Hey Everybody -

I probably should have just termed my handle "Traitor" but figure it's a hot-button topic either way!

I got in to photography a number of years ago, really informally - I found it fun to put together above-average shots with a cheap point-n-shoot I had been given for Christmas as I graduated high school. That migrated in to a frustration with not being able to do more (*anything*) with the camera so in 2014 I picked up a T5i and a handful of lenses. I found my biggest draws were macro (I flyfish, so pics of flies and close-ups of rod components), landscapes, and nighttime - particularly the galaxy. I found the T5i's limits quickly with its lower noise-handling capabilities so I sold my entire rig to a guy except I held on to my beloved 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. My bride was on board with putting the funds in to an I Owe You fund from the household and in a year or two I could upgrade - I had my eyes set on a 5DmIV with a full plethora of lenses.

Then I found out while packing for an end-of-2017 move out of the Chicago area that someone from a contracted maintenance crew sometime last year stole my macro lens and a shotgun from under my bed. They were kind enough to leave my memory chip and filters, but took the lens. Ugh.

This year, at the end of August after a long 10 month period of several moves, a home-buy, and learning we are expecting, my bride gave me a great birthday present when she said "go get your camera back - and get a good one!" I told my tale to my local camera guys and was promptly asked why I wanted the 5DmIV - they were literally making me defend it. That was when one of the guys said "hey, take a look at this..." and showed me a D850.

Well, Hi, I'm Nate, and I'm a Nikon convert. *waves* I brought it home last night and am absolutely enthused to be back in the game.