I agree. I've been using Nikon since 2006 (D40) and now use D7000 and D72000 and have an investment in Nikon DX lenses and accessories.

A friend has one of the high-end crop-sensor Sony mirrorless cameras and I like it. If I was starting over it would be at or near the top of my list.

I agree with agillot. Starting lite makes sense.

In my opinion there's no much difference in function and quality between equivalent Canon and Nikon Cameras. Both are very good; if you haven't used a modern DLSR you'll be astonished by the features.

I often buy Manufacturer refurbished and have never received a bad camera or lens; they always looked like new. These refurbished cameras have a manufacturers warranty; Canon-one year, Nikon-90 days.

Here are a few very affordable DSLR cameras to consider.

Canon EOS Rebel T5 with 18-55mm lens - refurbished $278.99 (new $375-$450)
Canon EOS Rebel T5i with 18-55mm kens - refurbished $478.99 (new $599-$799)
Canon EOS Rebel T6 with 18-55mm lens - refurbished $328.99 (new $450-$550)
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras#facet:&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:11&pageView:grid&pageSize:&

Nikon D3300 with 18-55mm lens - refurbished $359.96 (new $450-$500)
Nikon D3400 with 18-55mm lens - refurbished $399.96 (new $500-$550)
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras#facet:&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:11&pageView:grid&pageSize:&

Q: What's the difference between Formula 1 and a parade?

A: They both have lots of clowns but F1 has pit stops (and an occasional pass for the lead; there was one this morning!)

I started following F1 in 1963. Prior to TV coverage I'd eagerly await my Autoweek and Road & Track magazines. I often think about the old days and think that it was better when the cars were simpler. Of course if I used that thought for guidance in photography I'd be using my Argus C3 (given to me about 1963) instead of my Nikon D7200.

I wish I was in Austin
In a chilly parlor bar
Drinkin' Mad Dog Margaritas
-- Guy Clark

YMMV

My GAS envy is turned up to 11 !

I expect a report after a few weeks.
Enjoy!

Last month while having dinner with friends we talked about the upcoming solar eclipse. I told them about taking our one-month old daughter with us to see the eclipse in 1979. Then I used my phone to access a photo (from an album on Dropbox) and said "this is my best picture of the solar eclipse in 1979" as I handed the phone around. Our (slightly older than my first digital camera) waitress heard, looked at the image and said "I didn't know they had phones with cameras that long ago."

Awaiting the eclipse. Also my best 1979 eclipse photo (because it's far better than any of my 2017 eclipse photos.)

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

Grace: I'm a retired IT guy.

Backups are critical. IMO doing regular backups is far more important than what brand of HD you use. Use a system that backs up files automatically; mine runs every night. Having a reliable backup system provides me (some) peace of mind.

I use both WD and Seagate. IMO there is far more difference between different HD models of any brand that there is between brands. But we don't know which models are more prone to fail until some time has passed.

Since I worry about burglary (if a burglar took my PC he's probably take the external HD that's next to it) and fire as well as HD failure, I make a second backup of my personal photos and document onto a portable HD which I leave at a neighbors house. (I have two of those HDs and trade them every week).

Many use cloud storage for backup. I would reccomend using one HD at home for backup and the cloud for the second backup.

I'm sure by now that you feel as if you're drinking from a fire hose :-)

Welcome Dave.

I, and many other pilots, enjoy watching Turkey Vultures flying. Although they look unsteady, often rocking side to side, they are very efficient at finding thermal updrafts and soar for hours without needing to flap their wings.

Here's a couple that I spotted warming one morning. The backlight on their wingtip feathers first caught my eye. That backlight washed out much detail but I still like the photo.

- John

Turkey Vultures

(Download)

The shortest focal length lens I've ever used was a 8mm Rokinon Fisheye (full frame on Nikon D7000 crop sensor camera)
It's not an everyday lens, but can be fun.
(1) Distortion can be a problem.
(2) Laying on my back looking straight up resulted in an undistorted image. I believed that the tree trunks would be rendered straight, but wasn't sure until I saw the result.

(Download)

I quit photographing weddings 25 years ago. Even with backups for everything, the stress was just too much.

My number 1 rule: Flatter the bride's mother.

I've been a photographer since I got a hand-me-down camera while in high school more than 50 years ago. Over the years photography alternated between a major hobby and a minor part of my life due to available time after family and work.

In my opinion the best thing about retirement is having available time. A friend in a similar situation and I often spend an entire day, and drive for hours, just to take some photos of a waterfall or some other thing that interests me.

For years I'd often pass by something thinking "That might make for good photo." But I rarely stopped because I felt driven by time constraints. Nowadays when I see something interesting I often stop and spend an hour or more looking for a good shot. I often regretted not stopping in the past. Now I never regret stopping and spending time, even if no good image results.

Next I'm going to invest some of my time in a Lightroom class.

(Download)

I followed this advice in 1979 and my vision is still good. I plan to do the same on Monday when, weather permitting, I'll be among the first is the U.S. to see the eclipse. (Depoe Bay, Oregon)

This photo is "third contact", my final shot of the 1979 eclipse (Maryhill, WA)
Planning, bracketing, and a bit of luck was rewarded.
Canon FTb, Vivitar 400 mm lens with 2x tele-converter, , 1,000 sec @ f44, Ektachrome 400 ASA, slide scanned a few years ago with Epson V 600.

(Download)

I agree with Old Timer.

A high percentage of DSLR purchasers give up on them for various reasons. e.g., big and heavy compared to the iPhone, complicated or lack of interest. I know of several who do not use the DSLR kit they impulsively bought or received as a gift. An "entry-level" DSLR is only "entry-level" when compared to the advanced DSLR models. Both Nikon and Canon have excellent entry-level DSLR models with features that would have seemed fantastic just a couple years ago.

Many of us have GAS (gear acquisition syndrome or sickness), regularly upgrade and produce a lot of good used cameras. You'll get good suggestions here about vendors for used equipment.

Another good idea is refurbished cameras from the manufacturer. Most are little used and look like new. Good entry-level DSLR cameras are available between $300 and $400.

Check these. (chance the sort to low to high or the prices will scare you since high end pro cameras are included)
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Store/Refurbished-Cameras.page#!/tag:8ps:Digital SLR Cameras
and
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras

I believe you'll learn more by using just one camera and one lens for a while. After a year you'll have a much better idea about how you use the camera and what features are important to you.

One thing there's no shortage of here is advice :-)

My experience is that batteries are easy to carry along and not very expensive, e.g., $20 at Amazon. I have had good luck with brand X batteries and other products if they have positive reviews by verified purchasers. I usually travel with four batteries.

You can extend the life of a battery in the camera by turning the LCD review off. If you have GPS and WiFi turn them off too.

I shoot a lot of images, often bursts of three for exposure bracketing. With less bracketing and more discipline I could easily cut my number of shots to 25% or less of my normal number. I recommend not going overboard (humor intended) with shot discipline because you could miss the best one of your trip.

YMMV

(1) All other things being equal, more Megapixels are better.
(2) All other things are never equal.

I'd gladly trade half of my megapixels for a better lens.

YMMV

He's using a Sony NEX-6 camera with a Tokina ATX 300mm f/2.8 lens (using Canon FD to Sony NEX adapter)

You're close, It was mid-November. It was a nice day and instead spending a couple of hours over morning coffee we went to Baskett Slough wildlife refuge (about 10 miles West of Salem OR) to shoot whatever we found.