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BIRDS AS ART ON-LINE NOTES, JULY 11, 2000
RESPONSE TO THE BIRDS AS ART COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT
& THE KIRK HUGGER BEANBAG
Never has a BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN elicited as many responses as Bulletin
#26. Most of the responses dealt with my Complaint Department venting,
but
we'll begin with Mark VanBerg's Hugger comments. Mark warns that while he
loves the Kirk Hugger beanbag, he dropped one (filled with rice) off of
the
roof of a safari vehicle in Africa and had a seam split.
Mark also suggested that using a lighter filler material (such as the
synthetic beads that Kirk offers with the Hugger) might be better than
using
heavier filler such as rice or beans......
Mark's note reminded me that I had wanted to mention that the Hugger is
the
only safari beanbag that I would ever consider using should I be dumb
enough to get back on a plane and fly for two days to return to Africa!
Charles Roberts suggested placing the lens mounting plate on the beanbag,
as
he does regularly, so that manual focus (over-ride) could be used. Note,
however, that with the "one-point stability" that this method provides,
most
photographers, myself included, would have a real problems making sharp
images without either IS or fast shutter speeds.
NY photojournalist and hero-to-many Ralph Ginzburg (whom I am proud to
call
a friend) tells of twice damaging the window-raising/lowering mechanism on
his vehicle while resting a 600mm lens a partially raised window, each
time
requiring costly and time-consuming repairs. I have had no similar
problems with my Toyota Avalon, but it might be best to proceed with
caution.
Many photographers told of using Hunt's for years with great service,
while
top bird shooter Mike Danzenbaker said that he too was "O for one with
Hunt's," while another pro, John Herbst, spoke of years of great service
from Hunt's.
Most folks were quite supportive of my position, while one e-mailing
couple
complained that it was unfortunate that a professional such as I should
complaly about someone making a complaint.
Too bad, they missed the point. But not everybody did. Tim Fitzharris
wrote: "Thanks for the laughs." Another nameless e-mailer wrote: "Thanks
for the entertainment I always enjoy a light hearted approach to dealing
with adversity whenever possible." John Costello pitched in with "Man
I'm
still laughing.....Perhaps he should buy his film at the drug store! He
must be one miserable son of a ..........." Betty Ott said, "This Bulletin
was a pleasure to read. I love your wit." IPT veteran and good friend
Mike
Unold of NY added, "Are you turning to comedy writing? That was pretty
good."
Underwater photographer Steve Drogin of San Diego cracked me up with his
subject line: Don't waste time with Dickheads.
All in all, I enjoyed reading nearly all of the responses, and I thank
everyone for their interest. I'm sure that I'll hear more about # 26
tomorrow.
Coming soon to a BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN NEAR YOU:
Places to rent big glass. (Please e-mail if you know a reputable dealer
who
rents big Canon and Nikon lenses and bodies. Please include contact INFO
Thanks.)
How to use your Wimberley Head with short lenses for scenics. (No, I am
not
crazy--this Jewish boy who cannot replace a light bulb without injuring
himself figured it out!)
Best and great picture making to all.
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
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