiculously low $699.00, a Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 lens in excellent condition for $129.00, and a Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (teleconverter) in very good condition for $199.00, all within days of their being listed in mid-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 a Canon 500mm f4L IS USM Super Telephoto lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $2499.00 and his Canon EF 24-70 f2.8L II USM lens in near-mint condition for the very low price of $899.00 both in early December 2019.
Jerry Barrack sold a 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 in late November.
Multiple IPT veteran Jake Levin sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in excellent plus condition for $648.00 in early December 2019.
BAA friend and multiple IPT veteran Paul Reinstein sold his Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens in near-mint condition (with extras) for an amazingly low $11,499.00 within an hour of it being listed in early December.
Multiple IPT veteran George Golumbeski sold his Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens in near-mint condition (with extras) for an amazingly low $11,299.00 within hours of it being listed in early September. (I forgot to note the sale here …)
Blog-regular Anthony Ardito sold a Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED AF-S VR Zoom lens in like-new condition for the very low price of $799.95 (was $899.95) in early December 2019.
Ken Siegel sold a Sony A9 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body in mint condition for $2598.00 (was $2698.00) ten days after it was listed.
Josh Anon (son of noted photographer Photoshop expert Ellen Anon) sold a SONY a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body in like-new condition for only $2998.00.
New Listings
Canon EF 400mm f/4 IS DO II USM Lens
BAA Record-low Price!
IPT veteran Dane Johnson is offering a Canon EF 400mm f/4 IS DO II USM Lens in pristine, like-new condition with extras for the BAA record-low price of $4,099.00. The sale includes the original product box with the user documents, the lens strap, the rear cap, the ET-120 (WII) lens hood, the front lens cover, the lens trunk with keys, a RRS LCF-52 Replacement Foot (a $95 value), a RealTree Snow LensCoat, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US lower 48 addresses only. Your item will not ship until payment clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Dane via e-mail or by phone at 1-559-593-0989.
I owned and used the 400 DO II when I shot with Canon and found a way to take it on most trips. I took it to Scotland and Nickerson Beach and San Diego. It served me well as my (lighter!) “big gun” on several Galapagos and Southern Ocean (the Falklands and South Georgia) trips. It is a killer for flight photography with or without the 1.4X III TC. It is. razor-sharp with the 2X on static subjects and skilled folks have had amazing success hand holding it with the 2X III TC for flight and for action. As this lens sells new right now for $6899.00, you can save an incredible $2,800.00 by grabbing Dane’s lens right now. artie
SONY Price Drops
Sony Alpha a7r IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Price Reduced $200.00 on 21 DEC BAA Record-low Price!
Multiple IPT veteran Larry Master is offering a Sony a7r IV Mirrorless Digital camera body in absolutely like-new condition for only $2898.00 (was $3098.00). In pristine condition, the body has only 3817 shutter actuations. The sale includes all accessories and insured UPS ground shipping to lower-48 US addresses. Your item will not ship until payment clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Larry via e-mail or by phone at 1-518-645-1545 (Eastern time zone).
You’ve seen the incredible detail in my a7r IV images made with a variety of SONY lenses and both teleconverters. I’ve been using my 7r IV for 80% of my bird photography and my a9 II in pure flight situations. As the 7r IV sells new right now for $3498.00 you can save a cool $400.00 by being the first to grab Larry’s pretty much new SONY mirrorless body. artie
FE Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price Price reduced $400 on 22 DEC 2019
William Schneider is offering a Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens in mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $10,297.00 (was 10,697.00). This immaculate lens has seen little use. The sale includes the lens hood, the lens trunk, the front lens cover, the rear lens cap, the lens strap, and insured shipping via Fed Ex Ground. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Bill via e-mail e-mail or by phone at 1-(262) 269-8628 (Eastern time zone).
This super-fast lens is amazingly light at 6.4 lbs, the same weight as the Nikon 300mm f/2.8. Patrick made lots of great images at St. Paul in the Pribilof Islands last July with the lens alone and with either the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. He really enjoyed the 8.86 ft close-focusing capability and the beautiful bokeh that the lens produces. As this lens sells new right now for $12,998.00, you can save a cool $2,701.00 by grabbing this virtually new lens asap. artie
ps: at the time of publication this lens is very hard to get; it is not in stock at B&H or at Bedfords.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
ISO 2500. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/250 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 2:27pm in deep shade.
A Capture One screen capture of the original RAW file
The Original RAW File
Click on the image to see a larger version so that you can see the red over-exposure warnings on the lightest blues and the smattering of dark blue under-exposure warnings in the shadows. I was comfortable working subjects at close range from the gently rocking zodiac at 1/250 sec. Then, as usual, I set the aperture at f/6.3, a single click (1/3 stop) narrower than the wide-open f/6.3. Next, I kept increasing the ISO until I noted faint zebras on the light blues on the front of the carapace and then reduced the ISO one click (1/3 stop). The result was a pretty darned good exposure in a very difficult situation: a few very light tones set against wet, black lava rock.
Note: the analog exposure scale would surely show about one full stop of under-exposure with the meter influenced by the large expanse of dark tones.
ISO 2500. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/250 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 2:27pm in deep shade.
Over/Under Exposure Data from RawDigger
The RawDigger Analysis
The RawDigger analysis actually showed no over-exposure and considerable under-exposure especially in the RED and the BLUE channels. This image, however, is a perfect example of why at times a technically under-exposed RAW file is ideal. Continue reading to learn why.
A Capture One screen capture of the RAW file after exposure adjustments
The RAW File After Exposure Adjustments
Click on the image to view a larger version that makes it easier to view the fine print.
You will note that to save the detail in the light blue highlights, I actually needed to decrease the exposure almost one full stop (-0.91) and move the Highlight slider all the way to the right to 100. Lastly, opening up the shadows by moving the Shadow slider to 59 eliminated the (dark blue) under-exposure warnings (and effectively reduced the contrast). If I had exposed even more to the right it would have likely been impossible to recover the highlight detail …
My Capture One Exposure Settings in Preferences
My Capture One Exposure Settings in Preferences
Above are my Capture One exposure settings in Preferences. Any suggestions for changing or improving any of the setting values would be greatly appreciated.
I do realize that some folks might take issue with my line of thought above by noting that I am depending too much on the Capture One over and under-exposure warning levels … Again, comments and suggestions are more than welcome.
This image was created on July 27,2019 on the 2019 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime IPT. From the panga (zodiac), I used the handheld Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens (at 364mm) with the high mega-pixel Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 2500. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/250 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 2:27pm in deep shade.
Flexible Spot (S) Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure. The AF point was placed on the yellow strip right between the crab’s eyes. Click on the image to enjoy a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
Today’s Featured Image: sub-adult Sally Lightfoot Crab on cliff wall
The Optimized Version
After converting the RAW file in Capture One, I brought the image into Photoshop.
First, note the crop. As I loved the reddish-brown stuff in the foreground I opted to place the crab relatively high in the frame. The relatively tight (but proportionate) crop eliminated lots of distracting elements at the top and bottom of the frame. Next, I cleaned up many specular highlights on the rocks and in the little pool of water as well as a few on the crab itself.
The Teen-aged Crab
The upper surface of the carapaces of fully adult Sally Lightfoot Crabs are orange. The baby crabs of this species are very dark and unmarked, close to black. As they grow (by shedding their shells), the upper surface of the carapaces become spotted with light blue or whitish markings. I have never seen a crab similar to the one in today’s featured image; the deep red claws and the sky-blue on the front of the carapace are characteristic of an adult crab, but the dark, spotted surface of the carapace indicate a juvenile crab. Thus, I am pretty sure that this would be classed as a sub-adult.
In the first comprehensive study of the fauna of the Gulf of California, carried out by Ed Ricketts, together with John Steinbeck and others, Steinbeck wrote,
Many people have spoken at length of the Sally Lightfoots. In fact, everyone who has seen them has been delighted with them. The very name they are called by reflects the delight of the name. These little crabs, with brilliant cloisonné carapaces, walk on their tiptoes, They have remarkable eyes and an extremely fast reaction time. In spite of the fact that they swarm on the rocks at the Cape [San Lucas], and to a less degree inside the Gulf [of California], they are exceedingly hard to catch. They seem to be able to run in any of four directions; but more than this, perhaps because of their rapid reaction time, they appear to read the mind of their hunter. They escape the long-handled net, anticipating from what direction it is coming. If you walk slowly, they move slowly ahead of you in droves. If you hurry, they hurry. When you plunge at them, they seem to disappear in a puff of blue smoke—at any rate, they disappear. It is impossible to creep up on them. They are very beautiful, with clear brilliant colors, red and blues and warm browns.
Man reacts peculiarly but consistently in his relationship with Sally Lightfoot. His tendency eventually is to scream curses, to hurl himself at them, and to come up foaming with rage and bruised all over his chest. Thus, Tiny, leaping forward, slipped and fell and hurt his arm. He never forgot nor forgave his enemy. From then on he attacked Lightfoots by every foul means he could contrive and his training in Monterey street fighting had equipped him well for this kind of battle. He hurled rocks at them; he smashed at them with boards; and he even considered poisoning them. Eventually, we did catch a few Sallys, but we think they were the halt and the blind, the simpletons of their species. With reasonably well-balanced and non-neurotic Lightfoots we stood no chance.
Apparently, the Sally Lightfoots of the Galapagos Archipelago have become at least somewhat accustomed to the human presence as it is possible to get fairly close to them using a low, slow approach., Alternatively, if you sit quietly along the shoreline lava rocks, they will often approach you.
The Image Clean-up
For the extensive image clean-up, I used my usual cadre of Photoshop tools: the Patch Tool, the Spot Healing Brush, and rarely, the Clone Stamp Tool. I stayed away from Content-Aware Fill as it often smudges fine detail. Along the edges of the cropped frame, I used several small Quick Masks, again, to avoid any smudging. For me, the cleaned-up version is far more pleasing visually than the original.
I love the color palette of this image with the various shades of greens, reddish browns, and purples in the wet lava rocks and in the shallow pool of water. And the crab colors are not shabby either.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a Paypal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
Everything mentioned above (except for Capture One RAW conversions) and tons more — including all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — is covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my Macbook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: all of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.
You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About two years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One Pro 12 and continue to do so today.
You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair. Folks can learn sophisticated sharpening and (NeatImage) Noise Reduction techniques in The Professional Post Processing Guide by Arash Hazeghi and edited by yours truly. Please use this link to purchase NeatImage.
To introduce folks to our MP.4 videos and the basics involved in applying more NeatImage noise reduction to the background and less on the subject, I’d be glad to send you a free copy of the Free Noise Reduction Basics MP.4 Video. Simply click to shoot me an e-mail to get your free copy.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
San Diego IPT Late Registration Discount
Please e-mail for San Diego IPT late registration discount information.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; WED JAN 7, 2020.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions; and Bird of Paradise flowers. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and the subject of blinkies. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well. And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-lunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own.
A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “Arthur Morris) to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due upon registration. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
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Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
I optimized the six images for this blog post (in less than 30 minutes) while waiting for my early morning flight from Islip to Orlando on Thursday, December 19, 2019. It was a bit nippy on Long Island when I exited my cab at the airport at 4:11am: 16 degrees F, with me in a sweatshirt … I began working on this blog post on the plane (while off-line).
I was glad to learn that IPT veteran Terry Tsuchiyama will be joining the still-small San Diego IPT group.
Please …
Please consider leaving a comment and letting us know which of today’s eight featured images you wish was yours, and why.
This Week’s Sign That the Apocalypse is Upon Us
Near the end of the flight, I had a nice chat with the guy in my row. The last thing that I said to him before we exited was “I really need to be careful not to leave. anything behind.” Laptop: check. Water bottle: check. Pen: check! Cell phone: check. I got my Think Tank roller out of the overhead and was ready to deplane when the guy in the row behind me said, “You might want to grab your brown shoes from under your seat.:
Because the plane was so cold when we boarded, I put on my super-warm MEC booties and thought that putting my shoes under my seat rather than under the seat in front of me would be a good plan and keep them out of the way. Well, they were not only out of the way, they were out of my mind. That is the last time I will do that; from now on, they will go under the seat in front of me …
Friday Morning Update
My flight was easy-peasy. Jim picked me up at about 9:30am. After a short stop at Publix, we were home by 11am. Then it was back in the pool for a half-mile swim in my second-coldest-ever pool: an even 70 degrees F. Once this is posted I will head down to the lake for a walk.
My Images from a trip to Longyearbeyn with Patrick and Robin Sparkman in 2011 — could it be that long ago?
Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Svalbard Arctic Nesting Bird IPT
If you are interested in joining me for a week of bird photography in Arctic Norway (Longyearbyen, Svalbard) in mid-June of this year, please shoot me an e-mail immediately. Common and King Eider, Red-throated Loon, Red Phalarope, Ivory Gull, jaegers, Dovekie, and lots more. This trip fits perfectly with the Cheeseman’s Svalbard Islands June 23 to July 6, 2020 Polar Bear trip. I will be on that.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
This image was created on December 18, 2019 at Point Lookout, LI, NY. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 400mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 500. Exposure determined by Zebras: 1/2000 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 1:46pm on a then partly sunny afternoon.
