the whole thing \ud83d\ude42<\/strong><\/h2>\nI work very hard on the blog. I am not sure why. Last year I had a streak of 366 days in a row with a new, educational blog post. Right now the current streak is at 137. As always, I enjoy being the star of the show. I enjoy the attention. At times, I enjoyed stirring the pot and creating a bit of controversy. And I always strive to teach, often by asking questions and getting folks to think. The many wonderful e-mails that I receive and the many wonderful comments that I read are the icing on the cake. I know that I am doing something great here, but it is always nice when others folks voice their (unsolicited) confirmations. <\/p>\n
Photography is, however, my job so let’s talk briefly about money. The blog (and the now occasional BAA Bulletin) promote the sales of information in digital form (read PDFs like Digital Basics) and as eBooks and eGuides (such as the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide and the 7D Mark II Guide). and the blog of course promotes the sale of photographic accessories such as Delkin flash cards and card readers, tripods, tripod heads, LensClens, LensCoat stuff, and dozens of other products, products that I have used and depending on for decades. Your support and patronage is of course greatly appreciated. <\/p>\n
I often spend 10-20 hours or more per week on the blog, and thus, I view it as a part time job. The main remuneration comes from the use of my B&H affiliate links, especially for major purchases. B&H is a reliable, dependable firm that offers pretty much the lowest prices around plus great service and an unequaled return policy. Using my affiliate links is a great way to thank me for my efforts here on the blog and each use, whether for something small or a five figure lens, is greatly appreciated. And the best news it that using my affiliate links will not cost you one penny. <\/p>\n
I have been frank about this here before; for my first several years as a B&H affiliate, my cut was 3%. A bit more than a year ago I received a raise to 3 1\/2 percent. If you are kind enough to purchase a $2,000 lens or camera body, I get $70 credited to my account. When someone places a $10,000 order I make a very nice commission of $350. <\/p>\n
The Challenges<\/h3>\n
I often receive e-mails like this:<\/p>\n
Dear Art, <\/p>\nFirst let me say that I have subscribed to your blog for three years. I visit the every day right after I get out of bed to see what nuggets you are offering. Your images are killer and the lessons that you provide on a daily basis have helped me become a much better photographer. I just purchased a Canon 600mm f\/4L IS II Lens and an EOS-1D X body but am having trouble making sharp images with teleconverters of birds in flight. Please help?<\/p>\n
Joe <\/em><\/p>\n
Dear Joe, Thanks for writing and for you kind words. Before I get too deeply into my answer, I need to ask: where do you live? Did you use my B&H affiliate links to purchase your new gear? Do you have our 1D X AF Guide? <\/p>\n
Later and love, artie<\/p>\n
Dear Art, <\/p>\nI live in Hartford, Connecticut. I always shop mail order at B&H because they are superb but I forgot to use your link. And no, I do not have a copy of your 1D X AF Guide. By the way, thanks to you and your great blog posts, I just ordered a 7D Mark II from B&H. Sorry, again I forgot to use your affiliate link. <\/p>\n
Love ya man, Joe <\/em><\/p>\n
My commission on Joe’s sale would have been $587.93. And it would not have cost him one cent. <\/p>\n
How would you respond to Joe’s request for help? <\/p>\n
Another Typical e-Mail<\/strong><\/h2>\nDear Artie, <\/p>\nThanks so much for publishing your Lens Align Mark II tutorials and alerting us to Michael Tapes Focus Tune. You explain things so well and your writing is always easy to understand. And BTW, I subscribe to your blog and value every post. <\/p>\n
I just purchased the LensAlign MK II including Fusion (Focus Tune) from B&H and I need some additional help with determining the correct distances for the focal length of the lens with and without teleconverters. Can you share the formulas with me for the lens alone and with a TC added? <\/p>\n
Harry<\/em><\/p>\n
Dear Harry, <\/p>\n
I am glad that you enjoy the blog so much. Just so you know, when you purchase something that I teach you about and teach you to use we would appreciate it if you could use the link to the BAA Store right there in the post rather than purchasing it elsewhere. If you use our B&H link to purchase items that are in my store my profit on the item is usually about 90% less than if you had purchased it from the BAA Online Store….<\/p>\n
