With the Summer Doldrums in full swing here at Indian Lake Estates, I decided several days ago to work exclusively with the new Sony FE 100-400mm f\/4.5 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and the a-1 ii. The results have been eye-opening. It is looking more and more as if the 1-4 f\/4.5 might very well be a one-lens-for-everything solution, offering 200\u2013800mm of reach with surprisingly good autofocus and superb image quality. This amazingly versatile rig is perfect for those who want to go light while handholding all the time. No tripod ever! Not to mention its small size and internal zoom — the lens does not change length as you zoom in or out. Check out the images below and you just might be convinced to leave your heavy super-telephotos on the shelf forever. And\/or to switch to Sony \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
In the last post I led with this: <\/p>\n
Which is your favorite flight image in my Sony \u03b1 Universe article<\/a>? If you must list more than one, that is fine. Please let us know why you made your choice (or choices). I will share my three favorites with you in the next blog post.<\/em> <\/p>\n I found it impossible to get down to three favorites. Here are my top picks in no particular order: the puffin, the Osprey with the Yellowfin Menhaden, the pink predawn Bald Eagle, the tight pelican and spoonbill flight shots, the squabbling whistling ducks, and of course, the pelican in the muted sunball. <\/p>\n Thanks to those who left kind comments at the last blog post. This was my favorite exchange:<\/p>\n Steve — July 22, 2026 at 12:09pm: <\/p>\n Congratulations, Artie \u2014 excellent article which is concise and informative. The photos are top-notch, too.<\/em><\/p>\n Just for fun, I added up the prices of the camera and lenses (not any support equipment such as tripods) used to take the photos in the article. At Bedford, the equipment comes to $39,184. If we throw in the other lenses mentioned in the article, we are at $54,280.<\/em><\/p>\n Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART — July 22, 2026 at 5:30 pm <\/p>\n Thanks, Steve, Did you include my two<\/strong><\/em> a-1 ii bodies??? And my $8K MacBook Pro?<\/p>\n They are all part of my many blessings. And remember, it is all tax deductible!<\/em><\/p>\n with love, artie <\/p>\n Photographically speaking, things were dead slow here at ILE after I returned from JAX \u2014 until yesterday morning. That’s when the dam broke and I created over 3,000 images! The cast of characters included Red-shouldered Hawk, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (a zillion photos alone), Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, and Snowy Egret. I’m nearly finished culling and have already tagged some really nice ones including Images 3 & 4 below. On the birding front, I noted two first-of-season species this week: a Spotted Sandpiper on Wednesday and a Belted Kingfisher yesterday.<\/p>\n Thursday, however, was one of those days where life completely hijacks your plans. I intended to record a new YouTube video \u2014 Backstories & More on the Sony \u03b1 UNIVERSE Article Images<\/em> \u2014 but spent the day putting out tech fires. First came a two-hour phone marathon setting up Zelle in our new post-fraud Mid-Florida Credit Union account. Next, Gemini advised me on my Nassau County NY Small Claims court case when I learned that the landlord I am suing refused to sign for the Intent to Sue letter that we had sent certified return receipt requested.<\/p>\n Then came a trip to Topaz Password Hell (a place I visit regularly). That solved, Topaz Photo refused to cooperate after installation. Gemini again came to the rescue, helping me untangle a maze of MacBook Pro conflicts \u2014 from graphics memory allocation and Neural Engine cache to Mac Security Permissions. Along the way, Gemini repeatedly guided me to a workable solution!<\/p>\n Today is Friday 24 July 2026. After my 1.5 mile walk in the dark, I will be heading down to the lake as always looking from some photos with my handheld 100-400 f\/4.5\/2X TC\/a-1 ii rig. Then it is download images, breakfast, and a trip to town o get some chores done:-) Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you too choose to have fun and enjoy life. Please remember that happiness is a choice Byron Katie – The Work.Com<\/a> <\/p>\n Pat Fishburne is headed this way late on Friday for lessons with her new Sony 100-400 f\/4.5 lens and two morning photography sessions. I am planning on beginning work on a BAA Guide for the new lens this weekend. <\/p>\n If an item \u2014 a Delkin flash card or reader<\/a>, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro<\/a>, or a Wimberley lens plate <\/a> or low foot<\/a> — 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. <\/p>\n Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BirdPhotographer’s.Net<\/a>, 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.<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n iPhone image. Date: 7\/21\/26. Time: 8:21:05\u202fAM. Model: iPhone 17 Pro Max. Firmware: 26.5.2. Focal Length: (mm): 2.2. Lens: iPhone 17 Pro Max back triple camera 2.22mm f\/2.2. ISO: 16.Aperture: 2.2.Shutter: 1\/968. Exp Comp -0.7<\/p>\n Each board on the pier railing was only about six inches wide; by moving carefully, I was able to approach this bird to within 10 feet. Before moving closer with the 100-400mm, I set the Range Limiter switch to Full. I knew I was approaching the lens\u2019s minimum focusing distance (MFD) \u2014 a remarkable 4.9 feet at 400mm! Note as well that I was working directly on sun angle.<\/p>\n This image was created on 21 July 2026 by yours truly down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing at full height on the pier, I used the handheld Sony FE 100-400mm f\/4.5 GM OSS lens<\/a> with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter<\/a> (at 800 in full frame mode) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a-1 II Mirrorless Camera<\/a> (in APS-C crop mode). The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel. ISO 3200: 1\/2500 second at f\/9 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:09:02am on sunny morning. <\/p>\n Wide\/AF-C with Bird-Eye\/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger high-res version.<\/p>\nThanks!<\/h3>\n
What’s Up?<\/h3>\n
Gear Questions and Advice<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
\n \n \n \n Image #1: Anhinga juvenile calling with gular sac distended
Some Birds on the Pier Railing are Inordinately Tame<\/h3>\n
\n
\n \n \n \n Image #1: Anhinga juvenile calling with gular sac distended