Amazing BILD Discovery: BILD EXPO Presented by B&H
I just learned yesterday that all BILD programs are 100% free. All you need to do is register and show up. See you there!
Why Attend? BIRDS AS ART Appearances, Speakers, Gear, Deals, and more
I am pleased to announce that I will be doing four round table sessions at BILD this June. Here are the round table topics:
1- Systems, Lenses, and Camera Bodies for Bird Photography
2- Creating Sharp Bird Photographs
3- Bird Photography Hotspots
4- Creating Bird Photographs that depict Flight, Action, and Behavior
Stay tuned for a definitive schedule. I hope to see you there.
Bild Expo is back! Join us at The Javits Center in New York City for an unforgettable event featuring 100+ expert speakers, 250+ exhibitors, hands-on experiences, and the world’s greatest creative community. B&H’s incredible show specials will be the icing on the cake! Whether you’re a seasoned pro, an enthusiast, or a beginner, at Bild you will get inspired, learn, meet like-minded people, and celebrate being part of this amazing world of creativity.
Click here or on the logo link above for more information.
Click here to register.
The BIRDS AS ART SONY 400-800mm f/6.3-9 G Super-telephoto Zoom Lens Guide
When I borrowed this lens from Sony, I assumed that at 5.45 pounds it was too heavy to handhold for long and that at f/8 at the long end (800mm,) it was too slow for most bird photography applications. In short, I did not want to like the lens. After a month of using it, I cannot live without it. After returning the loaner, I was miraculously able to get my own from Bedfords on 16 April 2025. In this guide I share everything that I have learned about using the 400-800. For best results, you need to know exactly what you are doing to get the most out of this zoom lens. It would be best, therefore, to consider and study the material in the guide so that you can begin making great images with your new lens.
You will learn how to deal with the relatively show apertures: f/6.3, f/7.1, and f/8 when working in Manual mode.
You will learn how to ensure that you are working at the widest aperture by working in Shutter Priority mode with AUTO ISO.
If you are able to hand hold the lens, you will learn proper hand holding techniques.
If you can’t, you will learn when, why, and how to employ other options. Those include:
1- The knee-pod, heel-pod, and toe-pod techniques
2- Using the lens on a monopod.
3- The best lens plate and low foot for your 4-8.
4- The best tripod and head for the 4-8 and how best to utilize them.
5- How to use the lens from your vehicle while supporting it on a BLUBB (or not and why not).
6- Detailed instructions on how to set and use the lens controls and buttons:
a- AF/MF
b- DMF Switch
c- Limit Range Switch
d- OSS (Optical Steady Shot) Switch
e- OSS Mode Switch
f- Focus Hold Buttons
The guide also includes a Hand Holding Shutter Speed Primer and an illustrative, educational, and inspiring 67-image gallery.
Free to folks who use one of my two affiliate links to purchase their Sony 400-800 G lens. Otherwise, please send a PayPal for $115.43 to birdsasart@verizon.net and include the words “400-800 Lens Guide” in your e-mail.
Sony Alpha 1 (a-1) Mirrorless Camera Body
Multiple IPT veteran and dear friend William (Bill) Schneider is offering a rarely if ever used used Sony a-1 (ILCE-1) mirrorless camera body in like-new condition for a very low $3,398.00. The sale includes the original product box, and everything that came in it including one battery, the charger, the camera 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.
Please contact Bill via e-mail or by phone at 262-269-8628.
I used Sony a-1 bodies as my workhorse cameras for more than three years. They produce stunning 51MP files with vivid natural colors. The AF system is superb. They are rugged and dependable and 30 frames per second is nothing to sneeze at. With a brand new a-1 ii going for $6498.00, you can save an even $3200.00 by grabbing Pat’s nearly as good as new a- copy ASAP. Right now, B&H is offering a used Sony a-1 in the same condition, 9+, for $4,674.95 here. Don’t believe me? Click the link.
What’s Up?
Tuesday afternoon at Nickerson Beach was fairly good. There are many oystercatcher chicks of varying ages and many, many hundreds of skimmers and Common Terns setting up to nest this summer. We even spotted a few tiny Common Tern chicks. As it was sunny at first, I took only the 400-800 — no tripod, no teleconverter, no worries, all pleasure.
The forecast for Wednesday morning was terrible — clear with a southwest wind. The reality was much better: 5:00am drizzle followed by mostly cloudy till about 7:30am followed by some sun. Early on there was very little breeze. That was followed by a gentle wind from the north sometimes northeast. With the early clouds I went with the 600mm f/4 GM lens with both TCs in my beloved fanny pack and the tripod topped by a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro. I got some decent stuff on small oystercatcher chicks at 840mm. Then, thanks to friend Steffen Foerster, we went looking for some Piping Plover chicks. We found two families with five tiny chicks total. But no images to speak of. All in all, I walked about 2 miles.
