BAA Notes: 15 DEC 2014

What’s Up?

I am in Ushuaia, Argentina. We board the Ortelius this afternoon for a 25-day Cheesemans’ Southern Ocean expedition. We get back to dock on the the morning of 9 JAN. There is no wifi on the ship. That means that I will effectively and absolutely be without internet at least from 14 DEC through 9 JAN. At present I am further behind with answering e-mails than at any time since I have began answering folks’ photography-related questions about 25 years ago.

Please therefore refrain from e-mailing me at the usual samandmayasgrandpa e-mail address until I get back home on 13 JAN. You can reach my right-hand man Jim Litzenburg by e-mail here or reach Jennifer here as usual.

Important Blog Notice

New and recycled blogs will be published during my absence on an every-other day basis with the help of either Jim or the invaluable Peter Kes, the BAA webmaster. Please enjoy. Please consider signing up for an IPT. And please continue to do a great job of using my B&H and other affiliate links while I am gone.

To show your appreciation for my educational efforts here and on the blog, we ask, as always, that you use our the B&H and Amazon affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your purchases. B&H Is recommended for you major photography gear purchases, Amazon for your household, entertainment, and general purpose stuff. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially Gitzo tripods, Wimberley tripod heads, and the like. We sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And we are always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.

I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and visiting the BAA Online store as well.

Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART

Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog or via a BAA Online Bulletin is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charges a minimum of 20% plus assorted fees! Yikes. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly–I offer free pricing advice, usually sells in no time flat. In the past few months, we have sold just about everything in sight. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the old Canon 500mm, the EOS-7D, and the original 400mm IS DO lens have been dropping steadily.

Used Gear Cautions

Though I am not in a position to post images of gear for sale here or elsewhere, prospective buyers are encouraged to request for photos of the gear that they are interested in purchasing via e-mail. Doing so will help to avoid any misunderstandings as to the condition of the gear. Sellers are advised to take care to photograph their used gear with care against clean backgrounds so that the stuff is represented accurately and in the best light; please pardon the pun :).

Brand New Listings (12/11/14)

Canon EOS-1DvX Body with Extras

Muir Robertson is offering a used Canon 1DX Body in excellent condition–a small scratch in one spot on the body otherwise like new. The camera comes in the original box and with the standard accessories. The shutter count is a very low 30,497. The sale includes a RRS L bracket, 2 spare 1 series batteries, a Lexar 1000X 64GB CF card, a large Hoodman eye-cup (great for those with glasses), and insured ground shipping to lower 48 US addresses. Camera has just been checked out and the sensor cleaned by Canon CPS. System change drives sale.

The price for this package is great value at $5099. Interested folks please contact Muir first by e-mail and then by phone at 513-314-2471.

Two 1D X bodies served as my workhorse camera bodies since their introduction in early 2012. Sturdy, super-fast frame rate, gorgeous image files, and a great AF system. artie

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Mk II Lens

Muir Robertson is offering a used Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Mk II lens in like-new condition for $1850. The sale includes the original box and accessories and includes a Really Right Stuff lens foot and insured ground shipping to lower 48 US addresses.

Interested folks please contact Muir first by e-mail and then by phone at 513-314-2471.

As regular readers know the 70-200 f/2.8L IS II lens is with me every time I head into the field. It is amazingly versatile. I use mine often alone and with either TC. artie

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM Lens (the white one with L series glass)

Muir Robertson is offering a used Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM lens in excellent condition for $950. The sale includes the original box and comes with the optional Canon Tripod Mount Ring C, $164.95 at B&H, a RRS lens foot, and insured ground shipping to lower 48 US addresses. This lens is a great performer and if super fast f/2.8 isn’t critical, it is significantly lighter and smaller than the 70-200 F2.8 – perfect for travel.

Interested folks please contact Muir first by e-mail and then by phone at 513-314-2471.

