Thanks so much for your input Angler. I'll try your tips and advice, and will invest in remotes. FYI, my family from Dad's side are all from across the Pond - last name was Barkhurst and spelling later changed for various reasons when they immigrated.

I have thought about investing in that Tamron 150-600mm. It's on sale here at a camera shop for a song ... hmmmmmmmmmmm. I would like to see some shots of yours taken with it and your review of it. I shot a Tamron 200-500 f5.6 for some years, but sold it when going digital. AF is nice and so is A and S priority, but I mainly shoot Manual and self focus.

John, great shots! Wow, Cooper's Hawks, etc. You have given me ideas about luring in the hawks with the meat method. I'm just beginning bird photography, and like you am retired so there is ample time for it. What lens are you shooting, and do you shoot thru a home glass window? Shooting thru the window is how I've began, but like I said in another post it is likely affecting the quality of the images. Am using a 300mm f2,8 and if there's another one out there on the market in 300 that's f1.4 I certainly could not afford it, nor need it. I'll try the meat trick and let you know ... there's lots of hawk varieties up here and bald and golden eagles too ... from my place I can see them buzzing around and making low passes thru the pine trees.

After the years of pro-shooting the larger mammals of the NW, bird photography has opened up a new and exciting world for me. In the past I never so much as thought of it.

Outstanding! I'm getting into bird photography and would appreciate some tips. Are these song birds shot thru window glass or without? Just set up an outside bird studio 8 feet away and am shooting thru the sparkling clean window, but the images are a tiny bit out of focus. Am shooting a Nikkor 300mn f2.8 lens which is a superb lens, but the winter birds here in NW Montana are the Junco /Chickadee varieties and the Juncos especially are extremely difficult to shoot because they move so fast - even like a tiny vibrating machine on high setting when they perch for a fraction of a second, which might be part of the issue. Will start shooting outside when it warms up a bit here. Too much shutter delay if I were to shoot with a remote. Thank you.

thank you much.

South. The PS closes the North Rim this time of year because it gets snowed in.

Thanks all, appreciated.

Yes, however more than one horse - five to be exact. I never learned when it came to horses (or women for that matter). My saddle is retired too and now rests on the banister railing where it belongs collecting dust. Maybe I'll post a picture of it. Photography for me has proven to be a safer past-time.

I do hope 'catman' will find a good camera as I do believe he is a sincere man. And catman, if you're reading, perhaps you might find a super deal on a 610 if you're considering the 600 series. Just say'n.

Thanks CPO, will give that a try. Knew that but had forgotten that trick.

got it!

thanks Mike, what's double download ... is that the zoom option?

thank you Regis

Shot this photo a couple of years ago on a very cold, very windy wintry day with the chill factor well below 30 degrees and quickly darted back into the car with the engine running and the heater on full blast. The Bright Angel Trail can clearly be seen tapering off into the chasm.

(Download)

Chris, thanks and yes, I'm aware of the 600 oil/sensor issue. Was only going on what 'catman' related about the seller having sent the camera back to Nikon for the correction. Well, a man always sells a horse for a reason and that reason he will usually keep secret. Horse buyers beware ... I'm living proof - early retirement and partially disabled.

... Because this camera does much more than I need. I shoot everything from birds to landscapes and am very, very picky about the IQ of my photos - if they are not beyond sharp I hit the delete button. As a former photo-journalist I know that IQ sells, and people salivate over such images.

For the money the D610 is a steal, even new. It's advertised as an entry-level pro camera, but that is a misnomer and not necessarily true. If you are blessed with a fat bank roll and shallow pockets then go out and get an 810 or an 850 ... but you don't need to do that, IMHO.

While the newer digitals are mini space-age computers, always remember that it's the glass one puts in front of the camera that makes the magic. Stick a $13,000 f2.8 on an old cardboard Brownie ... and, see what you get. You'd be amazed.

Without going into all the tech specs and capabilities for this camera, I hope I've been specific enough for
your question.

However, not knowing the history of that particular camera you are contemplating purchasing, or the reason(s) the party is getting rid of it is an unknown to me; guess the only way to find out it to buy it and give it a whirl.

siamesecatmanuk, grab it fast man, you won't regret that move and you'll love that camera. I just picked up a used D610 with only 1,129 clicks on it and really love that camera with my Nikkor lenses. And, you can shoot DX mode with it too. Have fun.