I guess it just depends on ones perspective. I fail to see the difference if one chooses to go on line and listen to someone in a You Tube video or someone going on line and listen to someone on a blog. One takes no more effort than the other. What’s the difference in reading what someone has to say on one site vs another? If I’m reading what difference does it make if I’m reading text on a piece of paper or in a post on a forum? You say if they don’t have the basics then their questions can’t be answered but then you go on to say they really can be answered by someone who wrote a book. So they can be answered you just don’t think we should answer them here? From my point of view I see the newbie coming here to do research and to me the big difference is that here the newbie can ask follow up questions as many answers can lead to more questions. Reading a manual, while good for some is only tedium to others, some enjoy the interaction they find here not found in a dry manual. Why not just allow folks to learn at their pace using whatever approach brings them joy? This is supposed to be fun so let them have fun and if you don’t like the approach they’ve chosen just ignore them. If enough folks were to ignore them they’ll find a new approach. I guess what I’m saying in a long winded fashion is why not just allow people to do life on their own terms. What worked or works for you may only bring frustration to others.

I want a clear filter to protect the lens on my new Tamron. There are two brands that I am looking at: B&W and Hoya. B&W uses "Schott" glass, while Hoya uses optical quality glass with no glass brand name stated.

Both brands have 3 filter choices for the lens size, but in reading the specs (on B&H website) I can't really tell any significant differences within each brand's 3 choices.

With dozens of brands of filters, I'm not going further into them, so will make the choice between the above.

I would appreciate thoughts on choosing between the two.

Thanks

Bill

I am also going to Africa in April 2014 and have similar questions. With a weight limit of 33 pounds, How to maximize?
I plan to take Nikon D600 and 5100 body as back up...have a Tamron 18-270...my walkaround....love it. A friend suggested renting the new Tamron 150-600...I already own a 150-500 but the weight and size seem prohibitive. Am I better off buying a teleconverter for the 18-270 or taking one or the other Tamrons?

I am really concerned about the weight limit....33 pounds for everything..photo gear and clothes..personal items etc.

What would you do?