Blown Highlight Rescuing Hacks! | The Only Tripod Head You'll Ever Need? | Spring Madness Is Here!

[@GlennBartley]

I hope you all enjoy the show!

[@stanleyhall2793]

So awesome that you captured birds of the Southern US during the migration. The challenge is very different here. Love it when you guys get together.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@briansmall3090]

Hey Guys................thanks SO much for the mention of the new book!! It looks great sitting on Glenn's shelf. Hopefully we can get one on Jan's shelf soon too ☺

[@jan_wegener]

Our pleasure!

[@joshuasmith2107]

Hey guys, so I love here in Huntsville Alabama and I saw a bird yesterday that I’ve never seen before while I was out taking photos. It’s called an American redstart warbler, Beautiful bird, caught me by surprise, a very fast little bird but I managed to get one clear picture of it from a distance. Not a great picture but it’ll pass until I can get a better closer sharper one. Great video, love watching y’all👍📸

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@Soundwrecker]

Oh wow, Glenn just fed me the idea to pick and lower the luminance to recover detail which is exactly what I need on some goldfinch pics I recently took where the yellow on the bird is mad powerful. Awesome and great! Many thanks. (bows)

[@iamswapnil_b]

Thank you Jan and Glenn for the feature. Always learning from you.🤘🏻

[@jan_wegener]

Our pleasure!

[@ursthomann3463]

Great pod cast, thanks Jan and Glenn. I bought the Flexshooter mini about half a year ago because Jan‘s review convinced me and I was anyway in need of a ballhead. I really love the Flexshooter because it gives me 100% of a high quality and sturdy ballhead paired with 80% functionality of a gimbal and 70% of a video head. So I get 250% tripod heads at the expense of 1.

[@jan_wegener]

Great to hear!

[@yogeshpuranik80]

Another excellent show...thanks a lot.

[@hstein27]

Glenn, not only were the warbler shots fantastic, but you got a parula to stay still for 5 seconds! Spring migration seems to have begun a bit early in the Northeast this year.

[@heidiwegener7614]

Thanks again for doing this interestng, informative, entertaining show. Always worth every second

[@GlennBartley]

Glad you enjoyed the show

[@christophercarlimages9003]

Informative and entertaining as always!

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MegaChrishansen]

I miss photographing the Cedar Waxwings along the front range of the rockies in Colorado. They "used" to be there in flocks of hundreds.

[@GrampiansParadise]

Thank you for another great Bird Photography Show, and for featuring the Flex Shooter Pro tripod head. Jan, on your recommendation on several of your earlier videos I bought one about a year ago. As I spend far more filming video for our Wildlife Moments, than I spend taking photos, I was looking at acquiring a professional quality fluid head (Sachtler aktiv6 or akitv8 75mm), but had not yet got there due to their large cost. Based on your recommendation, the Flex Shooter seems like a good alternative, and more affordable. I've been really happy with it. With practice, I've been able to obtain really smooth tracking of our native Australian wildlife and native birds. Even though I'm now filming mostly hand held with me Canon 6D and Canon RF 100mm to 500mm lens, I would not want to be without the Flex Shooter Pro head on a carbon fiber tripod. I have a question; in your experience, what would be the heaviest set up that the Flex Shoot Mini would be good for video when filming wildlife/birds that are moving? Is a 3.5kg set up (Canon R6, Battery Grip, small rig frame, RF 100mm to 500mm lens and mic) too much for the mini?

[@DanBetty]

One thing I've been playing around with recently on difficult birds like Buffleheads or Black-throated Blue Warblers that are perched so I can live with lower FPS is to use exposure bracketing in H+. The result is you might lose a pose or 2 but you have multiple exposures very close together so that you can either use one as a layer to brush in some more detail or you might just get that perfect exposure that allows you to use a single layer and adjust the shadows and the highlights ??? Still a little bit new to me but I've had some success initially

[@mrsbilko]

Waxwings arrived with us in Elgin Scotland towards the end of October. I could go out around my area and have flocks in excess of 1000 birds. Could easily photograph for half an hour and get literally a thousand shots. Elgin seems to be touchdown area for them as they migrate south stripping the Rowan berries as they go. With it into end of April we still have stragglers heading north again to Scandinavia and norther Russia. Amazing bird and so photogenic. Would like to see you show how you use your brush sets. Have the prosets but would like to see the brushes in action before i decide if they are for me. Keep up the good work.

