I use a wacom tablet after watching the really "good" guys process photos with one. The first week I thought I had made a real mistake, but now that is what I use. I frequently mask out photos and it is far easier with the tablet. Everything is faster for me with the tablet. I even travel with it as sometimes I have to process several hundred frames per evening.

The real question is what are you going to shoot? I mostly shoot birds and wildlife, so prime lenses are king; 600mm f4 and 300mm f2.8 with or without 1.4 and 2X extenders. No zoom can match these for quality or how fast they focus.
In israel I was shooting street scenes and people and a 70-200 f2.8 was the tool of choice. For Landscape i use 24 - 105 f4 or a 16 - 35 f2.8. Really crisp photos require the best glass, so I would recommend for Canon only "L" lenses. Rarely, if ever, do lens makers match the quality of the Nikon or Canon pro level lenses. I would love to have a 16 - 500 zoom that was sharp all the way. It ain't going to happen, sorry

600 mm f4.0 - loon and chick; Ont Canada


24 - 105 f4.0 zoom Blue Mosque, Istambul


70 - 200 f2.8 zoom Turk in doorway

Hey OldDoc,
Wondering if you are a physician. I am a retired anesthesiologist (3 years of freedom) and I have had time to pursue wildlife and bird photography since retirement. Having a great time and just returned from Canada from photographing birds, mostly loons.
I would enjoy exchanging emails if you want. I am working on a photo website: wotsmithphotos.com
Bill Smith

I have a suggestion. get out a test pattern for lenses, and shoot some frames with your favorite lenses at different apertures and zoom settings (if a zoom lens) and look at your results.

I shoot Canon stuff, but I have done the above and the test photos from the Canon "L" series are superior to the prosumer lenses. The results of some consumer zoom lenses that I had (past tense) were appalling, but not noticeable if just shooting family photos. The build quality in "pro" lenses is a bunch better as well. Pro level lenses are a big investment, but those lenses hold their value as well, so the money is not lost, just tied up.

Not familiar with Nikon; canon 5D mk iii has three shot in camera HDR and I use it all the time.
go to www.stuckincustoms.com for more info on HDR

I agree with one of the other comments that the advancement of technology makes the new lenses much better. I recently sold my canon 600 mm prime to buy the new 600 prime. and the improvement is significant. focuses faster and I get a much higher rate of in focus photos, not to mention 5 lbs lighter.
I shoot BIF and while I did not like the price to upgrade, I get better photos. Be sure that you micro focus all your lenses, as almost none are dead on out of the box. See birdsasart.com for info on that