I recently received notice that there are several updates for the R3. I had tried to do that one received prior but didn't know how. I decided to do it, and it actually worked pretty seamlessly. I haven't used the camera since, so I don't know if it got ruined. And I still have 6 updates to do to be totally up to date.

I'm going to be needing my GPS a lot in upcoming days, and I knew there was a map update available. I had done this several times, and although time-consuming, it was pretty simple. So I started in. It stalled at 41% transferred data, and it was taking forever. I left it to grind away overnight, and started in again the next morning when maybe my internet connection would be better. Again, it stopped at about 40%. After several attempts, I started a chat, finally getting to a real person. She was pretty good, and finally determined that the newest map was bigger than my old device could handle. I had two choices, download partial maps or use an SD card. I opted for the SD card, went and bought one, then followed the directions on how to use it. It didn't work. I can't go back to my previous map because it is now corrupted. It won't uninstall, as was suggested to me. So my device is now a piece of expensive worthless plastic! This is why I don't update my cameras! If the same thing were to happen to my camera, I'd be devastated!

Granted I don't have a whole lot of experience with either Nikon(3 cameras, 14 lenses) or Canon(1 camera, 6 lenses). But I get the impression that Canon isn't seen as an equal to Nikon. I could be terribly wrong and will apologize for my thoughts. But if cameras are seen in TV shows what brand shows up more often? If you are near an accident with news reporters taking photos what brand do you see more often? If a family is on a playground and photos are being taken what brand do you see?

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

Yes, controversial, but I saw these reasons online from Peta Pixel.

1. Handling is not very good on a phone, but a camera is easy to hold, and it has controls that let you make changes easily.
2. The view. The viewfinder of new, mirrorless cameras shows you how changes in settings will affect the final picture. The flip-screen lets you get up or down shots more easily than when using a phone.
3. The flash. Although new cameras seem to be omitting the pop-up flash, it is possible to add a flash unit to the camera. That flash can also be used off-camera to put the light at a different angle. The best you can do with a phone is a small, weak flash.
4. The lens. A modern cell phone might have three separate lenses, but the quality and control aren't as good as what's available for cameras.
5. DOF and bokeh are also lacking in phones, compared with cameras. Selecting a different lens or aperture changes the results you get in the image. That amount of control isn't available with a phone.
6. Movement. The cell phone camera likes to be held steady because it takes multiple shots when you push the button. It's also difficult to follow fast action with a phone, especially considering the multiple shots it takes each time.
7. Selfies. Using the phone for a selfie means using the phone's forward-facing camera, the one with the lowest quality.

The narrator concludes by saying that cell phones are great for quick, casual shots that are going to be shared online, but a real camera will generally give better results.

I've said here many times, that I don't like using a phone as a camera because of the steadiness required while holding the phone away from my body. Holding it steady while taping the button is tricky. I don't always know if the picture has actually been taken. I have to keep my fingers away from the lens. Yes, these are all shortcomings on my part, but they don't apply to a real camera.

I suspect that some of you might disagree with this entire post. That's okay.

I assume that if you do, you always move your focus point to your subject, and if not, you lock focus and recompose. Simple. My problem is that I don’t do either one consistently. I guess I should make up my mind and stick to one or the other. But for now, given that I switch back and forth, I think it makes the most sense not to lock them together. I’m not looking for some magic answer, but I’m curious—does anyone have an argument for linking them?

Sorry for a rather dumb question.

I am selling my Nikon D500 that has two full frame zoom lenses to get a Zfc or Z50 with zoom lens. The D500 has served me well, and the quality of images has been terrific, but I want lighter and smaller for travel. For cruise ships and other travel it has become too much trouble to lug around at my advancing age. Landscape and dinner parites are my major uses. My question is ..... am I compromising quality ? Are there other compact mirrorless bodies that I should consider ? Comments welcome. Thanks.

You trying to make a rational decision out of a situation which is not rational at all. And suggestions from others are not going to serva you particularly well. They only reflect the biases of the responders.

You are asking about dumping one of the best DSLRs made into a flooded and depressed market for probably about 60% of what would be a fair price for it. You are doing that to get further involved with a company which I neither like or respect. That's my honest answer to your inquiry, but I serously doubt that you have any problem detecting my biases in it.

If you are being accurate in your statement about liking shiny new toys, it makes no difference what any of us think or suggest. Just be aware that making the change is unlikely to change your photography or your photographs very much, if at all. In particular, if you do not see the value in your D500, I believe that there is merit to passing it along to someone who will.

Best wishes as you decide what to do. I realize that I'm being a little bit severe here. But I doubt that the change you are proposing will bring you the pleasure you are expecting.

Morning, Hoggers. I typically travel with a MacBook Pro and download my photos from SD card to the laptop every night, then back that up to a portal SanDisk SSD drive. I also keyword my photos every night so I can remember what I saw, where I saw, etc. Then I wipe the card and start over the next day. But this laptop is heavy, and I'm trying to lighten my load. I could get a MacBook Air which would save some weight, but I'd like to eliminate that completely and figure out a way to handle my photos while I'm on the road. For those of you who have that scenario, what do you do? Do you use a separate SD card for each day? Do you download to an iPad or another device? How do you track what you saw? I can use a travel diary, I guess....any suggestions or thoughts would be appreciated.

I know I can feel it. I’m trying to avoid it. So far successful, but I feel like I’m losing the battle.

I am a Nikonite, through and through. I have a pair of Z9’s, and a D850 with dozens of lenses.

I recently went on a photo workshop to Malta and Sicily with a group of photographers, pros and nearly pros. There were several Leicas present.

Swore I was not going to jump into that, but I feel that I am beginning to crack.

So, here is my ponderance, Q2 or Q3?

The images that come from these cameras are intriguing to me. The size of the camera is small enough to not be intrusive as my Z9 with a 2.8 lens.

But, a whole new system to deal with. And it’s not cheap.

I am always the first to encourage others to buy the camera gear they want, but this is me, not someone else.