[@GlennBartley]

Very cool!

[@jan_wegener]

Yes we can show that more. It’s essentially ready made adjustment layers that give you exactly what you need

[@kuau714]

Zemlin hoods are a must I have one for both my 400/2.8 and 600/4 Nikon Z lenses and also don't forget his lens cap

[@GlennBartley]

Yes its great as well!

[@PabloBaindl]

Happy Birthday Glenn! 🍺

[@GlennBartley]

Thanks very much!

[@Kellysher]

We have a spring migration of scarlet tanagers. They tend to hang out in very tall tree tops. I’d love to get a shot of one at eye level. The migration is just so quick! We do have blue grosbeak come through, but I’ve never seen one. Spring is an exciting time here.

[@GlennBartley]

Spring is the best!

[@bjrn-einarnilsen687]

Great video as always guys, and with some great photos from the subscribers. For me too, the Waxwing is the bird i wish to manage to see again. Did see it one time, but did not manage to get a ok photo of it. But as with you Jan, I have to travel to see it again as long as I live here in Brazil. The tips about color cast is something i have to use more. Thanks for this video, and i wish you both a great week. And it looks like you Glenn have birthday today. If so i wish you a happy birthday. Cheers, Bjoern

[@GlennBartley]

Thanks Bjoern!

[@BIGNatureBoy]

Great job, fellows.

[@kilohotel6750]

I got the Zemlin short hood for my RF600 F4 for traveling but I just leave it on now. I also just got a new backpack that I can leave the hood on ready to go with the R3 mounted so I can pull it out and ready to shoot quickly.

[@GlennBartley]

Ya I really like it. Great product!

[@Just_because998]

Thanks for the excellent post processing tips. I designed and 3d printed (at the local library) a replacement hood for my Sony 200-600 lens, lot cheaper than buying one.

[@jan_wegener]

Awesome!

[@BW_Maher]

I've been meaning to try that flexshooter. I've been using the Sachtler Ace XL fluid head for the last 4 or 5 years and although it's a nice head with smooth pans it's pretty awkward to carry for field work. I'm thinking the flexshooter might be just the ticket. My biggest issue is that a 600 f4 w hood acts like a sail if there is any kind of wind. I'd love one of those short hoods. It's a challenge to get stable video without a lot of micro jitters. The flexshooter appears to have decent damping. I suppose the newer 600's might also have better IS. Fortunately warblers like filtered shade. I agree they are tough/impossible in any kind of mixed light.

[@DennisMoncla]

I borrowed a flex shooter pro two years ago and didn’t enjoy it enough to switch from my gimbal. It caused me to miss a shot. I was in an elevated blind and a bird flew in below us. While shooting downward isn’t usually ideal I didn’t have a choice as I simply couldn’t get the shot. I literally leaned my tripod over to try but the action was over by then. I have the Flex Shooter back to my friend and haven’t looked back. Strangely enough I still contemplate getting one to travel as you simply can’t argue the size of it.

[@jewelypix]

Waxwings are pretty plentiful here in the Northeast US, usually very late winter going into the beginning of Spring.

[@GlennBartley]

Cedar or Bohemian???

[@jewelypix]

@@GlennBartley oooops, sorry, “Cedar.”

[@carlbaer304]

Really enjoyed this show. Great tips on the bright areas. I have often struggled with the reds and yellows. Yes, I am a Canon R5 shooter. Very useful tip on color casts in blacks and whites as well. On a different note: I almost always use a monopod now with my 600 mm, f4, lens as it greatly reduces weight and increases flexibility when changing height or moving to a new position. I never see Jan or Glenn using a monopod so would love to have you discuss pros and cons. I understand they are less useful for videos but why not use them more for stills, especially with image stabilization so good now?

[@GlennBartley]

I just find I like to be able to set my tripod down and walk away from it. I actually find a monopod more difficult to use.