Lowest center Flexible Spot (L) worked perfectly by getting sharp focus on the closest birds.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version
Image #1: Brant flock in inlet
A Cold and Windy Afternoon Beach Walk
A few decades ago, I did a program for Huntington Audubon. I am not sure how things developed, but skilled Long Island bird photographer Tom Pfeifer kindly invited me to his home for dinner. Since then, I try to meet up with Tom for at least one photo session. I was free from Monday through Wednesday but the weather on Monday was lousy and Tuesday was ice-rain all day. It was supposed to be clear on Wednesday morning but with the winds from the northwest that was a no-go for me. Tom and I agreed to meet at Nickerson at 1pm on Wednesday afternoon to search for the reported Snowy Owl. You know how those usually go …
A Text From Tom
Tom texted me mid-morning saying that he got to the beach early, had quickly found the owl, and had made a few good images. I texted back saying that I would get my gear and cold-weather clothing together as fast as possible and head to Nickerson. I got there at about 12:30pm and called Tom. He said that the owl had flown and was in a lousy spot deep in the beach grasses. I told him that I would scout the inlet at Point Lookout and report back to him. They do not make it easy to park there, so I grabbed only the 2-6 and walked the few blocks. As I approached the water, two big flocks of Brant flew by well off sun angle. When I reached the water’s edge the flock was far to my left but right down sun angle. I set up for sunny flight photography hoping that they would take flight. That never happened. So, I walked the beach to the left and created the bird-scape above.
With the sun out at nearly full strength, but still hoping for a take-off, I simply lowered the ISO until the white areas on the Brant showed Zebras and then backed off one click on the ISO. Post processing in Capture One was straight-forward. Once I had the image in Photoshop, I eliminated a very few birds from each frame-edge using the Patch Tool on the left frame-edge and a Quick Mask refined by a Regular Layer Mask on the right frame-edge. All of my clean-up techniques and tons more Photoshop/current workflow stuff info including all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — is covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here.
This image was also created on December 18, 2019 at Point Lookout, LI, NY. 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: 1/2000 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 1:51pm on a then cloudy afternoon.
One up from the bottom left of center Flexible Spot (L) worked perfectly by getting sharp focus on the closest bird just right of center.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
Image #2: Brant Flock-scape — small group in inlet
My Beach Walk Continued …
I called Tom to let him know about the Brant, but he decided to stay with the owl that was “not doing a thing.” The weatherman was — for a change — right on the money. The forecast was for clouds to develop in the early afternoon and that is exactly what happened. I headed back up the beach and when the Brant came a bit closer, I created Image #2. Notice that with the thickening’ clouds, I increased the ISO correspondingly. All that was needed to create the clean frame-edges for Image #2. was a small crop.
This image was also created on December 18, 2019 at Point Lookout, LI, NY. Again I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (this time at 524mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 2500. Exposure determined by Zebras: 1/2000 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode. AWB at 2:08:23 on a by now cloudy-dark afternoon.
One down from center Flexible Spot (S) was placed on the eye of the Purple Sandpiper.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
Image #3: Purple Sandpiper with Dunlin on a small rock jetty
Making a U-turn …
I was almost back at the path that led up to the tiny town of Point Lookout when I saw a flock of shorebirds land on the small rock jetty about 200 yards up the inlet (to the north which was to my left). I had thought that they were Sanderlings. When I got closer, I noted several Ruddy Turnstones on the beach, and perhaps a dozen more shorebirds on the jetty — three were handsome Purple Sandpipers and the rest were Dunlin. As I just about clipped the eye of the bird just peeking into the frame on our right, I expanded the canvas there using Content-Aware Fill Crop. Everything looked good except for the two eyes! I used the Patch Tool and the Clone Stamp Tool to clean that up.
I could have avoided that by moving the selected AF point once or twice to the left. Note with this image that f/9 was an error. Working at f/7.1 would have allowed me to drop the ISO two clicks to 1600. That said, I’d rate the a9 II high ISO performance as excellent.
How Many Birds?
How many birds do you count in Image #3?
This image was also created on December 18, 2019 at Point Lookout, LI, NY. 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: 1/500 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 2:08:52 on a by now very cloudy-dark afternoon.
One down from center Flexible Spot (S) was placed on the eye of the Purple Sandpiper.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
Image #4: Dunlin juxtaposition
The Strong West Wind
I was able to approach the normally skittish shorebirds quite closely in part because I moved very slowly and in part because of the strong west wind; birds are often reluctant to fly in very windy conditions, sort of pinned down by the wind. Note that Image #4 was created just 29 seconds after Image #3. In good situations, you need to be prepared to work quickly and efficiently in order to maximize your opportunities. The birds were hopping around from rock to rock as small waves hit the jetty so the chances were pretty good that I would be able to isolate a bird or two. And I was hoping that one of the purple sands would hop up to a nice rock all by itself.
As it was a pretty good situation and Tom was keeping an eye on the owl for me, I decided to give him a FaceTime call and show him the situation. I figured that he might want to walk to his car, drive to the east end of Point Lookout, walk down to the inlet, and then traverse the 200 yards to the small rock jetty. I realize now that that was not quite realistic.
Perhaps Not the Wisest Move …
Once I got Tom on FT I raised the phone to show him how close I was to the birds. As I raised my arm, the small flock of shorebirds flew away, not to be seen again. Oops. At least Tom did not have to make a decision. He did let me know that the owl was still resting in the tall grasses.
Anyhoo, I decided to head to Nickerson and at least take a look at the owl as I had only seen a very few in my 42 or 43 years of birding and bird photography. I called Tom as I pulled into the lot. He told me that the owl had flown to a more favorable position.
This image was also created on December 18, 2019 at Point Lookout, LI, NY. Again I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (again at 600mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 2500. Exposure determined by Zebras: 1/800 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 2:24pm on a very cloudy-dark afternoon.
One down from center Flexible Spot (S) was placed on the eye of the Purple Sandpiper.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
Image #5: Brant juxtaposition
Closer Still …
Once I scared off all the shorebirds, I headed back to my vehicle. As I approached the path back to town, I noticed that the Brant were swimming in closer, so I nestled down among some large rocks and created image # 5 (while wishing that I had the 600 GM with the 1.4X TC).
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
Thanks Buddy!
Thanks not only to good buddy Tom Pfeifer who babysat the owl for me until things improved.
i-Phone 8+ image.
Image #7:Photographers at the beach
What Excites You?
When I saw the photographers atop the sand ridge and the big sky with the God-rays, I took off my gloves and got out my i-phone. Just as I was framing the image the guy in blue started to leave. I asked him to go back and pose with his lens for a minute. And he did. Without him in the shoot, it would not have been nearly as good.
Exposure Question
After bringing the i-Phone image into Photoshop, a healthy dose of the Shadow slider did a great job of opening up the underexposed photographers. Why had the photographers been so under-exposed?
Good Going!
There were about a dozen photographers working the owl. Perhaps a few more than that. I am glad to be able to report that everyone was well-behaved. Everyone moved slowly when approaching the bird and kept their tripods low. Newly arrived folks were careful to approach from directly behind those already shooting so that their movements were shielded from the bird. And folks who wanted a different angle moved even more slowly and stayed back a bit. After about an hour, the bird turned around, faced into the wind, and took flight.
Tom and old friend Jimmy G headed off the re-find the bird. I headed back to Lissy’s house to pack for my flight home. Tom told me that the bird landed in an uncluttered spot; I was glad for them. I had had a great afternoon.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; WED JAN 7, 2020.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions; and Bird of Paradise flowers. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or relocated) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and the subject of blinkies. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well. And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-lunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own.
A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “Arthur Morris) to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due upon registration. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
I changed my flight from late on Thursday to very early on Thursday (tomorrow, 18 DEC). Jim will be picking me up at Orlando just a bit after 9am.
I was glad to learn of the sale of Jim Miller’s Canon 600 II and his 1.4X III TC within hours of being listed yesterday.
I am heading to Nickerson Beach this afternoon in search of a reported Snowy Owl and perhaps some large flocks of wintering Sanderling and a few gulls.
My Images from a trip to Longyearbeyn with Patrick and Robin Sparkman in 2011 — could it be that long ago?
Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Svalbard Arctic Nesting Bird IPT
If you are interested in joining me for a week of bird photography in Arctic Norway (Longyearbyen, Svalbard) in mid-June of this year, please shoot me an e-mail immediately. Common and King Eider, Red-throated Loon, Red Phalarope, Ivory Gull, jaegers, Dovekie, and lots more. This trip fits perfectly with the Cheeseman’s Svalbard Islands June 23 to July 6, 2020 Polar Bear trip. I will be on that.
Please …
Please consider leaving a comment and letting us know which of today’s eight featured images is your favorite, and why.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
Image #1: Pacifc Race Brown Pelican braking to land.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2019: Patrick Sparkman.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
An e-mail from Patrick
I finally got out to La Jolla with the 600 yesterday. It was a mostly cloudy morning, with a really large swell and a 6-foot high tide — ideal conditions. The point was covered with birds! The road is open, and there are even more parking spots down the left side than there were before. The Bridge Club and bathrooms are fenced off for some reason, but there are porta-potties to use. So overall, things are really good!
The Brandt’s Cormorants are starting to nest, and there are a lot more 1st-year Heerman’s Gulls this year; that makes me happy. But the real show-stoppers are the pelicans. They are really beautiful this year. There are lots of both white-necks and black-necks, with a few odd juvies and second-year birds.
This was the first time that I have been out with the 600 GM and the A9 with the Animal Eye AF firmware update. The 600 is absolutely unbelievable!! It is light and easy to handhold with the most amazing sharpness of any lens that I have ever used, especially with the 2X. With Canon, I could always tell the images that I shot at 1200mm just by looking at them in the editing software. They had lower contrast and sharpness, still usable, but definitely noticeable. With the Sony combo, however, I have to look at the file data because the 1200mm images look so good. As for the A9, it continues to be the most-fun-to-use camera body ever for me. The fact that it occasionally locks onto the bird’s eye is icing on the cake for me; it is really neat when that happens. But the real killer plus is the ease of flight shots with the 600 alone, with the 1.4X, and even the 2X. With the 600 bare, it is almost like shooting stills — just point and shoot. I know that the A7R boodies have better image quality, but the A9 is just more fun to use and much better for flight. I am thinking about just selling my A7r III, getting an a9II, and using my A9 as a backup. I have always been frustrated using a slower, higher resolution body along with a faster, lower resolution camera; I always seem to have the wrong camera on the wrong lens. I find that I enjoy the a9 more and make more good images with it, especially with the viewfinder not blacking out.
Image #2: Pacifc Race Brown Pelican tight incoming flight
Image courtesy of and copyright 2019: Patrick Sparkman.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
SONY WIDE AF
Note that with 5 of today’s featured images, Patrick opted to go with WIDE AF. And got great results. Notice the stellar performance with getting the eye sharp in Image #2, possible only because of the incredible 93% AF coverage.
Image #3: Pacifc Race Brown Pelican classic vertical head and neck portrait
Image courtesy of and copyright 2019: Patrick Sparkman.
(Dark) Chocolate Necks
Patrick calls birds in this plumage Black Necks. I call them Chocolate Necks because in soft light (as opposed to full sun) they appear a dark chocolate brown with just a hint of reddish tones. Note the classic pose and the classic framing along with the perfect head angle.
Image #4:Pacific race Brown Pelican immature posing tight
Image courtesy of and copyright 2019: Patrick Sparkman.
Hatch-year Pelicans
Birds of the year or hatch-year birds were hatched during the last breeding season. During their first winter, they are somewhere in the vicinity of five to seven months old. The tiny, neat white fringing on many of the upperparts feathers are characteristic of many juvenile birds including gulls and terns and shorebirds and raptors. I might have processed Image #4 a bit warmer. Note the absolutely stunning pose; had the bill been on the other side of the bird’s neck this would have been an insta-delete. But Patrick was well aware of that before he pushed the shutter button.
Image #5: Pacific race Brown Pelican adult white-neck tight
Image courtesy of and copyright 2019: Patrick Sparkman.
Adding and Removing TCs in the Field
Note that Patrick worked with the 600 alone, at 840mm with the 1.4X TC, and with the 2X at 1200mm. Some photographers are reluctant to add or subtract TCs in the field in fear of sensor dust (especially with mirrorless camera bodies!). For Patrick and me, that is an insane approach. Practice adding or subtracting a TC in the comfort of your home until it becomes second nature. When you are in the field, simply keep your back to the wind and execute the switch quickly without dropping anything and you will not need to worry about sensor dust. I will be creating and posting a short mirrorless camera body sensor cleaning video soon.
Image courtesy of and copyright 2019: Patrick Sparkman.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
1200mm Flight Photography
As noted in the blog post here, flight photography at 1200mm with the SONY 600 GM is almost too easy … The fact that Patrick does it handheld astounds me.
Image #7: Heerman’s Gull immature tight head portrait
Image courtesy of and copyright 2019: Patrick Sparkman.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
Vignetting or the Lack Thereof with SONY Gear
Patrick works wide open (at the widest aperture) even more than I do. We both have been astounded by the absence of vignetting (a darkening of the corners of an image) with SONY gear even when working wide open with teleconverters. Even with the 2X. With Image #7, Patrick stopped down a lot (for him!) from f/8 to f/9. Why? Because additional depth-of-field is needed when working at or close to the minuimum focusing distance of the lens.
Image #8: Pacific race Brown Pelican adult preening
Image courtesy of and copyright 2019: Patrick Sparkman.
Somebody Once Wrote …
Somebody once wrote, When photographing preening birds strive to create images with the bird’s eye both visible and wide open and with the plane of the bird’s head and face perfectly parallel to the back of the camera (to the imaging sensor). Patrick must have read that somewhere as he executed that strategy perfectly.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; WED JAN 7, 2020.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions; and Bird of Paradise flowers. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or relocated) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and the subject of blinkies. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well. And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-lunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own.
A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “Arthur Morris) to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due upon registration. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
While I enjoyed Hamilton I was not thrilled by it. It was quite long, I do not love rap music, they really twisted the history, and seeing a great cast of talented Black actors and actresses with amazing and powerful voices portraying slave traders was a bit disconcerting to me.
