We have Nikon D200 + 80-400 VR (for wildlife) & Nikon D90 + 18-200 (my wife's for general photography but I borrow it occasionally). However, neck problems preclude carrying these for general use so I have a P & S. I started with Panasonic DMC-ZX1 (12.1MP + 8 x optical zoom) with which I was very happy (now keep it in the car). I won a Nikon Coolpix S9300 (16Mp + 18 x zoom) in a photo competition. I fell in love with both the enhanced MP and, particularly, the zoom (which I thought might act as backup for wildlife). However, the Coolpix is driving me mad! Its selection dial has a habit of slipping off Auto onto Effects - & the only 'effect' is 'Soft', i.e. out of focus. The problem is - inevitably - that I don't notice the slippage when I whip it out to capture something.; I'm also not sure about its general colour ("proper" spelling!) rendering.

My wife said - "why not get one you're happy with?" I'm tempted and would value your views. Price isn't critical. I'm tempted back to Panasonic because of the Leica lens & would like 'good' MP (I've just given five A1 canvas prints to my local Bridge Club) + a good zoom. Adding a viewfinder (wife won't use P & S 'cos she can't cope without a viewfinder) would be nice but would probably add too much to the cost for little extra utility.

Many thanks in advance for your advice.

Ring Helen of Adorama TODAY and ask – nicely - for your camera back (she has already offered to do this & you are within her one-week deadline); if she agrees, say “thank you”. Be polite; don’t be belligerent; don’t recite historic ‘facts’; don’t offer your opinion of their company. Remember – the priority is getting your camera back and anything else (e.g. feeling good from scoring points) is not only irrelevant to that task but positively counterproductive.

If they do return it – problem solved. If not, sue them in the US equivalent of our UK Small Claims Court. Remember that no agency (e.g. FBI or court) will take you seriously if you haven’t pursued an offer to return your camera.

I've never had my camera equipment looked at whether leaving or returning to UK. I've never heard of any such database.

Be aware that the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. You must see it at dawn & dusk for the changing light (naturally that's when the entrance price shoots up). For something different also consider shots from the red fort (see photo) or even - if you can get there - across the river.

The 'other view' of the Taj Mahal

That's all I had to do with http://www.camerashuttercount.com/ - select a recent photo & upload it. Even I could do it!

My Nikon D200 (15,655 actuations according to the site) & my wife's Nikon D90 (7,404).

Many thanks for this. I used http://www.camerashuttercount.com/ - it was easy, gave me the count & didn't seem to want anything in return. I've been wondering for some time how to obtain a count. Thanks again.

I always keep boxes - (a) because, if I sell, buyers always like original boxes & (b) if I have to make an insurance claim for lost equipment, boxes (like instruction books) will usually be accepted as proof that one actually possessed the item.