I too have one of these old 180mm Nikkor-P Auto lens (ser. # 320447) which I picked up for $50 used with original Nikkor leather case maybe 25 or 30 years ago and never found a use for it. Mine does show its use as it was used by the photographers at The Seattle Times for years. It was a very highly regarded lens by pros at one time. Mine has good glass but the built-in shade is gone. I have held onto it thinking I might one day find a use for it -- but that day has yet to come. I'm not sure which digital if any Nikon bodies this lens will still work on without have some kind of modification to the mount. I understand that this is arguably the sharpest lens ever in the Nikon stable of lens.

Picasa gets my vote also. Easy to use and short learning curve. I only wish they would do a better job on RAW!

There used to be another way. I'm old enough to remember what was know as Fair Trade Laws. It worked somewhat this way. Most quality products had a fair trade price. This was apparently set by the manufacturer or distributor. Retail stores that bought from these suppliers had to adhere the preset Fair Trade Law. The overall result of this was that everyone sold most things at the same price. Yes there were occasional legitimate advertised sales. Retailers would compete on the basis of the quality of the service that they offered. Large chain stores increased their profit margins by buying in bulk at a "bulk price". This system seemed to work well for everyone. In those days I remember many camera stores in Seattle (where I lived most of my life) and many camera stores made a nice living. Then came discount stores. They would hang propaganda signs in their entry ways in the store promoting the advantage to consumers to push their local politicians to do away with the Fair Trade Laws which they said was the reason for their favorite merchandise higher prices. Well as they say -- "everything that comes around goes around. Personally I would like to see the fair trade laws return.

Be wary about off brand printer ink. I have two Epson printers. One is an old RX600 that used to accept InkFarm printer ink. I'm not sure that it still will. The other printer is a Artisian 730. I tried InkFarm ink and the printer told me that it would not accept it and it refused to run. InkFarm was good about a refund as they originally said it would work OK in the Artisian 730. Apparently the large printer companies like Epson and HP have the ability to stop your printer from running if you don't use their brand of ink (that's what I am told anyway).
Good luck.

Be wary about off brand printer ink. I have two Epson printers. One is an old RX600 that used to accept InkFarm printer ink. I'm not sure that it still will. The other printer is a Artisian 730. Itries InkFarm ink and the printer told me that it would not accept it and it refused to run. InkFarm was good about a refund as they originally said it would work OK in the Artisian 730. Apparently the large printer companies like Epson and HP have the ability to stop your printer from running if you don't use their brand of ink (that's what I am told anyway).
Good luck.

There used to be a 34 page "Picasa 3.6 user's manual" on the web for free. It can be downloaded by calling in:

http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~toh/adulted/

Good luck

That's why square works so well for photo albums.

I agree with everything you said in your informative post.
My view is how I miss the old fair trade laws of yore.
I'm old enough to remember when there were many camera stores most everywhere in large cities -- even a few in smaller towns. Fair trade merchandise was mostly the same price with the exception of special sales and/or discontinued models no matter where it was purchased in the U.S.
The obvious advantage about this kind of system (fair trade laws) is that is that the little store can compete with the high volume store on the basis of service. The big store may have more profit in each sale because of volume buying -- but the little store, it seems, is still going to make a reasonable profit if they run their business well.
Under todays online discounting system small stores seem to be unable to make enough profit to stay in business. It's obvious who benefits the most and too bad for the photographic customer who would really rather buy locally.
Morry

Wanted -- Epson V600 photo scanner manual and installation CD's that came with scanner.

Weddings for me are most challenging. Portraits 2nd runner up. Spent 17 years in business of weddings and portraits. Retired in 1994 and I would not like to be in it today even if I were much younger. LOL

I have an old Nikkor - P Auto f2.8 180mm, ser. #320447 lens. Will it work on newer Nikon bodies from about D5100 and newer models? Thanks for any replies.

I am planning to buy new Canon SL1 and wonder if anyone knows if I can use my Tamron 17mm Adapt-All lens with the appropriate adapter of course.