New Listings
Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Lens
Multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller is offering a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM telephoto lens (the “old five”) in excellent condition for $2399.00. There are some small rub-marks on the lens hood and where the lens hood tightening knob contacts the lens barrel. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk (without the key and with minor rubs and some paint loss on the hinges), the lens hood (with several small paint scrapes), the tough front lens cover, the manual and the warranty card, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 1-850-445-5042 (Eastern time zone).
The 500mm f/4 lenses have been the world’s most popular telephoto lenses for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many decades. I owned and used and loved my “old five” for many years. If you use Canon and don’t have the cash for a 500 II and can handle the additional 1 1/2 pounds, then this is your best super-telephoto option. Most everyone can produce sharp images with this lens and a 1.4X TC. Folks with good to excellent sharpness techniques can do the same with a 2X TC. A new 500 II sells right now for $8,999.00; you can save a big bundle by grabbing Jim’s lens right now. artie
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Lens
Sold in two hours!
Multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller is offering a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Lens in excellent condition (with some paint scrapes on the bottom of lens foot where it meets mounting plate) for a very low $5,699.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the tough front lens cover, a camo LensCoat, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 1-850-445-5042 (Eastern time zone).
The 600 II has been the state of the art super-telephoto for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many years. When I was using Canon and could get it to my location, it was always my go-to weapon. It is fast and sharp and deadly alone or with either TC. With a new one going for $$9,499.00, you can save a cool $3502.00 by grabbing Jim’s lens today. artie
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens
BAA record-low Price!
Multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller is offering a rarely used Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $499.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the lens pouch, the lens hood ET-73, the warranty card, the CD, the Lens Guide, all original packaging including the product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 1-850-445-5042 (Eastern time zone).
Denise Ippolito absolutely loves her Canon 100mm macro lens. And I did also. She used it handheld for the most part while I most-often used it on the tripod. (Note: the tripod collar requires a separate purchase.) artie
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens
BAA record-low Price!
Multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller is offering a 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. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the Lens Hood ET-830, the Lens Case LZ1326, the lens strap, the warranty card , the manual, all original packaging including product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 1-850-445-5042 (Eastern time zone).
The incredibly versatile 100-400 II was my favorite Canon lens. I loved the .98 meter close focus — tall folks can focus on their own toes! And it was a great flight lens with birds at close range. And I did well with it with the 1.4X III teleconverter. The 1-4 II currently sells new for $2,049.00 so you can save a very handsome $900.00 by grabbing Jim’s lens asap. artie
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens
Multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller is offering a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent condition (there are some tiny paint chips here and there) for only $849.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the lens hood ET-87, the Lens Case LZ1326, the CD, the manual, the warranty card, the original packing including the product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 1-850-445-5042 (Eastern time zone).
The amazingly versatile 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses are the world’s most popular mid-range telephoto, I made zillions of great images with my Canon 70-200 f/2.8 lenses. It works well with both the 1.4X and the 2X teleconverters, even with a crop factor body. They are easily hand-holdable and are great for tame birds, landscapes, urbex, indoor stuff like concerts and recitals, and just about anything you want to photograph. As new one sells for $1,799.00 you can save an amazing $850 by grabbing Jim’s lens right now. artie
Canon 580 EX II Speedlite
Multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller is offering a Canon 580 EX II Speedlite in excellent condition for only $199.00. The sale includes the manual, the warranty card, the case, the stand, the original packaging including product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 1-850-445-5042 (Eastern time zone).
This is Canon’s second most powerful flash; I owned several of them and used them often when I was using Canon. artie
Canon 430 EX II Speedlite
Multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller is offering a rarely-used, refurbished Canon Speedlite 430EX II (flash) in near-mint condition for $99.00. The sale includes the case, the stand, the manual, the original packaging including the generic Canon refurbished product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 1-850-445-5042 (Eastern time zone).
A basic Canon flash at a giving-it-away price. artie
Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (teleconverter)
Sold in two hours!
Multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller is offering a Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (teleconverter) in very good condition for $199.00. The sale includes the front lens cap, the rear lens cap, the warranty card, the guide, the case, the original packing including the product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 1-850-445-5042 (Eastern time zone).
As regular readers well know, teleconverters are an important part of my photography gear; when I shot Canon I always traveled with back-up TCs. artie
Canon Extender EF 1.4X II (teleconverter)
Multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller is offering a Canon Extender EF 1.4X II (teleconverter) in very good condition for $169.00. The sale includes the front lens cap, the rear lens cap, the warranty card, the guide, the LP811 case, the original packing including the product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 1-850-445-5042 (Eastern time zone).
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM L Zoom Lens
BAA record-low Price!
Multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller is offering a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM L zoom lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low $449.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the EW-83H lens hood, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 1-850-445-5042 (Eastern time zone).
The 24-105mm focal length is my all-time favorite for B-roll stuff: bird-scapes, quasi-macros, photographers and people, scenics, and just about everything else on the planet. Whenever I would decide to leave it in the car I would not get far before I was wishing that I had taken it along for the ride. artie
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Camera Body
Multiple IPT veteran. Jim Miller is offering a refurbished Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera body in excellent condition with a few small, faint rubs on the body for a ridiculously low $699.00. The sale includes the front body cap, the strap, the cables, the L6-E6 charge and one LP-E6 battery, the manual, the generic Canon white refurbished box with the packing, 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 or by phone at 1-850-445-5042 (Eastern time zone).
I owned and used this superb, full-frame, 22mp digital body for several years. It was always my first choice for scenic, Urbex (urban exploration), and flower photography until I fell in love for a while with the 5DS R (for a lot more money!). Then I switched to the 5D IV body. In addition, I loved my 5D III body for birds with my big lenses and both TCs. I used mine to create many dozens of high-quality images. Then I switched to Nikon. Jim’s body can be yours for a bargain price. artie
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 lens
Multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller is offering a Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 lens in excellent condition for $129.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps 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 or by phone at 1-850-445-5042 (Eastern time zone).
Offering a natural perspective along with a fast maximum aperture, the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM from Canon is a versatile normal-length prime characterized by its bright f/1.4 aperture to suit working in low-light conditions and for producing shallow depth of field imagery. This lens also features a Gaussian optics design, along with two high refractive index elements, to control spherical aberrations and distortion for high sharpness and clarity. A Super Spectra coating has also been applied to suppress flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color accuracy when working in difficult lighting conditions. Complementing the optical design is a micro USM, which enables quick and quiet autofocus performance along with full-time manual focus control. B&H
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Camera Body
BAA record-low Price!
Multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller is offering a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV body in excellent condition for the BIRDS AS ART record-low-by-far price of $1549.00. The sale includes the front body cap, the battery charger, one LP-E6N battery, the strap, the cable, the manuals, the CD Solution disk, the CD Software manual, the warranty card, the original box and packing, 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 or by phone at 1-850-445-5042 (Eastern time zone).
The high-megapixel 5D Mark IV was my favorite Canon camera body. The AF system was superb and the files large, detailed and luscious. I used mine with all of my favorite Canon lenses including the 100-400 II, the 500 f/4L IS II, and the 600 f/4L IS II. With the two super-telephotos, I consistently made sharp images with both the 1.4X III and the 2X III TCs. artie
Canon EOS 5DS R DSLR Camera
BAA record-low Price!
Multiple IPT veteran Jim Miller is offering a rarely used Canon EOS 5DS R in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $1799.00. The sale includes the front body lens cap, the manual, the strap, the battery charger, one LP-E6N battery, the CD, 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 or by phone at 1-850-445-5042 (Eastern time zone).
Providing the full resolving power of its new sensor, the EOS 5DS R DSLR Camera from Canon is a variant of the 5DS with the sensor’s low-pass filter rendered neutral. By canceling the effect of the filter, the 50.6MP sensor is enabled to deliver an even higher resolution with more intricate details. The potential downside to this is that the cancellation function brings with it the greater possibility of moiré and other color artifacts. This is a camera for those interested in the utmost resolution from the sensor and the ability to control color artifacts either in-camera or with post-processing software. B&H
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.
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
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II Lens with Extras!
Jim Lewis is offering a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II lens in like-new condition for a very low $3,198.00. The sale includes the original shipping box and the original product box with everything that came in it including the lens trunk plus a RealTree LensCoat, two LensCoat hoodies, a Canon PL-C 52 (W II) drop-in polarizer, and insured ground shipping via major currier to lower 48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
The 300mm f/2.8 autofocus lenses have long been the first choice of the world’s best hawks-in-flight photographers with and without a 1.4X TC. When teamed up with either the 1.4X or 2X TC, they make a great hand-holdable walk-around lens. For folks with a 7D Mark II, the 300 II would make a great workhorse lens for bird photography. Grabbing Jim’s lens will save you an incredible $2,901.00 as new ones are going for $6099.00 from B&H. I owned and used several versions of the 300 f/2.8 lens for many years until finally replacing my 300 f/2.8 II with the 400 DO II several years ago. That said, the 300 f/2.8 II represents a great value as the 400 DO II sells new for $6,899.00.artie
Canon Extender EF 1.4X III Teleconverter
Jim Lewis is offering a Canon Extender EF 1.4x III (teleconverter) in like-new condition for only $223.00. The sale includes the original box, the soft lens pouch, a LensCoat, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
As regular readers well know, teleconverters are an important part of my photography gear; when I shot Canon I always traveled with back-up TCs. artie
Canon Extender EF 2X III Teleconverter
Jim Lewis is offering a Canon Extender EF 1.4x III (teleconverter) in like-new condition for only $223.00. The sale includes the original box, the soft lens pouch, a LensCoat, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made. Photos are available upon request.
As regular readers well know, teleconverters are an important part of my photography gear; when I shot Canon I always traveled with back-up TCs. 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.
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
Fujinon XF100-400 mm F/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS Lens w/ 1.4X TC
Jim Lewis is offering a Fujinon XF100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS lens is in excellent condition for $899.00; the lens hood has some light rub marks. on it. The sale includes a like-new FUJIFILM XF 1.4x TC WR Teleconverter (a $449 value!), the front and rear lens caps, the original box, the manual, and insured ground shipping via major currier to lower-48 US addresses only.
Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
A long-reaching zoom optimized for use in harsh climates, the XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens is designed for FUJIFILM X-series mirrorless cameras and provides a 152-609mm equivalent focal length range. Ideally suited for wildlife and sports applications, the versatile telephoto range benefits photographing distant, moving subjects, and is reinforced by a twin linear AF motor for fast performance, as well as five stop-effective optical image stabilization to Minimize the appearance of camera shake. Further benefitting its use outdoors, this 100-400mm lens also sports a weather-sealed construction and fluorine-coated front element to guard against dust and moisture from affecting the lens’ performance. B&H
As the lens alone sells new for $1699.00 the lens plus the TC represents an incredible value. When teamed with the XT-2 body above you will have a great travel and general nature kit. artie
The Book of Mormon was energy-filled and as superb and as wildly irreverent as advertised. I just love great musicals. Cody Jamison Strand in the role of Elder Cunningham totally stole the show. The Book of Arnold indeed … Sunday was the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the morning and Hamilton at 3pm.
Please …
Please consider leaving a comment and letting us know which of today’s four featured images is your favorites, and why.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
My First Attempt at 1200mm Flight (with the a7R IV)
We were on the sandbar at DeSoto and I was working with the a7r IV and the 600 GM. There were some relatively distant pelicans diving in front of the sunset so I added the 2X TC. As I had set the exposure for a bird diving right next to the sun in the brightest part of the sky, this one was somewhat underexposed. A much higher ISO and a somewhat faster shutter speed would have resulted in better image quality. But I was pretty impressed.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
Experimenting at 1200mm
On the evening of November 26th, I decided to experiment with the 2X TC on the 600 GM with the a9 II. I took lots of images of cranes floating down to earth against a clear but colorful sky. I was pretty much stunned by the consistent sharpness; in most of the images the nares were sharply defined and you could see light through them if the angle was right. So the next morning I used the same gear for more traditional flight photography and was again amazed …
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
Loving Cloudy-bright for Flight
I just love cloudy-bright days to clear sunny days for flight photography. The former yields superb underwing detail and absolutely no shadows. And most current dSLRs and mirrorless bodies handle noise at ISOs from 800 to 5000 fairly well.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
11:32 am?
Yes, on IPTs when the conditions are perfect we do not worry about scheduled meals. Heck, I never even have a schedule. We photograph when the photography is good and worry about the rest whenever.
Even Ounces Count
The SONY 600 GM is a single ounce lighter than the Canon 600 III (but is better balanced for those who handhold). The. big weight savings are with the camera bodies; the a7R III & IV and the a9 and the a9 II weigh significantly less than Canon and Nikon dSLRs. And there is no need at all for a vertical grip with extra batteries to get to actual 15 fps with the a9 II. And the SONY teleconverters are significantly lighter and significantly smaller than their dSLR equivalents (especially the 2X TC).
Speaking of Batteries
The word on the street has been that SONY camera batteries suck. For me, that has not been the case. In Florida, working in relatively warm temperatures, I have never once had to replace a SONY battery even during 1000-image plus sessions. While at Bosque, working in much colder temps, often in the mid-twenties, I had to change batteries exactly twice in thirteen days. And both of those occasions were at the very end of long shooting sessions.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; WED JAN 7, 2020.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions; and Bird of Paradise flowers. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or relocated) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and the subject of blinkies. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well. And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-lunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own.
