Hi Boberic,
I agree 100%. Living in Wilmington NC there are few choices. The local camera store, nor big box stores carry either model. Before venturing any further, I'm hoping to gain more insight from those here.
Question re lens: do you find the 18mm end too wide for your style of photiography? I thought 18mm + crop factor yields approx 27mm? Please explain.
Thanks for the feedback!

Hi ALL,
I am new to this forum, done much reading although have made a few posts – thank you for the wealth of information, the gift of sharing your combined knowledge, experiences and passions!

Being an ‘amateur re-tread’ – someone who’s been in and out of this hobby (livelyhood for others) now retired and willing to start again.
My first camera was an Army PX purchased - Mamiya-Sekor 1000DTL, today I am looking at two cameras, Nikon D-500 and Canon 7D – MKII.
To this end I look to this forum – not to decide for me, but to add to/ provide a ‘tipping point’ for my final decision.
Not a professional and not able to spend $5K+ to snap (in order of priority) wildlife, action and land/cityscaping photos, my choices have been narrowed down to these two, non FF cameras and lens families.

Here’s what I know (or think I do):
•Both cameras are ‘closely’ matched in specs, with Nikon D500 newer and having slightly better resolution capable of providing a sharper image (?), and Nikon has a higher ISO range (more noise)??!!

•Lenses for consideration are 18-200mm and 200-500mm. Tests and user’s results garnished from this forum and various links indicate both manufacturers produce comparable quality lenses at comparable prices- I hope to obtain the widest overlapping focal ranges with the least amount of equipment to carry around.

•Both have Wi-Fi ability: Nikon’s is built in, Canon requires a card slot and external adapter. I want to remotely see and snap the subject appearing in the viewfinder

•Nikon has an articulating, touch screen - Canon does not…. I feel both features are assets

•Regardless of choice, I must “RTFM” to gain command of the multitude of features as well as the confidence to know how to use & apply them. I am in awe of so many high quality photos that I see so often on this forum!

I am leaning toward Nikon D-500 for a few reasons, but my tipping point is – of all things – the wi-fi feature as I want to shoot in raw and jpeg, but NOT at the expense of an SD slot for wi-fi.
However, I’m uncertain if wi-fi feature of both cameras performs as I believe - Ability to 1) transfer/share photos to phone and beyond, 2) remotely view and snap the subject.
Wi-fi is a key consideration.... but, not at the expense of the 'end product'.... hence conundrum.

So, I’m turning my research/ beliefs/ assumptions and subsequent questions over to you all:
Am I in the ball park – have I correctly dissected the technical information properly?
Based on my beliefs that both cameras are somewhat/closely match optically and feature-wise, what have I failed to consider?

At the end of the day, I’m not looking for, nor desire a Nikon-Canon bashing contest – I realize both manufacturers have dedicated ‘camps’…. I’m looking for that ‘tipping point’ – if it exists.

Sorry for the long post.
Paul Winter

MOST EXCELLENT! LOL!!

With your permission I'm going to steal this, and, where/when necessarey change the title to anyone of the following:
DSLRs; Photography GAS attacks; Motorcycles; HAM radio gear; power or sail boats; sports cars; gardening equipment; electronics ..... SOMEBODY STOP ME!

All this and more.... before the"Boss" shreads that piece of paper (thank God for the copy machine)!!

Yes, there are many - not sure if apps inform you visibility time at your location. I have an Android device and use these two free apps - SKY MAP(Google Play 4.5 rating) and SKYVIEW (GP Editors Choice). Just point phone to sky while viewing screen.

For GPS location and compass(all free versions): GPS Status & Toolbox; Polaris Navigation GPS; Spyglass.

Caveat with most if not all of these apps: make sure you follow directions to 'calibrate' your phone.... typically moving your phone in a figure 8 motion.

THANK YOU! I'm new here as well and echo your remark. It's a simple act of mentoring others!
If you can't or don't want to offer an answer to the question, SHUT UP AND MOVE ON!

Thanks to all those who contribute positively to this forum.

THANK YOU for these in-depth articles, Bob ... Thank you to all the contributors on UHH Forum!

I literally stumbled upon this 'goldmine of photography articles' blog called the "Ugly Hedgehog". .... an unusual name that piqued my interest - and glad it did!
IMHO, I find the wealth of knowledge and the willingness to share it extremely refreshing! Although there are differences of opinions throughout, replies/comments are civil - "no question is a dumb question". In this day and age -refreshing!

I describe myself as 'Nubee Retread'. Bought my first camera, a Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL Camera during 'basic' at Army BX(PX) in SC.... and have dabbled in/with photography ever since.... 'dabbled' being the operative word - I'm ill-informed in a hobby I enjoy, because I didn't take the time to read more and experiment - this Blog is helping me change that!
Now retired and busy with (too) many hobbies, I find myself seriously looking at either a Canon EOS 7D MK II or even the 5D MK???? GAS ATTACK!!!

Thank you ALL for the education and renewed interest!!