For the lenses alone you use approximately 8.2 feet per 100 meters of focal length; for a 300mm lens you would set the target at 24.6 feet. When you add a TC, you split the difference. For example, if you are micro-adjusting the 300 with a 2X TC (600mm focal length the target should be at 49.2 feet but it is fine to split the difference by placing it halfway between 24.6 feet and 49.2 feet, or 36.9 feet. Or, you can think of it like this 450 X 8.2 feet = 36.9 feet. <\/p>\n
In the future, please remember to buy your accessories and miscellaneous items from the BAA Store (if we carry them) and to use our B&H link for your major gear purchases. <\/p>\n
later and love, artie<\/p>\n
How would you have responded to Harry? <\/p>\n
My Biggest Affiliate Frustration Tale<\/h3>\n
When the Canon Series II super-telephotos were released I got my hands on one of each and posted lots of images created with both the 500 II and the 600 II. Folks were very appreciative. At the time, it was fairly easy to have a BAA B&H affiliate order expedited. With such huge demand for the 100-400 II recently that has become more difficult to do though I have succeeded in more than a few instances. IAC, lots of folks generously used my links to purchase both the big lenses along with a 1D X or two. <\/p>\n
An acquaintance\/friend from the west coast was the very first to order a 600 II with my link. Several others sent me their B&H 600 II receipts via e-mail and I forwarded them all to my contact at B&H to be expedited. Somehow they screwed up. Numbers 2 and 3 on the list got their lenses right off the bat. Number 1 did not. He was understandably upset. So upset that he cancelled the entire order that he had placed using my B&H link: 1 600 II, one 500 II, and one 1D X body. So because of the screw-up with the expediting I lost my then 3% commission on a $30,000 sale. <\/p>\n
Frustrating right?<\/p>\n
Now try this on for size: the woman who was #2 on the list sent me her B&H receipt and stated that she had used my link.I had her order expedited and she got her lens right away. I carefully track all of the big sales to make sure that I receive credit. When I inquired as to why that sale never appeared in my account I was informed that the sale was indeed an affiliate sale, one made via CanonRumors.com…. The end result was that I lost my commission on sales of well more than $42,000. Hard to love that. <\/p>\n
How local store supporters, overseas folks, those who write with questions, and all who enjoy the blog on a daily basis can do their part to help the support the BAA Blog.<\/h3>\n
Many times when I ask someone who professes that they love the blog if they used my B&H link, they write back, “I like to support my local camera store.” And quite often, it’s “I live in the UK or Down Under; using B&H does not make sense as I would get killed on import duties. Good friend and digital photography guru Tim Grey supported the work that he did for years on his DDQ e-mails using a share-ware system. Folks could sign up for free but were given the option of making a donation to keep him writing every day. For years I have stayed away from such a system but now I am ready to adapt a simple version. <\/p>\n
All who enjoy and learn from the blog are invited to send a donation (the amount is up to you) using any of the following methods:<\/p>\n
First let me say that I have subscribed to your blog for three years. I visit the every day right after I get out of bed to see what nuggets you are offering. Your images are killer and the lessons that you provide on a daily basis have helped me become a much better photographer. I just purchased a Canon 600mm f\/4L IS II Lens and an EOS-1D X body but am having trouble making sharp images with teleconverters of birds in flight. Please help?<\/p>\n
Joe <\/em><\/p>\n
Dear Joe, Thanks for writing and for you kind words. Before I get too deeply into my answer, I need to ask: where do you live? Did you use my B&H affiliate links to purchase your new gear? Do you have our 1D X AF Guide? <\/p>\n
Later and love, artie<\/p>\n
