I avoid E-bay because of a situation my daughter experienced. She sold someone a pair of expensive sneakers for half the price of new -- they were in fact new. She bought them and decided she could live without them. The buyer then decided they didn't want them and lied about the listing. They claimed the shoes they wanted were for a man when my daughter's ad clearly stated they were women's. E-bay will make you negotiate with the other party before they will make good on the problem. After going back and forth a couple of times with the buyer, my daughter was able to get the shoes back but was out something like 18.00 for shipping and insurance. E-bay was fine with that although my daughter was the loser. You may get satisfaction from E-bay but it might not be 100% satisfaction and it might take a month to settle the situation.

I prefer to keep mine looking "natural". As if there wasn't any post-processing or editing done. So even when I do heavy post-processing, I still do it in a way that looks like any alterations are minimal.

But sometimes I see really good pictures that seem almost way too over-processed, yet still look amazing. I could never achieve that. Whenever I try going heavy on the sliders and masks, I end up with some cartoon-looking abomination.

So for me, I go with the natural look because I just don't know how to make good-looking heavily processed images. Not because I'm opposed to editing/processing or want to preserve the "natural look" or anything like that.

Do you think there are a lot of people like that? Those who only do "natural look" because they can't do the heavily-processed one and make it look good?

I found a lens I've wanted on MPB, at a good price. Seeing lots of positive reviews (including here on UHH) I decided to make the purchase.

I called MPB, asking to place an order over the phone. Told I can't do it, must use web. Ok.

So I placed my order on the web, then got phone call for "security clearance." Fine, I can understand that: it was a big ticket item, and nobody wants to be scammed.

After a few legitimate questions (credit card, shipping address, etc.) they asked if I was an amateur or a professional. Seemed odd, but I played along. Next, what would I be using the lens for? Did I have other Nikon equipment? Had I ever used any other camera brands? I answered, but said I found the questions intrusive, probably more for marketing than for security.

The order went through, but then 3 days later I got an email saying the order was cancelled because it had "not passed our security checks process." I called, and was told that while my credit card had been approved for the purchase, they wouldn't accept my order. I asked to speak to a manager, and was told none were available. They'd get back to me. 3 hours later, no call.

So I've bought the lens from KEH -- slightly more expensive, but no hassles, and much better return policy.

I have an excellent problem. I purchased a Nikon Z5, and then upgraded to a Z8. Wonderfully, my wife started wanting to go out on shoots with me. Now, the challenge is having enough lenses for both of us.

We shoot outdoors, primarily landscapes, birds, and flowers. We have the wide-angle side covered. I have given her my Nikon 24-200 4-6.3. I have been using the Nikon Z 100-400 f.5-5.6 VR S. The 100-400 is a little long. I am considering the Nikon 70-200 2.8 S. The reviews are great, but the lens is expensive and big.
I can afford the lens, but don't know want to be wasteful. Any suggestions?