@Grahame -- based on your answer to Q1, I took a closer look at ViewNX by browsing through its Help files online. It looked pretty well designed for a freebie. Then I read the Help file for Capture, & it looked equally high-quality. I shall install them both on a virtual machine & take a closer look before doing a regular install. It's free software, with the photography stuff nicely dumbed-down for a rookie so --- why not? However, I still plan to graduate to Photoshop rather early on, because it seems to offer endless possibilities for messing around (I'm retired & have time on my hands).

@FTn -- I just bought PS Elements (boxed CD) for a good price on EBAY, from a seller I have dealt with before. When it gets here, I shall shelve it for a while, until I accumulate some pictures worth working with.

@Anybody -- I'm still interested in comments relative to the quality/user-friendliness/effectiveness of Photoshop versus Luminar or any other competing software. From comments so far, I suppose that I will eventually "graduate" from PD Elements.

I'm trying to get started with my new Nikon D3500 DSLR. I just downloaded & began studying a User's Manual almost 300 pages in length. Worse yet, inside the box the camera came in was a Nikon URL for downloading software updates.

Good grief, this thing looks to be almost as complex as the cockpit of a 747.

I checked Nikon's website for the software. There are just 2 items for my D3500 (ViewNX-i & Capture NX-D), both of which are for installing on one's computer. The ViewNX is used to copy pictures from camera to computer. The Capture NX is used to post-process RAW images and enhance JPEG and TIFF. HOWEVER, I plan to buy either Photoshop PRO or Luminar 3 so I have a couple of questions.

Bearing in mind that, although I am a DSLR novice, I am (not to brag) a computer whiz, please answer the following 2 questions:

Q1- Do I really need the View NX &/or CaptureNX software considering that I will be using either Photoshop Pro or Luminar 3?

Q2- Which do you recommend for a DSLR novice: Photoshop or Luminar?

Lots of great counsel in this thread. Thanks to everyone. UHH folks are amazing!

@coullone -- Good counsel. Thanks!
I am especially concerned re x-ray because my camera goes through x-ray during check-in at airports.

So far I've learned:
SD=Secure Digital. SDHC=Secure Digital High Capacity. SDXC=Secure Digital eXtended Capacity
UHS-I=Ultra High-Speed Phase-I

Four questions:

Q1- Are all types of SD cards shockproof, temperature-proof, waterproof, and X-ray-proof? If not, which cards are, & which are not?

Q2- In your OPINION, which size would be more prudent for a novice to buy (for non-movies): 2 32GB cards OR 1 64GB card?

Q3- In your OPINION, which type would be more prudent for a novice to buy (for non-movies): SD, SDHC, or SDXC?

Q4- In your OPINION, which size & type memory card would be *okay* for a novice shooting movies?

Aloha from Hawaii,
Bill

The Lumix looks really nice but, moments before, I had just bought a new Nikon D3500 with AF-P 18-55mm VR Lens & 70-300mm Dual Zoom Lens. From Amazon.

As to the lenses, I have no idea what "AF-P" and "Dual Zoom" mean. Can anyone explain?

In any event, thanks to everyone. This forum is grrrreat, and exceptionally friendly!

The offer I made was rejected. :(

QUESTION: Which is better, dollar for dollar -- Nikon D3500 or Canon T7?

@rehess, RWebb76, & pithydoug -- Thanks to the nth degree for your kindly guidance! I made an offer on a *slightly used* Canon EOS Rebel T6 with 2 Canon lenses (an 18-55mm plus a 75-300mm). I should hear in the next 10-12 hours as to whether or not my offer is accepted. I figure my odds at around 12-5, so I'm still looking in the meantime.

@pithydoug -- I never thought a point & shoot (P&S) would let the user choose aperture priority and shutter priority. I will broaden my search to cover P&S as well as DSLR. Can you suggest a P&S for me to check out?

@RWebb76 -- By "Oly" you mean Olympus, right. They're still making cameras, aren't they?

About a year ago, I gave my granddaughter, Sarah, a Pentax X-5 camera. Yesterday she asked me how to set it for aperture priority, as required for a photo class assignment. I searched back and forth in the User Manual but could find NO way to set aperture priority.

Good grief, my 20-20 hindsight tells me I should have bought her a better camera. So I have 2 neophyte questions:

1) Can anyone here tell me how to achieve Aperture Priority on this Pentax X-5?

2) What is a better camera to buy for Sarah**?

**Sarah is 11. She is taking a 7th grade photo class. Her instructor said it's okay if her camera cannot do aperture priority. He just wants the students to understand the principle. However, Sarah says her best friend's camera CAN be set to aperture priority. So Sarah wants to set her camera that way, too. Her wish is my command. If the Pentax can't do it, I'll get her a camera that can. I am *super-Papa*! (^_^)

I really enjoyed this set!
Lizards make excellent house guests. I have many running free in my home ... of the gecko type... they don't change colors. My geckos keep the bug population nicely under control.

My cable supplier has always matched any deal offered by their competitors. All I have to do is telephone & say I'm thinking about switching. They ask why. I tell them about their competitor's offer, they match it, and everyone ends up with smiles &, hugs.

If it wasn't for Dave, this interesting, funny, often educational thread would probably have dried up on page 2. A bit of jovial bickering can add spices to a potentially bland discussion.

By the way, check out trustpilot.com regarding "abes of maine" -- abes is rated by over 700 people & receives a 4-star rating! So tra la la, let the games begin..... 😈

How about the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ80? That is not a suggestion-- it's a question.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1329682-REG/panasonic_lumix_dc_fz80_digital_camera.html

I love night photography. This is one of the best night photos that I have seen in quite a while.

Winner! Winner! Pay the line!

Excellent. Superb! Congratulations!