Exactly: the scale. My wife and I ahve been to the Alps and then a few years ago we traveled to Alaska. Now the Alps are beautiful, but the magnitude of the largess of Alaska was just difficult to grasp. The enormity of the place is just overwhelming.

Traveled to Venice, Florence, and Rome for 10 days two years ago. Had the Nikon 24-70 and 55-200 with me. My take away: Leave the longer and heavier lens at home. I took 95% of over 1000 shots with the smaller lens. Take an extra battery instead. If you add a lens or more, go for wider and faster. Most of the museums and churches allow photography, but no flash. So the need for speed. That's what I wished I had with me. Lots of them won't allow a tripod, but you might get away with a monopod. Relax and have fun.

Waterproof, good internal padding, at the upper limit of carry on size for airlines, and security. Checkout Pacsafe's line of Camsafe bags/backpacks.

I made the switch a year ago and like you I had shot Nikon for years and years and.... I chose to go with Olympus OM D-E M1 Mark II and an Oly Pro 12-100 and Pany 100-400 lens. I shoot travel, wild life and family for the most part, with not so much video. I print no larger than @ 16x20 and for my purposes this gives me what I need in image quality and versatility at a reduction in size and weight. I'll add soon a faster option for wide angle and I'll be set. I like the color and the image quality for the sizes I print is comparable to the Nikon. And most importantly, at 69 with arthritis in my hands the reduction in weight and size is great for me.

As some above said, look at what you shoot, try a few cameras out, and go from there.

Two years we went to Venice , Florence, Verona, and Rome.
I took my Nikon 55-300 and 17 -55 lens. I used the 17-55 more than 90% of the time. If you have it, take a very fast wide angle prime as most of the museums and churches will let you shoot, but not with a flash. If I was doing it again I would take the 17-55 and a wide angle prime with a f/1.2-1.8 range for the low light situations and leave the longer zoom at home. Hope this helps and have fun.

We were there two years ago and your very nice set does the place justice. Good job.

I made the same switch a year ago. I never print larger than @16x20, I'll never sell anything, and the image quality is excellent for this range. I understand FF if you are a professional or do LARGE prints but otherwise this is just "mine is better". There are in fact limits on what the human eye can see at a given size.

What every one else has said! Just and excellent photo. An the use of symmetry in the framing, with the reflections, and onto the vegetation next to the bridge: this shot has it all. And as someone mentioned, I to would have fouled it up in post, lighting is exceptional. Just blow it up and put it on the wall!

[quote=srt101fan]These comments are mostly aimed at fellow climbers of the learning ladder but input from the more seasoned shooters on this forum would be much appreciated.

My experience pretty much exactly. Two things I especially agree with.

To much is made of shooting manual at the expense of other modes, and there are times where auto is the preference. The goal is the end product, not how you get there although the how needs to be understood well to make the appropriate choices.

And the advance of digital has made all to many of us lazy: just keep firing away until we get what we want. I am guilty as charged all to often.

Great post.

Exactly.

In 2006 I bought a Nikon D50 which was 6 MP. used it until this past summer when I replaced it with an Olympus OM D E-Mark 1 II. With the D50 I never printed over 8x10 and it was way more than sufficient. Now that I am semi-retired I want to do more, but likely will not print beyond @ 20 x24. Unless you pixel peep the human eye will never know thee deficiencies. Can you recover more in post? Sure, but there are ways to get waht you want otherwise by various exposures. Unless you are a pro or VERY sophisticated enthusiast most of us, includint me, have way more camera than we need.

But battling GAS is so much fun.

At what point does the technology exceed our ability to perceive a difference?

Since your going to be in Townsend, try Abrams Creek from the south end of the Park. Little used trail along the creek to the falls. If you have to vehicles, the trail and creek run through to Cades Cove.

Very nice composition with framing by color and use of diagonals.