Thanks again for all of the replies, I knew I could count on the Hogs to come through. As I suspected a mixed bag of responses. So to address a few. Yes, better readers will help but the image is still pretty small and details are important. I actually awaited the arrival of the 80D as I thought it a better camera then the 70D. So while waiting and procrastinating I join the Hogs and start actually learning about the pros and cons of APS-C and FF sensors. Then I read about the 6DII and notice it has many of the features of the 80D and FF sensor. Yep it is quite a bit more expensive but as one of y'all (I am from Kentucky so I can legitimately use that word form), it will be tax deductible. My only disappointment is that the 6D does not have an integral flash. I guess I will just have to learn how to set the ISO for those situations where I don't want the external flash. So thanks again for all of the responses and feel free to keep them coming.

We rarely use tripods as the lots vary in size on the table and as we go through the property we often have to leave the table to photograph a large piece, like a sofa or chair. So hand holding is the process unless we have a great number of small items like jewelry, coins, netsuki, etc. I like the idea of connecting to the computer in real time and I think the 6D can do that. And, yes, time is money in this business. Thanks for your thiughts.

I do principle photography for an auction company where all auctions are conducted on line. As such the photos are very important and we take a lot of them depending on the value of the item or group of items. I do a lot of table top work where we lay out a "lot" of items. We work mainly with on camera flash but do occasionally use large softboxes. In addition we take photos of furniture, automobiles and even houses that are up for auction. Since these are going on line we dfo not need a lot of megapixels and in fact most of our photos are 500KB or less as uploading large photo files is prohibitively slow and really doesn't add to the viewer experience.

I am currently using a Canon 10D with an EF 24-85 zoom and Speedlight 430EXII flash and getting good results but feel I am fighting the camera a lot and chimping is problematic with the small LCD panel and my tired old eyes.

I am thinking about getting the new Canon 6D MkII and the 24-105 f/4L IS II USM series lens that will be shipped as a kit. I thought about just getting the lens and tried it out at a local camera store but that does not solve the problem I have reviewing the shots in the camera. And it is a fantastic lens IMHO.

Please tell me I am nuts and need to save my money.

Minolta SRT-Super, the Japanese version of the SRT-101 back in 1974. I had a 50mm f1.4 lens. I purchased it on Okinawa for something like a million Yen... I shot crime scenes with it after I left the Navy and never considered getting any other lenses. I still have it and the hard shell rollerskate case I used as my camera case.

That eagle has bed head. Seriously, great shot of an American icon.

Loved the reflections in the Cooks meadow shot.

Go to your local Harbor Freight and get one of their small led flashlights and try that. They are often free with coupon if you buy anything else. Virtually any point light source will light up a diamond. I shot jewelry professionally and have to advise you may not like the effect. Go cheap first to test the waters.

Nice to see the lake has water in it. I was a regular at Gunsite for years and saw Watson both with and without the water. Love the area.

I worked in a jewelry shop and did jewelry appraisals that included photographing all the items. I built a massive light box with various lighting sources. It was complex and unnecessary. Get a small "tent" frame of tabletop size and bright white sheets (and a black sheet, and blue....) Get tabletop lamps and put in "daylight" colored bulbs (about 5000 Kelvin). This will give you great neutral lighting to work with. Camera: We used a Fuji Finepix that had what the salesman referred to as a "double macro" setting. It was perfect for us as it was able to photograph medium to major inclusions in diamonds. We were ready to spend major $$$ on a high end DSLR and macro lenses when the salesman steered us to this relatively inexpensive camera. It worked great for us but for your work the macro settings might be a feature you seldom use. If you live anywhere near Louisville I would be happy to help you get a workable setup that won't cost you an arm and a leg. Bottom line, it is all about the lighting.