In the Last Blog Post
In the last blog post, two folks — as expected, did not like the light-toned halo in Image #3. Here is my response:
I noted the halo. I am 99% sure that had I not revealed that the head and been replaced the head, nobody would have had “boo” to say about the halo, passing it off as a matter of really good luck.
That said, I may take another run at the .TIF file and attempt to eliminate the halo.
Your Call?
Which of today’s four new featured images is your favorite? What do you like most about your first choice?
What’s Up?
The improving photography here at ILE continues and I have been getting out every morning. Today’s four new featured images were optimized in Photoshop 2025/26.10.0 Release with ACR 17.5, both recently updated. Yesterday I completed Volume I of the Digital Basics IV Video Series. It introduces the new ACR noise reduction methodology and details its use. The first volume will be introduced in the next blog post; DB IV/VOL I will be available for purchase in the BAA Online Store.
Today is Saturday 2- September 2025. The weather is perfect so I will be heading down to the lake as soon as I hit publish. Whatever you choose to do today, I hope that you too opt to have a wonderful blessed day.
If an item — a Delkin flash card or reader, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro, or a Wimberley lens plate or low foot — 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 or beat any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedford 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.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BirdPhotographer’s.Net, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
Don’t Just Shoot: Learn
If you are interested in changing your life and becoming a better photographer by joining me on the Extended IPT at Sebastian Inlet for Ospreys and more (SEPT 25 to NOV 24, 2025), in San Diego for Pacific-race Brown Pelicans and more (JAN 6 to FEB 2, 2026), or for Roseate Spoonbills at Stick Marsh (March 2026), please e-mail for dates, rates, terms, and additional information. Or shoot me a text to 863-221-2372. Some offerings include options for shared AirBnB lodging and meals. Ground transportation during your stay is a possibility at times.
B&H Simplified
To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but using my affiliate links is greatly appreciated. And, with B&H, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. You cannot get your free guides if you make a phone order. Once you have an item in your cart, you must complete the order within two hours. Huge thanks!
B&H
Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1-ii from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1-ii Info and Updates Group, a roughly $225.00 value. But when I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.
Bedfords Simplified
Click here to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Using either my affiliate links is greatly appreciated and will often earn you free guides or discounts.
Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can always use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase when your product ships. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or prior purchases.
You can visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.
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This image was created on 14 September 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing and squatting down a bit to move the background farther from the bird, I used the handheld 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 Exposure Compensation (EC) on the thumb wheel. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 3200: 1/800 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:59:59am on a mostly sunny morning. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:59:59am 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 #1: Sandhill Crane colt about six months old holding dried blade grass |
Subject in Shade, Background in Sun
Regular readers know that I am always on the lookout for subject in shade, background in sun situations because I always love the look of such images. They are not easy to find. With this one, the young crane was in the shade of a large tree; the shadow did not reach the background. The trick is to add enough light to properly expose the bird while avoiding over-exposing the background. A plus in these situation is that since the subject is in the shade, you can shoot off sun angle; that often helps in lining up with the sun drenched background.
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This image was created on 18 September 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing down on a slope that leads to a canal, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 456mm) and The Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 1600: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 8:30:39am 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 #2: Sandhill Crane colt about six months old with scavenged Glass Lizard |
The Glass Lizard Adventure
One of the adult cranes discovered the dead Glass Lizard in the grass and immediately began tearing off small bits from the rear end and feeding them to their surviving colt. This continued for about 40 minutes. Then, the colt began picking up the carcass and trying — without success, to swallow it head first. Photography was extremely difficult as one of the three birds in the family always seemed to be in the way. In addition, making a good feeding shot was very difficult for the usual reasons: poor subject to sensor plane orientation and/or terrible head angles. I had a ton of fun trying.
Thanks again to Matt Milnes for the herp ID.
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This image was also created on 18 September 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing down on a slope that leads to a canal, I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and The Latest Greatest Flagship Body, the Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 1600: 1/500 sec. at f/9 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 8:40:42am 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 #3: Sandhill Crane colt head portrait |
Stopping Down!
Ninety-eight percent of my bird photographs are created at the wide open aperture. As preached here for years, the time to stop down for extra depth of field is when you are working near the minimum focusing distance (MFD) of the lens with a large-in-the frame subject. For whatever reason, the young crane quit feeding and posed while waiting for poppa to tear off another small chunk of lizard.
At risk of missing the perfect head portrait pose, I went three clicks clockwise with my right index finger to get to f/9 and then three clicks counterclockwise with my right thumb to reduce the shutter speed from 1/1000 sec. to 1/500 sec. That took less than two seconds and I was very glad that the bird had not moved.
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This image was created on 19 September 2025 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on a concrete pad and working vertically off the tilted rear monitor, I used the toe-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E) (at 427mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined by Zebras with Exposure Compensation (EC) on the thumb wheel. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: ISO 1250: 1/1600 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was perfect. AWB at 7:59:59am on a mostly sunny morning. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:22:41am on a 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: Sandhill Crane colt about six months old — elegant pose while preening |
Loving the Vertically Tilting Rear Monitor
When working on or near the ground with the original Sony a-1, I remember dozens of times when I was wishing that the a-1 had had a tilting rear screen. The articulating rear monitor on the a-1 ii is one of my very favorite features. The shadow at the bottom of the frame is from a small picnic shelter. Did I lighten that shadow too much? If yes, why?
200-600 versus the 400-800
In general, I will opt for the 200-600 in cloudy conditions and the 400-800 when the sun is shining. Both of these wonderful lenses are similar with their great versatility. Most folks can handhold them. Both offer fast, smooth zooming. And both feature internal focusing; the length of the lens does not change as you zoom in or out.