Dear Art, <\/p>\n I live in Hartford, Connecticut. I always shop mail order at B&H because they are superb but I forgot to use your link. And no, I do not have a copy of your 1D X AF Guide. By the way, thanks to you and your great blog posts, I just ordered a 7D Mark II from B&H. Sorry, again I forgot to use your affiliate link. <\/p>\n Love ya man, Joe <\/em><\/p>\n My commission on Joe’s sale would have been $587.93. And it would not have cost him one cent. <\/p>\n How would you respond to Joe’s request for help? <\/p>\n Dear Artie, <\/p>\n Thanks so much for publishing your Lens Align Mark II tutorials and alerting us to Michael Tapes Focus Tune. You explain things so well and your writing is always easy to understand. And BTW, I subscribe to your blog and value every post. <\/p>\n I just purchased the LensAlign MK II including Fusion (Focus Tune) from B&H and I need some additional help with determining the correct distances for the focal length of the lens with and without teleconverters. Can you share the formulas with me for the lens alone and with a TC added? <\/p>\n Harry<\/em><\/p>\n Dear Harry, <\/p>\n I am glad that you enjoy the blog so much. Just so you know, when you purchase something that I teach you about and teach you to use we would appreciate it if you could use the link to the BAA Store right there in the post rather than purchasing it elsewhere. If you use our B&H link to purchase items that are in my store my profit on the item is usually about 90% less than if you had purchased it from the BAA Online Store….<\/p>\n For the lenses alone you use approximately 8.2 feet per 100 meters of focal length; for a 300mm lens you would set the target at 24.6 feet. When you add a TC, you split the difference. For example, if you are micro-adjusting the 300 with a 2X TC (600mm focal length the target should be at 49.2 feet but it is fine to split the difference by placing it halfway between 24.6 feet and 49.2 feet, or 36.9 feet. Or, you can think of it like this 450 X 8.2 feet = 36.9 feet. <\/p>\n In the future, please remember to buy your accessories and miscellaneous items from the BAA Store (if we carry them) and to use our B&H link for your major gear purchases. <\/p>\n later and love, artie<\/p>\n How would you have responded to Harry? <\/p>\n When the Canon Series II super-telephotos were released I got my hands on one of each and posted lots of images created with both the 500 II and the 600 II. Folks were very appreciative. At the time, it was fairly easy to have a BAA B&H affiliate order expedited. With such huge demand for the 100-400 II recently that has become more difficult to do though I have succeeded in more than a few instances. IAC, lots of folks generously used my links to purchase both the big lenses along with a 1D X or two. <\/p>\n An acquaintance\/friend from the west coast was the very first to order a 600 II with my link. Several others sent me their B&H 600 II receipts via e-mail and I forwarded them all to my contact at B&H to be expedited. Somehow they screwed up. Numbers 2 and 3 on the list got their lenses right off the bat. Number 1 did not. He was understandably upset. So upset that he cancelled the entire order that he had placed using my B&H link: 1 600 II, one 500 II, and one 1D X body. So because of the screw-up with the expediting I lost my then 3% commission on a $30,000 sale. <\/p>\n Frustrating right?<\/p>\n Now try this on for size: the woman who was #2 on the list sent me her B&H receipt and stated that she had used my link.I had her order expedited and she got her lens right away. I carefully track all of the big sales to make sure that I receive credit. When I inquired as to why that sale never appeared in my account I was informed that the sale was indeed an affiliate sale, one made via CanonRumors.com…. The end result was that I lost my commission on sales of well more than $42,000. Hard to love that. <\/p>\n Many times when I ask someone who professes that they love the blog if they used my B&H link, they write back, “I like to support my local camera store.” And quite often, it’s “I live in the UK or Down Under; using B&H does not make sense as I would get killed on import duties. Good friend and digital photography guru Tim Grey supported the work that he did for years on his DDQ e-mails using a share-ware system. Folks could sign up for free but were given the option of making a donation to keep him writing every day. For years I have stayed away from such a system but now I am ready to adapt a simple version. <\/p>\n All who enjoy and learn from the blog are invited to send a donation (the amount is up to you) using any of the following methods:<\/p>\nAnother Typical e-Mail<\/strong><\/h2>\n
My Biggest Affiliate Frustration Tale<\/h3>\n
How local store supporters, overseas folks, those who write with questions, and all who enjoy the blog on a daily basis can do their part to help the support the BAA Blog.<\/h3>\n
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