Good question, but no good answer. Do you already have a SLR or DSLR camera system, lenses, flash, etc.? If I already had a system, I would probably stay with the system that I already own. If I was starting out, and didn't have a DSLR or lenses, I would try out both cameras in a camera store, or rent them for a weekend to try them out myself. I have owned both Canon and Nikon cameras, I like one just as much as the other, and wouldn't have a problem buying either. I think the final answer would be a personal preference on how the cameras feel in your hand, how they compare picture wise, and lastly, if starting out fresh, which system has most or all of the lenses and accessories that you might want in the future. Lastly what are you personally going to photograph and what is you budget like, and can you be satisfied with just one camera? Good Luck, let us know what you decide, and post some pictures.

Here we go again, why is it that every time that "black people" don't like something, it's an excuse to riot, loot, destroy, and believe that it's their right to do so? If Michael Brown was innocent of robbing the store of cigars, until proven guilty, then why isn't the police officer innocent of shooting Michael Brown until proven guilty? Let's consider this for just one moment, IF Michael Brown did attempt to obtain, or use the police officers gun, and it went off in the patrol car, what would have happened to the police officer? I'm sure the gun fire inside of the car would have disoriented him for a few moments or minutes, I'm also sure the gun fire would have been so loud inside of the car that the officer had trouble hearing, and lastly, the muzzle flash may have temporarily blinded him for a few moments. NOW, in that state of mind, the police officer's life was in imminent danger, and he reacted to save his life. I'm sure a majority of police officers would have reacted the same way. So, the actions of Michael Brown resulted in the reaction by the police officer, and a life is lost, and a town will never be the same again. I'm still waiting for all of the fact to come out, before I make a final judgement, but just think about this for a moment.

A number of years ago while taking pictures of my kids in school, it never failed that the same woman stood up in front of me and I had to reposition myself to get a great picture. I was using a Canon A-1 and a shoe mounted flash. This happened several times on different dates. I finally used my Mamiya RB-67 and Metz CT-60 Flash. All I could smell was her hair burning after several flashed directly behind her, and the problem was solved. Back back to your problem, this happens all the times, and it's not just at family gatherings. I've had many people move from the pew to the center isle in front of me while the bride and her father were coming down the isle. I always have a clause in my contract, that if I miss a shot because of that particular problem, it's not my problem. I do however move to the other side and zoom in a bit and try to get more pictures of them coming down the isle. So, get a bigger flash and over power the cell phone cameras, and enjoy the day.

I'm just curious if these sports shooters bought their own equipment, versus the magazine that they work for bought them? Then the question is, did Canon or Nikon give them a really great deal on the equipment purchase? If someone sent me on assignment and gave me $50,000 to $100,000 worth of pro camera equipment to use I wouldn't complain with either system, Canon or Nikon. I've owned both, I've used both at the same time at weddings, and if I had to start fresh and build a DSLR system, I would now have way more choices besides Canon and Nikon to really think about and try out. So, if I got to drive a Ferrari or Lambo for the day, I'm not going to complain, but enjoy the drive and the day. Plus the white lenses do stand out more than the black ones do, as does a red Ferrari versus a black Lamborghini.
So my advice is to enjoy and use our equipment and work on our skills rather than spend the day debating what if. Gotta wait for the mail man now for some camera accessories. Good day and good shooting.

Yesterday our daughter Jennifer gave us our first grandson, Hunter. I would be the big guy in black holding our pride and joy.

I call all of this the "fat, dumb, and, happy" syndrome. As long as it doesn't affect people directly, they don't care what happens, until it's too late. This has been going on for years now, in a lot of administrations, but like I said, if it doesn't affect them, they don't care or want to know. I certainly hope that the state is not paying for any of these stays, that to me would be taxation, without representation. A subject like this affects me directly. I came to this country on a visa, I became a citizen, and I enlisted in the military during the Vietnam War. I don't hear anyone wanting to cross the border to join our military to defend this country, all anyone wants is the benefits, that only some of us, have earned. So, as a humanitarian, I am willing to give people a chance to prove themselves, to find work, to pay taxes, to pay rent, or buy a house. I'm just curious how much of our tax money is sent as "Aid" to these countries, and now it's costing us another 3.7 trillion dollars. Money that should be spent here in this country. If I were the governor, nothing or no one would stop me to see what I wanted in my own state, to talk to who I wanted to, and to take as many pictures as I wanted.

I try to read the "General Chit-Chat" section daily. Sometimes it's with amusement, and sometimes with disgust. It is my belief that we are our own worst enemy. United we stand-Divided we fall. There must be some common ground that all sides can agree on, some give and take, and a whole lot of common sense in governing this country. We need to become self sufficient again, build it here in America, take care of our own, but don't give them a free life style. No one in this country should have more or better "free entitlements" than our military. I don't care about the conservatives or liberals, the left or the right, but I do care about us Americans, all of us. As I grow older, but sometimes not wiser, I do worry about my children, and now my grandchildren. As my grand mother always said "engage brain before speaking". So, before we speak or post, on any site, think about the big picture, about those who have given some or all for us all to be free and speak our mind. I'm not here to condemn anyone, it's not my job or place, but I do ask us all to try to find that common ground for the good of all. I'd like to go to my grave knowing my family will live in a better world, and that my sacrifices in the military were not in vain. God Bless America, because she certainly needs it. Stepping down from my soapbox now.

