When Windows 11 came out, the update told me that my hardware was not worthy of running Windows 11. I'm OK with Windows 10 (heck, I was fine with Windows XP)!

https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/14/europe/nato-defense-spending-target-intl/index.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/02/12/nato-countries-defense-spending-gdp-trump/

This camera is $129.99 at Best Buy ("Minolta - MND30 30.0 Megapixel Digital Camera - Black"), and $149.95 at the "MinoltaDigital" Web site. So, it is not a forgery using the Minolta name, just a not so good camera produced by "Elite Brands" under license to Minolta.

I bought a Sigma 150-600mm lens and found that it is difficult to hold everything steady when zoomed-out to 600mm (I have the Nikkor Z 180-600mm on order). I have a Manfrotto monopod (a TRUE one-foot monopod), but I find I prefer using the E-Image MA600 monopod I have, which has 3 feet. I have a ball head mounted on top, and to me, it feels more stable than when I'm using the single foot monopod. The footed monopod has a ball assembly at the bottom that can be loosened if you feel you need more movement than the ball head provides.

I normally have the monopod sitting in front of the large kitchen window that looks out into the backyard, where I can quickly attach my camera and shoot some bird photos. The monopod stands up on its own, but I would never walk away with something attached to it.

How about you look at what the printer requests be submitted? I recently ordered a metal print from Artbeat Studios, and their Web site tells you what they want (like most printers).

"File Preparation:
Accepted file formats are JPG, TIFF, and PNG, but JPG is preferred.
8-bit RGB files only
Embedded color space should be Adobe RGB (1998)
If you have done any retouching work on the image in Photoshop, make sure that all layers are flattened before saving your final copy.
For sample prints, we recommend exporting them at the size of the print. This will reduce the time required to upload the order, as you would not be sending files larger than needed for the product.
Our printers will render each image at the optimum resolution for the print size. However, this will not improve the quality of lower-resolution files.
File Formats:
JPG
8 bits per channel
Baseline Standard encoding
PNG
8 bits per channel
TIFF
8 bits per channel
No Layers
No alpha channels
Image Compression: LZW
Pixel Order: Interleaved

Recommended File Size:
Digital Cameras measure their resolution in pixels. These are NOT measured per inch, but are a total count of how many pixels were used to capture the entire image. If you take a digital photo at 1600x1200 pixels, the total pixel count of the captured image will be 1,920,000 pixels. Whether you print this 1600x1200 image as a 8"x10" photo or an 16"x20" photo, the original file will still have 1,920,000 pixels.

Photos intended for print should be taken at the highest [pixel] resolution possible for the best print quality. Lower resolution photos printed at larger sizes may stretch the pixels beyond the point where the look clear and sharp. However, many of our customers have great success enlarging their photos 200%-400%. Typically the photo needs start out very high res and well exposed, then it can be enlarged and sharpened in Photoshop or Lightroom. View your files at 100% in an image application such as Photoshop, this will give you an excellent representation of how the file will print.

Preferred Image Resolution:
150 dpi (Maximum: 300 dpi - Minimum: 100 dpi)"

Upgraded mine this morning. Have taken about 70 photos of our cat, and I can tell the auto-focus is much improved. Now I'm waiting for the birds to hit the backyard for their afternoon feeding frenzy.

I'm sure that's the difference. I use an external reader that reads CF Express and SD cards. It attaches to the computer via USB. Both cards show up as external memory, not as cameras.

Welcome to the group. My grandson played hockey for the Yellowstone Quake one season. Cody is located in such a beautiful area. I'm sure you'll have fun in the group.

Saw this red-shouldered hawk on top of a nearby power pole. He perched there for quite a while, then this turkey vulture took his place. I wonder if he follows the hawk for the scraps?

Red-Shouldered Hawk

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Turkey Vulture

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I have that problem with my Sigma 150-600 lens when mounted on my Z8 (with the FTZ adapter). Many times you can hear the focus motor "chattering" when holding the back-button focus; this when mounted on a tripod. This can result in the photo being just that little bit out of focus. I found some setting work-arounds and that seems to alleviate the problem. I don't notice this when using the Sigma on my D750.

It's a little unnerving when you take the lens off my Z8 and the sensor is RIGHT THERE, staring at you. I much prefer the shield covering the front of the sensor.

That's great. Social Security recommends that you NOT laminate your SS card.

https://faq.ssa.gov/en-us/Topic/article/KA-02202

I use the DataColor Spyder to calibrate my monitor. The first part of the calibration measures the room light, and suggests a level for that. The sensor prefers the lighting be rather low.

Was taking some photos of Marty, our cat, when a visitor dropped by.

Nikon Z8 w/Nikkor 24-70 f/4 S.

What's that moving in the backyard?

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It's coming closer!!

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What the ...?

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Did you see that?

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You promise?