Joe, I have on occasion had problems with the availability of the live screen, too. Try going into your menu to Setup Menu (the wrench icon). Scroll down to Limit Monitor Mode Selection. Open to choices. Now, turn off Automatic Display Switch. Scroll down and check all the other three choices to choose all three. Now scroll down and uncheck all the other three choices to turn them off. Finally check to turn on Automatic Display Switch. Click OK to save. See if that solves your problem. I’ve had to do this process several times, but it’s worked perfectly for a long while now. I’ve often wondered if I trigger the problem by inadvertently clicking the tiny button to the left of the viewfinder while holding my camera. Don’t know. Just speculating. I love my Z7.

I agree with the previous comment which encouraged you to research a local camera store of good repute in your area, who is a certified Nikon dealer. The service I receive from my local store is phenomenal. I can drop in at any time, and they always take time to answer my questions or check out my camera to make certain it is operating ar peak levels. They have facilitated my education in photography, and I can’t say enough good things about them. I started with a D7000, the 7200 is an upgraded version. At one point, after several major surgeries, the weight of my 7000 became more than I could handle, so I bought the smaller/lighter D5600 until I could be comfortable use my D7000 again. It’s a nice little camera, but I’m in the school with those who say, if you’re learning anyway, learn on the best you can afford. The D850 is a magnificent piece of equipment. Yes, the FX (full frame) lenses run a huge gamut from $300-500, on up to more than we paid for our first home, and more than we paid for cars for many years. Yes, they can be expensive, and yes they can produce amazing results. The less expensive FX lenses still will give you wonderful results, and you can remain with those lens forever, or buy more expensive glass according to your needs and desires. I eventually bought the Nikon Mirrorless Z7, and I am in love with it and its fantastic S glass lenses. I’ve never looked back, and I’m having a blast. I rarely walk out the door without it. It has facilitated my progress in becoming a better photographer, very user friendly. You have so many marvelous choices. I predict that before too long, you’ll find that you want to become a 2 camera family! As I have bought new cameras, I have given my other DX (crop sensor) cameras and lenses to family members, and they are having fun, too. Don’t let yourself go into debt for your camera equipment, and then have the best time!

Way to get its eye! The Brown Eyed Mystery Bug It looks pretty determined to me! Obviously, you were really determined, too.

I think I like you. Made me giggle. Thanks.

Have you sold the D7000, yet? I’d like to buy it.

This summer I spent two weeks in New York carrying a Nikon Z7 with a Z 28-300mm 2.8 S lens. The 28-300 is somewhat heavy. I am a 74 year old woman, and I was able to handle it quite well the entire two weeks. Some years ago, we spent a week in Egypt. Back then, I carried the Konica-Minolta A-1 Viewer with a fixed zoom lens. It served me quite well then. Flash forward to today, I don't know that I would carry the Z7 or the 28-300 to Egypt. I think that if I went back to Egypt today, I might carry one of the a a6000 series Sony Mirrorless with one all purpose zoom lens because they are small, light, and comparatively well priced. Remember when pricing these, you pay extra for batteries, and memory cards, plus any filters you might want; you'll want extra batteries and memory cards because you'll be putting in long days before returning to your room for recharging and downloading in preparation for the next day. Just do some research and figure out what your priorities will be. Egypt: Sadly Egypt was not a clean country when I was there. I chose to not eat or drink anything in Egypt. I carried several cases worth of Ritz Peanut Butter Crackers and Israeli bottled water in an extra suitcase. I was the only person in our group of 18 who did not get sick. I even took sponge baths with the bottled water. The water in Egyptian bottled water is taken from the Nile. Hot coffee and hot tea are made with water from the Nile, and a little bit of heating for the water doesn't help./ I don't know if you are male or female. If you are a female, be prepared to be molested while duckwalking into and out of the inner chambers of the Great Pyramid. The entry tunnel is quite low (thus the duckwalk). There will be a line going in and a line coming out. Some Middle Eastern men are quite forward in this situation, as they pass you going the opposite direction. A stun gun might be welcome, but not allowed./ Toilet paper: In many areas, there will be no toilet paper. Take the tube out of rolls of your toilet paper at home. Place it in sandwich bags and flatten it. Carry one with you when you're out for the day. Two of three rolls will pack easily in the left over crevices in your luggage./ In Israel, I remember the emphatic word for "no", is "Lo". Check with your tour guide in Egypt. There is a similar emphatic form for no in Egyptian, too. In middle eastern countries, there is usually a word for no, and then there is a word for absolutely NO. When you are in the middle of children begging for money or trying to sell you something, do not hesitate to use the emphatic form! They won't stop when they hear the first form; they will relent when you use the emphatic form.Oh, if you give money to one child, you will have another 30 who will attach themselves to you and not let go./ Your guide will take you to places that should be safe for tourists. Don't take off, particularly at night, by yourself. It's just not smart./ Before leaving home make 10-12 computer copies of your passport and carry them with you in a ziplock bag. When you go to the hotels, they will ask for you to surrender your passport. Don't do it. Hand them a copy of your passport instead. They won't like it, but they will eventually accept it./ Other than these few inconveniences, I think you'll learn a great many things from your trip to Egypt. I hope you'll share your photos with us when you return. Bon voyage, traveler!