[@Conny666]

Those birds in the beginning is called Sidensvans here in Sweden. Common to see during winter season. (The childhood birds 🙂)

[@GlennBartley]

Lucky!

[@Conny666]

@@GlennBartley Maybe a trip to sweden sometime in the future for you and Jan.

[@TheNewMexicoMan]

I bought a used FlexShooter Pro 2 years ago. I agree that the knobs need to be bigger and have a better grip. I wrap mine with rubber bands to increase the grip. They make one with a lever clamp and that would be much better. It is compact and acts like a gimbal but I find it moves better with heavy lenses. The springs that keep the inner ball in position, are strong and the gimbal movement is not as fluid with an R5 mounted with an RF 100-500 lens, as it is with an R5 mounted with an RF 600 f/4 lens, for example.

[@chipsrafferty8362]

Spot on,I bought mine when I used Nikon 800mm f5.6,heavy lens,suited for the Flex Shooter Pro,have since moved to the 800mm 6.3 and don’t use the flex anymore as you almost need to use more pressure to use it effectively.That being said,it is a well made piece but of no use to me now,I much prefer handholding as I find the freedom of movement is more suitable to my style.

[@GlennBartley]

Ya I wish they made a replacement knob....maybe could 3D print something

[@jan_wegener]

The smaller one works better with the lighter lenses.

[@andrewgaffney4881]

I’m lucky, I get Cedar Waxwings in my yard every year.

[@adamrubinstein1479]

The flex shooter is a compromise mount; not quite a gimbal, not quite a fluid head. I’ve been using one for many years, largely for the reasons you mentioned, namely size and weight. It won’t afford the smoothness and range of a gimbal, though it is more useable for video. Unlike a video head, it’s more useable for stills. There’s no perfect solution, though the flexshooter is pretty good (and pricey). Leophoto has released a new foldable gimbal which appears interesting.

[@przybylskipawel]

As far as I understood from one review of the flexshooter head this works entirely differently to the gimbal head. Paning and tilting is not performed around the point of balance. Everything works through the tension of the spring inside. That means that if you choose wrong strength to wrong load (lens) you can end up with a creep down or up if you are trying to point the lens high up or down. What is your take on that?

[@paulchiu]

Do you have a link to the flexshooter head you used and does it accept Really Right Stuff plates (arca Swiss compatible)? Thanks Jan

[@jan_wegener]

There’s one in the description and yes it takes those plates, just make sure they’re long enough

[@j4kke046]

🎉🎉🎉 yes!

[@jonerikrolf2029]

Interesting show guys. Cheers for promoting the Flex Shooter Pro. Its predecessor was the Uniqball manufactured in Poland. It was also made in two sizes similar to the current iterations. I have been using it for years and had it on at least 3 of your tours Glenn. Your reaction to this gimbaled ball head during those times (as well as the reactions of the other tour participants) was - this is weird and not pro-level equipment. These gimbaled ball head do look too small compared to traditional full gimbals. They also require different operating techniques than traditional gimbals, and that was probably off-putting. However, they do work exceedingly well if one approaches them with the right attitude. They are also lighter and more packable. Hopefully your reviews will provide a tipping point to make these innovative tripod heads popular and not simply considered wired.

[@jan_wegener]

Yes, they do look odd for sure. But like with everything an open mind helps a lot. And for me this has changed my photography to the positive a lot.

[@nancyross2897]

Hello Jan , can you tell me what model flex shooter you need for canon 100-500mm and also is this sold in North America. Also, your image of that pigeon was just incredible, the detail, wow! 😊

[@jan_wegener]

The smallest one should be fine. The website I linked should ship internationally, but I think places like B&H have it too

[@kingair433]

Hi Jan! I noticed you had the 2X teleconverter on the 300 2.8. How does in compare to the 200-600G in terms of sharpness and noise? Also, how does it compare to the Nikon 600 6.3 also in those terms?

