Well I made a cheeky comment earlier that I have no idea if it was answered because it got buried by all the posts, but have refrained from making any real serious post. Many people have shown negativity and even open hostility towards the OP for a multitude of reasons. Whether you disbelieve him or not, I personally do not see why it matters enough to anyone to actually take time to post about their disbelief. I don't believe too much I see in text form on these, or any other forums for that matter. While I would choose a different path, it does not mean I offer any judgement to his own avenues that only his logic can decide if appropriate or not.

I do understand the allure of having the same bodies as backup, since you do not have to re-orientate one's self to the different body, just to use a different lens. Personally I rented two D800e bodies when I went to the Middle East, where I did not want to expose the innards to the harsh elements, this gave me three identical cameras to quickly change between, without worrying about fouling up the sensor or shutter mechanisms. Granted I did break down the cameras when back at the hotel to verify the sensors were clean, without having to check photos for dust. Some people do not feel comfortable cleaning their own sensors and it can be a real PITA if you have to lose your main body for the week or two it would take to have it professionally cleaned. In my own opinion though I went for different bodies for my everyday shooting, because I never know what style of photography will tickle my fancy that week. Stretching from the range of astro and light-painting, all the way to landscape, wildlife and macro, has led me down a path that is more advantageous to have different bodies with separate abilities. But again this is my path not the OP's so his logic may lead him elsewhere.

I have seen many state in not so nice of words that he is wasting his money, and he should be using that money to help other people in one way or another. To this I have to say, bullshit. I cannot speak for anyone but myself, but I have no idea how much this man donates or assists in his private life. To be honest, it is none of our business and has nothing to do with the original question posed. When stated that he could instead assist other people who do not have it as well off as himself, I would turn this around on the poster posing such a scenario. We all are here on a photography site and the vast majority of us do not do this as a way to feed our family, it is a hobby. I would say that those who think we should share the wealth, as the RANGERS say "lead the way", give away all of your belongings that have nothing to do with your everyday "needs" before coming to me broaching how I should distribute my own money. I have worked very hard for every bit of wealth I have attained, and I am by no means claiming to be filthy rich, but I am comfortable. As far as I am concerned, as long as my bills are paid, have a nice nest-egg, as based on my age, it is no one else's concern what I deem worthy of spending my money on. No one on here needs a camera or a computer for that matter and many in the world get by with far less. I'm sure there are impoverished youths that could use the laptop you use to criticize the OP, but instead you decided that you needed it more than the poor impoverished people. Something odd about Americans I have come to notice is they are the richest people in the world and yet they are the most hateful of those that have more than themselves. I know this is a generalization and does not apply to all, but it is just something I have noticed especially dealing with those online.

While I think many of the objectors got the feeling that the OP was bragging, and maybe he was, it does not matter. If you cannot offer a reasonable response to his question, do not judge and then berate someone you do not know, and have no idea about this person, other than what they choose to share through some random moniker on a random website (no offense UHH). I tend to think people take these posts far too serious, questioning someone's, who could be all imaginary for all I know, integrity based on the amount of photos they have posted seems tacky. I too have not posted too many actual photos on the site, other than asking questions and using photos to show the actual issue I am discussing. Does this mean I do not have the equipment I say I have or that I only shoot a couple of shots a month? Some people do things that they believe are logical, but when viewed by others seems odd and random, trying to understand someone else's logic is an effort in futility. By the time you think you understand how someone thinks they go ahead and do something completely random and unexpected. I can barely understand my own logic, let alone everyone else's.

Before I get attacked for my horrendous grammar or syntax, English is not my first language and in no way strive for perfection of written speech on some website. As my father said "listen to what I mean, not what I say"

Then again what do I know
FLAME on...

Best of luck in your endeavors,
Matthew

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Most all of our Western Mountain States are inhabited either by wealthy ranchers or others who are in a service related industry making little money.. If you are unable to convince those wealthy land owners in your neck of the woods to part with their money, why is it that you are directing your poverty stricken situation upon an old man who resides 1800 miles from you here in Ohio ?