Yes, thanks for the question. It was presumptuous of me fail to state that I was referring to a US passport. Interesting to note that we all might be facing similar and universal road blocks in applying for new passports.

I had my new passport pics taken at Walgreens. Took them to Passport Office at Post Office, and they were rejected. The official took my pic right there, and I was immediately processed. There are ever changing requirements for passports. I think it’s just easier to let the passport office take the pics. Have a marvelous trip.

You have me by a few years, but just by a few. I bought the Z7 this year, and I am absolutely delighted with it. I find it to be quite user friendly, and I’m thrilled with the results that I am able to achieve. When someone asks me if I “need” something, I often reply, “I drove through Need more than 175 miles ago.” Later I learned that there actually is a Need,Texas. That made the quip even more fun. I looked at the latest Sony mirrorless offerings, but I decided that I liked the Z7 better. I don’t know which you’ll choose; they are both amazing pieces of equipment. I did have Nikon lenses, some which I still enjoy using with the adapter. I’ve periodically begun to pick up some of the Z lenses, and they are really special pieces of equipment. I am one happy camper, and I now carry my Z7 with me pretty much everywhere I go. I’m no photography expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I can say that I’ve been able to significantly increase my knowledge. My new camera has made it all so enjoyable. Go for the adventure. Have yourself a blast.

Ditto...XQD Card reader, plus Mac adapter.

Well heavenly days, who knew that ISO could instigate a battle. Everyone, go to your rooms! Now, each of you compose a paper in 250 words or less in which you explain your recommendations about ISO. Keep it positive, make your best case for your beliefs, and then...new concept...let the poor soul who had the misfortune to ask the question actually make up his own mind about your answer. ISO is hardly a hill upon which one needs to plant his flag and prepare to fight to the death. It is completely permissible for people to have differing opinions. It is beneath each of us to resort to hateful rhetoric. Common courtesy is so named because even the most common man has the ability to be courteous. Begin now, please.
The English Teacher

MacBook Pro with Sony XQD SD/XC II works flawlessly for me. I do try to treat my equipment with respect. I agree with other readers whom I think are saying, “Fear not!” Go for it.

Sue, I may have erred by recommending the newer Nikon 18-300mm. Just read a couple of reviews about your camera, and the 18-300 may be too heavy for your camera body. Please, forgive me. There are a number of sage uhh participants, and I’m confident they’ll give you good advice. They are a highly experienced and, for the most part, an extremely kind group.

Sue, I’ve really enjoyed some of the Sigma Art series lenses for Nikon. Also, if you should trip across a used in good condition Nikon 18-300 mm from one of the aforementioned dealers, give it consideration. It’s a wonderful lens, and it’s become my carry everywhere lens. It’s not a small lens, but it’s quite manageable for this lady, and I think it would be for you, too. It’s capable of covering a great range of shots, and I’ve been thrilled with the results at every distance. I’ve shot concerts in a dark theatre with no light kit and captured pleasing results. Take it for a test drive, if you find one. I’d be curious to know what you think of it. I wish you good hunting!