I use my Nikon 1.4 teleconverter with my Nikkor 200-500 zoom lens quite often with excellent results. I also use my Sigma 150-600 zoom lens with its matching 1.4 extender fairly often with excellent results.
I have used my Canon 2X extender with my Canon 400 f/5.6 on a tripod with a Polarie star tracker to make really nice images of distant star systems, galaxies and nebula.

Point is, when used correctly a tele extender can be a very useful tool. When not used correctly or as intended, a teleconverter will simply make crappy results even crappier but they will appear larger or closer. This is why the lens manufacturer like Canon or Nikon design their extenders so they will only work on certain lenses. Aftermarket manufacturers aren't as specific as Canon or Nikon and design most of their converters to fit on just about any lens it will mount to. End results are unpredictable.

I wouldn't say you were ripped off, short changed maybe but not ripped off. The 16-85 is just as sharp as the 16-80 and the build quality is the same. The 16-80 obviously is faster and it has newer better VR. The 16-80 is heavily discounted in the kit meaning you probably paid close to retail for the 16-85. Personally I'd take it back and tell them you want the correct lens for the kit.

Much to do about a whole lot of nothing. What I see is just another thing for a bunch of grumpy old men to complain about and yet another excuse to fling insults about to people they personally don't know. Another opertunity for the conspiracy theorists to stoke the rumor mill.

The G1X II is a pretty nice pocket camera, if you have big pockets. By bridge camera standards its image sensor is huge. I got mine about 3 years ago to take to concerts where they don't allow "professional" cameras. My only real problem with it is the lack of an input for an external microphone. I also got the EVF for it that makes a big difference when shooting in bright sunlight.
It may not be the best bridge camera available but I like it.

What this group thinks isn't going to have any effect on Nikon's ability to manufacture enough product to meet demand without compromising the quality of their product.
Just be patient and wait until they become available. Nikon will be making them for many years to come.

I personally have only one EF mount Tamron lens, the A1009 I think, SP 70-200 f/2.8 I bought when Tamron first introduced the lens. I was originally going to get the Canon 70-200 f/4 but the camera store was out of them. I've never had a problem with that lens. If the Canon equivalent rates a 10 the Tamron is at least a 9.5 to the Canons 10. The Canon may be marginally sharper and the AF is a bit faster but the Tamron is an excellent lens. I guess that will exclude me from the Canon fanboy club.

Although I wouldn't consider buying one in Canon mount as I already have the 100-400L II, I would consider it for my Nikon bodies.

I like Tamrons warranty, it tells me they believe in their engineering and they stand behind it.

As far as Canon only supplying a 1 year warranty, I own several L series and a few gold and silver band Canon lenses and I've only had to send one back to Canon for service and that was after the lens was over 10 years old. Sure I've had lenses professionally cleaned but that's not covered by anyone's warranty. The L series lenses are extremely well designed and built and sell based on quality and reputation, they don't need an extended warranty to increase sales.

Will it be as good as the much more expensive Canon EF 100-400L II?

The image sensor in a DSLR is way larger than what they put in bridge cameras. The big Tamron and your Nikon will deliver better image quality than a super zoom bridge. If you don't plan to print your images then you'd probably get more bang for the buck with a super zoom.

Two of my favorite birds. I don't see a lot of thrashers up here in PA

Welcome aboard.
A 5DII, Great camera back in its day. Still a darn good one today. I almost bought one but decided to wait. I waited so long I finally ended up getting the MK IV. Anyway, you can get the Canon wireless remote or save yourself some money and get an aftermarket wireless remote. They work the same and cost less. They are line of sight; they use infrared light to talk to the camera.

You telling my my MagnaPro 9000 tripod with tridynamic semi pneumatic support dampening and quadraflo multi axis head with quick retract leg locks and suregrip feet is not a professional grade tripod?! It says PRO Grade right on the box and you know it has to be so if it's on the box.

My take on the article; same old rhetorical balderdash you hear over and over again.

Cameras don't take photos, people make photos.
A better camera or lens won't help improve the quality of your photos. Don't buy what you want, buy what you need and only after you've read every book on exposure and composition and photography in general.

Ok, I do believe in the power of books, but you see my point.

I say buy whatever you want as long as you can afford it. The more stuff people buy the better the price and it's good for stimulating research and development. Am I upset I can't buy a D850 because Nikon can't make enough of them!? No.
I may buy one eventually. From what I've read it's a really nice camera, and every one of my Nikon mount lenses will work on it. Will it make me a better photographer!? Heck no, but it may enable me to learn how to do something I don't know how to do now.

I don't know if I'll even buy another Nikon. I hear Pentax makes some nice cameras, as does Sony. I wonder what Canon will come up with next...

Welcome.
don't know where in PA you are but in my neck of the woods, Turkey Vultures are almost as common as Blue Jays. Not real pretty but amazing flyers nonetheless.

Yes, it will be when the new feathers come in. I have several free range pet Blue Jays and many times the only real way to tell the difference between males and females is to observe them. There may be a size difference but not always. The rolls they play within the family structure is the best way to tell. Blue Jays mate for life and that have specific rolls. The males are the gatherers; they gather food and building materials. The females are the builders; they build the nest and keep an eye on the young both before and after hatching.
They are very intelligent and can be somewhat demanding. There have been many times when the feeders for the Blue Jays run out of food, mainly whole peanuts and sunflower seeds, and they will perch on my deck railing and let me know.

How do you know it is a male?