A few years ago I had a need for a Canon EF 24-105mm L lens. It didn't make any difference if the lens was "gray market" or not, it was for a specific project. After research, I bought the lens from Abe's of Maine. I was told upfront the lens was "Gray", but sold at a reduced price. It was also the newest version of the lens. Abe's also offered a free one year "Abe's" warranty. I've used the lens many times since purchase, and with the project. It still gets some use in the local woods here in New Hampshire, and works just fine. Of course, I've never had a Canon lens out of the box fail. So, I guess I'm happy with the lens, and happy with Abe's of Maine for selling me this lens. Sometimes I think people who bash some businesses just don't ask the right questions when they call to make an order. When you see a price on a new Canon lens a few hundred dollars lower than the Canon posted U.S. price, something is going on. Ask if the lens or camera is "gray" or not. Ask if the advertised product is "new" or not. Ask why the price differs from the "Fair Trade" price. Sometimes you may find a Canon lens cheaper at certain Canon distributors, but that distributor may have a special deal with Canon on that specific product, for a specific reason, like a high inventory of the product. Why the lens maybe "gray" could only be because of the country the lens was produced for had become less attractive to that market, and a excess of products could exist. Companies like Abe's of Maine could be a recipient of this type of product, most likely as a "outlet" for this type of lens.

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I bought a Canon 270EXII flash a few years ago. I use it for daytime fill flash, as you want to do. It is small, light weight, and easy to operate. It uses AA batteries, and does not use them up very fast. I use it on my 5D mark IV, and 6D. So easy to use, has only off and on switch, and hot shoe lock.

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Don't show this to the CEO of American Airlines.

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Hey Jerry, Just move from NY, to New Hampshire, you'll pay no sales taxes at all. Live Free or Die.

Last year, my wife and I decided to replace our 2005 Dodge Durango. On the way South, from New Hampshire, to Gulfport, Mississippi, it developed a electrical problem. I studied, Ford, 150s, Chevy, and GMC. I took a look at Ram 1500, and was astounded by the way the truck handled, even with 4 wheel drive. Plus, during my studies of the trucks I checked all the trucks forums on the net. I looked for engine, and suspension problem, and ride comfort. The Ram had no real problems that could turn into nagging serious problems. We finally decided on the Ram 1500, Limited. We purchased one that is fully loaded, with both comfort, and safety electronics. I still check the forums for problems, and have not found much there. The one we bought is the 2019 model, with towing too. I do tow a car hauler, with my 2009 BMW Z4. The truck tows it like it's not there.

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I've been shooting the Tamron SP 24-70mm f2.8 VC, G1 lens for years, both professionally, and personal use. I keep all my lenses calibrated using the latest version of "FoCal" for all my Canon front line cameras. (5D Mark IV, and 7D Mark II) I've found the 24-70mm Tamron my go to lens for most of my shots. It has good color rendition, it is fast focusing and really good VC, the Tamron version of IS. When I bought the lens I wanted a 24-70, f2.8 lens with IS, Canon did not offer this in their lens line up. I found this lens a great walk-around lens, when doing "Photo walks" in the French Quarter when I lived in New Orleans. I use it now in New England, shooting farms, barns, both indoor and out. It is also much less expensive lens. I also liked it while shooting real estate, although at 24mm at the wide end was not wide enough for some shots, so I invested in a EF 16-35L lens, and shot from a tripod. The Tamron warranty is much longer than Canons 1 year, too.

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Since I moved to New Hampshire 3 years ago, my best Fall foliage tour is in my driveway. I live in a little town, near Concord, called Bow. It is very rural, and the town pond is a great place for some really great shots. For those not so fortunate to live here, drive to Concord, there are several motels in town. You can easily drive either North, on I-93, to the White Mountains, or West on I-89, to Vermont, and the Green Mountains. Look for the New Hampshire Covered Bridges guide book, all those bridges have great Fall colors. If you like water in your Fall photos take I-93 North to the Lakes Region. The Kancamuga Highway is great for a few waterfalls and scenic overlooks, and trails into the woods. Last week we saw a fox, and a moose along the highway. At Mt. Washington, is a wonderful old railroad, and in Conway there is a dinner train, and Lincoln the Hobo Railroad. There is a wonderful train in the Hobo Yard. Look at my earlier posts and see this train.

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PS, Stop by my house in mid October and I'll give a few bushels of leaves to take home, Free.

My wife and I took a trip to Lincoln, NH, this past week and spied a old train sitting in a RR yard in Lincoln. I asked about it and found it is called the "Yankee Express" from the Maine RR. It is going to be renovated by the State of New Hampshire. It has been in the yard for 15 years awaiting funding for the remounting on the trucks, diesel engine, and finishing of the cars. Seems NH has to come up with $15 million to complete the job.

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At the time of my last third party lens, I needed a lens with low light, a 24-70mm, and with IS. I shoot Canon, and Canon did not have a EF 24-70mm f2.8L IS lens in its lineup. So, I chose Tamrons SP 24-70mm
f2.8 VR USM lens. The image quality was, and is still great. I've used it on my old 7D, 7D Mark II, and now my 5D Mark IV. I sent it in to Tamron once for a upgrade in software. Actually it's on my camera today for some train shots in Lincoln, NH. Other 3rd party lenses are Tamron SP 150-600mm. Again Canon did not have that f value.

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Events can be copy righted, just listen to the disclaimer at the beginning of any NFL game. Or, read it in the small print on your ticket.

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If you're shooting professional realestate photos, and making a living with this camera (6D) you have the best camera in your hands. You subject does not move, and you have lots of time set up lighting, and focus. So, what to you expect from the bodies you are considering that will make you photos better. Keep in mind all of your photos will be reproduced for real estate customer review either in MLS, or magazines, and how the reproductions are processed will limit the quality of the photos. Unless, you're thinking shooting moving subjects, like birds or animals you may want to consider a body with a faster focus, higher frame rate, better color handling, stick with the 6D.

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I was stationed at the Navel Air Station in St. George, with a VP squadron in the mid 70s. It was always fun to go to the many old WWII gun emplacements on the island. The guns are long gone, but some of the hardware is still there. Drop by the Square in St. George, and possibly see the Bermuda Regiment Parade the Square. There was a nice Pub on the Square, try some of the warm beer.

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Hello Jerry, Have you contacted your power company? They may be responsible for damage from this type of outage. The damage was probably done when a huge power spike came through when the power became restored.

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New Hampshire, has 400 people in the House, and about 26 in the Senate. The member of the House, only make $100/year. I don't know about the Senators. So our House members cannot be bought off, there is just to many. With no income tax, and no sales tax, New Hampshire, is a true tax haven. We do pay a small tax on dividends and interest. Our big tax is of course property tax, but it is not as crippeling as many states tax packages.

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