I used this lens briefly in Norway to photograph jaegers in flight. It was ideal for the task: lightweight with super-fast and accurate focusing. artie

Canon EOS-5D Mk III with Extras

Muir Robertson is also offering a practically unused Canon 5D Mk III body in like-new condition with only 3,876 shutter actuations!. The camera comes with its original packaging, 1 spare battery, a Really Right Stuff L Bracket, and a Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD VC (Vibration Compensation) Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, a Lexar 32GB 1000x CF card and insured ground shipping to lower 48 US addresses.

The remarkably low price for this package is only $2400. Interested folks please contact Muir first by e-mail and then by phone at 513-314-2471.

Y’all know how much I love my 5D III for landscapes and flowers and it does quite well for birds as well. artie

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II Telephoto Lens: the world’s greatest portrait lens

Al Hart is offering a lightly used Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II Telephoto Lens for sale for the absurdly low price of $3999. The lens has no nicks, no scratches, no blemishes, and indeed, no marks of any kind; it is perfect both functionally and cosmetically. In fact, lens has been out of Al’s house only twice, to photograph shoot birds at local rehab sanctuary. The sale includes the CL-L1 ballistic nylon case, the HK-31 lens hood, the standard drop-in filter, the never-used lens strap, the RRS # LCF-15B lens plate, the lens manual, the original packaging, and insured ground shipping to US addresses. Payment by Paypal with the fee prepaid is acceptable. As is payment by U.S. postal money order or by certified check drawn on a U.S bank. The lens will ship only after the funds have cleared.

Interested folks can contact Al via e-mail or by phone at (248) 626 4706.

As the lens sells new for $5999, $3999 qualifies as a great price. As I do not know a lot about this lens, below I offer a quote from a satisfied B&H customer. You can learn more about the lens and find more reviews by clicking on the appropriate tab here. artie

This lens is the “Mohammad Ali” of portrait lenses. I can shoot with it in the middle of NYC Times Square and the background just blurs into a liquid swirl. Your photos will be so sharp they might cut you. From what I have experienced so far shooting with this lens I can safely say that it will remain in my possession until the great asteroid hits the Earth and destroys every other lens on the entire planet. Barry

Used Sigma Zoom Super Telephoto 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO IF HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS

Beth Starr is offering a used Sigma Zoom Super Telephoto 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO IF HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS, aka The Sigmonster, in like-new condition. Used only 3-4 times: $5,500. The sale includes the original shipping box and the original lens case. Includes insured ground shipping in the continental US. You can call Beth on hee cell at 908-625-1589 or contact her via e-mail.

This is a superb lens for folks working from a vehicle with the lens supported by a BLUBB. James Shadle has used the Nikon mount version of this lens on a tripod for years to create many memorable images. Strong folks can save a bundle as this is a steal at $2,499 below the list price. artie

Used Canon EF 100-400 f 4.5-5.6 L IS Lens
Lowest price ever for this item!

Barry Mansell is offering a used Canon EF 100-400 f 4.5-5.6 L IS lens in excellent condition for $949 including insured shipping via UPS Ground to US addresses only. The plastic lens hood has a very few light scratches. The sale includes the original tough fabric case, the front and rear caps, and the lens hood. Your gear will be shipped only after your check clears.

Please contact Barry via e-mail, by phone at 904-388-8675, or on his cell at 904-655-0022. Eastern Time Zone.

The 100-400 is a versatile intermediate telephoto zoom lens with 1,000+ uses. It makes a great starter lens especially for folks who do general nature and wildlife in addition to birds. I’ve sold 100s of images made with a 1-4 and denise loved hers for many years forsaking it only recently for the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens. Barry’s 100-400 is priced to sell. artie

Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM Lens, the “old six”

An Amazing Package for Someone Young and Strong. Or Old and Strong.

Gerald Barrack is offering a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens for the record-low price of $5600, or $5800 with the 1.4X II and 2X II TCs thrown in. The lens is in very good condition with perfect glass and many dings and wear on the painted surface that do not affect function. Photos are available upon request. The lens was given a clean bill of health after a clean and check by Canon in Nov. 2014. The gear will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made. The sale includes the lens trunk, the front leather hood, the rear lens cap, and insured ground shipping within the continental US.

