A 36" print at 75 or 100 dpi will give a nice picture. It won't look the same as a high definition print of 300-500 dpi, but it will be a nice piece of art on the wall. Remember, a large print should be viewed at a distance.

Nice shot, I'm impressed. Good luck.

Most printing services can also do large size printing. A Kinkos (now Fed Ex Printing) I used to use could print up to 60". It cost a lot, but could be done.

As for the decision, that is up to you.

Our woodpeckers have been quiet the last week or so.

Just a suggestion, I would bring the color temperature down a little. Around noon, especially with a lot of snow reflection, the color in the shade will soar to 6000K+ easily. BUT, very nice shot. Good job.

Is Canon USA going to honor the gray market warranty? I've heard of Canon accepting as well as rejecting international warranties.

Nikon bodies are generally cheaper but their lenses are more expensive than Canon. Remember, whatever you spend on a body, you are going to spend double or triple that on lenses down the road. BUT, most quality lenses will last through two or three upgraded bodies.

I would suggest a base model such as a Canon Rebel T6i with a basic kit lens of 18-55mm and the 55-250mm. That will run you around $700 and give you some great photos. This combo can get you photos that can rival top of the line cameras. Although a base camera, it is a very good camera.

I suggest taking a classroom course at a high school or community college. Learn the basics of aperture / shutter and depth of field / stop action. Ya, ya, you can learn on line, but for the intro I would suggest classroom learning with a group of others that know nothing. Once you have learned the basics and had someone show you what it means in real time, the rest comes much easier.

Most American programs label the date by Month, Day, Year (01-02-2018). Windows doesn't recognize that format when organizing, preferring to do it numerically. When d/l to my computer, I label each folder as Year, Month, and Day (2018-01-02) then add a small descriptor such as "2018-01-02, Backyard Deer". This allows me to find any one photo even if I have just a rough date.

I also create a sub-folder in each folder for the edited photos. It takes an extra click to get to the edited and keeper photos, but, for me anyway, they are easy to find.

My second method of keeping track of a photo is to renumber them as they come out of the camera. Currently, Cannon consecutively numbers each shot up to 9999 then rolls over to 0000 to start over again. Starting with my Canon T5, I added a 1 to the xxxx. So when the numbers rolled over, the next picture was 10001, 10002, etc. That filing is up to 35xxx+. When I got my 80D I started at 4xxxx. Thus, I don't have two photos with the same number. It takes a little longer, but this numbering does help find an original folder and photo.

If you want to get some photos to accent a book, etc then most cell phones do have a good camera already. You can still get good video on them. The bonus being that you usually have your phone with you.

Then there are a lot of "Point and Shoot" cameras that also take decent pictures and are video capable. "PAS" are small, usually fit into your pocket, and have few controls to confuse or slow you down. They range from a couple hundred to $500. They require little photographic knowledge.

Then we get into the DSLRs (Digital Single Lens Reflex). These allow the most control over the photo and most cameras are video capable. DSLRs run from a few hundred dollars for older amateur models to $5,000 plus for top of the line but any DSLR can give you a great photo. Lenses are extra but kit lenses usually are very satisfactory. Because the lenses are interchangeable, they are also the most versatile. They also require some degree of photography knowledge to operate.

If you are doing video a tripod is a requirement. For most DSLRs, a bag is handy but the good news is many kits (camera and lens) come with a bag. Most indoor and night photography requires a flash. Amateur cameras usually have an on-board flash but expensive cameras don't.

Most cameras come with editing software. as well, there are some very well known editing programs that cost big bucks and some very good free programs available over the internet.


So, how much are you willing to spend and how much do you want to learn?

Placing the lens up to the window and turning off the inside lights helps to remove any reflection. However, just that extra piece of glass does have a small diffusing effect. You may get a shot that is very pleasing to you and most viewers. Or, you may not. You'll never know until you try. And hey, I'm with you on being uncomfortable staying inside.

I vote "Go For It".

FANTASTIC. A wonderful use of light to accent the pout.

Overnight it dipped down to -20 here and there is two feet of snow on the ground. The only place that comes to mind for me is to visit my sister in Brisbane, Australia. Work on my sunburn.

Around mid May to June, I want to visit Niagara Falls. The Parks Department goes out of their way to make both American and Canadian cities beautiful. There are so many wonderful sites to see.

Years ago I carried a Minolta and a Canon film cameras. I ended up selling the Minolta to someone looking to get into SLRs and bought another AE-1. I have been a loyal Canon guy since.

Today I use a Canon 80D as my main and my older T5 as a back-up. I am adverse to changing lenses in the field so I will go with what I expect and keep the back-up with an alternative lens.

I would follow up with another call and speak to another CR. Check out their website and look for an email address and send off an email to with explanation that this was a gift.

I am unaware of any manufacture that requires the original purchaser submit their sales slip in order to register an electronic product. At this time of year there are many people that received a gift without proof of purchase. Setting up a bad relationship between the consumer and the company is not good for future business. While Tamron has improved their quality, they still remain well behind other third party lenses and do not need this added handicap. When I think of how Canon has bent over backwards to keep good relations with its base (and apparently Nikon and Sony have as well), it would be a smart move from Tamron not to alienate their customers.

My understanding is that the pre-flash is to reduce red-eye. TTL metering should automatically turn the flash off.

As I pulled the garbage down to the road, I marveled at the moon. OK, for the first few feet I did. After that I hurried. Minus 11 F does that to your inspiration.

I'm too darned old for this weather.