A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “Arthur Morris) to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, will be due on 10/11//2018. If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date we will try to fill your spot from the waiting list. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
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Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
As I began working on this blog post for the second time, it was 1:07pm on Thursday, December 14, 2019 and I was on the LIRR train to Ronkonkoma. I was thrilled to have made the 12:58 train. I could not wait to have brunch when I got back to Lissy’s house (after a 19-hour fast)!
Back-tracking a bit, the Photographing Birds in Flight Event Space program on Wednesday went well. The B&H folks were thrilled that we garnered almost 11,000 views in less than 24 hours. You can view it here or by clicking on the Play arrow above. After the program, I headed downtown to my AirBNB, took a short nap, and then headed back uptown to eat. My B&H affiliate account manager kindly took younger daughter Alissa and me to dinner at the amazing Abigael’s on Broadway for some fine Kosher dining. We all had a great time.
At 7pm Lissy and I headed down to Madison Square Garden to see Billy Joel. Again. It was my third time seeing him at MSG. I first saw him (on tour with Elton John) more than 25 years ago at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Elaine would die just months after that show. I remember when she said to the doctor, “We’re going to see Billy Joel in concert next week.” He said, “I would advise you not to go. With all those people you might get sick. Elaine replied to this effect, “Screw you. You’ve already told me that I am dying and will be dead within in three months.” We went and had a great time.
On the evening of Wednesday, December 13, 2019, Billy Joel was again outstanding. His voice is still great and the amount of energy in the Garden was over the top as was the love the crowd poured out in return. There were a few too many Christmas songs for me but toward the end of the concert, he really got rolling with big hit after big hit after big hit. His band is amazing and he makes sure that each is spotlighted for their amazing talent several times during each show. My favorite part was when he did “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” and his autobiographical classic, “Piano Man” back to back. About 99% of those in attendance sang along with the latter song. — every word: They sit at the bar and put bread in my jar and say man what are you doing here? By the end of the show, Lissy and I were — like the other 20,000+ folks in attendance — totally thrilled and exhausted from cheering. And smiling.
I woke on Thursday at about 7am and grabbed a cab to B&H at about 9:30. The Galapagos Event Space program went well; you can see it online here or again, by clicking on the Play arrow above.
ps: lunch was great!
Update
I ran out of steam on Thursday evening and wound up finishing this blog post on Friday morning.
IPT Updates
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please scroll down here or shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past year, we have sold many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the EOS-1DX, the old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D, and the 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. Most recently the price of used Canon 600mm f/L IS II lenses have been dropping like a rock with the introduction of the 600 III. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
The Used Gear page has been hot for the past two months with the continuing price drops on Canon and Nikon gear. And some great buys on SONY stuff too. There are still lots of great buys right now on the Used Gear Page. In addition to the recent sales below, there are many pending sales.
Recent Sales
IPT veteran Joe Randle sold a Canon 500mm f4L IS USM Super Telephoto lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $2499.00 and his Canon EF 24-70 f2.8L II USM lens in near-mint condition for the very low price of $899.00 both in early December 2019.
Jerry Barrack sold a 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 in late November.
Multiple IPT veteran Jake Levin sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in excellent plus condition for $648.00 in early December 2019.
BAA friend and multiple IPT veteran Paul Reinstein sold his Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens in near-mint condition (with extras) for an amazingly low $11,499.00 within an hour of it being listed in early December.
Multiple IPT veteran George Golumbeski sold his Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens in near-mint condition (with extras) for an amazingly low $11,299.00 within hours of it being listed in early September. (I forgot to note the sale here …)
Blog-regular Anthony Ardito sold a Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED AF-S VR Zoom lens in like-new condition for the very low price of $799.95 (was $899.95) in early December 2019.
Ken Siegel sold a Sony A9 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body in mint condition for $2598.00 (was $2698.00) ten days after it was listed.
Josh Anon (son of noted photographer and Photoshop expert Ellen Anon) sold a SONY a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body in like-new condition for only $2998.00.
Joe Randle sold his Canon 400mm f4L IS DO USM Telephoto lens (the original 400 DO) in near-mint condition for $1999.00 and a Canon Extender EF @x teleconverter in near-mint condition for $229.00 on the second day of listing.
Joe Randle sold a used Canon Extender EF 1.4X teleconverter in near-mint condition for $229.00 moments after it was listed in late November 2019.
Ken Siegel sold a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $3299.00 in mid-November soon after listing.
Jerry Barrack sold a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Digital Camera Body in near-mint condition for $ 1,999.00, a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $5,799.00, a Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera body in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $648.00 in early November 2019.
BAA friend and multiple IPT veteran Paul Reinstein sold his Canon EOS-1D X Mark II body with a shutter count of 40,759 in near-mint condition for $3,599.00 and his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L S II USM lens in excellent condition for the BAA record-low price of $1195.00 both in mid-November 2019.
New Listings
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L Lens
Jim Olive is offering a Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L lens in like-new condition for $649.00. The sale includes a Wimberly P-30 plate, the front & rear lens caps, the tough fabric lens case 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 or by phone at 1-305-393-6531 (Eastern time zone).
I put the Canon 400 f/5.6 lens on the map back in the mid-1990s; I affectionately called it my “toy lens.” It is lightweight and super sharp. I created many 100s of saleable images with it including my best early flight shots with Canon AF bodies. And I used it on a tripod to create Blizzard in Blue with Fuji Velvia 50 pushed one stop to ISO 100. artie
Sony Alpha a7r IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Multiple IPT veteran Larry Master is offering a Sony a7r IV Mirrorless Digital camera body in absolutely like-new condition for only $3098.00. In pristine condition, the body has only 3817 shutter actuations. The sale includes the original box and all accessories and insured UPS ground shipping to lower-48 US addresses. Your item will not ship until payment clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Larry via e-mail or by phone at 1-518-645-1545 (Eastern time zone).
You’ve seen the incredible detail in my a7r IV images made with a variety of SONY lenses and both teleconverters. I’ve been using my 7r IV for 80% of my bird photography and my a9 II in pure flight situations. As the 7r IV sells new right now for $3498.00 you can save a cool $400.00 by being the first to grab Larry’s pretty much new SONY mirrorless body. artie
Fabulous SONY Re-run
FE Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price
William Schneider is offering an FE Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens in mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $10,697.00. This immaculate lens has seen little use. The sale includes the lens hood, the lens trunk, the front lens cover, the rear lens cap, the lens strap, and insured shipping via Fed Ex Ground. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Bill via e-mail or by phone at 1-(262) 269-8628 (Eastern time zone).
This super-fast lens is amazingly light at 6.4 lbs, the same weight as the Nikon 300mm f/2.8. Patrick made lots of great images at St. Paul in the Pribilof Islands last July with the lens alone and with either the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. He really enjoys the 8.86 ft close-focusing capability and the beautiful bokeh that the lens produces. Now that he owns the new SONY 600mm f/4GM OSS lens, he cannot justify owning both. As this lens sells new right now for $$12,998.00, you can save a cool $2,301.00 by grabbing his virtually new lens asap. artie
ps: at the time of publication this lens is very hard to get; it is not in stock at B&H or at Bedfords.
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II USM Lens
Charlie Curry is offering a lightly used Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II USM lens in like-new condition for only $3299.00. The sale includes the lens trunk, the original lens foot, a RRS LCF-52 foot, the soft lens cover, the rear cap, a Canon CPS-logo carry strap, 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 Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time zone).
The 300mm f/2.8 autofocus lenses have long been the first choice of the world’s best hawks-in-flight photographers with and without a 1.4X TC. When teamed up with either the 1.4X or 2X TC, they make a great hand-holdable walk-around lens. For folks with a 7D Mark II, the 300 II would make a great workhorse lens for bird photography. Grabbing Charlie’s lens will save you an incredible $2,800.00 as new ones are going for $6099.00 from B&H. I owned and used several versions of the 300 f/2.8 lens for many years until finally replacing my 300 f/2.8 II with the 400 DO II several years ago. That said, the 300 f/2.8 II represents a great value as the 400 DO II sells new for $6,899.00.artie
Canon Extender EF 1.4x III Lens
Charlie Curry is offering a Canon Extender EF 1.4x III (teleconverter) in like-new condition for only $223.00. The sale includes the original box, the soft lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made. Photos are available upon request.
Please contact Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time zone)
As regular readers well know, teleconverters are an important part of my photography gear; when I shot Canon I always traveled with back-up TCs. artie
Canon Extender EF 2x III
Charlie Curry is offering Canon Extender EF 2x III (teleconverter) in like-new condition for only $223.00. The sale includes the original box, the soft lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made. Photos are available upon request.
Please contact Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time zone)
As regular readers well know, teleconverters are an important part of my photography gear; when I shot Canon I always traveled with back-up TCs. artie
Canon EF Extension Tube Set
Charlie Curry is also offering Canon EF Extension Tubes EF 12 II, EF25 II, & a bonus (off-brand) 20mm tube, all in excellent plus condition and all for only $124.00. The sale includes the original boxes 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 Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time zone)
Extension tubes can be used to decrease the minimum focus distance of your macro and your telephoto lenses. When I was using Canon, I used them often. Place them behind a teleconverter on a long lens to enjoy AF or place them in front of the TC and focus manually for even closer focus. artie
Canon Speedlight 600EXII-RT
Charlie Curry is also offering Canon Speedlight 600EXII-RT in new condition with the soft case for $249.00. The box was opened but the flash was never used. The sale includes 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 Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time zone).
Complete with built-in radio transmission wireless functionality, the Speedlite 600EX II-RT sits at the top of Canon’s on-camera E-TTL / E-TTL II compatible flash lineup with a powerful guide number of 197′ at ISO 100 and 200mm. B&H
This, Canon’s latest/greatest flash, sells new for $499 after a recent price drop. Still, you can save $250 by grabbing Charlie’s new flash. Flash is essential when photographing warblers and other small landbirds. artie
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Lens
Charlie Curry is also offering a Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM lens in like-new condition for only $749.00. This super-fast lens is great for astro-photography. The sale includes the original box, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made. Photos are available upon request.
Please contact Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time zone).
Blending a favored wide-angle focal length with a bright maximum aperture, the EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM is a Canon L-series lens characterized by its robust physical construction and its sophisticated optical design. Two ultra-low dispersion elements help to control chromatic aberrations and color fringing while a pair of aspherical elements reduce spherical aberrations and distortion for high sharpness and clarity. Individual elements also feature a Sub Wavelength Coating to suppress lens flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color neutrality in a variety of lighting conditions. Besides the optical attributes, this lens is also distinguished by its fast f/1.4 maximum aperture to benefit working in low-light conditions for controlling depth of field. Additionally, this lens sports a ring-type USM for quick and quiet autofocus performance and full-time manual focus override, and an internal floating focus mechanism also helps to maintain consistent image quality throughout the entire focusing range. B&H
This lens sells for $1549 new so you can save a neat $800.00 by acting fast. artie
Wimberley Tripod Head Kit
Charlie Curry is also offering a WH-200 Wimberley Head (the current version) in excellent condition, the Wimberley CK-100 Side-mount conversion clamp, and the F-1 Flash Bracket all for only $399.00. The head alone sells for $595.00. Ideal for the older, heavier super-telephoto lenses. The sale includes 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 Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time zone).
Huge Price Drops!
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4D ED-IF Lens
Price dropped $1,000.00 on 12 DEC 2019!
Jamie Baker is offering a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4D ED-IF lens in excellent condition for $1750.00 (was $2750.00). The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the leather front element cover, the lens strap, the original foot, a Really Right Stuff LCF-16 foot, a Real Tree LensCoat, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower 48 US addresses only. Note, this lens is the version before VR. It is extremely sharp; detailed photos are available upon request. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jamie Baker e-mail or by phone at (502) 403-9845 (Eastern time).
The 500 f/4 super-telephoto lenses have long been the world’s most popular for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many decades. artie
Canon EOS-1D X Professional Digital Camera Body & Canon 24-105mm Kit with Extras!
Price reduced $504.00 on 13 DEC 2019 BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price by Far!
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 $2,095.00 (was $2,599.00) with extras!. The sale includes the front body cap, a RRS B1DX-L L-plate (a $250 value), an extra LP-E4N battery (a $165 value), the charger, the original product box with user documents and all cables, the front and rear caps, the original box for the lens along with the EW-83H lens hood, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US lower 48 addresses only.
Please contact Dane via e-mail or by phone at 1-559-593-0989.
Several rugged 1D X bodies served as my workhorse cameras for about four years. I made many hundreds of family jewels in all types of weather all around the world. And the Canon 24-105mm was great for B-roll stuff: bird-scapes, quasi-macros, photographers and people, scenics, and just about everything else on the planet. Whenever I would decide to leave it in the car I would not get far before I was wishing that I had taken it along for the ride. Dane’s kit is an incredibly great value for the money. artie
The Packing for Air Travel Video
As I receive several e-mail queries each week about traveling by air with my big lenses, several camera bodies, and accessories so I made a short video before I headed to Long Island to show you exactly how I do it. To view the video, click on the Play button immediately above. If you have any questions after viewing, please leave them in a comment.
Carhartt Men’s Teller Hats
The Carhartt Men’s Teller Hats are the exact hats that I have been using for more than a decade to protect my cameras and lenses while traveling by air or when driving to a destination. I use two hats for each camera and lens and one for teleconverters and extra batteries. (Remember not to pack any lithium batteries in your checked bags …) These hats offer a ton of protection against impact and shock damage and from moisture as well. They allow for packing the various items tightly and as a result, offer even more protection as there is no room for your gear to rattle around.
LensCoat Stuff and 30% Off Sale!
Those who wish to go the more traditional route and use various LensCoat products to protect their gear while traveling will enjoy our 30% off sale for any LensCoat product ordered by phone. Call Jim in the office at 863-692-0906 from Monday 9am through noon Friday. The sale includes all items currently in stock: Canon and Nikon LensCoats, LegCoats, TravelCoats, LensPouches, and more. Click here and then surf to access the various product designations.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; WED JAN 7, 2020.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions; and Bird of Paradise flowers. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and the subject of blinkies. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well. And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-lunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own.