Interested folks can contact Gerald via e-mail or try him on his cell at 201 638 3510 (Easter Time Zone).

The old six was my workhorse super-telephoto for too many years…. artie

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Gerald is also offering a used Canon EOS 1D Mark IV body again for a record low price: $1900. The body is in very good to excellent condition and is in perfect working order having been check by CPS in November 2014. The body has several scuff and wear marks that do not affect function. Photos are available upon request.

The sale includes a Really Right Stuff mounting plate, the original Canon camera strap, the battery charger and an extra battery, the instruction manual, and insured ground shipping within the continental US. Interested folks can contact Gerald via e-mail or try him on his cell at 201 638 3510 (Easter Time Zone). The camera will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Two Mark IVs were my workhorse bodies for many years. artie

Used EOS-7D: cheap!
Sale pending: 12/10/2015

William Ellison is offering a used Canon EOS-7D in like-new condition for $479; less than 5,000 actuations. The sale includes all of the stuff that came with the lens originally including the manual, the CDs, the battery and charger, all connecting wires and cables for USB and HDMI, the strap, the original box, and insured ground shipping to the continental US.

You can contact William by phone at 843-224-7383 or via e-mail

This 1.6 crop factor camera would make a great starter outfit for someone just getting started as a digital nature photography. Folks who have heard bad things about the original 7D should need to check out the “How Dan Cadieux Masters Canon EOS-7D Image Files” blog post here. When you see Dan’s images, all created with the original 7D, you will be amazed. artie

Used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Lens

Kathleen Graff is offering a used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM lens in very good to excellent condition for $4799. The sale includes the front leather hood, the rear dust cap, the original case with keys, a Lens Coat, a 4th GD Custom Lens Adapter Plate CP-51, the lens manual, and insured shipping to US addresses only. Photos available. Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Kathleen via e-mail with a copy sent here. Alternatively, you can try her by phone at 262-797-2530 or 262-389-7998.

The old five was at one time the world’s most popular telephoto lens. It still makes great images with both TCs. artie

Used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Lens

Mike Stevens is offering a used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM lens in like-new condition (used just once) for a ridiculously low $4999. The sale includes the front leather hood, the rear dust cap, the original case, a Wimberley P-50 lens plate, and insured shipping to US addresses only. Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made; Paypal is an option.

Please contact Mike via e-mail, by phone at 951-260-2507, or on his cell at 951-821-1600.

The old five was at one time the world’s most popular telephoto lens. It still makes great images with both TCs. artie

Used Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Lens

Mike Stevens is offering a used Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM lens in like-new condition (used just once) for a ridiculously low $7999. The sale includes the front leather hood, the rear dust cap, the original case, a Wimberley P-50 lens plate, and insured shipping to US addresses only. Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made; Paypal is an option.

Please contact Mike via e-mail, by phone at 951-260-2507, or on his cell at 951-821-1600.

The 800 was my go-to super-telephoto lens for about 4 years. artie

Used EOS-1D Mark IV Digital Camera Body

Price reduced $249 on 10/30/2014!
Price reduced another $300 on 12/7/2014!

Multiple IPT veteran and good friend Monte Brown is offering a used EOS-1D Mark IV digital camera body in excellent condition (with about 22,000 shutter actuations) for $1900. The sale includes the charger and an extra battery, the original box, cables, software, manuals, and insured ground shipping to US addresses only. Your camera will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Monte via e-mail or by phone at 765-744-1421 (Eastern time).

Two Mark IVs served as my workhorse bodies for more than three years. artie

Used Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS Zoom Lens

Price reduced $74 on 12/7/2014!

Multiple IPT veteran and good friend Monte Brown is also offering a used Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS Zoom Lens in very good to excellent condition for only $799. The sale includes both front and rear lens caps, the older-style tough fabric case, the original box, and insured ground shipping to US addresses only. Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Monte via e-mail or by phone at 765-744-1421 (Eastern time).

