Monthly Archives: July 2019

 

I got an email yesterday that I decided to answer with this blog entry,  so, thank you Steve!  The question was; “How do I decide on whether to buy a new lens or not?  That’s a good question and one that deserves a thorough answer!

 

FIRST:  Lenses are not cheap!!!!  They can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, or more!  Depending on your financial situation, it’s a big decision.

 

SECOND: You can only carry so many, so it matters that what you buy, is something you will actually carry and use!    * Caveat: I’ve broken that rule many times myself!

 

THIRD Do you really need it?  This is a tough one becasue we often make “want” the equivalent of “need”!

 

So, let’s consider that you have already determined that you can Afford it, will Carry it, and really Need it!  On what basis do you know you are getting a good lens?  Here are a few tips:

 

A.  Listen to others that own the lens, or people that have tested it say.  I have a few sources that i trust to do real testing of lenses and I often consult them early in the hunt.  (DP Review, opticallimits.com, dxomark.com)  Lenses develop reputations and often your freinds who own a particualr lens will be a good judge of how good it is optically.

 

B. How well is it constructed?  After all, the lens is the most used part of your camera system and if you are a heavy user, mechancial quality will really matter down the road after years of use.  Grasp the mount end of the lens and the lens barrell and gently twsit it to see if their is much give or flex in the lens.  If there is now, new, it will likely be loosey goosey in a few months or years of hard use, avoid these lenses.  The lens body and barrell should be metal or a very high quality polycarbonite material.  The mount should always be of the best metal materials and afixed to the lens with several screws, I prefer 4 or 5 to give lateral strength.

 

How many aperture blades does it have and how rounded is the aperture pattern when stopped down?  This is very important to the avoiding of chances of defraction.

 

Does the lens have quality multi-coating on it’s elements?  Does it have a lens hood?

 

C. How to buy a lens.  This is my advice, take it for what it’s worth.  Find a dealer that allows returns so you cna buy the lens and carefully test it before you decide to keep it or not.  Treat the lens as if your best friend loaned it to you and you intend to return it like new!  This will allow you to know if the lens is going to fulfill your needs!

 

D. Once you buy your lens take good care of it.  Protect it in your camera bag or backpack.  Keep it clean, but don’t over clean it, optical glass will often be fine with just a blower to get the dust off.

 

Well that’s it, buy good lenses, use the ones that work for you and try to keep it down to a few, unlike me!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

For some time we have known that Fujifilm was going to release this lens, and now we know the release date, September!  The real question is where does this lens fit into 0ur camera systems?  Based on the early reviews of the prototype, it looks like it will be a stunner!  If, in fact, it is, then it opens some very interesting doors!

 

Let’s talk focal lengths.  24mm to 122mm is a near perfect range for 90% of general photography.  I can imagine carrying this lens, a much wider lens, say the 14mm f 2.8, and then the 100-400 to cover all the longer focal lengths.   I can’t imagine traveling with out the Fujifilm 80mm Macro f 2.8, so when knowing close-up work in on the menu, that will have to come along.  It sounds like the 16mm to 80mm will focus very close all the way down to .25 of life-size, so that might solve that issue for all but extreme close work!

 

The bottom line is that this new lens will be wonderful for those of us that are trying to pair down their kit.  I can’t wait!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join Jack Graham and Bill Fortney and third, to be named, X-Photographer for this incredible summit in Moab Utah!!!!!   February 26th – March 1st, 2020

https://jackgrahamphoto.com/workshops/

 

Also this fall a few spots are still available for these great Graham/Fortney Events:

 

 

Again to register for these great events contact:   https://jackgrahamphoto.com/workshops/

 

Lastly the stars are really aligned this fall for the Great Smoky Mountain Nature Phototgraphy Sunmmit!  Please join us for this affordable and fantastic event!!!

 

 

 

Get out this fall or next spring and jon us for all the fun!!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

The scale ranges from , and scores are available immediately after you complete the test. If you fail, you receive a diagnostic assessment to help you prepare to take the test again. How to Register– Schedule your examonline through the Prometric websiteor by calling . When you register, you create a user profile at the site, then pay for your exam with a credit card. At that point, you receive the date, time, and place of your test, plus a confirmation code. Store this code in a safe place, because you need it to make any changes to your exam schedule. The fee allows you to take each section once, and you do not need to take them all on the same day.

You will only find out your exact score on the exam if you did not pass. If you find one of these formats more challenging while you are studying and taking practice exams, you should spend additional time to improve your chances of doing well on the test. The IRS has also extended the carryover period by one year for candidates who passed exams for which credit had not expired as of February 29, 2020. Candidates who passed a part of the EA exam on February 29, 2020, or earlier will now have three years from the date they passed their first part to pass the remaining part. Normally, candidates only have two years to pass all three exams.

Ready To Pass On Your First Try?

We publish a parking lot review for students to bring to the testing center, but writing your own notes definitely helps you retain the information better. A few missed questions can be the difference between passing or failing. It is easy to get a tricky question wrong, even when you understand the material. You should also try to budget time at the end for questions you skip, as well as come up with a strategy for skipping. It’s easy to get caught up on complicated calculation questions, and there’s a good chance you’ll run into questions that are completely out of left field.

