Great thread! I have to agree with cholly and his analysis. BUT I still feel less nervous when I have a top quality filter in place. As an added benefit when I went to shoot the recent lunar eclipse I took a shot with the filter in place and got the benefit of two moons in the photo--however neither one of them was of great quality. When I took the filter off I was disappointed to only have one moon in the picture, but it was of much better quality. I guess that if I want my nerves soothed and I am shooting fun shots that will never be critiqued for quality, I leave the UV filter in place. However if I am shooting shots where I want the very best optical quality, I take the filter off. Finally, in confirmation of some other posts, if you do decide to purchase a filter, review the tests and then buy the best. It just makes no sense at all to cover a $1,000 lens (or more) with a $5 piece of glass. Good luck.

Too bad you didn't call. I was looking for someone to go to lunch with on Friday. With regard to VR version, I suspect you will find the VR on the newer 18-140 to be as good as the version II on the 18-200. Maybe another hogger who actually knows can confirm this. Again, I suspect you will be happy with either the 18-140 or the 18-200. Either one will be superior to the 18-105.

All amazing. Second one my favorite. Thanks, and keep on posting.

Great shot. Just a question if you know. I see the girl is wearing gloves. Is that to keep hands nice or is it to avoid nicotine poisoning? Just curious.

I would comment on the shot but I don't want anyone to know that I clicked on your topic. Actually this creature may be quite attractive to another of the same species. Fun shot.

Dave: I have shot and used the 18-200 now for several years and love it. I gave one to my oldest daughters and it is her favorite (as in only) lens. The only problem with the 18-200 is that it gets a bit heavy after I walk around with it hung from my neck all day. Now I just helped my youngest daughter with purchase of Nikon D7100 with the 18-140. I will be eager to see how it works--it is little lighter (though not much) and from reviews its optics may be even sharper than the 18-200. I am not sure but if I were doing it over and could only buy one lens it might well be the 18-140 given factors of cost, weight and optics. I think you will be happy with either one. Best of luck.

My youngest daughter just returned for summer from Indiana U where she is in a graduate program in folklore (I know, who will support me in my old age?). She works in the Traditional Arts Indiana program and needs a pretty good quality camera for publication purposes in this program and beyond. We have been a Nikon family since I purchased my first TTL metering Nikon F in 1965 and I have encouraged her to look at the D7100 with 18-140mm kit lens and a good 35mm or 50mm prime as a start. Her primary emphasis will be on still photography for publication quality shots, but she also wants to get into videography. Her boss has suggested that the Canon (probably the EOS 70D) will do a better job with video and that has been confirmed at our local camera store. I have assured her that she should get what suits her best and if that is the Canon, I will probably put her back in the will within a few years. I would appreciate any thoughts of my fellow hedgehoggers as to which direction she should head. And if that is Canon, some suggestion as to comparable lenses to what I was suggesting for Nikon. I know nothing about the Canon line-up and I am helpless about giving good advice in that regard. At least if she chooses Canon I will not be having to lend her my expensive specialty lenses. As always, thanks a bunch.

Just a note to thank everyone who responded to my post. What great comments. I had about decided to go the NEF in slot 1 and JPEG Fine in slot 2 until I read Hearts suggestion. Now, frankly, I am torn. Again, thanks so much to all, Nervous2

When I upgraded to my D7000 I was intrigued about the possibilities afforded by two memory card slots. I had intended to capture NEF images in slot 1 and JPEG Fine images in the slot 2. My intention was to download NEF and JPEG cards in separate files on my computer. Given that many (maybe most) of my shots are not keepers I would delete many NEF images and just keep those I wanted to work on in LightRoom (just starting that too). I would keep more, but not all, of the JPEG images to distribute to unsuspecting friends and relatives and just enjoy as they were. When I googled setup instructions confusion reigned about the use and purpose of the two card slots. Several sites that I saw discouraged the use of the second slot for anything but overflow. Other people didn't seem to have any idea what they were talking about. (My wife frequently says that about me.) My question to friends here: is my thinking off? Do I misunderstand the purpose of saving in the two different formats? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Just sat down to download SD card from last nite and I saw your post. I too learned a lot of things about my D7000 and the exercise was very worthwhile. One of the most important things I learned was how much easier it was to acquire the moon thru viewfinder if you take the lens cap off. Anyway, congrats on nice pictures. Hope mine tuned out half as well.

Allen: What great shots! I especially liked #10. I am just sitting down to download SD card and see what I got last night. Regardless of how shots turned out, I learned a lot of things about using my camera from the exercise. One of the most valuable things I learned is how much easier it is to acquire the moon thru the viewfinder if you take the lens cap off. Anyway, I enjoyed your shots. Best, nervous2

Rattlesnakes are to throw big rocks at--not to eat. If you like Mexican let me recommend two. In Mesa try the chiles rellenos at Matta's Restaurant. The one on Higley Road is the better one. Again as you drive to Sedona get off I-17 heading west towards Cottonwood and try La Fonda. Their location in Flagstaff is great as well and is always full of locals. Again you may have to Google to get addresses. Or if you need a guide perhaps we could work something out. Payment in food only. LOL Have a great time, Richard

Jerry: Saw this link that you posted on another Lunar Eclipse question. As is usually the case with the links you provide, it gave me the exact answers I was looking for. Once again, you are spot on with your comments and advice.

I like #2 but agree with RE about people on the side. Just crop them out. I like the juxtaposition (sp) of windmill and tulips. It kind of reminds me of where many tulips come from. I think they have lots of windmills and tulips in Holland. Photo #1 is of Daffodils and I don't recognize what kind of flowers are shown in Photo #4--but they don't look like traditional tulips to me. Wishing you good luck in contest.

Great shot!! Do you recall f-stop, exposure and ISO settings. I am trying to get ready for Lunar Eclipse Monday nite. Wish me luck.