RAW format is a bit of a misnomer. Each camera manufacturer has their own proprietary form of RAW. That is why each manufacturer will include a CD and / or have downloadable software that allows the customer to work with the files. Even though Fuji uses a different software for its version of RAW than Sony or Canon, it is standard that most photo editing programs can open all of them equally.

Excellent suggestion.

He must have strong neck and back muscles.

With Old and Expensive, I thought you were talking about my wife.

Get off the highway and take the back roads.

The Police Chief's complaint is wrong on many levels. It is very unfortunate that several lost their lives. It is more unfortunate that the police felt it more important to spend their time blocking off the view of the recovery effort than it was to actually investigate the incident. He even complained that a "first responder" was taking pictures when it was a professional photographer wearing a shirt given by the fire department. Even though he submitted one photo to the paper and posted none to Facebook, he was accused of it.

Cameras and videos have exposed a lot of police abuse. Many police object to being recorded. That is too bad for them. Recording police has resulted in many losing their jobs, some even being charged with crimes, and quite often used to point out a hero cop.

It's the poor workman that blames his tools. But, your buying new equipment is what helps the manufacturers innovate.

This could still be a sticky aperture.

When looking through the viewfinder, you are actually looking through the lens with a wide open aperture. If the aperture blades are sticking then they will remain fully open, making it an over exposure situation.

Try testing the camera / lens in aperture priority at full open, (f2.8), part way, (f4.6-5.0), half way, (f8) and smallest (f22). See if there is any progression in the over exposure. If the blades are sticking OR staying open for another reason then there will be a progression of overexposure. You can even use the camera's screen to view the shots.

Try another lens and do the same test. You can even try your regular lens on another Nikon DSLR (any model will work). This is a problem with third party lenses on Nikons; Nikon doesn't like them. There have been reports of Nikon bricking third party lenses with their updates. I don't know if that is happening here, but, ...

Carbon Fiber is strong, but makes a poor rope. It has very good tensile strength, but poor shear strength.

Nice shot. I'm wondering if you of thought brightening the image a half stop.

This.

Leave the card in the camera. Use a USB cable to D/L to the computer. The biggest cause of cards going bad are because of mechanical failure. Leaving them in the camera or device reduces contacts loosening or breaking.

By whatever makes me happy.

Life is not perfect and different days and different locations produce different light levels. I am perfectly content with a subdued room or a very bright beach.

Just to add, landscape and portrait are not firm rules. Make your orientation fit your subject. Crop your shots into any shape or dimension you like. Try different sizes and even square (1x1).

The less light available, the harder it is to focus and the lens is probably searching for focus.

Before blaming the camera, I would look at the lens. Try some different lenses from friends, especially a prime or two. Take the same shot with the IS turned on and off.

You can also check the camera settings and shoot at the highest quality level.