Generally, there is a five-year experience requirement in positions that require certain levels of technical experience specified in Circular 230. Once you pass all three exam parts, you can take up to one year to enroll with the IRS, after which you lose eligibility. After obtaining your EA license, you must renew with the IRS every three years. During each three-year period, you must complete 72 hours of continuing education . When to Register– Make sure to allow plenty of time to study before your exam.

The online registration process requires you to create a user profile before you schedule and pay for your online bookkeeping exam. Refer to the job aid under “What’s New” on Prometric.com/see for steps on creating an account.

• Gleim will provide tips for EA candidates to prepare during this delay.
• You will need your active PTIN to register for the exam.
• After the Civil War, many citizens faced difficulties in settling claims with the government for property confiscated for use in the war effort.
• Enrolled Agent status does not authorize the enrollee to practice before the United States Tax Court or in any other court.

This section also explores aspects of tax law and principles of advising taxpayers. Each provides four options from which you choose your answer.

Surgent is powered by A.S.A.P. Technology, a personalized A.I. software tool that takes an initial assessment of your EA exam knowledge to establish a baseline. Schedule the first class you want to take a few days after you think you’ll be ready to take the first exam.

How Much Does It Cost To Take The Ea Exam?

Obviously, this means that there is a huge data base of questions for each part of the exam, and more than likely each exam will be randomly generated from this data base . All of the options and requirements are explained normal balance in the Licensing Information Bulletin pamphlet available for download at/IRS.Given these options, which part or parts should you take first? There is no magic answer to this question, as this is an individual decision.

The videos are professional and the data easily retainable. Lambers video courseware brings the student right inside the classroom without the hassle of actually getting dressed!

To pass the Enrolled Agent Exam, a score of 105 is the minimum required. This score is developed using a scaled score system – where your EA test results are ranked against others taking the examination, on a scale ranging between 40 and 130. You will need your active PTIN to register for the exam.

For a complete list of test center closures, please see the Prometric site closure page. Prometric will continue to contact candidates directly via email about the status of their exams.

Ea Exam Part 2

Prometric and the IRS have released an updated Candidate Information Bulletin. In addition to the previously announced content changes coming to the Examination Content Outlines, two changes are coming to the administration of the exam. An individual with 5 years of relevant employment with the IRS may apply for enrollment to become an Enrolled Agent without taking the exam.

Once you have answered questions 1-50, completed your review of your answers, and acknowledged you have completed section one, the test timer will stop for up to 15 minutes. After acknowledging that you have completed the first section of the exam you will no longer be able to access the first section of the test content, including making changes to your answers. After your appointment has been scheduled, you will receive a confirmation number. Keep this number for your records – you will need it to reschedule, cancel, or change your appointment. If you schedule online you will receive an appointment confirmation email containing the appointment date, time, location, examination name, and confirmation number. Review the confirmation email immediately for accuracy and, if an error occurred, notify Prometric at (toll-free) or , Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. You may take each part of the examination at your convenience and in any order.

We focus on the topics specific to the exam to have you studying efficiently and not wasting time in your EA exam preparation. As you know, the EA exam is graded on a curve so here’s how to use our EA review course to give yourself a competitive advantage.

On this page you can see samples of the kinds of questions they have on each of the three exams. We find that an extremely high percentage of our students who put in sufficient hours of study pass this test on the first try. Get the training, study as much and for as long as you can, earn enrolled agent exam your EA designation and start preparing taxes professionally right away. Candidates must achieve passing scores on each of a three-part online Special Enrollment Examination . Candidates can apply to take the SEE by submission of Form 2587, found on the Prometric Testing Center website.

Members have stated that earning the designation is a great way to earn more respect from the IRS and showcase their dedication to the tax industry. Becoming an EA is both a professional and personal milestone that recognizes that you have demonstrated tax competence and have earned the right to represent all clients regarding federal tax matters. In fact, CPAs are getting the certification for that very reason. And you never lose your Enrolled Agent certification even after obtaining a CPA. The exam takes place electronically, which allows Prometric to compile and release the scores as soon as you finish.

Federal law only allows licensed attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents to represent a taxpayer before the IRS without any limitation. As an enrolled agent, this unrestricted access presents opportunities to increase your income since it allows you to offer a wider range of tax services to the general public.

International Testing Sites Specified

You can take each part of the exam up to four times per testing period. You can take the three parts in any order and, if you pass part of the exam, you can carry over passing scores up to two years from the date you took the exam. Unlike CPAs or attorneys, Enrolled Agents can practice anywhere in the United States once they earn the Enrolled Agent certification without having to pass individual state exams. And, while you are required to obtain continuing education credits, you aren’t required to re-certify. It is a perfect career choice if you want to work from home or own your own business or both. You have all kinds of options when you become an Enrolled Agent.

On the other hand, if significant travel is involved in reaching a test center, some candidates may choose to take the entire exam over a two-day period. If more than one part is to be taken in a single day, it would make sense to take Part 3 as one of those two tests.

Candidates who have five years of previous IRS work experience may be exempt from the exam altogether. Unlike the Certified Public Accountant credential and most other professional designations, you can become an Enrolled Agent without earning a college degree. Plus, once you become an EA, your credential is valid in all 50 states.

Author: Matt Laslo