I would suggest to try some back, and side lighting and show her more from her sides with her face turned away from the camera. That way she can be photographed from head to toe, without a clear picture of her face. Also, don't use any assistants or volunteers, the less people know the longer her identity will be a secret. Good luck and do delete any pictures that may show more of her face than necessary.

I just purchased a Nikon CT-304 Case for the Nikon 300mm f2.8 AF-I lens. Case was in mint condition and had both keys with it. I then promptly ordered the Nikon LN-1 Strap for the lens. I have now been searching for days on the internet, but I can't find a part number for the strap that attaches to the case. I believe they were all black and had a chrome and spring loaded latches to attach to the case for easier carrying. Do any of you UHH members remember the part number, if so, it would be greatly appreciated.

Back in the day when being a pro photographer was my main income, I photographed a wedding every weekend, did school proms, portraits, and studio work. Never once did I belittle anyone else that had a camera. If someone at a wedding asked me a question about improving their work, I was always glad to give them a helping hand. No one knows everything, including me, and I'll be the first one who is still eager to learn, and that's at age 60. I am my own worst critic when it comes to my work, and I've seen a lot of snap shot work from so called pros. My advice to anyone is to pick up a camera, learn what all of the setting do, and take pictures. With the digital age it's now instant proof of your work, and you can make adjustments or recompose as needed. That being said, don't rely on digital enhancements on your computer, but rather take the best picture you are capable of and enjoy your work. Good luck and keep shooting, pictures, that is.

I'd like to start off by saying how much I do enjoy the Photography section, and how much can be learned by it. As for the Chit-Chat, I believe for this country to move forward, all Democrats, Republicans, Independents, the right, the left, and those in the middle need to pull their resources in order to save our Country. If you think about it, less than 1,000 people in office, from the president, the house, the senate, and our govenors control almost all the aspect of over 330 million of us. While all of the mud slinging is going on, our rights are being diminished and we have lost control of our Country. It seems like no one wants to listen to the voters, the taxpayers, but if you are big business you can buy the votes of our elected officials. These are the same big businesses that don't even pay any taxes because of the loopholes that have been created. We can start in the mid term elections to vent our frustration at the current elected officials and let OUR voices be heard. I try not to be labeled to a particular party, I like to vote for whom I think will do the best job in that particular position. I'd like to be able to know that my children and grandchildren can live again in the greatest nation on earth, but that is only a dream. 330 million people speaking in the same voice will surely outnumber the less than one thousand. God Bless America, because we surely need it.

With all that Obama has done, and a lot of which we the people are upset about, what happened to the "checks and balances" in government we always heard about and learned in school? Here in NY state we have the SAFE act, gun control, all but about 5 counties are for it, the rest against it, but it's still a law, and we aren't able to change it. So, now, I vote for someone I believe will change our laws, repeal some of them, and I don't vote for who is in office at the time of the vote. It's time to vote these people out of office at all levels. We need to take our country back, along with our democracy and freedom. Obama has made himself a dictator, and if anyone seems to disagree, we are called a racist. Isn't being pro Muslim and anti Christian also racist? Think about it, while we still have a chance to think. We traded 5 Muslims for 1 Christian!!!

Because I was medically discharged from the Air Force, I was able to keep my ID card, but I have never visited a VA center. A lot of veterans told me that I was eligible to go, which I knew. But, there is a priority list for veterans at VA centers. Because I still have an ID, and was medically discharged, I would go ahead of others, that weren't. I don't want anyone to be put further back on their list, so I just use the Tricare medical system, and let the veterans get their care, which they earned. Irregardless who's fault all of this is, it is still all of our problem, and we need to collectively figure out a way to restore health care to our veterans. I think to this end we are all united, and we need to urge our representatives in government to seek a solution to this problem. So, if you are a veteran or not, we do need to support them and back them. Thank you to those who have all served.

They, the Government, keep calling this a "War" on Terror, and we were always instructed that we do not negotiate with the enemy, nor terrorists. I am a former Senior Nuclear Crew Chief, built gravity bombs up to one megaton, SRAM missiles, and worked on the Minuteman III missile system. We were instructed that even if the president, or any of our family was held ransom, we do not negotiate, period, end of subject. Now we trade 5 for 1. It's time this Country stood up for itself and stopped being bullied. We still cower to Russia, who has nothing but outdated junk for weapons. No wonder we don't receive any respect from foreign countries, but they still seem to want our money. Time to wake up, put America first, build up our military, and stop wasting our money on everybody else. Not everyone is our ally, as we are led to believe!

Here's a thought, how about combining the VA, for those injured in the many wars we have had, with the Medical Facilities that we already have now for the varying Military Services. Since there is such a large time frame between when someone is discharged medically, until they can get into the VA system, this would eliminate the time frame factor. Since the required medical treatment occurred while they were on active duty, here is a way for them to continue treatment after being medically discharged by the same doctors and staff they had while on active duty. Funds for the treatment would then be transferred from the VA to the Military, and if we did need more facilities, instead of building VA hospitals we could build more Military Hospitals. This is coming from me, a former AF Veteran, Medically Discharged, and also a former NCOIC of Patient Affairs.