A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “Arthur Morris) to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, will be due on 10/11//2018. If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date we will try to fill your spot from the waiting list. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
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Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
It’s 6:38am on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. I am at the gate at MCO headed to Islip. I will be doing an Event Space program at the B&H superstore on Wednesday and Thursday, seeing Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday evening, and seeing Hamilton and the Book of Mormon on the weekend. I fly home on Thursday the 19th.
Thinking of the San Diego IPT? Be sure to check out the San Diego Gallery here. Or browse the galleries by clicking here. Remember: looking at and studying great images is an excellent way to improve your bird and nature photography.
The BAA Used Gear page is the place to sell your big lenses, your high-end camera bodies, and your accessories. BAA friend and multiple IPT veteran Paul Reinstein sold his Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens in near-mint condition (with extras) for an amazingly low $11,499.00 exactly forty minutes after it was listed yesterday …
B&H Event Space Programs This Week
Folks can view the live stream on the B&H Event Space website here.
Photographing Birds in Flight
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 1:00 PM ET – 3:00 PM ET. Speaker: Arthur Morris. Skill Levels: Basic, Intermediate, Advance. Location: B&H Event Space: Second Floor of B&H NYC SuperStore at 420 9th Avenue, New York NY 10001.
This slide-illustrated lecture will feature more than two hundred of Artie’s spectacular photographs of birds in flight. As he shares images from his favorite locations around the globe, he will teach us everything we need to know in order to create striking images of flying avian subjects. The topics to be covered include: gear (lenses, camera bodies, tripods, and heads), understanding the importance of wind direction and sky conditions, ideal wing positions, shooting strategies, the best AF modes to use for flight photography with Canon, Nikon, and SONY, the importance of using a good stance, post-processing, getting the right exposure, and image design.
To register to attend or to stream live online, click here.
Photographing Nature in the Galapagos Archipelago
Thursday, December 12, 2019 11:00 AM ET – 1:00 PM ET. Speaker: Arthur Morris. Skill Levels: Basic, Intermediate, Advance. Location: B&H Event Space: Second Floor of B&H NYC SuperStore at 420 9th Avenue, New York NY 10001.
This slide-illustrated program will feature more than two hundred of Artie’s spectacular photographs of birds, pinnipeds and reptiles created on fourteen BIRDS AS ART Photo-Cruises around the Galapagos. You will learn about the best landings and locations, the great variety of photographic subjects, gear choices, getting the right exposure, image design, and post processing.
To register to attend or to stream live online, click here.
IPT Updates
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please scroll down here or shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past year, we have sold many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the EOS-1DX, the old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D, and the 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. Most recently the price of used Canon 600mm f/L IS II lenses have been dropping like a rock with the introduction of the 600 III. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
The Used Gear page has been hot for the past two months with the continuing price drops on Canon and Nikon gear. There are still lots of great buys right now on the Used Gear Page. In addition to the recent sales below, there are many pending sales.
Recent Sales
Multiple IPT veteran Jake Levin sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in excellent plus condition for $648.00 in early December 2019.
BAA friend and multiple IPT veteran Paul Reinstein sold his Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens in near-mint condition (with extras) for an amazingly low $11,499.00 within an hour of it being listed in early December.
Multiple IPT veteran George Golumbeski sold his Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens in near-mint condition (with extras) for an amazingly low $11,299.00 within hours of it being listed in early September. (I forgot to note the sale here …)
Blog-regular Anthony Ardito sold a Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED AF-S VR Zoom lens in like-new condition for the very low price of $799.95 (was $899.95) in early December 2019.
Ken Siegel sold a Sony A9 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body in mint condition for $2598.00 (was $2698.00) ten days after it was listed.
Josh Anon (son of noted photographer and Photoshop expert Ellen Anon) sold a SONY a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body in like-new condition for only $2998.00.
Joe Randle sold his Canon 400mm f4L IS DO USM Telephoto lens (the original 400 DO) in near-mint condition for $1999.00 and a Canon Extender EF @x teleconverter in near-mint condition for $229.00 on the second day of listing.
Joe Randle sold a used Canon Extender EF 1.4X teleconverter in near-mint condition for $229.00 moments after it was listed in late November 2019.
Ken Siegel sold a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $3299.00 in mid-November soon after listing.
Jerry Barrack sold a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Digital Camera Body in near-mint condition for $ 1,999.00, a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $5,799.00, a Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera body in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $648.00 in early November 2019.
BAA friend and multiple IPT veteran Paul Reinstein sold his Canon EOS-1D X Mark II body with a shutter count of 40,759 in near-mint condition for $3,599.00 and his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L S II USM lens in excellent condition for the BAA record-low price of $1195.00 both in mid-November 2019.
I sold my SONY a9 in near-mint condition for $2,597.00 on November 11, 2019.
Jerry Barrack sold his Canon Extender EF 1.4X III teleconverter in near-mint condition and his Canon Extender EF 2X III teleconverter also in near-mint condition, both for a very low $224.00 in early November.
Jerry Barrack also sold a Wimberley WH-101 Gimbal Head w/QR C-30 clamp (the original) and a heavy-duty Gitzo 410 tripod for the silly low price of $399.00.
Peter Noyes sold his Sony Alpha A7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera body in like-new condition with a shutter count of less than 1,000 for $1998.00 the first day it was listed in early November.
New Listing
Canon 100-400mm IS L lens (the “old 1-4”)
Owen Peller is offering the original Canon 100-400mm IS L lens (the “old 1-4”) in like-new condition for the very fair price of $599.00. This immaculate lens has seen little use. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the original box, the tough fabric carrying case, 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 Owen via e-mail e-mail or by phone at 1-954-882-1480 (Eastern time zone).
The original 1-4 is a sharp, amazingly versatile telephoto zoom lens. When I used Canon, I made hundreds of great images and saleable with this lens (including the front cover of Scott Weidensaul’s “Return to Wild America. And it was Denise Ippolito’s favorite Canon lens. Owen’s lens would make a great starter lens for a beginning bird or nature photographer, especially when paired with a 7D Mark II. artie
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
This is a Photo Mechanic Screen Capture of my six favorite wigeon images
SONY a9 II Animal Eye AF-C
I created more than 300 wigeon images in a single afternoon; all but one of them was razor-laser sharp on the eye with incredible fine-feather detail about the face. I kept 23. Above are six of my seven favorites. Image #1 (below) was my 7th fave.
When I sold my a9 and purchased the a9 II, I was thinking that it was a rather dumb move. I had not used the a9 a whole lot, and I was impressed by the AF capabilities for birds in flight. Astounded in fact. And the file size of a9 II images had not been increased as everyone had assumed. But like many others, I like having the latest greatest gear. That said, I was amazed by the a9 II at Bosque. The slightly larger body gave the a9 II a pro-body feel like the a7R IV. I was routinely able to create sharp flight images with the a9II/2X TC/600 GM (at 1200mm!) Are you kidding me?
When photographing with Anita North at the duck pond in Socorro, I mentioned that Upper Zone Animal Eye AF-C was working to perfection; once the system detected the duck’s eye, the tiny box within the Zone stuck to it like glue. Even the wings forward and wings back flapping shots were super-sharp on the eye. Anita was using the original a9 with the 200-600. Even though her camera was set up exactly the same as mine, Animal Eye AF was not performing well at all. The combination of Upper Zone AF and the focal length versatility of the 200-600 allowed me too easily frame the subject as I wanted while including the reflection. The result was many pleasing compositions.
Considering all of the above along with the actual 15 fps frame-rate in AF-C, the SONY a9 II has quickly become my favorite-ever camera body.
This is a Capture One-12 Screen Capture for Image #1 (below): American Wigeon drake swimming
Capture One-12 Screen Capture for Image #1 (below)
Be sure to click on the image to get an idea of the incredible sharpness and fine-feather detail of the a9 II/200-600 combo. I am hoping to do some Herring Gull flight photography with this rig toward the end of my Long Island visit. The red blotches on the duck’s forehead is the Highlight Exposure Warning in C-1. Had I blown it? No, not at all. The few blinkies on the brightest WHITEs were easily recovered during the RAW conversion in Capture One Pro-12 using a combination of the Exposure and Highlight sliders. Notice that there were no dark blue blotches indicating under-exposed shadow tones. In effect, the exposure was perfect.
This image was created on December 3, 2019 on my busman’s holiday after the 2019 Bosque IPT. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 496mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 400. Exposure determined by Zebras: 1/1600 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 3:32pm on a clear afternoon.
Upper Zone Animal Eye AF-C worked to perfection; once the system detected the duck’s eye the tiny box within the Zone stuck to it like glue.
Image #1: American Wigeon drake swimming
Wigeon Drake Perfection
With a handsome drake as the subject, the bird right on sun angle, a perfect head-angle showing the green sheen of the eye patch, and the nice blue water, I was quite happy with this image. ISOO 400: 1/6000 second atf/7.1 was the perfect exposure for the ducks with their white forehead and wing patches.
When I went from a drake to a hen, I opened up the exposure by going two clicks lighter on the shutter speed. For this image, I erred as I only went from 1/1600 sec. to 1/1250 sec. With the complete absence of white on this female wigeon, I should have opened up three clicks to 1/800 sec. IAC, I increased the exposure in Capture One Pro-12 with no ill effects.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; WED JAN 7, 2020.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions; and Bird of Paradise flowers. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and the subject of blinkies. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well. And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-lunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own.
A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “Arthur Morris) to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, will be due on 10/11//2018. If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date we will try to fill your spot from the waiting list. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
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Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
I am busy packing for Long Island. Bringing some of my SONY gear for the Event Space “Birds in Flight” program on Wednesday. And I may get out a bit with good friend Tom Pfeiffer the week of 15 DEC … Wednesdat evening I will be seeing Billy Joel at the Garden for the third time, the fourth time total. Lord, they love him in the Big Apple.
B&H Event Space Programs This Week
Photographing Birds in Flight
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 1:00 PM ET – 3:00 PM ET. Speaker: Arthur Morris. Skill Levels: Basic, Intermediate, Advance. Location: B&H Event Space: Second Floor of B&H NYC SuperStore at 420 9th Avenue, New York NY 10001.
This slide-illustrated lecture will feature more than two hundred of Artie’s spectacular photographs of birds in flight. As he shares images from his favorite locations around the globe, he will teach us everything we need to know in order to create striking images of flying avian subjects. The topics to be covered include: gear (lenses, camera bodies, tripods, and heads), understanding the importance of wind direction and sky conditions, ideal wing positions, shooting strategies, the best AF modes to use for flight photography with Canon, Nikon, and SONY, the importance of using a good stance, post-processing, getting the right exposure, and image design.
To register to attend or to stream live online, click here.
Photographing Nature in the Galapagos Archipelago
Thursday, December 12, 2019 11:00 AM ET – 1:00 PM ET. Speaker: Arthur Morris. Skill Levels: Basic, Intermediate, Advance. Location: B&H Event Space: Second Floor of B&H NYC SuperStore at 420 9th Avenue, New York NY 10001.
This slide-illustrated program will feature more than two hundred of Artie’s spectacular photographs of birds, pinnipeds and reptiles created on fourteen BIRDS AS ART Photo-Cruises around the Galapagos. You will learn about the best landings and locations, the great variety of photographic subjects, gear choices, getting the right exposure, image design, and post processing.
To register to attend or to stream live online, click here.
Canon 600mm f/4L IS USM III Lens (with $200 + in extras!)
Sale Pending 40 minutes after listing!
BAA friend and multiple IPT veteran Paul Reinstein is offering a Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens in absolutely like-new condition (with extras) for $11,499.00. The sale includes the lens hood, the front lens cover, the rear cap, the soft carrying case, the original product box, the instruction manual, the warranty card, the strap, a Realtree Max4 LensCoat, a RRS lens replacement foot, the factory warranty (good until 3/14/20), 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 Paul via e-mail or by phone at 1-310-946-9031 (Pacific time zone).
The 600 III is the latest Canon version of my favorite weapon of mass destruction for bird photography. With its super balance, light weight, incredible sharpness, and a five-stop Image Stabilization system, the 600 III is a technological marvel. The lens tips the scale at a relatively svelte 6.71 lb — about one ounce heavier than the SONY 600mm f/4GM OSS lens. It is a fraction under two pounds lighter than the 600 II. Thus, it is eminently hand-holdable for many folks. As this lens sells new for $12,999.00, you can save a neat $1500.00 by being the one to grab Paul’s pretty much new lens. Did I mention that unlike me, Paul is fastidious when it comes to caring for his gear? This lens is super-sharp with either TC, one of the great advantages of Canon over Nikon … artie
A Capture One Pro 20 Note from Arash Hazeghi
BPN Avian and Super-moderator Arash Hazeghi passed this along:
I just finished evaluating CaptureOne Pro 20. I did not spot any differences in the output files compared to Capture One Pro 12 so there really isn’t any reason to upgrade. There is nothing that adds value for bird and wildlife photographers so my recommendation is to skip the update and save the money.
Dr. Cliff Oliver’s intermittent fasting/keto diet/no insulin plan (suggested originally in part by good friend Anita North), seems to be working quite well. My blood sugar levels are getting close to normal. I weighed 173 pounds this morning, December 8, 2019, and have been feeling and sleeping great. And swimming a half-mile or more every day in a cold (73-degree) pool. I fly to Long Island this coming Tuesday.