[@jan_wegener]

video coming soon :D

[@kingair433]

@@jan_wegener Yeah!!!! Thanks and can't wait :)

[@lennyvlaminov9480]

Lovely photo, bifs, as always. Where I live in Sweden, the waxvings arrives in November. Their swirling sound and beautiful colors are fantastic. That head looks nice, but I need a tripod recommendation since of my 20 y o pro gear (RRS, worth every penny, £1.2K then), the tripod has done it's job (unscrew, risking my equipment). Keep the good work up, and again: great photos!

[@jan_wegener]

I am using a Promediagear TR344L

[@lennyvlaminov9480]

@@jan_wegener thx, much appreciated

[@przybylskipawel]

As for the lenshood... Don't you think that using a lenshood with a neoprene cover solves a problem of too short hood? These neoprene rings are usually rigid enough to support its own weight when stretched to the circular shape. So if you slide it from the hood a bit you can basically lenghten it by couple of inches.

[@pixelpaddy98]

You came to Georgia?! Next time let me know so I can take you to a nice mossy lake for some Osprey photography 😏

[@rainermueller3856]

Do You have links to the lenshoodmakers for the 600mm

[@Nature-was-my-first-love]

Hallo Jan, Du sagst dass der Flexshooter bei Videos wesentlich weniger verwackelt. Würdest Du auch sagen, dass man damit sanft Pan und Tilt in Videos hinbekommt? Ich bin von einem Sachtler FSB6 (viel zu schwer...) über einen Gitzo Gimbal (horizontale Fluid-Dämpfung gut, integrierter Führungsgriff gut für Video Pan & Tilt, aber trotzdem für meinen Geschmack zu starke Erschütterungen bei Super-Tele + 2x Konverter) jetzt zu einem beidseitigen Gimbal Feisol UA-180 gelandet. Dieser Kopf steht sofort nach Loslassen auf den Millimeter, das ist super. Nur Pan & Tilt ist noch immer eher wie ein Erdbeben im Video. Daher bitte ich um Deine Einschätzung, ob der Flexshooter im Stillstand super wenig verwackelt (das kann der Feisol auch perfekt) oder ob man damit auch super smooth Pan&Tilt machen kann. Vielen Dank im Voraus für Deine Einschätzung! VG Ralf

[@jan_wegener]

Ich glaube super smooth pan and tilt geht fast but mit einem großen sachtler

[@joachimreiner7924]

You should use German Berlebach head, that is gear, your camera ist really tight fit.

[@iccassell1810]

Hi Guys. Which FlexShooter are you recommending? There is the Pro, the Pro Lever, the Mini Arca, the Mini Lever, and the Extreme. I'm having a hard time on the Flexshooter website knowing which one I want. My plan is to buy the Canon 200-800 for my R5 -- I sold my 500 f/4 version 1.

[@GlennBartley]

I have the pro. The lever is an optional add on if you prefer that way of mounting.

[@jan_wegener]

I’d definitely go with the lever one and you’d probably be fine with the mini. The pro is a bigger size, which you probably won’t need for the 200-800 u less you want is super stable

[@iccassell1810]

What is the lever? Quick release of some kind? I'll have an arca swiss plate in the lens.

[@jan_wegener]

@@iccassell1810yes instead of turning a knob you just quick release it. More convenient imo

[@iccassell1810]

Thanks guys for all the info! It sounds like what I need. It's a bit pricey (about $600) so will have to wait a bit.

[@przybylskipawel]

Global shutter doesn't assure insanely fast framerates. Difference in the moment of the readout of first and last line can be 0ms but the readout process itself still take some time. Olympus OM-1 has rather slow readout for a stacked sensor but still provides 120fps though without the AF. BTW I saw you stated 63 RAWs in 1s. I guess you shot in 60fps. Do you find 120fps even usefull or is it too much?

[@valedmond]

Thank you for the great show just a question about the pro shooter ball head, I am struggling with birds on top of the tree, this head is very hard point up , any suggestions?

[@OvertakeGT]

The center tilt on those tripods might help with the angle position.

[@jan_wegener]

It won’t be good to point the lens at extreme angles

[@ali_luxlike]

Hi, can someone tell me how a gimbalhead could creap if you ballance it correctly? If I ballance my gimbal right it wouldn´t move even if I dont tighten it up ...

