{"id":56743,"date":"2018-07-25T07:43:21","date_gmt":"2018-07-25T11:43:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=56743"},"modified":"2018-07-31T08:30:46","modified_gmt":"2018-07-31T12:30:46","slug":"blue-footed-retrospective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2018\/07\/25\/blue-footed-retrospective\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue-footed Retrospective …"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stuff<\/h3>\n

I spent four hours on the phone yesterday getting our three ATT e-mail addresses to work … I have been averaging walking about 5 1\/2 miles a day for the past few days. <\/p>\n

PHOTOEXPO 2018<\/h3>\n

If you missed the PHOTOEXPO 2018 announcement and live anywhere within driving or flying distance of Memphis, TN, click here<\/a> for the info. I have rides to Beale Street for both nights. If you are attending, please stop by the BAA table for a handshake and a hug. <\/p>\n

BIRDS AS ART<\/h3>\n

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. <\/p>\n

Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART<\/h3>\n

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<\/a> or shoot us an e-mail<\/a><\/center> 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 old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D and 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. You can always see the current listings by clicking on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page. <\/p>\n

Recent Sales<\/strong><\/h2>\n

NANPA President Don Carter sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f\/4L IS USM lens in excellent condition for the BAA record-low-by-far price of $525 the first day it was listed. Yours truly sold his like-new Canon 70-200mm f\/4L IS lens for $699 in late June.
\nRay Maynard sold his Canon 300mm f\/2.8 L IS lens (the original version) in near-mint condition for the BIRDS AS ART record-low price of $2349.000 and a Canon 2X III teleconverter in near-mint condition for $285.00 both in mid-July.
\nBill Ketterer sold his Canon EF 500mm f\/4L IS USM lens in excellent condition for the lowest ever BAA price of $3399.00 in early June.
\nJim Keener sold his Canon EOS-1DX Mark II in near-mint condition for $3,999.00 the first day it was listed.
\nRay Maynard sold his Canon 1.4X III teleconverter in near-mint condition for the low price of $299.00 in late June, 2018.
\nRandall Ennis sold his Canon EOS-1D Mark IV in excellent condition for $849.00 in late June.
\nJoel Williams sold his Sony Vario-Tessar T FE 16-35 f\/4 ZA OSS lens in like-new condition for $629 (was $749) in late June, 2018.
\nJoel Williams also sold his Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f\/2.8 R LM OIS WR lens in like-new condition for $749 (was $949) in April 2018.
\nPierre Williot sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in like-new condition for a very fair $848.00 in late June, 2018.
\nTop BAA used gear seller Jim Keener sold his Canon EF 16-35mm f\/2.8L IS III USM Lens in like-new condition for the BAA record low price of $1349.00 the first day it was listed in late June.
\nJim Keener sold a Canon EOS 5D Mark III body in excellent condition for the BAA record-low price of $999.00 (was $1149.00) in mid-June.
\nJim Keener sold a Canon EF 70-200mm f\/2.8L IS II USM lens in like-new condition for the BAA record low price of $1099.00 in early June.<\/p>\n

New Listing<\/h3>\n

Canon EF 300mm f\/2.8 L IS USM<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Julie Brown is offering a Canon 300mm f\/2.8 L IS (the original version) in excellent condition for $2099. The sale includes the lens trunk, the front leather cover, the rear lens cap, the lens strap, and insured shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your lens will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.<\/p>\n

Please contact Julie via e-mail<\/a> or by phone at 1-317-294-3040 (before 10pm Eastern Time).<\/p>\n

The older version of the Canon 300mm f\/2.8L IS is a super-sharp lens that is great for hand held flight and action photography and great as well with both teleconverters for portraits and for flight. It has long been the favorite focal length of the world\u2019s best hawk photographers. Julie’s excellent lens is priced to sell.<\/em> artie<\/p>\n

Great Buy!<\/h3>\n

Canon EF 70-200mm f\/2.8 L IS II USM Lens<\/strong><\/h2>\n

IPT veteran Bill Wingfield is offering a Canon EF 70-200mm f\/2.8 L IS II USM lens in excellent to near-mint condition for $1049.00. The sale includes the zippered lens case, the front and rear lens caps, 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. <\/p>\n

Please contact Bill via e-mail<\/a> or by phone at 1-843-729-6670 (Eastern time zone).<\/p>\n