Kudos to the incredible Steve Elkins at Bedford Camera; he secured two SONY 600 f/4GM lenses for BIRDS AS ART folks this past week. In the past month, he has delivered many SONY 200-600s, many a7r IV bodies, and several a9 II bodies. He currently has several of the latter in stock.
This blog post took two hours to prepare. Please remember to use a BIRDS AS ART affiliate link when purchasing new gear 🙂 Many thanks for that.
You gotta love that not a single person noted their favorite grackle tree image in the recent blog post on Seeing here. SONY folks might learn a ton from the exchange of comments in the blog post here.
B&H Event Space Programs This Weekk
Photographing Birds in Flight
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 1:00 PM ET – 3:00 PM ET. Speaker: Arthur Morris. Skill Levels: Basic, Intermediate, Advance. Location: B&H Event Space: Second Floor of B&H NYC SuperStore at 420 9th Avenue, New York NY 10001.
This slide-illustrated lecture will feature more than two hundred of Artie’s spectacular photographs of birds in flight. As he shares images from his favorite locations around the globe, he will teach us everything we need to know in order to create striking images of flying avian subjects. The topics to be covered include gear (lenses, camera bodies, tripods, and heads), understanding the importance of wind direction and sky conditions, ideal wing positions, shooting strategies, the best AF modes to use for flight photography with Canon, Nikon, and SONY, the importance of using a good stance, post-processing, getting the right exposure, and image design.
To register to attend or to stream live online, click here.
Photographing Nature in the Galapagos Archipelago
Thursday, December 12, 2019 11:00 AM ET – 1:00 PM ET. Speaker: Arthur Morris. Skill Levels: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced. Location: B&H Event Space: Second Floor of B&H NYC SuperStore at 420 9th Avenue, New York NY 10001.
This slide-illustrated program will feature more than two hundred of Artie’s spectacular photographs of birds, pinnipeds and reptiles created on fourteen BIRDS AS ART Photo-Cruises around the Galapagos. You will learn about the best landings and locations, the great variety of photographic subjects, gear choices, getting the right exposure, image design, and post-processing.
To register to attend or to stream live online, click here.
IPT Updates
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please scroll down here or shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past year, we have sold many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the EOS-1DX, the old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D, and the 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. Most recently the price of used Canon 600mm f/L IS II lenses have been dropping like a rock with the introduction of the 600 III. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
The Used Gear page has been hot for the past two months with the continuing price drops on Canon and Nikon gear. There are still lots of great buys right now on the Used Gear Page. In addition to the recent sales below, there are many pending sales.
Recent Sales
Blog-regular Anthony Ardito sold a Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED AF-S VR Zoom lens in like-new condition for the very low price of $799.95 (was $899.95) in early December, 2019.
Ken Siegel sold a Sony A9 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body in mint condition for $2598.00 (was $2698.00) ten days after it was listed.
Josh Anon (son of noted photographer and Photoshop expert Ellen Anon) sold a SONY a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body in like-new condition for only $2998.00.
Joe Randle sold his Canon 400mm f4L IS DO USM Telephoto lens (the original 400 DO) in near-mint condition for $1999.00 and a Canon Extender EF @x teleconverter in near mint condition for $229.00 on the second day of listing.
Joe Randle sold a used Canon Extender EF 1.4X teleconverter in near mint condition for $229.00 moments after it was listed in late November 2019.
Ken Siegel sold a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $3299.00 in mid-November soon after listing.
Jerry Barrack sold a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Digital Camera Body in near-mint condition for $ 1,999.00, a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $5,799.00, a Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera body in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $648.00 in early November, 2019.
BAA friend and multiple IPT veteran Paul Reinstein sold his Canon EOS-1D X Mark II body with a shutter count of 40,759 in near-mint condition for $3,599.00 and his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L S II USM lens in excellent condition for the BAA record-low price of $1195.00 both in mid-November 2019.
I sold my SONY a9 in near-mint condition for $2,597.00 on November 11, 2019.
Jerry Barrack sold his Canon Extender EF 1.4X III teleconverter in near-mint condition and his Canon Extender EF 2X III teleconverter also in near-mint condition, both for a very low $224.00 in early November.
Jerry Barrack also sold a Wimberley WH-101 Gimbal Head w/QR C-30 clamp (the original) and a heavy-duty Gitzo 410 tripod for the silly low price of $399.00.
Peter Noyes sold his Sony Alpha A7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera body in like-new condition with a shutter count of less than 1,000 for $1998.00 the first day it was listed in early November.
Canon EOS-1D X Professional Digital Camera Body & Canon 24-105mm Kit
Price reduced $200 on 7 DEC 2019
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) with extras!. The sale includes the front body cap, a RRS B1DX-L L-plate (a $250 value), an extra LP-E4N battery (a $165 value), the charger, the original product box with user documents and all cables, the front and rear caps, the original box for the lens along with the EW-83H lens hood, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US lower 48 addresses only.
Please contact Dane via e-mail or by phone at 1-559-593-0989.
Several rugged 1D X bodies served as my workhorse cameras for about four years. I made many hundreds of family jewels in all types of weather all around the world. And the Canon 24-105mm was great for B-roll stuff: bird-scapes, quasi-macros, photographers and people, scenics, and just about everything else on the planet. Whenever I would decide to leave it in the car I would not get far before I was wishing that I had taken it along for the ride. Dane’s kit is an incredibly great value for the money. artie
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
Sandhill Crane, angled flight (slightly off sun angle …)
SONY a9 II AF
Simply put, the SONY a9 II has the best AF system by far of any camera body that I have ever used. It performs superbly for birds in flight with the 200-600, the 600GM alone, the 600GM plus the 1.4X teleconverter, and astoundingly, with the 600 GM and the 2X teleconverter. I will be sharing images made at 1200mm with you here soon. In addition, as mentioned here previously, Animal-Eye worked amazingly well on swimming ducks with the tiny box grabbing the eye and not letting go … All of the above despite the fact that I do not fully understand the various AF tracking modes …
Image Question
Does it bother you that the crane was slightly off sun angle? Why or why not?
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; WED JAN 7, 2020.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions; and Bird of Paradise flowers. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or relocated) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and the subject of blinkies. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well. And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-lunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own.
A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “Arthur Morris) to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, will be due on 10/11//2018. If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date we will try to fill your spot from the waiting list. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
Bosque must have tired me out. I slept nine hours each of the last two nights. On Thursday got back in the pool for the first time in two weeks. Seventy-three degrees is quite chilly but with my snorkeling booties and two neoprene hats I was not cold until I got out.
I lucked out in hitting Bosque at just the right time — November 19th with the six inches of fresh snow and of November 20ieth with thick fog were both spectacular with the geese relatively close to the road and blastoff after blastoff. By the time I left on December 4th the birds were far from the tour loop road and geese numbers seemed well down …
Kudos to the incredible Steve Elkins at Bedford Camera; he secured two SONY 600 f/4GM lenses for BIRDS AS ART folks this past week.
This blog post took nearly four hours to prepare. Please remember to use a BIRDS AS ART affiliate link when purchasing new gear 🙂 Many thanks for that.
Please leave a comment and let us know which of today’s two featured images you like best. And why.
IPT Updates
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please scroll down here or shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past year, we have sold many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the EOS-1DX, the old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D, and the 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. Most recently the price of used Canon 600mm f/L IS II lenses have been dropping like a rock with the introduction of the 600 III. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
The Used Gear page has been hot for the past two months with the continuing price drops on Canon and Nikon gear. There are still lots of great buys right now on the Used Gear Page. In addition to the recent sales below, there are many pending sales.
Recent Sales
Blog-regular Anthony Ardito sold a Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED AF-S VR Zoom lens in like-new condition for the very low price of $799.95 (was $899.95) in early December 2019.
Ken Siegel sold a Sony A9 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body in mint condition for $2598.00 (was $2698.00) ten days after it was listed.
Josh Anon (son of noted photographer and Photoshop expert Ellen Anon) sold a SONY a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body in like-new condition for only $2998.00.
Joe Randle sold his Canon 400mm f4L IS DO USM Telephoto lens (the original 400 DO) in near-mint condition for $1999.00 and a Canon Extender EF @x teleconverter in near-mint condition for $229.00 on the second day of listing.
Joe Randle sold a used Canon Extender EF 1.4X teleconverter in near-mint condition for $229.00 moments after it was listed in late November 2019.
Ken Siegel sold a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $3299.00 in mid-November soon after listing.
Jerry Barrack sold a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Digital Camera Body in near-mint condition for $ 1,999.00, a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $5,799.00, a Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera body in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $648.00 in early November 2019.
BAA friend and multiple IPT veteran Paul Reinstein sold his Canon EOS-1D X Mark II body with a shutter count of 40,759 in near-mint condition for $3,599.00 and his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L S II USM lens in excellent condition for the BAA record-low price of $1195.00 both in mid-November 2019.
I sold my SONY a9 in near-mint condition for $2,597.00 on November 11, 2019.
Jerry Barrack sold his Canon Extender EF 1.4X III teleconverter in near-mint condition and his Canon Extender EF 2X III teleconverter also in near-mint condition, both for a very low $224.00 in early November.
Jerry Barrack also sold a Wimberley WH-101 Gimbal Head w/QR C-30 clamp (the original) and a heavy-duty Gitzo 410 tripod for the silly low price of $399.00.
Peter Noyes sold his Sony Alpha A7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera body in like-new condition with a shutter count of less than 1,000 for $1998.00 the first day it was listed in early November.
Huge Price Drops on Big Glass and a Telephoto Zoom!
FE Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price Price reduced $400 on 5 DEC 2019
William Schneider is offering an FE Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens in mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $10,697.00. This immaculate lens has seen little use. The sale includes the lens hood, the lens trunk, the front lens cover, the rear lens cap, the lens strap, and insured shipping via Fed Ex Ground. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Bill via e-mail e-mail or by phone at 1-(262) 269-8628 (Eastern time zone).
This super-fast lens is amazingly light at 6.4 lbs, the same weight as the Nikon 300mm f/2.8. Patrick made lots of great images at St. Paul in the Pribilof Islands last July with the lens alone and with either the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. He really enjoyed the 8.86 ft close-focusing capability and the beautiful bokeh that the lens produces. As this lens sells new right now for $$12,998.00, you can save a cool $2,701.00 by grabbing his virtually new lens asap. artie
ps: at the time of publication this lens is very hard to get; it is not in stock at B&H or at Bedfords.
Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II Lens
BAA record-low Price! Price Reduced $400.00 on 5 DEC 2019!
David Ramirez is offering a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II lens in Excellent Plus condition for the BAA Record-low price-by far of $5299.00 (was $5699.00). It would be near-mint but for the wear on the knob of the lens hood. Otherwise there are no blemishes. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the original tough front lens cover, the lens strap, the manual the original product box, a 4th Generation Design CRX-5 lens plate (that’s what I used) a Realtree Advantage Max4 HD LensCoat, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Photos are available upon request. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact David via e-mail or by phone at 1-541-892-3726 Pacific Time.
The 500mm f/4 super-telephoto lenses have long been the world’s most popular for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many decades. Canon’s Series II version is light, fast, super-sharp, and, in competent hands, produces amazing images with both the 1.4X and 2X III TCs. The 500 II is relatively small, easily hand-holdable for some folks, and is much easier to travel with, focuses closer than, and costs a lot less than the 600 II. The lighter 600 III costs an astounding $12,999.00. Lastly, and you might find this amazing, the magnification for the 500 II is the same as it is for the 600 II: .15X. How is that possible? Magnification is calculated at the minimum focusing distance of the lens — 12.14 feet (3.7 meters) for the 500 II and 14.77 feet (4.5 meters) for the 600 II. Simply put, the 500 II focuses more than two feet closer than the 600 II. The seller for the last one that sold here had five calls the first day; the first four folks quibbled on price. The fifth one jumped right on it … Please do not tarry if you are seriously interested in David’s lens as it too should sell quite quickly. Or not. As the 500 II goes for $8999.00 new, you will be getting a great copy and saving a very nice $3,300.00. I loved my 500 II. artie
This image was created on Day 1 — October 24, 2018 — on my bucket-list trip to the Snow Hill Island Emperor Penguin colony. While sitting on the snow and ice, I used the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens (at 195mm) with my Nikon D850. ISO 400. Matrix metering plus about 2 stops off the snow: 1/1000 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode. Auto 1 WB at 2:43pm on a cloudy-bright afternoon.
I selected a Single AF point two up and two to the right of the center/Shutter button AF as originally framed was active at the moment of exposure. The selected AF point was on the penguin’s neck very close to the being on the same plane as the penguin’s eye.
I kept my 80-400 rig on my shoulder via an RS-7 Curve Breathe Strap so that it was instantly accessible when I was working with the tripod-mounted 500 PF (that often with the TC-E14 or the TC-E17).
Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +5. See the Nikon AF Fine-tune e-Guide here.
Emperor Penguin/adult stretching
Nikon 80-400 AFS Nikkor f/4.5-5.6 G ED N VR Lens
BAA record-low Price! Price Reduced $200.00 on 5 DEC 2019!
Errol Bellon is offering an Nikon 80-400 AFS Nikkor f/4.5-5.6 G ED N VR lens in mint condition for a BAA record-low $1196.95 (was $1396.95). The sale includes a LensCoat, the rear lens cap, the soft lens case with strap, the front lens cap, a Kirk lens foot NC-80-400GN, the original product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
My Nikon 80-400 was my most-valuable lens on my bucket-list trip to an Emperor Penguin colony in Antarctica. The 80-400 pairs perfectly with the following Nikon VR lenses: the 500 PF, the 500 f/4, and the 600 f/4. Right after I sold mine back in February, 2019 I had seller’s remorse. This lens sell new right now for $2,096.95; you can save $900 by grabbing Errol’s lens now. artie
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
This image was created on December 2, 2019 on my busman’s holiday after the 2019 Bosque IPT. 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. Exposure determined by Zebras: 1/60sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 6:37am in the pre-dawn.
