Yes. It gives you some leverage to find a satisfactory solution to a problem sale. I buy a fair amount of items on eBay both photography and other items. I rarely have a problem but when it has happened PayPal has been able to resolve the problem quickly and with satisfaction, usually for both parties. Works for me.

With so many topics about what camera, how advanced a camera do I need and lens questions. A better direction for most beginners and amateurs and even advanced photographers in many cases would be as follows. The Great Courses (www.ordergreatcourses.com) and take a look at the Learn how to take better pictures with National Geographic. Right now there is a very special price until 10/26/2017. You can receive Fundamentals of Photography and National Geographic Masters of Photography on DVD for $57.90 (Fundamentals of Photography only for $34.95). Believe it or not the regular price is $539.90. I think you could load in on to your smart phone, tablet, or laptop and then it would be available on site wherever you are shooting. Just IMHO.

You might want to take a look at the Manfrotto ball head MHXPRO-BH02 I use this on my Manfrotto Monopod MM290C4US. I do not use it on my tripod as it is a Manfrotto MKBFRC4-BH that comes with it's own special ball head for travel and still retains it's rigidity. These are both carbon fiber for strength and to dampen vibration. Had aluminum before and that does hold a candle to the carbon fiber for strength, rigidity and warmth (ever hold a piece of aluminum in freezing weather). By keeping the same manufacturer my quick release plates on the cameras are the same. IMO only, check for yourself.

For what its worth no one talked about another camera instead of a lens. The Nikon P900 is amazing in both long reach and close up. A couple of things are detractors. No Raw setting (jpeg only). Only built in flash no hot shoe. How many of these lens will take a picture at .5 inch (yes one half of an inch) and then be able to reach out 2000mm (83x)! Can be purchased currently for about $500.00, less than the cost of some of these macro/micro lenses. Image quality is good and can be improved (if needed) in post processing. All other considerations aside it is a fun camera to use. IMO

For what its worth no one talked about another camera instead of a lens. The Nikon P900 is amazing in both long reach and close up. A couple of things are detractors. No Raw setting (jpeg only). Only built in flash no hot shoe. How many of these lens will take a picture at .5 inch (yes one half of an inch) and then be able to reach out 2000mm (83x)! Can be purchased currently for about $500.00, less than the cost of some of these macro/micro lenses. Image quality is good and can be improved (if needed) in post processing. All other considerations aside it is a fun camera to use. IMO

You might want to take a look at Microsoft Surface Tablets. I have been using the Surface Pro 3 for a couple of years and find that it can do most anything your desktop can do. Since I bought it running MS 8.1 and upgrading it to MS10 it just keeps getting better and better. Many users claim 9 hours of use but I think I would say more like 5-6 if you are using programs that are battery eaters. It is so convenient take with me and I have all of my MS programs, Office (and Outlook) Quicken, Paint Shop Pro (2018), Nero (DVD utility) and various others that I also have on my Desktop. I bought mine with the detachable keyboard (it has a keyboard on screen if needed) and external DVD reader writer. Of course it has touch screen capability, did not think I would like touch screen, now I wish I had it on my desktop. There are not many computers that you can pull the screen off and use it to show someone else whatever is on it. Bye the way it has a camera built in. Go to MS website for Support and find user guide for Surface pro 3 (or 4) download the PDF and look at the contents to show all of things that can be done with this Tablet. IMHO

Did any camera brand ever meet all of our requirements? Tried most all of them at one time or another. Anyone ever shoot with an Ikoflex TLR? How about a Topcon D? I used Canon (rangefinder then SLR) starting in the 1960's. Did not like the fact that they changed mounts and it would be time to buy mostly all new lens and accessories. Even back then most Professional Photographers were shooting Hasselblad or Nikon. I had a Hasselblad 1000F, great camera, just too expensive to expand with additional lens and accessories. I started then with Nikon and still use them. In 1987 I had my first introduction to Auto Focus lens, what a great step forward. Canon has a good line of cameras' and accessories, but I still think Nikon has the greatest depth in cameras and equipment. Have I had some issues with my Nikon equipment? of course, all manufacturers and not just camera mfg. can have problems. The most important thing about Nikon is that many of my accessories still work on my current model cameras. I can use virtually all lens made by Nikon since 1959. Then only Canon that I really miss is the Canon 7S with the f 0.95 lens. What a beast! Even after all of this time and the many models, lens, and accessories we still are looking for that camera that takes photos as sharp as a Technica 4x5, an infinite zoom lens, and it folds up and fits in your pants pocket. The choice of the photo equipment that you buy has only one requipment, That it does what you want and is comfortable to use. IMHO

I have, for a very long time (20+ years) used aftermarket batteries and chargers. I can say truthfully that I have never had an after market battery or charger fail. I have had to deep 6 a couple of Nikon Batteries. I think that there is a word used in many of the messages here that is incorrect. OEM is "Original Equipment Manufacturer". In other words, a company that makes items for the Brand Name products. We have an example that most of us know about. Who makes the sensor for many digital camera manufacturers? Sony of course, this is an OEM. I wonder, does Nikon make its own batteries? I do know they make their own glass for lenses'. IMO some of the aftermarket mfg. have better designs for accessories than Nikon (and other brands). For example I just bought a Nikon P900. To use the Nikon charger to charge the camera battery it must be done in-camera. The aftermarket charger and batteries (4 batteries) can be charged using AC (wall socket) and cigarette lighter in car or from your computer. The charger and batteries cost me (free shipping) less than $25.00, the Nikon battery cost $48.95 each plus shipping and sales tax(might be free shipping or sales tax). All of my aftermarket batteries and other items are purchased from eBay using PayPal. There are certain things to look for when shopping on eBay, but that is for another time. Hank

Corel Paint Shop Pro X9Ultra and After Shot Pro3. Pricing is not bad and I own it (OK Lease it) but it is not out somewhere in someone else's cloud. Just my opinion.

You might want to consider taking your photos in color (Raw) and change to black and white in your post processing. The reason being that when you take color pictures you get all of the information in Metafile plus with Raw you have a jpeg imbedded. ( I am guessing about this for your camera, I just know how Nikon and some other leaders handle the data.

Photo buff using Older Nikon digital (D700 and D200(backup) and S9300 P&S. A number of Nikon lenses some from 1987 and some more modern. I have been following this forum and it is full of information on cameras and digital concerns. Nice resource for beginners and seasoned users.