The 4-8 weighs 5.45 pounds. When you throw in the weight of the superb Wimberley AP-640 Low Foot, that makes the 4-8 at least a pound heavier than the 200-600 (4.65 pounds). Notes: I use a lens plate on the 200-600 on the very, very rare occasions that I use that lens on a tripod; I am not sure that I ever have. The foot, however, is removable so I basically never have it mounted. I wish that the foot of the 400-800 was removable but it is not. It does make a great carrying handle.
The minimum focusing distance of the 200-600 is a bit more than 7 feet at the long end while the MFD of its big brother is about 11 feet (again, at the long end).
One pound does not seem like a lot, but after my Friday morning session my left shoulder was letting me know that I should have been on the monopod.
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This image was created down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake on 8 April 2025 on a BAA Baby Crane In-the-Field instructional session with Joe Norton. Working from well down on the slope that leads to the canal, I used the hand held Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 2500: 1/500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed that the exposure was dead solid perfect: AWB at 7:56:23am on a cloudy, overcast, sometimes drizzly morning. Wide/AF-C with Bird Eye/Face Detection enabled performed perfectly. Image #5: Sandhill Crane chick twins |
Hard to Believe
There is a more than 50% chance that one of the two crane chicks in Image #5 is the same individual pictured in Images #1-4. It is amazing how quickly the crane chicks grow.
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.
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Composite #1: All with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body.
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The a-1 ii for General Bird Photography
I have found that eye-tracking for general bird photography with the a-1 ii is far, far better than with the original Sony a-1. It grabs the eye and tracks it faster and far more consistently and focus is rarely lost, even with backgrounds other than sky.
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Composite #2: All with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body.
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The a-1 ii for Birds in Flight
For birds in flight, the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body has no equal. As Arash Hazeghi says, “It is better than the a-1.” When I am late getting on a bird in flight, I have consistently been amazed at how often the AF system of the a-1 ii finds and tracks the bird’s eye.
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Composite #3: All the result of using Pre-Capture with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body.
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Pre-Capture with the Sony a-1 ii
When it comes to Pre-Capture with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body, Arash and I agree 100%. And with my slower reflexes, Pre-Capture is more important for me than it is for Arash. Understand that in each of the images in Composite #3, I did not push the shutter button until after the bird took flight!
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All with the a-1 ii Mirrorless Camera body.
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Purchasing or Upgrading to a Sony a-1 ii
The Sony a-1 ii e-Mail Set-up and Info Guide
I now own and use two Sony a-1 ii bodies. Every day that I use them, the more I am amazed by speed and accuracy of the Bird Face-Eye tracking in AF-C and the overall performance of the camera.
Aside from the improved ergonomics as compared to the a-1, other nice features include the fact that the rear screen tilts both ways — the lack of a tilting rear screen on the original a-1 always ticked me off. Pre-capture has proven to be a huge plus almost exclusively for take-off flight images. In my opinion, the Speed Boost feature is a total waste for bird photography because you should always be utilizing the maximum frame rate. In addition, the resolution on the rear monitor has been improved dramatically. I must mention again that Bird Face-Eye tracking on the a-1 ii is vastly improved as compared to both the a-1 and the a9 iii and that the 51MP files are to die for.
So, the big question is, is the a-1 ii “worth” a gear upgrade. Remembering that I can never know whether or not something is worth it to you, I can say that I was not floored when first using my a-1 ii. The differences between the a-1 ii and the original a-1, seemed to be neither huge nor eye-opening. But over time, I have come to realize that I was 100% wrong. The huge difference between the new camera body and the a9 iii is, of course, the 51MP a-1 raw files (as compared to the 24MP files rendered by the a9 iii).
The price of a new a-1 is $5,898.00. The price of a new a-1 ii is $1,100.00 more: $6,998.00. As the a-1 ii is clearly far superior for bird photography to the original a-1, the choice for folks new to Sony or for those upgrading from lesser Sony camera bodies is an easy one. Prices for used a-1 bodies has not dropped drastically as I anticipated. At this point, a-1 folks who like showing flight and action and can afford an a-1 ii, are advised to purchase an a-1 ii. Please remember that life is short; we only get one ride on the merry-go-round.
If you do purchase an a-1 ii, be sure to use one of my two affiliate links so that you will receive my a-1 ii settings (in the form of a CAMSEa1ii.DAT file), the Buttons and Dials Guide, and an Info Sheet for free. Using my links will never cost you one penny and may actually save you some money. Folks who do not purchase their new a-i using my B&H link or from Bedfords here and entering the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout will be able to purchase the a-1 ii guide for $244.93. If you are at all confused and do not want to screw up your order, please get in touch via e-mail. If you would like to chat about upgrading, shoot me a text to 863-221-2372 and LMK a good time to call you.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Nice comparison. Today was my first day out with the 400-800. Loving it. Very sharp, AF in my opinion a tad faster than the 2-6. Love the reach.
#4 for me. I like the pose of the bird and the way the curve of the neck, body and tail feathers move my eye through the image and the background colors of the sky and grass along with the red cap on the head complete the journey. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, James. And you are welcome. The pose in #4 is actually a common one.
with love, artie
I love the elegant pose of the sandhill crane in #4 — just beautiful! By the way, I had no idea that my Sony a-1 ii had a tilting screen in both directions. Can’t wait to try it out!
Thanks, Pat. You will not need your articulating rear monitor for fall color.
with love, artie