I owned and used this incredibly versatile lens for birds and wildlife and landscapes and Urbex for many years with both the 1.4X and the 2X teleconverters. It was great indoors for events like granddaughter Maya\u2019s dance recitals. And I used the original version to create several of the images featured in today’s blog post. <\/em> artie <\/p>\n

Money Saving Reminder<\/h3>\n

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, click here<\/a> 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<\/a> 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. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!<\/p>\n

Via e-mail from Gary Meyer<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Thanks for posting instructions on where to get the Nikon D850 quickly. Bedford shipped mine the same day. Wow, you sure got good connections!<\/em><\/p>\n


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Booking.Com<\/h3>\n

Several folks on the UK IPT used the Booking.Com link below for there Edinburgh hotels, got great rates, and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here<\/a> and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service. <\/p>\n

Gear Questions and Advice<\/h3>\n

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN<\/a>, 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<\/a>. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and\/or lens choices and decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This image was created on the 2011 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime IPT with the hand held Canon 100-400mm L IS lens (the much-maligned original version) and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1\/3 stop: 1\/3200 sec. at f\/5.6 in Av mode on a sunny morning. <\/p>\n

Image #1: Blue-footed Booby dancing <\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Blue-Footed Booby<\/h3>\n

There are several great bird species to photograph in the Galapagos. Those include Waved Albatross — we visit them twice — Nazca Booby –they occur on several islands, Red-billed Tropicbird — photographable on three of our landings, and the elegant Swallow-tailed Gull. But my favorite species by far is Blue-footed Booby. A glance at today’s featured images will give you a good idea why. <\/p>\n

Consider the EXIF …<\/h3>\n

As you read the image captions, note the great range of focal lengths used to create images of the same subject. Note the range of the exposure compensations (ECs). And note that some of the images were made in Av mode, most in Manual mode, and one in Tv mode. Along the way, for each, be sure to ask yourself “Why?” Note also the fomrats — horizontal or vertical, the image designs and the backgrounds. There is a lot to take in a a lot to learn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This image was created on the 2005 (yes, 2005!) Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime with the hand held Canon EF 70-200mm f\/2.8L IS lens (the original IS version) at 145mm and the EOS-1D Mark II. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1 stop: 1\/100 sec. at f\/8 in Av mode late on a very cloudy morning. <\/p>\n

Image #2: Blue-footed Booby eggs in nest<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

My First!<\/h3>\n

This, the first image of Blue-footed Booby that I ever made, has long had a special place in my heart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This image was created on the 2017 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime with the hand held Canon 400mm f\/4L IS II DO lens and the EOS-5D Mark IV. ISO 2500. Evaluative metering +1 stop off the gray sky: 1\/3200 sec. at f\/4.5 in Manual mode. <\/p>\n

Image #3: Blue-footed Booby diving<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Diving Blue-footed Boobies<\/h3>\n

Blue-footed Boobies have the unfortunate habit of turing their heads slightly away from the line of their bodies as they dive. I was fortunate to get this one diving at an angle right toward me and fortunate to get a sharp image with the nice mangrove background. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This image was created on the 2011 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime. I used the hand held Canon 70-200mm f\/2.8L IS lens with the 1.4X II TC (at 165mm) and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering -1\/3 stop: 1\/640 sec. at f\/4. AWB on a cloudy-bright mid-morning.<\/p>\n

Image #4: Blue-footed Booby perched on rock<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Zodiac Cruising<\/h3>\n

We do several sessions from zodiacs with hand held gear. The skilled panga drivers consistently get us in great position to make good photographs. At times the folks on one side of the zodiac can kneel while the rest of the gang photographs over their heads. At times, the zodiac driver turns the boat around to give everyone good chances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This image was created on the 2013 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime. I used the tripod\/Mongoose mounted Canon 200-400mm f\/4L IS with Internal TC (at 274mm) and the EOS 5D Mark III. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2\/3 stop: 1\/125 sec. at f\/6.3. AWB on a cloudy morning.<\/p>\n

Image #5: Blue-footed Booby adult brooding two chicks<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Isla Lobos<\/h3>\n