My wife and I together tithe at our church and we also give money to our local charities, especially, the Salvation Army and any and all good clothing that can be taken as being new, as well as hard goods, including canned foods too, is always given to our local nearly new shops that sell to those who eke out a living at a low income level. The canned goods and boxed food products we purchase and they are collected by a local charity that serves to the homeless.. Each year during Thanksgiving Day and on Christmas Day, not only do we purchase meats and cheeses for the needy, but we also assist with cooking and serving the needy in our church basement during those two most important holidays..

Both my wife and I worked all of our lives whereby after I had worked as an Engineer forty five years for Navistar, we've been blessed in life whereby we have no debts whatsoever.. No one had handed us our good fortune upon a silver platter and the lifestyle which we now have had been earned..

I would be interested to know the grade level that you teach, albeit, teachers with a masters degree who teach classes at the high school level can make a good wage, but if you teach classes for the toddlers and or pre-teens and you are without a masters degree, you probably don't make much money at all. Unless you have a love for teaching, perhaps you should had targeted another major when in college and by now, you would, no doubt, be making far more money..

It's also disturbing to read a message from a teacher who has a bitter opinion of a person who had earned his good fortunes in life, for it's people like you who have influence upon our children today whereby if you teach them your ways of thinking, I would hate to discover one day where their lives will had taken them..

In closing, may I suggest that you make contact with some of the local ranchers in your area and see if they can help your cause by supplying cameras for your students..

Lastly, may you have a good life and try to provide your students an even playing field when it comes to your personal beliefs which certainly affect theirs and don't ever overlook the fact that if everyone were to have your socialistic beliefs, the freedoms that we enjoy today will be totally taken away from all of us.

I send you my best regards and please know that I am not insulted nor do I have hard feelings toward you; however, it saddens me to, perhaps, have to come to the realization that there are more among us who think just as do you.

Try to enjoy the remainder of you day and I wish for you the very best,
~Doug~

Well, guys, after taking delivery of another new Nikon D810 from B&H last week, I am now wanting to purchase another one !

My thinking is to have (3) Nikon D810's along with the D800E which I've had for nearly six months.. My reasoning is to have enough camera bodies so that I won't be needing to change lenses which could enable dust and other unwanted particles to enter into the camera body and, then, those particles come to rest upon it's sensor..

Other reasons for wanting (3) Nikon D810's with the D800E are so that I can mount my Sigma 180mm macro lens on the D800E, mount my Sigma 24-105mm on one of the D810's for everyday shots, mount my Nikon 16-35mm VRII on another D810 for wide angle needs, and to mount my Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 or my Nikon 200 f2 VRII on the final D810 for portraiture.. By doing it like this, there will never be a need to remove a lens which will guarantee that should any dust ever collect upon one of the sensors, it will had made entry due to air movement with one of the lenses having zoom capabilities..

Is there anyone else among our membership who would give consideration to doing the same as I will be doing ?

Well, guys, after taking delivery of another new Nikon D810 from B&H last week, I am now wanting to purchase another one !

My thinking is to have (3) Nikon D810's along with the D800E which I've had for nearly six months.. My reasoning is to have enough camera bodies so that I won't be needing to change lenses which could enable dust and other unwanted particles to enter into the camera body and, then, those particles come to rest upon it's sensor..

Other reasons for wanting (3) Nikon D810's with the D800E are so that I can mount my Sigma 180mm macro lens on the D800E, mount my Sigma 24-105mm on one of the D810's for everyday shots, mount my Nikon 16-35mm VRII on another D810 for wide angle needs, and to mount my Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 or my Nikon 200 f2 VRII on the final D810 for portraiture.. By doing it like this, there will never be a need to remove a lens which will guarantee that should any dust ever collect upon one of the sensors, it will had made entry due to air movement with one of the lenses having zoom capabilities..

Is there anyone else among our membership who would give consideration to doing the same as I will be doing ?