After reading on the Olympus web site that Best Buy carries Oly cameras, I went to my local BB, but the sales associate said they no longer carry Olys. He pushed another brand of mirrorless camera, can't remember what, but it was in the $1000 price range. He appeared to have considerable knowledge about cameras and photography. I didn't ask his background, but there is a college of art and design here and many of the students work around town. I wouldn't dis all BB employees, but I do fault Olympus for not updating their information. I was able to examine and compare two Olys at KEH while visiting Atlanta, and bought a used but "like new" OMD E 5 mark 2 at a good price, plus the original kit lens, just to get started with before I put out large bills for a better lens or two. We have only one independent camera store left and they are very small, with limited stock. It's not convenient to drive to Atlanta to look at cameras, but I was there for another reason, so happy I could hold the two I was considering. KEH is easy to do business with online, btw, but they do not have a showroom and will bring out only what you have specifically asked to see and there is no place to sit and "play", just the waiting room and reception desk. However, to buy and/or sell they are painless and shipping both ways if you want to sell something is free.

What an excellent summary of the Zone System! Many years ago I took a number of courses with Neil Chaput in Atlanta. Neil had studied with Adams, so we were taught the concepts, even those of us who did not do our own darkroom processing. My dad was a fine art photographer, but he also did event photography for work and the occasional wedding (as a back up/candid shot person), and I remember his light meter and his Voigtlander Bessamatic camera. He did his own processing and occasionally I would watch but it seemed so tedious if it wasn't my shots!

I had no desire to do darkroom work, but learning the concepts really does help one understand what goes on in the computer, and how to make the best use of the camera in the event, not relying on processing to correct poor exposures.

Don't be so snarky. It makes people not want to participate in these forums.

So not helpful.

In Europe you should take lenses for wide angle street scenes, and portraits. You don't need a big telephoto for Europe; save that one for your wildlife safari in Africa. Take less glass. If you can choose one lens you will be happier. I agree with the person who said all that changing lenses is time-consuming and lets dust in. Don't take a tripod, take the fastest lens you won. Don't forget to check your charger for its ability to use voltages in Europe. If it does then all you will need are plugs compatible with your destinations. If it does not, you will also need a step-down voltage converter.

Drinking water is fine all over western and central Europe. Ice too. Note that ice cubes are rare and must be requested for water or cola. You will be given one cube!

I just got a very low ball offer from KEH for my Nikon D60 (no groans, please), two lenses, and accessories. I want to buy an Olympus micro 4/3 E-D 10 II to get back to metal and small size. The new edition III is slightly heavier, but neither exceeds 400 g without a lens. I am searching for the best two lenses I can find for travel and street photography, but will look at the lenses carefully in terms of added weight.

I haven't (so far) seen anything in this thread that is a rant by grumpy old men. Everyone is describing his or her experience and preferences in tolerable weight for a camera rig. I agree with the hikers and climbers that every ounce (or gram) counts. That backpack just gets heavier with every step at the end of a day or a climb. I know long-distance walkers who cut off the end of their toothbrush to save weight. If you are out for a day and return to your home, camper, hotel at nightfall, you could lug 50 pounds but who wants that on a multi-day hike?

I should note that my dad was not the father of the bride, but the bride in this thread wants her dad to take some candids, and what does the father of the bride do at the reception anyway? He's mostly writing checks and may make a toast at the rehearsal dinner and the reception. Dancing with the bride also and the pro can take shots during these events.

60 years ago my dad took up photography for his work (PR for Southern Bell) and organized a home darkroom. He was artistic to start with, so his success in photography came quickly. He used a twin reflex camera, no tripod, one lens, and took excellent pictures. Several times he took pix at friends' weddings, including two I was in as a bridesmaid. He did not attempt to shoot inside the church during the wedding, let the pro do the line-ups, and circulated at the reception. His wedding gift to the couple was a packet of 8x10 b/ws which everyone treasured. Years later I did the same thing at a friend's reception and she and her husband loved my shots more than the pro's staged (but necessary) portraits. The reception was outdoors on a sunny day and with my Olympus OM-2s and a 35-105 lens I was able to get head shots of the key players. I presented prints to the couple and they loved them. So I say to Dad, take a simple camera with your best portrait lens and fire away at the events before and after the actual service/ritual and enjoy yourself as well. You won't be in the way of the pro. My dad never had a complaint from the pros, as he did not shoot in the church/hall and did not set up a tripod or use flash.

I'm an out of shape old girl who is still mobile, and I hate carrying a heavy camera all day. I am planning a trip to Morocco in November and just sent in my Nikon D60 and two lenses for sale to KEH and will get an Olympus micro 4/3 and a couple of lightweight lenses for the trip. Will order now so I can be fluent with the new rig well before the trip. A camera and two lenses that are easily carried in a frou-frou tote bag attract less attention than a big rig in an "steal me" padded camera bag. I had Olympus OM-2s's (two bodies, several lenses) back in the film day and missed the feel of metal and the compact size. It's not a matter of being in or out of shape, but just how much dragging a heavy bag around all day annoys you.

I'm new to this forum, but not new to photography or buying used equipment, online or in person. I bought a Nikon lens from BH online a few years ago to go with my Nikon D60 (my first digital camera) and while it seemed to work okay, I decided to upgrade to a faster lens of similar size. I sent the first lens to KEH to sell, and they replied that it had some flaw or other and offered to either repair and return, or send back as is. I elected the repair and to this day I don't know if I was scammed, as I had not used the lens very much and as I said, I was new to digital equipment. KEH is in Atlanta and used to have a walk-in store (before online buying too over) and I found them helpful, although I did not buy anything from them in those days, as I had a source for used Olympus equipment with a walk-in store.

Anyone have experience with KEH.com?