[@jan_wegener]

They often creep slightly when you tighten them to stop the vibrations when filming And then that recomposes the frame

[@DAVE_WHITE]

Try a gear head instead of a ball or gimbal you will love it..

[@jan_wegener]

How do you get fast movement with geared head? I use them for real estate

[@DAVE_WHITE]

@@jan_wegener most of your shots you post are stationary I don't see a lot of bif.

[@MrCat-rk9ir]

Links for the custom lens cap and lens hood for the 600mm F4 lens please 😊

[@jan_wegener]

In the description I believe

[@Xirpzy]

Not a fan of ball heads in general. Just doesnt work for me at all haha. I prefer a fluid head like sirui vh10x or more expensive 3-axes fluid heads for heavy lenses. Not as compact though.

[@jan_wegener]

This one is kind of like a few in one, which makes it so versatile

[@ronaldlauter8742]

what parks in atlanta area did glenn visit to shoot the warblers (hooded in particular) thanks

[@GlennBartley]

Jump on ebird to see sights in your area. They are pretty common down there.

[@ronaldlauter8742]

@@GlennBartley thanks .....been photographing birds before you were born. I asked for 1 specific park where you photographed the hooded warblers. whats up with that!

[@OvertakeGT]

Hi Jan, Did you talk about the AX Visio Binoculars in the past month or so?

[@jan_wegener]

No

[@OvertakeGT]

@@jan_wegenerWoild love to hear your thoughts on it, and imagine if a redesign of a mirrorless camera were to have the shape and functions of a binoculars. Both eyes in the viewfinder, filming videos and shooting images and interchangeable lens? two lens? hmmm.. built-in screen?

[@colintraveller]

What was the make of that ballhead ? Does it take an arca swissplate ??.

[@GlennBartley]

Flexshooter Pro

[@colintraveller]

@@GlennBartley Cheers

[@jan_wegener]

Yes takes arca plates, but make sure they’re long enough

[@biancadupont2931]

where do we post our photos for review?

[@jan_wegener]

Usually on Instagram #birsphotoshow But since you are a channel member you can email me, too with a couple options

[@biancadupont2931]

@@jan_wegener Thanks can you pm your email?

[@rainermueller3856]

I cannot find the lenshood and the lenscap Jan mentioned, it is not in the descrption and nnt in the gear Jan listed

[@jan_wegener]

Added, sorry

[@rainermueller3856]

@@jan_wegener Danke, Thank You

[@BillSmithBSartist]

Were the flexshooter pro head and/or the lens hood sponsored?

[@jan_wegener]

I received my head over a year ago with no obligation to make a video, but I enjoy using it, so I share it sometimes. There’s an affiliate link, but you can buy it in many different places. Glenn got his head as a gift from a client.

[@BillSmithBSartist]

@@jan_wegenerthanks for the swift and honest reply. Love your videos.

[@tonysvensson8314]

Jan, i think you should look up your audiio. Your voice sounds bulky, like you talking inside a box or something like that (to much bas and to less treble. Check it up! Maybe it´s just due to the YT compresion of the files, but it´s more characteristic now than before. Have you changed your audio set up?

[@jan_wegener]

Nothing has changed compared to the last few months

[@jgates]

Does Jan have a book?

[@jan_wegener]

Hopefully one day

[@przybylskipawel]

Greatest tool for not blowing the highlight on Canon is to use the zebras in photos... Shoot! It doesn't provide it!

[@tonyw3250]

Love the show and the editing you do on the birds themselves, just not a big fan of brightening the backgrounds all the time, to me it makes the photo unnatural.

[@jan_wegener]

Typically almost all backgrounds are darker in a photo then you’d see with your eyes since you often have to underexpose to keep your subject from blowing out, which then darkens the BG a considerable amount But in the end it’s just personal choice

[@dougcampbell6509]

Excellent show guys but I have to say I was deeply disappointed with the photos in the book you mention at the end. Way too many thumbnail size images and many shots that just aren’t that good to begin with. The text is great but I expected more from Brian Small. Just my humble opinion.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I haven’t seen it myself. I guess with all kinds of field guides it’s always hard to get all the info in there