Why not just set the focus at infinity? That's where the Moon is. (Unless you're walking there.)

"The Larger sensor will produce a much higher quality image" is not true. . . . .
Just my $.02. The best advice you got was to go to a camera store or even big box store and handle both. Remember what you intend to grow into and also consider the cost of quality crop lenses compared to full lenses.

Greg[/quote]

Anything that allows the capture of a more life-like image (as seen by the bare eye), more realistic or eye-catching or pleasing image is OK with me, either in the camera or in post processing.

The much better alternative is the filter wrench. Putting it one warm and removing it cold is not the reason. Both mating parts are at the same temp. Locking due to dissimilar materials or girt is a more likely cause.

Use a second light source or a large diffuser or bounce light.

quote=LXK0930]Many years ago (way before digital), I took a photography course with a well-known pro. One assignment was to shoot NYC scenes. Students showed up with various cameras, ranging from budget 35mm's to Leicas, Contarexes, Alpa's, etc.

You guesed it! When we examined the results, the instructor's photos blew ours away. His choice of subjects, composition, darkroom technique (remember darkrooms?), and presentation were incredible. His equipment? A $10 disposable Kodak camera.

Moral: Learn to use the equipment you have, including it's limitations. Upgrade when you need to, but don't forget who really makes the photo.[/quote]

If one doesn't own and use the newest and "best" equipment, how else are we to justify Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) and the reason our photos aren't perfect?

Note that with a mirrorless, the distance from the lens to sensor is less than that for a DSLR type body. Therefore, there is room for an adapter to use a DSLR lens on the MIL body, especially if you have the same brand DSLR.

Why do you still use a SLR for "serious" assignments, beside the fact that you have the equipment? What advantages does the SLR format offer for you?

Why do you still use a DSL for "serious" assignments?

A fisheye lens can be made to see to the side but not in back of itself. Further, the image is distorted. There are, however, cameras which can take a single exposure with multiple lenses and rely on electronics to stitch the images together in a seamless, linear photo, e.g. the Ricoh Theta.

Apple uses their own operating system, not Windows as is more universal, regardless what one thinks about the technical merits. Therefore, applications are more likely to use the Microsoft OS. Also the Apple products tend to be significantly more expensive.

The SLR was developed for film cameras to view the scene which would be exposed through the camera's lens (optical path) when the shutter was triggered. It works around the fact that the film took a specific exposure once. The current electronic light sensor replaces the film, and is used repeatedly. So the same sensor can view and display the scene before the exposure. This means that:

1. The mirror box (of a SLR), its mechanism, the time delay, and the complexity is made redundant and unnecessary.
2. The physical gap (mirror box) between the end of the lens and the sensor (or focus plane) can be done away with.
3. The sensor and lens can be made smaller, more compact and perhaps cheaper.
4. The typical blackout, when the mirror flips up, is done away with.
5. Video and multiple exposures and be monitored by the electronic viewfinder (EVF) continuously during the photography process.
6. The camera becomes smaller, lighter, less complex, with fewer (or no) moving parts, and more reliable.

My experience with Amazon has been good. They're taken back stuff even with no reason given. I've never been refused a return.

Well, if that's the answer to "Does anyone buy a camera without I.S. or VR?", then the question would be why would they not? The feature is useful, it works, and its added cost is small.

Try a binocular with image stabilization, such as the Canon I.S. series. You'll find that higher magnification are usable even hand-held.