Image #1: Great-tailed Grackles on the eagle perch tree
SONY Artisan David Burdett on Seeing …
It’s amazing to see how camera technology has advanced at such an amazing pace. I witnessed the launch of Apollo XI (the first moon landing mission) in 1969. These 50 years in many ways bookend so much of my work and how I see my role as a photojournalist. Back then it was with basic 35mm reflex cameras (no motors, no meters – everything manual) and now today, the ability to take great pictures has arrived with the astonishing advances in camera technology. But the thing that hasn’t changed is seeing. You still have to see. No matter what camera you use to try to capture what you see, the seeing itself remains the key. And looking, seeing, regarding that ever-changing world around me, is what keeps me interested and excited about photography.
David Burnett says he feels as if he never had to grow up. He began shooting pictures for the yearbook in high school in his hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah. While in college, he started working for TIME Magazine and for 50 years has had a great time documenting his world, the 20ieth and 21st centuries. His work has mainly been published in weekly and monthly magazines.
Do check out David’s “Old Folks in Sports” (my title …) SONY Artisan Gallery here or surf his eclectic work in the various photo-journalistic galleries on his website at www.davidburnett.com. As you might expect, David obviously has a great eye; he knows how to see! Two of my very favorite of his galleries are Classics Old & New and Encounters. . Remember, the more great images you look at and study (regardless of genre), the more your photography will improve.
To learn more about other SONY Artisans of Imagery click here.. One of my very favorite-ever photographers there is Neil Leifer who work has appeared most often in Sports Illustrated. He has created many iconic sports image over the last 50 years; his well-known image is the one of a triumphant Muhammad Ali standing over a flattened Sonny Liston in Lewsiton, Maine in 1965.
This image was created on December 4, 2019 on my very last 2019 morning at Bosque. Moments after creating this image I headed up to the Albuquerque airport. Again, I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 318mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 400. Exposure determined by Zebras: 1/60 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 6:37am in the pre-dawn.
Image #2: Great-tailed Grackles on the dead tree
The SONY 200-600 at Bosque
The SONY 200-600 was surely my most-used and most valuable lens at Bosque. As you can see with today’s two featured images, the 2-6 is extremely versatile. I used it hand held and more often mounted on the Induro GIT 404 topped by my FlexShooter Pro. By a small margin, I favor the FlexShooter Pro over the FlexShooter Mini for the 2-6. The 2-6 was my first choice for the pre-dawn fly-ins and the blast-off blurs. The latter often with either the Singh-Ray 95mm George Lepp Solid 3-stop Neutral Density filter or the 95mm Singh-Ray Mor-Slo 5-stop ND. When it was cloudy I’d go with the 3-stop and in full sun with the 5-stop. Do understand one thing: if you can make a great sharp photo of a big snow-goose blast-off in full sun I will buy you a nice steak at Bodega Burger. As far as I am concerned, blurs are the only way to go with sunny day blast-offs. You’ll need the same NDs in 77mm for most of the popular intermediate telephoto zoom lenses like the 80- and 100-400s and the 70-200s. If you wish to save some money on either the 77mm or the 95mm filters, you can go with a single George Lepp Solid 4-stop Neutral Density filter. To save 10% when purchasing your Singh-Ray filters, click here and be sure to enter and apply the discount code ARTIE10 at checkout.
Yours Truly on Seeing
As regular readers know, I have been saying for years that it ain’t the lens and it ain’t the camera. That it’s what is in the heart and the mind of the person holding the lens and their ability to see the shot.
More than a few cars drove by as I was making Image #1 and the same was true when I was making Image #2. For the second image, there was a guy standing and photographing something else — I had no clue as to what. When I shared what too me was the obvioous image with him, he opted too pass on it. Go figure.
Consider joining me on the San Diego IPT to learn to see the shot.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; WED JAN 7, 2020.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions; and Bird of Paradise flowers. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and the subject of blinkies. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well. And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-lunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own.
A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “Arthur Morris) to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, will be due on 10/11//2018. If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date we will try to fill your spot from the waiting list. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
It is 10:23am Mountain Time and I just began typing. I am at the gate at ABQ headed for Houston Hobby and then Orlando. If all goes perfectly, Jim will be picking me up at MCO at about 7pm. After we stop for dinner we should be home about 9:30pm. I woke early to finish packing and then drove to the refuge for my last 2019 hour at Bosque. There was a nice flourescent orange sunrise despite the almost completely cloudy skies. But the fly-in was not great. On my way to the Crane Pool the colors softened nicely and I made a very sweet Zen-like image of a tree-ful of grackles and blackbirds. The Crane Pool was pretty much a grey dud; blurs only!
This Just In
I just learned via text that Steve Elkins at Bedfords just received three SONY a9II bodies ready to ship free today. Be sure to use the BIRDSASART code at checkout to save $50.00.
My Comments on the SONY a7R IV AF for Birds in Flight
Adam and Bill have been asking me for about two weeeks about a7R IV AF performance for birds in flight.
The short answer is I have no defintive answer at this time but I am sure of this: If you do birds in flight the SONY a9 II has no equal …
Using the two cameras on the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens is somewhat of a different story. Personally, I have not done well at all for flight with the a7R IV and the 200-600. Most images are not sharp. THe factors that play into that are many. Here is what I am thinking:
1- With the high pixel denisty of the a7R IV any salight motion blur or equipment shake are maginified.
2- With birds flying from side to side, the a7R IV focuses on the near wing most of the time when I am using Zone or Wide. It does OK with birds quartering toward or flying directly at me. Yes, just OK.
3- It is possible that Flexible Spot (S, M, or L) might do a much better job of getting on the face, head, or upper breast of birds flying from right too left or left to right …
4- At age 73, with somewhat deteriorating strength, stamina, hand-eye cooordination, and fine motor skills, the a7R IV/200-600 combination is panning smoothly when hand holding is on the difficult side for me. Being on a tripod topped by a FlexShooter Pro or Mini might help there.
5- It is also possible that one of the many tracking AF modes might do a lot better job than anything mentioned above. The problem there is that I do not yet understand the basics of those options … If you have a definitive clue, please do leave a comment.
6- Animal-eye Control seems too work far, far better with a9 II on the 200-600 even with birds in flight. When I use Wide, for example, the moving AF points are always fighting to stay on the bird’s head or upper neck.
AF performance with the a9 II on the 200-600 is however, another story: my results are consistently excellent. Please however do not forget the superb quality of the 61-MP files of the a7R IV.
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.
The morning of Monday December 2, 2019 was my least productive morning at Bosque this year. The sky was dead-clear and the bulk of the fly-in was late so I hightailed it to the crane pool. The winds were light from the NNW and the birds were taking off every-which-way. I moved and moved and moved — often several hundred yards. But every time the birds would wind up flying right to the spot that I just left. In short, the cranes outsmarted me …
IPT Updates
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please scroll down here or shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past year, we have sold many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the EOS-1DX, the old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D, and the 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. Most recently the price of used Canon 600mm f/L IS II lenses have been dropping like a rock with the introduction of the 600 III. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
The Used Gear page has been hot for the past two months with the continuing price drops on Canon and Nikon gear. There are still lots of great buys right now on the Used Gear Page. In addition to the recent sales below, there are many pending sales.
New Listing
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4-5.6L IS lens
BPN friend Ravi Hirekatur is offering a 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. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, lens hood, the original carrying bag, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. The lens was cleaned and checked and the image stabilizer mechanism was replaced two months ago by Canon. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Ravi via e-mail or by phone at 1-608-217-9593 central time.
The original 1-4 is a sharp, amazingly versatile telephoto zoom lens. When I used Canon, I made hundreds of great images and saleable with this lens (including the front cover of Scott Weidensaul’s “Return to Wild America. And it was Denise Ippolito’s favorite Canon lens. Ravi’s lens would make a great starter lens for a beginning bird oor nature photographer, especially when paired with a 7D Mark II. artie
Canon EF Extender 1.4X II
BPN friend Ravi Hirekatur is also offering a Canon EF Extender 1.4X II (the 1.4X II teleconverter) in excellent condition for the very low price of $179.00. The sale includes the front and rear caps, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Ravi via e-mail or by phone at 1-608-217-9593 central time.
The 1.4X II TC is every bit as sharp when used with older lenses such as the original 100-400 above and the original 500 and 600mm f/4 lenses. The series III TCs provide advantages only when paired with the series II and III lenses. I used this item more than quite often when I was using Canon, often with great success. artie
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Multiple IPT veteran Jake Levin is offering a Canon EOS 7D Mark II in excellent plus condition for $648.00. The sale includes the Canon battery grip, an extra Canon battery, two 32GB Lexar cards, the front lens cap, the strap, and insured UPS ground shipping to both Canadian and lower-48 US addresses. Your item will not ship until your check clears, unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jake via e-mail or by phone at 1-514-601-9544 (Eastern time zone).
Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II for many years when we both used Canon. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. One thing is for sure: the 7D Mark II is the greatest value ever in a digital camera body. Jake’s Body would match perfectly with the two items above. artie
Price Drop!
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens
BAA Record-low Price! Price reduced $100.00 on 12-3-19
Regular Used Gear page seller John Bowden is offering a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lnes in excellent-plus condition for a BIRDS AS ART record-low $498.00 (was $598.00). The sale includes the rear lens cap, the front lens cap, the lens pouch, the lens shade (hood), the original product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US-addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact John Bowden via e-mail e-mail or by phone at 1-919-358-5717 EST.
The 24-105mm focal length is my all-time favorite for B-roll stuff: bird-scapes, quasi-macros, photographers and people, scenics, and just about everything else on the planet. Whenever I would decide to leave it in the car I would not get far before I was wishing that I had taken it along for the ride. artie
This image was created in Ochopee, FL by IPT veteran Juan Tolentino with the hand held Nikon 500mm PF lens and the D500. ISO 400: 1/4000 second at f/5.6 in Manual mode.
Red-shouldered Hawk top shot with arced wings and flared primaries
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
A Dramatic Flight Shot
When I saw this image here in the Avian Gallery at BirdPhotographer’s.Net, I said, “Whoa! This one is very special.” You can follow the link to the original post to see what others in the BPN community had to say about Juan’s fine image.
I got in touch with Juan and he kindly allowed me to share his wonderful image with you here.
Ihe Nikon Lens I Miss the Most
Without a doubt, the Nikon lens I miss the most is the Nikon 500 PF. It is a great flight lens, it is eminently hand-holdable by most folks, it does pretty well with the TC-E14, and is a fabulous walk around lens when you are working around tame birds.
How to Get Your Dream Gear Soon
As much as I love my afiliate friends at B&H many folks have been frustrated by the long wait list for the hottest items. IPT veterans Carl Kling and my great friend Anita North have both been waiting for a Nikon 500 PF from B&H for more than a year. Yes, for moroe than a year. Total insanity. Thus, I have directed many folks to Steve Elkins at Bedfords (see the contact info above) and he has been doing an awesome job of getting the latest great stuff for BIRDS AS ART folks in relatively short order. He has consistently delivered on the following items:
Canon 600mm f/4 L IS III
Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF
Nikon 600mm f/4 VR
SONY a7R IV
SONY a9 II
SONY 200-600
SONY 600 gm
If you have been on a too-long waiting list for the great gear that you want, it makes absolute sense to to get in touch with Steve Elkins at Bedfords asap. If he comes through, you can simply cancel your existing order. And I almost forgot, use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout to save $50 on oorders over $1,000.00.
Here’s what Juan Tolentino had to say aboout Bedford’s: I contacted Steve Elkins with Bedfords in mid-September and placed an order for the 500PF. I thought it was going to be a long wait, but to my surprise somebody called me from Bedfords on October 31st to let me know that they have received my lens and it was ready to be shipped. I got the lens on the next day with the FREE overnight delivery and I also got a $50 discount when I used the BirdsAsArt code at checkouot. I am really happy with this lens; it is a joy to use.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
Bosque continues to be excellent. I have been having so much fun that I am staying two extra days. I fly home on Wednesday, 4 DEC.
It looks as if the great bad weather is over; the forecast is for Boosque morning death: clear skies and NW winds …
IPT Updates
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
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 hot for the past two months with the continuing price drops on Canon and Nikon gear. There are still lots of great buys right now on the Used Gear Page. In addition to the recent sales below, there are many pending sales.
New Listing
Sony Alpha a7r IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Josh Anon (son of noted photographer Photoshop expert Ellen Anon) is offering a Sony a7r IV Mirrorless Digital camera body in like-new condition for only $2998.00. The sale includes the original box and all accessories, an extra 3rd-party battery, a screen protector for the LCD, and insured UPS ground shipping to lower-48 US addresses. Photos are available upon request. The buyer will cover any payment fees. Your item will not ship until payment clears unless other arrangements are made.
You’ve seen the incredible detail in my a7r IV images made with a vareity of SONY lenses and both teleconverters. I use my 7r IV for 80% of my bird photography and my a9 II in pure flight situations. As the 7r IV sells new right now for $3498.00 you can save an even $500.00 by being the first to grab Josh’s great SONY mirrorless body. artie
Fabulous SONY Re-run
FE Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price
William Schneider is offering an FE Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens in mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $10,697.00. This immaculate lens has seen little use. The sale includes the lens hood, the lens trunk, the front lens cover, the rear lens cap, the lens strap, and insured shipping via Fed Ex Ground. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Bill via e-mail e-mail or by phone at 1-(262) 269-8628 (Eastern time zone).