We make an early morning landing at Isla Lobos on each trip. There are always lots of frigatebirds and sea lions and Sally Lightfoot Crabs to photograph. Depending on the availability of fish and other local factors, some years are nesting Blue-footed Booby bonanzas. Others are not. The beauty of my itinerary is that we get to photograph nesting Blue-footed Boobies on many landings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This image was created on the 2013 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime. I used the tripod\/Mongoose mounted Canon 200-400mm f\/4L IS with Internal TC (at 540mm) and the EOS 5D Mark III. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2\/3 stop: 1\/320 sec. at f\/8 as it got a lot brighter. <\/p>\n

Image #6: Blue-footed Booby\/two chicks in a different nest! <\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Going Long<\/h3>\n

Though you can make a zillion great images with only an 80-400, a 100-400 or, even a 70-200 with TCs, I like to have the capability to go to a longer focal length when needed. That is why I will be taking my Nikon 200-500 on this trip. It does well with the TC-E 14. When I used Canon I always brought something long with me: the 800mm f\/5.6, the 500 F\/4, or at the least, either the 300 f\/2.8L IS II or the 400mm f\/4IS DO. Always with both teleconverters. I am not even thinking of bring my Nikon 600 on this trip …<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This image was created on the 2013 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime. I used the tripod\/Mongoose mounted Canon 200-400mm f\/4L IS with Internal TC and an external 1.4X TC (at 737mm) and the EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2\/3 stop: 1\/400 sec. at f\/9 on a cloudy bright morning. <\/p>\n

Image #7: Blue-footed Booby on rock with large chick begging <\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

North Seymour<\/h3>\n

We visit North Seymour twice. There are always nesting Blue-footed Boobies along lots of nesting frigatebirds. And there is almost always lots of excellent flight photography. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This image was created on the 2008 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime. I used the hand held Canon 100-400mm L IS lens (the much maligned original version) with the 1.4XII TC (at 560mm) and the EOS-40D. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at zero: 1\/125 sec. at f\/8 on a cloudy morning. <\/p>\n

Image #8: Blue-footed Booby feet <\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Foot Fetish<\/h3>\n

The birds are so, so tame that thinking “tight feet shots” is an excellent choice. The shade of the blue feet varies tremendously. The feet of the bird in Image #8 are surely at the top end of the range as far as hue and luminosity. They glowed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This image was created on the 2010 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime. I used the hand held Canon 70-200mm f\/2.8L IS lens (at 70mm) with the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 500. Evaluative metering +1\/3 stop: 1\/30 sec. at f\/20 in Tv mode. AWB on a cloudy morning.<\/p>\n

Image #9: Blue-footed Boobies diving during feeding spree\/blur<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Blue-footed Booby Feeding Sprees<\/h3>\n

Most years we encounter several Blue-footed Booby feeding sprees while Zodiac cruising in the mouths of lagoons. We get to photograph single birds diving with the longer focal lengths. Going wider allows you to include larger groups of diving birds. I have never made a wide photograph that captures the frenetic scene with hundreds of birds circling and diving. Video with a short zoom lens like the Canon 24-105 II or the Nikon 24-120 might be the way to go …<\/p>\n

What was my big error with Image #9?<\/h3>\n

Study the EXIF and let us know what you think was the big error in my choice of settings with Image #9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This image was created on the 2017 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime with the hand held Canon 100-400mm L IS II zoom lens, the 1.4X III TC, and the EOS-5D Mark IV. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +2\/3 stop: 1\/800 sec. at f\/11 in Manual mode on a sunny morning. <\/p>\n

Image #10: Blue-footed Booby chick\/head portrait <\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Getting Down on the Ground<\/h3>\n

At age 72, I do not get down on the ground as often as I used to. Older folks will understand fully. But I made an exception for this image to come up with a pleasing background. <\/p>\n

TC Question <\/h3>\n

Why did I have the TC mounted on the 100-400 II if I wound up at only 358mm? <\/p>\n

Bokeh Question<\/h3>\n

Bokeh refers to the quality of an out-of-focus background. Which of today’s images has the worst Bokeh? <\/p>\n

Image Clean-up Question<\/h3>\n

In which image did I do the most background clean-up? Why did you make your choice?<\/p>\n

Your Favorite?<\/h3>\n

Which of today’s ten featured images do you like best? Be sure to let us know why you made your choice. <\/p>\n