I got interested in photography as a kid, primarily in Boy Scouts. My Dad was already an avid photographer and was a big influence and mentor for me. Obviously back in the 60's photography was film based and Dad already had a darkroom set up for B&W prints when I started to show an interest and taught me all about it. We also did a lot of color slide processing back then. Anyway, photography was an interest we shared and I fondly remember spending that time with him as some of our best times together. Anyway, I was hooked on film photography and processing my own for years, but finally drifted away most probably because of not having a place to set up a dark room for years when I was in school and at my first couple of apartments. Anyway, my interest in film photography faded to almost nothing for a period of 10 to 15 years, then digital sucked me back in like a powerful magnet! The fact that I could process my own images without a darkroom and store them as electronic files was a dream come true, even with my first "Point & Shoot" type digital cameras. As time progressed, so did the technology and I soon moved up to a full featured SLR and have never looked back. Frankly, I can't see how film could ever be attractive to me again and digital is "King" in my eyes now. I am thankful for my start in film and the background and experience it gave me, but today's digital is light years ahead and far more enjoyable for me. I really can't see me ever going back and really scratch my head about the statement that "Film is coming back." To each his or her own and it's your choice, but film is dead at least for me! Good luck and good shooting to all.

It amazes me how many here want to know how this directly affects me and why it should even matter to me." Well, to attempt to address that issue, I've lived my entire life under the creed that "All Men are Created Equal" and have seen great strides in this concept over my lifetime, but there is still work to do. Frankly, the whole concept of "Royalty" flies in the face of this creed and the fact that it is so celebrated and revered simply baffles me and promotes a complete reversal of this concept that I do indeed find somewhat offensive. Honestly, I think too many folks here don't understand the difference between acceptance and approval. I accept that the British have the right to their royals, but I darn sure don't approve and in my opinion for good reason! Is seeing this sort of a discrepancy and posting for other's opinions about it really such a bad thing? If you think so, than at least in my opinion your the one with the problem. Think about it!

Wow, far more response than I really expected here. In hindsight, using the word "offensive" might have been a bit strong, but it is what it is. Tradition is fine and it's their call, however, I do feel that using someone's lineage to provide this sort of special reverence and treatment is indeed foolishness and long since outdated. I guess I'll let it go at that and simply reiterate that it's pretty much a lot of ado about nothing.

Is it just me or does the idea of "Royalty" rub others wrong as well? How is it that in today's world of political correctness and equality for all can someone's birthright provide such wealth, privilege, respect, and loyalty? These folks are just human and the need for royalty has long since expired in today's world. It simply amazes me that they make such a fuss over all this and wonder why the whole concept hasn't been completely rejected by the common folk at least in a so called democratic society. Anyway, it's much ado about nothing in my opinion and I actually find it to be rather offensive as well. I would be interested in other's opinions about it here.

You make a valid point, not that gasoline isn't a fire hazard as well, but probably burns at a much lower temperature than a shorted battery that can reach temps high enough to vaporize metals. Anyway, I think we all need to consider that today's lithium batteries can and do literally explode when ruptured. I have to wonder how they are going to protect them and the passengers when these vehicles are involved in a serious accident, especially with the added weight.

Wow, I'd have to disagree with much of this listing, especially some of the rankings. Not sure what criteria they used here, but it doesn't seem to have a lot to do with actual technical ability in playing the guitar. More probably popularity as guitar playing musicians instead and even that is pretty objective. However, they did list some of my favorites such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carlos Santana, & Eddie Van Halen. Now those guys can play! Personally, I'd have to rank Lee Ritnour, primarily a studio and jazz guitarist, as one of the top 3 of all time, at least before his hand was crushed. He did rehabilitate and continue to play, but never quite the same, still better than Joni Mitchell ever was! I also think that Gary Richrath, guitarist for REO Speedwagon, should have at least made the list. I saw them live once years ago and was totally blown away by his guitar work. I swear the man actually made the guitar speak actual words. Anyway, I guess this whole thing is pretty subjective and it was interesting to check out the list. Thanks for sharing!

Sorry to hear about your problems with battery failure and your Nissan warranty. Having to wait 3 to 6 months for warranty repairs is absurd. Frankly, the batteries are going to be a big issue on down the road. Some fail, like yours did, all lose capacity with every charge, and especially the lithium Ion batteries are a bit of a fire hazard when charging and at least in my opinion in a crash as well. They tend to explode and burn when punctured and burn even hotter than gasoline with no way to put them out until all the stored energy is released. I wonder what kind of protection or even consideration the EV manufacturers have given this issue and how they plan to protect these batteries in a crash situation?

Amazing Photos! Thanks for sharing.

Nice photos and interesting designs, but these two pocket watches are not vintage antiques. I'd bet that both are modern production and even battery powered. I actually own one that looks exactly like the second one and I think I paid less than $10.00 for it. Still cool timepieces!

I wish that I had recorded it so I could go back and check on this, but I'm pretty sure I heard him claim to have reduced the deficit by some 1.8 trillion dollars and that was right after claiming that Trump increased the deficit more than any other President in history when we all know that was actually Obama. To make matters worse, he then proceeded to cry about Republican resistance to raising the debt ceiling once again. I gotta ask, how can he reduce the deficit and still need to raise the debt ceiling? Something simply doesn't jive here and at some point we have to quit printing more money to pay our bills! Did anyone else catch this or have comments about it? I'd be real interested in others take on this!

I have two machines still running Windows 7, but neither of them has been connected to the internet for years now. As stand alone machines they work just fine and for internet access I also have a Chromebook that does everything I need it to do as far as the internet is concerned.

I have trouble believing that a balloon is a very viable spy platform when they already have satellites in orbit that can read a newspaper from outer space! I think it was intended to piss us off and it's been pretty effective at that. I heard on network news last night that someone actually believes that they a guiding this thing with satellites and find that a bit far fetched as well. Why not just poke a few holes in it and let it come down slowly? At least then we could get a good look and what technology is actually aboard. I would think this would be far more important than just knocking it out of the sky!

Even the older model RX100's can be difficult to find in the used market and then they are still pricey in my opinion. I searched for over a year to find a used RX100 VI and still had to pay near $600.00 for it in 2022. In any case, this series is king of the full featured compact cameras and few folks out there are willing to part with them once they have them. Good luck on your search and I'm sure you'll be pleased with the camera once you do find one. My full sized DLSR seldom gets used anymore (mostly when I need more zoom or a specialty lens) and although this little camera isn't perfect, it is danged good at what it does! Good luck and good shooting to all.