Be safe & come home soon ------
Thanks you for your service
MERRY CHRISTMAS

Use what you have. Spend your time and effort learning to shoot, plan and enjoy photography more.

Do not buy stuff as a substitute for photography.

It's a dead end...trust me.

You can't get better advice then this ---
Merry Christmas

Not new at all ----- A rather common human trait that's been around for a while --- Visiting Greeks & Romans carved their initials on the Pyramids --- Call it a BC a selfie !!

Not new at all ----- A rather common human trait that's been around for a while --- Visiting Greeks & Romans carved their initials on the Pyramids --- Call it a BC a selfie !!

Crop vs Full Frame vs Other formats ----Interesting video & the guy makes a good point -- However he did not & probably for good reason answer the question --- Based on my experience I feel any answer must begin with -- "It all depends" -- My personal answer to Crop vs Full Frame vs Other formats -- is I shot up until 2009 with an EOS 3 film camera -- By then I had purchased a lot of gear including the 6 lenses I now use --- Since I did not want to sacrifice my lenses angle of view & could not afford film anymore I picked the then new 5Dmk2 --- Heck without all that prime fixed focal length glass I may have gone digital years sooner & been quite happy with a cropped sensor --- Must also say I love really large prints!!

I just went through the purchase of a new ballhead myself ---- The best advice so far has come from Leitz -- "Camera & Lenses" --- What are they & what is the most weighty combination -- plus consider what if any future Camera/Lenses combo's --- In my case I have a 15yr old Gitzo G1127 (+/- $450.00) with a max hold load of 11/12lbs along with a Manfrotto 488 (less then $100.00)-- My issue has been from the start that the ballhead would not properly hold my 100-400 L-IS lens without a lot of downward creeping --- FINALLY - Replaced the Manfrotto with an GP Acratech-- It has a nifty quick release & can be used as a leveling head along with a modified gimbal --- Now all my lenses hold tight -- Only down side is the +500.00 cost --- However the bright side is it will be the very last ball head purchase I ever make --- One other plus is that the new ball head is 10 oz lighter in weight

My New Year resolution -- No matter what it takes ---NEVER go into the ATTIC

Great photos of a lot of incredibly poor folk

Interesting topic ------
My take is that photography as it applies to myself is a Man Machine Interface --- The emphasis on Interface being my slow trial/error quest for improved competency. Being only blessed with an often passionate interest vs DNA given true artistry only leaves me with that quest for competency. Frankly that's good enough for me. Or as I often put it my goal is to take competent interesting photos. Now If the photos I take today are not an improvement over what I was taking say last year or 10 years ago then I'm getting damn bored & it's time to take up a new hobby and get rid of all the gear --- So as I see it if I do my part then that new nifty lens or camera body or whatever will partner up and assist in getting me that more interesting photo ---

You are so-so right ---- And in my case it started with the M1 and then onto my favorite the M14 -----
I can say with all honesty that it was my Marine DI that taught me how to breath, hold & fire (don't jerk but squeeze) all the cameras be they film and or digital these many years ---- And when of course I do forget and experience camera shake remembering his at times rather forceful instructions gets me back on track --- Excellent point --- Thanks for bringing this up ---

I'M NOT FAT

Fellow HOGS:
looks like this thing may have finally calmed down ----So I for one would like to make an early "very" Personal News Years Resolution by saying ----- NEVER AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!
For any of you that my comments have or may have upset---
Trust me -----You all have my most sincere & humblest APOLOGIES --- From this point on for this or any other similar non-photography subject(s) my keyboard will remain mute
Now if you want to discuss why anyone in his/her right mind would ever consider purchasing a NIKON --- "Lets get it on"
JUST KIDDING
K.D.S

Using your logic I suggest the following ---- For you I suggest my Marine Fire Teams Most Effective Favorite the 155 self Propelled -- really got the job done

You know it looks like you guys are desperately seeking EVEN -- Of course I was using exaggeration - and - Yes I'm one of those 1 in 3 citizens that rightfully & legally owns a firearm & I may say will continue to own one -- My point was - is - and - continues to be the excessive amount of Military Style Firepower now offered in the marketplace --- That amount of excessive k*****g-power in our free open civilian society is totally unwarranted and continues to prove itself to be extremely dangerous for all of us
Well --
That's it from me
Now need to go base the Turkey --- In my time zone It's a little early for Beer --- But what the hell !!

THANKS TEXAS
WE ALL NEEDED THAT !!!!!