On Wednesday afternoon, we tried the Least Tern colony at Sunken Meadow Park. Good friend Tom Pfeiffer photographed some chicks there in the morning in the fog, but with full sun in the afternoon the only photography was flight over the Long Island Sound. We had very good few chances. Anke Frohlich got a great series with the 300mm f/2.8 and the 2X TC on a Least Tern coming out of the water with a sandeel, dropping it in midair, and trying to catch it a second time. Standing right next to her I completely fanned on the opportunity :-(.
Today is Thursday 11 June 2025. We will likely be heading back to Nickerson to try for the Piping Plover chicks in the morning. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have a wonderful and productive day. Do remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie, The Work.Com.
If an item — a Delkin flash card or a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Don’t Just Shoot: Learn
To learn of the late-registration discounts and AirBnB availability for the Jacksonville Royal Terns with chicks and more extended IPT late June/early July, or if you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on an Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025) or in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Both offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and ground transportation during your stay.
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This image was created on 27 May 2025 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing on a slope that leads down to a canal to get on the bird’s level, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 800mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 1250: 1/2000 second at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 8:01:50am on a partly sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #1: Sandhill Crane colt stretching one wing |
Sometimes the Plan Works
When I see an isolated crane colt on the South Peninsula, I will usually grab the 400-800 and head down the slope to the South Canal to get pretty much level with the bird and enjoy sky or lake/marsh backgrounds. Once I am in position and have zoomed to a good focal length, I hope for the bird to do something interesting. This one cooperated nicely.
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This image was created on 3 June 2025 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing on the pier, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 800mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. Multi-metering +2.0 stops in Shutter Priority mode with Exposure Compensation (EC) on the Thumb Dial. AUTO ISO set ISO 6400: 1/3200 sec. at f/8 (wide open). AWB at 8:17:41am on a partly sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #2: Green Heron adult flying away |
Why Shutter Priority and AUTO ISO?
When you are walking along on a cloudy day and are not sure what to expect, Shutter Priority with AUTO ISO is often a good way to go. When this bird flew off from unexpectedly from below the pier, I raised the lens and fired, thinking that if it flew against the green marsh that the bird might be over-exposed at +2 stops. But with the water background everything was perfect. Here is a caption from the The Complete and Quintessential Guide to Photographing Bird in Flight by Arash Hazeghi and yours truly, Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART:
Green Heron, ILE, FL. With the hand held Sony 400-800 GM lens (at 800mm) & the a-1 ii: ISO 6400: 1/3200 sec. at f/8. Birds in flight angling away may provide spectacular views of the dorsal wing surfaces.
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This image was also created on 3 June 2025 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing on the pier, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 400mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. Multi-metering +2.3 stops (!) in Shutter Priority mode with Exposure Compensation (EC) on the Thumb Dial. AUTO ISO set ISO 6400: 1/4000 sec. at f/6.3 (!) (wide open). AWB at 8:26:34am on a partly sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #3: Boat-tailed Grackle male in flight |
Close to Perfect
Despite being created at +2.3 stops, RawDigger showed that the raw file brightness for Image #3 was about 1/6-stop too dark. All in all, not bad.
Sharpness, the flight pose, the incredible dorsal (top side) view, and the head angle however, are all dead-solid perfect.
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This image was created on 6 June 2025 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Sitting on the pier, I used the knee-pod technique with the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 584mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 3200: 1/2000 second at f/7.1 (wide open at that focal length) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:51:30am on a partly sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #4: Green Heron juvenile |
Surprise
I was walking slowly out towards the end of the pier checking out the juvenile Osprey sitting on railing and dreaming when I glanced down and to my left and spotted a juvenile Green Heron siting on the edge of the pier deck. Surprise. Since it was a juvie, I figured that it would be tame so after making a few frames standing I sat down slowly. The whole bird was included in the original frame but I did not like the wooden planks as much as I had in the previous image. That necessitated a somewhat clever square crop to eliminate all the wood with a relatively pleasing result. I could have done something similar in the field simply by zooming in a lot more.
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This image was created on 8 June 2025 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing on the beach to the left of the pier, I used the hand held Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 795mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel — ISO 2500: 1/4000 second at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:55:07m on a mostly sunny morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger, inexplicably sharper high-res version. Image #5: Osprey — adult with fish |
Almost Missed This!
After photographing a Green Heron on the beach, I was getting into the car when I saw this bird flying at me with a still-unidentified fish, possibly a Tilapia. I turned around, raised the lens, raised the shutter speed, adjusted the exposure with my eye to the viewfinder, and fired off a long sequence.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Great pose on the Sandhill Crane (image #1)!