This super-fast lens is amazingly light at 6.4 lbs, the same weight as the Nikon 300mm f/2.8. Patrick made lots of great images at St. Paul in the Pribilof Islands last July with the lens alone and with either the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. He really enjoys the 8.86 ft close-focusing capability and the beautiful bokeh that the lens produces. Now that he owns the new SONY 600mm f/4GM OSS lens, he cannot justify owning both. As this lens sells new right now for $$12,998.00, you can save a cool $2,301.00 by grabbing his virtually new lens asap. artie
ps: at the time of publication this lens is very hard to get; it is not in stock at B&H or at Bedfords.
Sony Alpha a9 (ILCE 9) Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Price Reduced on 11-21-19
Ken Siegel is offering a Sony A9 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body in mint condition for $2598.00 (was $2698.00). Photos are available upon request. The sale includes the original product box and everything that came in it, a SONY A9 Modular Plate (L-bracket — a $200 value), and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Ken via e-mail e-mail or by phone at 1-(864) 680-5921 (Eastern time zone).
Simply put, the SONY a9 has the best AF system of any camera that I have ever used. And Patrick Sparkman agrees 100%. SONY is getting hotter every day. The a9 sells for $3,498.00 and the new a9 II sells for $4498.00. Either way, you can do the math as far as how much you will be saving. artie
Sony Alpha a7r III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Price Reduced on 11-21-19
Ken Siegel is also offering a Sony a7r III in mint condition for only $1949.00 (was $2049.00). Photos are available upon request. The sale includes the original product box and everything that came in it, a SONY A7r III Modular Plate (L-bracket — a $200 value), and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Ken via e-mail e-mail or by phone at 1-(864) 680-5921 (Eastern time zone).
You’ve seen my great Galapagos images … I made tons of great stuff with the 7r III and the SONY 100-400 with and without the 1.4X TC. Simply put, the a7r iii is a great camera body. It is selling new right now at B&H for $2498.0 and the new a7r iv is going for $3,498.00! You can save a very cool $500.00 by grabbing Ken’s a7r III right now. artie
Please contact Ken via e-mail e-mail or by phone at 1-(864) 680-5921 (Eastern time zone).
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
On rare ocassion, birds collide in flight. Collisions are most likely when a predator sends a large flock of birds into a panic, or perhaps more frequently, with large birds when the winds are calm. Why the latter? It is very difficult for a bird to change direction quickly on still days. That was the case with the near-collision.
I witnessed one horrific collision on Midway Island in 2011; two Layson Albatrosses crashed into each other on take-off on a windless morning. On bird continued on out to sea, the other fell to the ground stunned. It stumbled around dazed for about ten minutes before it was able to take flight after a long run.
How About You?
If you have ever seen two large birds collide in flight, please leave a comment and share your experience.
Which of today’s images do you feel is the stronger of the two? Please let us know why you made your choice.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
With the unsettled weather and tons of geese, Bosque has been great. The other day I was standing below the tour loop road at a barrier gate to a maintainece road. We had been there several times as it got us a bit out of the wind and a bit closer to the geese and cranes. We had seen a roadrunner on each ocassion; it was both bold and shy. It would practically walk between our tripod legs and then run like the dickens. I was photographing geese and cranes in flight with first-timer Dennis Carlson when suddenly the roadrunner darted into view at point blank range. I rotated the lens in the barrel to vertical and quickly moved the Limit Range switch from Not Full to Full. I spun the shutter speed dial five clicks slower for what I guessed would be a good exposure.
The roadrunner faced us for about two seconds. I had Wide AF set on vertical. As the lens focused I could see that the active points were on the bird’s breast. Not ideal, but I knew that if I tried to change to an upper AF point the opportunity would be lost. So I fired off one frame just an instant before the bird took off.
When we were done for the day and parked behind the hotel, I placed my Delkin 128GB UHS-II Power card in the left-hand pocket of my jeans as I do everyday. Along with the battery. (I had only used one body that afternoon.) When I got to my room, I reached confidently into the left-hand pocket to extract the card. The pocket was empty. The battery was inexplicably in my right-hand pocket, but the card was gone. I checked and re-checked all of my pants and coat pockets, refusing too believe that I had lost a card with images on it, never to be found again. I had never done that before. (I had “lost” many cards before but always managed to find them.)
I went back to the car to see if I had mistakenly left the card in the camera. I had not. Using the flashlight on my i-Phone, I carefully searched around the driver’s seat and in the trunk without success. So I fired up the car and headed back to Brooks where I had purchased some skin cream on the way home thinking that the card might have fallen out when I grabbed my wallet. The card was not on the floor near the check-out counter. And nobody had turned it in.
I went back to the room and re-checked all the pockets again. No card. I was resigned to the fact that the card was gone, and with it, a single good image of the Greater Roadrunner. That night, I dreamed that I had myseriously found the card and was quite happy, at least until I woke up. IAC, I was hopeful, heck, strangely confident that it would turn up.
With six inches of fresh snow on the pavement and atop my rental Mazda, the chances of finding the card on the ground where we had parked near the gate the night before, were non-existant. Thanks to first-timer Doug Jackson who helped my clear the snow off my car that morning. IAC, I continued to have hope. Continued below …
IPT Updates
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
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 hot for the past two months with the continuing price drops on Canon and Nikon gear. There are still lots of great buys right now on the Used Gear Page. In addition to the recent sales below, there are many pending sales.
Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens
BAA record-low Price!
IPT veteran Joe Randle is offering a Canon 500mm f4L IS USM Super Telephoto lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $2499.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk with keys, a Realtee LensCoat, a Don Zeck lens cap, the front front lens cover, Wimberley P-40 Arca-Swiss compatible lens plate (a $58 value) and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
The 500mm f/4 lenses have been the world’s most popular telephoto lenses for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many decades. I owned and used and loved my “old five” for many years. If you use Canon and don’t have the cash for a 500 II and can handle the additional 1 1/2 pounds, then this is your best super-telephoto option. Most everyone can produce sharp images with this lens and a 1.4X TC. Folks with good to excellent sharpness techniques can do the same with a 2X TC. A new 500 II sells right now for $8,999.00; you can save a big bundle by grabbing Joe’s lens right now. artie
Canon EOS-1D X Professional Digital Camera Body/with Extras!
Joe Randle is also offering a used EOS 1D-X camera body in excellent condition for only $2,199.00. The sale includes an extra LP-E4M battery, three Delkin Devices CF1000X UDMA 7 64GB cards, four Delkin Devices CF1000X UDMA 7 32 GB cards (all in a nice Pelican CF card case), the front cap, a wide neck strap,Z the interface and stereo AV cables with cable protector, the EOS Digital Solution Disk and Software, instructions Manuals. Insured ground shipping via major courier lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
Two fast, rugged 1D X bodies served as my workhorse cameras for more than four years. I used them to create hundreds of family-jewels-type images.I actually like the 1D X more than I liked my 1D X IIs … artie
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Zoom Lens
Joe Randle is also offering a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II Zoom Lens in excellent plus condition for $999.99. The sale includes the rear lens cap, at Realtree Lens Coat, the lens hood, a Tiffen circular polarizer, the tripod collar, the tough fabric carrying case, the front lens cap, the original product box, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
The amazingly versatile 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses are the world’s most popular mid-range telephoto, I made zillions of great images with my Canon 70-200 f/2.8 lenses. It works well with both the 1.4X and the 2X teleconverters, even with a crop factor body. They are easily hand-holdable and are great for tame birds, landscapes, urbex, indoor stuff like concerts and recitals, and just about anything you want to photograph. As new one sells for $1,799.00 you can save $800 by grabbing Joe’s lens right now. artie
Canon EF 400mm f/4L IS DO USM Telephoto Lens
Joe Randle is offering a Canon 400mm f4L IS DO USM Super Telephoto lens in near-mint condition for $1999.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk & keys, the lens hood, a Digital Camo LensCoat, a Don Zeck Lens Cap, the front lens cover, a Desmond DPL-100 QR Lens Plate Quick Release Arca-Swiss compatible lens plate, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
I used my original 400 DO lens to make hundreds of family jewels-type images. It is great for flight with and without the 1.4X TC and I used it often for close work with the 2X TC. It is easily hand-holdable for most folks. Best of all, it is a great buy. This lens cost about $7K when it was first introduced. artie
Canon EF 24-70 f2.8L II USM Lens
Joe Randle is offering a used Canon EF 24-70 f2.8L II USM lens in near-mint condition for the very low price of $899.00. The sale includes the front lens cover and rear lens cap, the original box, the Canon EW-88C lens hood, an 82mm circular polarizer, the instruction manual, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
The 24-70II is the serious landscape photographer’s dream lens. artie
Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM Lens
Joe Randle is offering a used Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM lens in excellent condition for $149.00. The sale includes front lens cover and rear lens cap, the original box, the lens hood, a K&F 58mm Concept UV filter, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
This super-sharp lens is a favorite of portrait photographers. It sells new for $269.00. artie
Canon Extender EF1.4X III
Joe Randle is offering a used Canon Extender EF 1.4X teleconverter in near mint condition for $229.00. The sale includes front lens cover and rear lens cap, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
As teleconverters are an integral part of my photographic style, I always travel with spares. This sells new for $449.00. artie
Canon Extender EF2x III
Joe Randle is offering a used Canon Extender EF 1.4x lens in near mint condition for $229.00. The sale includes front lens cover and rear lens cap, original box, bag. Insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
As teleconverters are an integral part of my photographic style, I always travel with spares. This sells new for $449.00. artie
Canon Speedlite 430EX II
Joe Randle is offering a used Canon Speedlite 430EX II in near mint condition for $75.00. The sale includes the soft case, the original box, the instruction manual, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
If you want to get started with flash, this is a great buy. artie
Canon Fisheye Zoom Lens EF 8-15 1:4 L USM
Joe Randle is offering a used Canon Fisheye EF 8-15 1:4 L USM zoom lens in near-mint condition for $749.00. The sale includes the front lens cap, the rear lens cap, the original box, the manual, the lens hood, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Joe via e-mail or by phone at 1-620.353.8398 (Central time zone).
I loved the circle lens. If you are creative and know to use it, it is super-fun. artie
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
The Lost Card!
The Thanksgiving Miracle …
I stopped the car while heading north to the farm fields to photograph some winter wonderland trees heavily laden with snow. When I popped the trunk I looked down at the bumper where most of the snow and ice had fallen off. There sitting as peacefully as could be on the thankfully flat bumper was the missing card, sort of plastered in place by the wet and a bit of mud. I jumped foor joy. And then looked up to the heavens to thank my beloved late-wife Elaine. She has pulled me out of many of a jam, including some life-threatening ones. It is extermely hard to believe that on November 20ieth just past, she has been gone for 25 years. IAC, the card downloaded quickly and easily just before lunch.
Had it not snowed, the card would surely have blown off the bumper somewere on I-25 …
It is not often with bird photography that you get everything right in a pressure-filled situation, but I was thrilled that I did just that. Dennis was amazed that I got the shot. And so was I, along with being terrribly thankful that the card found itself 🙂
How About You?
If you’ve ever lost a flash card with some great images on it only to find it, please leave a comment and share your story.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
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 a wondrous day. We woke to six inches of fresh white snow. The forecast was for the rain to start at about 8am. It snowed some more instead. The morning was excellent; we again photographed until after 12 noon! The shoort afternoon session was insane with huge blastoff after huge blastoff.
There were three Thanksgiving Day miracles, two of them mine. The full story is to come.
I hope that you had a joyous day with friends and family.
With the somewhat unstable weather (that is getting worse at the moment), Bosque has been quite excellent. The group is at least tied for the best-ever group. They are all eager to learn, attentive, and they ask tons of questions. Happy campers all. Today our morning session lasted six hours. I have been very, very busy and need to catch up on e-mails and Used Gear Page business …
Please take a moment to leave a comment and let us know which of today’s three featured images is your favorite. And why. Enjoy the holiday and don’t eat too, too much.
IPT Updates
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
There were two large groups of geese primed to blast-off. I brought the group to a spot where we could work both blast-offs as long as they did not go at the same time. My planned worked to beyond perfection …
It was a greyer than grey morning. Exposing to the right left the images looked totally washed out on the laptop. They looked a bit better after the RAW conversion in Capture One. But the magic happened in Photoshop where I ran an 80% layer of Image> > Auto Contrast and topped that off with a 60% opacity layer of Image > Auto Tone. I often use one or both of those on 10 to 20% opacity.
A Guide to Pleasing Blurs
Learn everything there is to know about creating pleasingly blurred images in A Guide to Pleasing Blurs by Denise Ippolito and yours truly. This 20,585 word, 271 page PDF is illustrated with 144 different, exciting, and artistic images. The guide covers the basics of creating pleasingly blurred images, the factors that influence the degree of blurring, the use of filters in creating pleasing blurs, and a great variety of both in-the-field and Photoshop techniques that can be used to create pleasingly blurred images.
Artie and Denise teach you many different ways to move your lens during the exposure to create a variety of pleasingly blurred images of flowers and trees and water and landscapes. They will teach you to recognize situations where subject movement can be used to your advantage to create pan blurs, wind blurs, and moving water blurs. They will teach you to create zoom-blurs both in the field and during post-processing. Artie shares the techniques that he has used and developed for making blurred images of flocks of geese in flight at his beloved Bosque del Apache and Denise shares her flower blur magic as well as a variety of creative Photoshop techniques that she has developed.
With the advent of digital capture creating blurred images has become a great and inexpensive way to go out with your camera and have fun. And while many folks think that making successful blurred images is the result of being a sloppy photographer, nothing could be further from the truth. In “A Guide to Pleasing Blurs” Artie and Denise will help you to unleash your creative self.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