I used this lens for about two years. It makes a great lightweight, intermediate telephoto lens that is sharp, easily hand held, and works well with a 1.4X teleconverter. It is great for hand held flight photography and would go great with a 7D II (and a 1.4X TC) as a starter bird photography rig for folks who work around relatively tame birds. artie

Used EOS-1D Mark IV Digital Camera Body

Price reduced $700 on 12/10/2014. Lowest 1D IV price ever!

IPT veteran Brent Thompson is offering a used EOS-1D Mark IV digital camera body in excellent condition for $1799. The sale includes the RRS L-plate, the charger and battery, and all the manuals and cables that came in the box, the camera strap, the original box, and insured ground shipping to continental US addresses only. Your camera will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Brent via e-mail, by phone at 650-857-8695, or on his cell at 408-219-5023 (Pacific time).

Two Mark IVs served as my workhorse bodies for more than three years. artie

Used EOS-1D Mark IV Digital Camera Body

Price reduced $299 on 10/30/2014!

Marc Lombardi is offering a used EOS-1D Mark IV digital camera body in excellent condition with 57800 actuations for $2400. The body has one minor cosmetic scratch on top. The sale includes the charger and two batteries, a RRS plate, and insured ground shipping to US addresses only. Your camera will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Marc via e-mail or by phone at 610-585-3500 (Eastern time).

Two Mark IVs served as my workhorse bodies for more than three years. artie

Used Canon EF 100-400 f 4.5-5.6 L IS Lens

Multiple IPT veteran Jack Panzeca is offering a used Canon EF 100-400 f 4.5-5.6 L IS lens in very good + condition for $999 including insured shipping via UPS Ground to US addresses only. The tripod collar has one small scratch. The sale includes the original tough fabric case, the original box, the front and rear caps, the lens hood, and the strap. Your gear will be shipped only after your check clears.

Please contact Jack via e-mail or by phone at 817 819 1756. Central Time Zone.

The 100-400 is a versatile intermediate telephoto zoom lens with 1,000+ uses. It makes a great starter lens especially for folks who do general nature and wildlife in addition to birds. I’ve sold 100s of images made with a 1-4 and denise loved hers for many years forsaking it only recently for the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens. Jack’s 100-400 is priced to sell. artie

Used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Lens

Price reduced $350 on 10/17/2014!
Price reduced an incredible $650 on 12/10/2014!!!
Lowest price ever for this item!

Dan Womack is offering a used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM lens in excellent condition with clean glass with a few small nicks on the lens hood for $4500. B&H was recently offering a virtually identical used “old 500” for $6,299.95; you can save nearly $2K by grabbing Dan’s lens asap. The sale includes the front leather hood, the rear dust cap, the original case with keys, and insured shipping to US addresses only. Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Dan via e-mail or by phone at 337 412 1898.

The old five was at one time the world’s most popular telephoto lens. It still makes great images with both TCs. artie

Used Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Manual Focus Lens

Price reduced $100 on 10/17/2014

Multiple IPT veteran Shelly Goldstein is offering a used Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Manual Focus lens in excellent condition for the ridiculously low price of $799. The lens sells new for $1,399.00. The sale includes the front lens cap, the lens shade, the rear dust cap, and insured shipping via Fed Ex Ground to US addresses only. The lens was cleaned and checked by Canon in September 2014.

You can contact Shelly via e-mail or by phone at 646-423-0392 (EST). Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears.

The 90 Tilt Shift is a specialized lens that enable precise control of depth of field along with perspective control. It is useful for portrait, product, and landscape photography. George Lepp loves it for flower field and macro photography, using it often with the 2X III teleconverter.

Used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Lens

IPT veteran Stuart Hahn is offering a used original owner Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM lens in excellent condition with clean glass for $5250. B&H is offering a virtually identical used “old 500” for $6,299.95; you can save more than $1000 by grabbing Stu’s lens asap. The sale includes the front leather lens hood, the rear dust cap, a used RRS B-91 Flash Bracket, the original case with keys, and insured shipping via UPS Ground to US addresses only. Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Stu via e-mail or by phone (after October 3) at 916-485-1630 (Pacific time).

The old five was at one time the world’s most popular telephoto lens. It still makes great images with both TCs. artie