Over the years I have read a number of pros and cons on this site regarding the use of UV filters for lens protection. Personally, I have always used one, and never gave it much thought. A couple of weeks ago when I was unloading my car for my granddaughter's birthday, my camera bag fell out of the back of my SUV. My lens was attached to my camera. The lens cap broke, and the UV filter was smashed to bits. However, the lens was completely in tact, with absolutely no damage! And, no damage to the camera (which had nothing to do with the filter). Lucky me! I immediately bought a replacement UV filter!

Patrick M, I don't know how good you are or how much experience you have but I think stopping the wedding as a guest to tell them to pose for you is totally rude and wrong. The photo may turn out great but to inserted yourself into something where you were not invited and this is just not proper. You seem proud of your actions. I think you should consider your actions and let the pros make poor shots if that is necessary and what the party is paying for. My apology, don't want to be rude but this is my feeling.

I've been using a Nikon D7000 (Dx format) for about 8 years and have accumulated several expensive lenses. I'm ready for a new camera and am interested in possibly one in the Fx format. I understand I can still use my Dx lenses but the Fx camera will automatically crop the frame to the Dx format. If I never buy any more lenses then it would be a stupid move, buying an Fx format camera and using it in a Dx format. At this time I don't know what other lenses, if any, I will want to buy (I'm 74 years young). If I buy more lenses I would buy Fx format of course. I would appreciate some advice, especially from anyone who has made a similar jump (from Dx to Fx). Thank you in advance.

The D5 went out of production at their Sendai, Japan facility in July 2018. But it is still Nikons flagship Pro camera and readily serviced by Nikon USA. This whole story sounds fishy in several ways. I deal with Nikon in LA regularly and parts come to them through Nikon Japans regular supply outlets and repair delays are very infrequent. I just got a D5 back from them 2 weeks ago that had been dropped in a pool and was DOA, they completely renovated it with a new PCB and several other parts and had it back in 13 days, at a cost of $1600. But that was a lot less than replacement!

That Sigma, along with a few other lenses, are pretty mediocre. Your Nikkor lenses are actually quite good optically, but they are not built to last. Getting a second body is what I would do, but I don't mind carrying a little extra gear - and is good backup in the event the camera dies. What I actually did a year ago was to purchase a Sony RX10-M4, which has surprisingly good image quality, and a zoom that has an angle of view equivalent to a 24-600mm lens. Generally speaking I am not a fan of wide angle to telephoto zooms - they really don't do many things well. But the Zeiss lens in the Sony, and the Nikkor 18-200 VR II are quite decent.