I had previously posted that I was disappointed at the speed, or lack of speed, with which Topaz DeNoise AI processed images. Many of you agreed and some of you disagreed and suggested that I needed better hardware. I couldn't agree more that I need better hardware if I expect this program to process an image within a reasonable amount of time. And I would consider upgrading my hardware if other programs were running unacceptably slow, but they are not. Furthermore, I seem to have run into another issue. It seems that upon close examination, Topaz DeNoise AI is not processing the image the same across the entire file. In a nutshell, it is missing spots without much rhyme nor reason. I have posted a portion of an image to demonstrate the effect. You most likely will need to download the image to see the end result. The area that is most affected is around the printer buttons and the area to the right of the printer buttons.

Scruples and CHG_Canon, thank you for the rapid reply.
It would probably be a staple in my nature/sports kit.
How would the old lens work with the current extenders? I am familiar with the light transmission reduction that comes with the extenders. Even using the 2x, my aperture would only increase to f/4 at 600mm. This is far better than what I have now.
If it would work well, I can see eliminating one or perhaps two lens from my current kit. I suspect this would reduce my total load when hiking.

I guess I am the only one that can decide if the differences are worth the $1600.00 delta.

Sorry to say I tore the sheet out of a mag at a dentist's office 3-4 months back (yes, I am that person when you spot a missing article) so can not go to the magazine or link but here is what I can tell you I KNOW from experience (remember article was on phones except for last line about cameras)... 1> Wife's phone is STILL hot in the morning after charging all night, often hitting 115-120 degrees. (I try to keep my phone under 90-100 degrees). 2&3> If a charger is capable of continuing to trickle charge, then obviously it did not "shut off" when battery reaches 100% but goes into non-active, maintenance mode. And it is that constant checking & trickle charging that does keep batteries under "stress", whether one wants to call it charging or maintenance. 4> I actually don't know much about waiting for a green light. My two higher-end camera chargers has 6 or 7 bars to tell me status of charge. I pull batteries off shortly before or when it hits last bar. I realize that would be hard to check on most chargers - I didn't write the article, just summarized it.

Although my camera manuals do not state (just checked) to not charge fully, they do state about how long it should take to charge a fully depleted battery, thus somewhat implying you can remove it from the charger at that time versus leaving it plugged in. But over-charging batteries do NOT harm the phone or camera, simply cuts down on the battery life. For cameras that is a way to sell you a new OEM battery sooner. Final, not science but real-life experience... wife and I got two same phones on same day. She leaves hers charging overnight each day, I charge mine when needed, never over night. We just had to replace hers at Christmas because would not hold a charge very long, mine is probably holding at 80% or more of original purchase. Just saying.