Looks like we as a country, USA, are going to have to buckle our seat belts, because the economy is not going be as good as last year, because of the Coronavirus. Stock Markets are down, there's no vaccine yet for this virus. And, a lot of money is not going to be made, from big to small businesses, tourist agencies, sports events etc. School are being shut down temporarily. Schools already are financially burdened with losses.

I heard the St. Patrick's Day Parade is cancelled in Boston. Actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita have been diagnosed with the virus in Australia. Hank is a Type 2 Diabetic. So, his immune system isn't at full level, and he is over age 60. The virus doesn't discriminate. Rich or poor.

Yep. If a new battery did the same thing, I would guess it's a camera issue. I had fast battery drain once on my DSLR. But, I was using live view too consistently. And autofocusing, added to the problem. Also, some cheap aftermarket batteries could be the problem. I use only OEM and Watson batteries.

I knew a photographer who would take photographs in night clubs. He charged a flat fee for a certain number of photos. Photos, that were used on websites to advertise the Rock n Roll Band. He owned a Nikon D750 DSLR. And, he never said the shutter click noise was a distraction. The last time I went to a concert, all I saw were Smartphones taking photos. Hundreds of them, all at once. All ages too.The first Nikon full frame camera I saw in a camera shop, in late 2008, was a D700 with 12.1 megapixels. Built like a tank. The first Nikon FF was the D3. One is for sale now on this forum.

I'm a fan of March Madness. The 68 team selection will be announced on Sunday afternoon. The majority of the money will come from TV contracts from at least two Cable Networks, and the CBS Network later on for the Final Four teams. Fans make hotel reservations, and buy arena tickets, months in advance. I wonder will refunds be granted?

The Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918 killed 675,000 Americans alone. Not including the rest of the world. The H1N1 Flu of 2009, killed 284;000 people. We also had SARS and Ebola. Ebola was primarily an African Continent problem. Let's just hope that the Coronavirus does not become a 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic. Or the 2009 H1N1 Flu. The 18 elderly that died in a rest home in America was shocking. I believe this Coronavirus will pass, just as the previous respiratory diseases became. And, after this passes. The WHO and the CDC, should be better prepared, to cope with the next global respiratory diseases, that become global. Whenever it comes?. Students from the USA, studying in Italy, have been recalled back home immediately. A first time adventure that soon ended for them. A store manager, told me yesterday, that her trip to Venice, Italy has to be postponed. No refunds, but you have one year to reschedule the trip. Better later, than never. Best defense is washing your hands regularly. And, don't touch your mouth and nose.

Many wildlife animals have quarrels. I had one experience, with white geese on a small rural farm. They are extremely protective of the younger geese. The adults charged at me with much aggression. Flapping wings, biting at me, and making noise. I had to run for cover. The owner of the small farm, was laughing his behind off. Great wildlife photos too.

I own a Nikon 50mm f1.8G prime lens. I use it for portraits on a crop sensor DSLR. A zoom wide angle lens, with a minimal focal range of less than 18mm would be a good choice. I purchased last December, a Nikon AF-P 10-20mm zoom lens. Because my kit lens, 18-55mm, didn't cut the mustard.

I have heard of mpb.com from this forum. They are reputable. Not too long ago, a woman member on the forum, purchased a mint condition Nikon SB-5000 flash unit for less than $400. She even posted photos of her purchase. That flash unit sells new for $596. Another website, I have recommended to two friends, is KEH. They are reputable for selling used lenses for good prices. MPB or KEH, I would say you are OK, dealing with either.

I have been purchasing camera gear from B&H Photo Shop since 2009. And I'm just an amateur/hobbyist. I will be making another purchase from them soon, on some miscellaneous accessories. At least 80% of my camera gear is from them. I have also recommended B&H to my friends. I have $40 in Rewards money, that I will use towards my next purchase. Great customer services, keep customers, like me.

Very nice photo. As a grade school student, I remember well, a mother Jaybird diving twice, from above, and landing on my head. Grandmother told me, I was too close to the tree. Where her nest was above.

For an expensive item. You do want to be home for a signature, to receive your item. Porch pirates use to operate during the Xmas holidays. Now, it is Year round. I saw on the TV News. That 10% of delivered packages in NYC are stolen by Porch Pirates. Not all of those packages were cheap items either.

A good one.

The time of day will go up one hour on Sunday. Arizonan is one State that does not change Times. California voted in a past election, to join Arizona in not changing time. But, it has to be approved by the federal government, before it is implemented. Only 4 months of the year are Standard Time. From early November to early March. Why just 4 months? I'm wishing for federal approval, so California joins Arizona, in not changing time twice a year. Don't forget to change your clocks and watches, etc. I prefer daylight savings time. Yearlong.

Agree. Canon makes an 85mm in f 1.4 and f1.8. Both considered excellent portrait lenses. I use my 50mm f1.8 for portraits.