Recently I posted I had issues with dark spots on my images especially with blue sky background. The overwhelming comments was that I needed a sensor cleaning. So I sent my D 500 to Nikon for sensor cleaning and to upgrade my firmware. I had to authorize $370 a cost based on my explanation. I thought that was too high and called Nikon and was informed that the estimated costs could go down after the repair tech completed the work. Well I got the camera back with @ $330 bill for work including replacing circuit board for WiFi and memory, replacing my rubber grips and several adjustments and general cleaning. The invoice did not mention anything to do with the sensor or what they did to resolve my dark spots issue. I think that before any non identified work be performed they I should have been contacted.
I call today and am waiting their response.
Has anyone had a similar issue or have any suggestions?
Thanks

I've been using SD memory cards since they first came out and for more than just photography. Frankly, I had heard of failures, but considered these cards to be nearly bullet proof since I had never had a problem. That all changed last weekend after coming home from a local event and finding out that I could not read or write from one of the two cards in my Pentax K3. Thankfully, the K3 has the dual card system and the other card was fine, but I had no idea that there was any sort of problem while shooting and there were several shots that I considered to be rather important from this shoot.

Anyway, my reason for posting this is to point out how important that second slot can be as a backup, as I would have been really upset if I had lost the photos from this shoot. It really makes me wonder why any manufacturer would bring out a new camera body or system without a dual slot available. I personally will never own another one without the backup slot, lesson learned! By the way, the defective SD card appears to format normally, but will not otherwise read or write in either my camera or on my computer system and I have no idea what might have caused this failure. Good luck and good shooting to all.

I saw an article that is very good discussing lens purchases.
Here are some highlights of the question

"Dear Thom: Nikon currently lists 76 lenses on their Web site. How many of them is it realistic to own? I've got the money. Should I collect all 76? Signed Nikkor Fanatic"

Dear Fanatic: The economy is still recovering, so buy them all, preferably through 76 different dealers. But first you need to figure out how to carry them all. Signed Thom.

This is a tough question to answer and an easy one, too. Let's start with that seemingly joking "how are you going to carry them" comment.

Seriously: how many lenses can you carry? The average pro tends to carry perhaps five lenses (14-24, 24-70, 70-200, couple of fast primes), and supplements those from time to time with a handful of others when an assignment specifically calls for it (200-400mm, 600mm, 16mm fish, macro lens, PC-E lens). But even the basic five lens kit (add 24 and 85 f/1.4) is over 10 pounds of optics. Add two pro bodies, some flashes, some support gear, batteries, etc., and said pro is already carrying 30 pounds around with them.

http://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/lens-articles/choosing-lenses/how-many-lenses-do-you-need.html

And there-in lies our true answer: do you know what you're trying to do photographically? Do you understand the compromises and are you willing to make them? For 90% of the photos you take, what do you really need and use?

There's a side note to the lens chase/collection issue: some people think that lenses will make their photography stand out: "If I shoot with an X and everyone else uses a Y, then my images will be better." Well, no. They might be different from what you've done before, but there isn't a lens you can buy on the market that hasn't been used to death by some pro seeking to make a style statement. For example, the full-frame fisheyes (10.5mm DX, 16mm FX) are now a mainstay of mountain bike and extreme sports photographers because it changed perspective from the usual stand-offish telephoto renderings and made someone's images stand out. But now everyone's doing it, so it looks "normal." Don't fall into the trap of thinking that "lens = style." A lens is just another tool. You define your own style, and lens choice is only one small part of that.

So let me close with some questions for you:

1. How many lenses do you own?
2. How many of those lenses produce 80% of your images?
3. Do you have the best possible lens(es) for #2?
4. Will a new lens change #2?

And because I'm not grading in my usual tough way today, here's the answer sheet:

1. No more than six.
2. Two or three.
3. Yes.
4. Usually not. It will if the answer to #3 is no. It probably will if the answer to #1 is 1.

I have D7200, D2X, D500, D610, D800, D810, D850 and D4 so with all these cameras to chose from I would not give up the D7200. The D7200 has an IQ that is different than the rest and is closer to my old D7100 which I sold. The D7200 has 4MP more than my D500 so I have a little more wiggle room for cropping. Each of the cameras I use for different purposes and each have special uses. Which camera you chose can only be defined by your needs, but for me I chose the D7200 and D500 for wildlife shooting, the D2X for B&W, the D610 for family shots, the D800 and D810 for portraits, the D850 for landscape and the D4 for night photography.

At a work site, I have won some "points" that give me the option to get at no charge to me

Nikon D5600 with Nikkor 18-55 f/35.5.6 and 70-300 f/5-63 lenses plus Nikon Macro Kit Nikkor 40 mm f 2.8 + Nikkor 10-20 mm f/4.5-5.6 lens
or
Nikon D7200 w Nikkor 18-150 f 3.5-56 lens
or
Nikon D7500 w Nikkor 18-150 f 3.5-56 lens

I could probably pay an up charge for the Macro/Landcsape kit with the other cameras

My photography is places, buildings, outdoor stuff, things - not sports.
This will likely be my last photo purchase at my age as I keep things in good shape, a long time. Still use my D 200 without issue, for example.

I have an older Nikkor 28-200 lens

So, what makes the most sense here? Or none of the above?

Thanks

A few months ago I upgraded my Nikon 3300 to the D7500 which I'm very happy with. I've also rented the Tamron 150-600 G2 to try it out - it will arrive this Friday. I know it's good but as it's heavy, I want to see how I can cope with it as my preferred photography is wildlife and birds in flight. My current lens is 18-300 which is ok but not good for my type of shots. My question is, with all the hype about mirrorless, should I have gone for a mirrorless instead of the D7500? I think I did read somewhere that lenses for mirrorless are also heavy.....