A few years back I planned a trip to do the Great Southwest, you know the place. Never been there. Always wanted to go. A week before we were to fly out, my MIL who lives with us fell and broke her pelvis. Insert long, hard-luck story here. We couldn't go. (She's OK now, BTW)

Has taken us all this time to get it together for another try, same trip (Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Monument Valley, Page, Grand Canyon). All reservations made. All "I"s dotted, "T"s crossed. Scheduled to fly out early tomorrow. Now a big-ass storm (snow, wind, rain, yadda, yadda) is forecast to start tonight with major airport disruptions at Philly Airport tomorrow. Airline has already sent me e-mail warning that flight may be cancelled.

I know that you folks don't really know me but is the Cosmos trying to tell me to just "Punt" this trip idea? I mean, seriously!!

I'd like to share something with you that really made my day yesterday. I've mentioned before on UHH that my granddaughter is studying photography and that I had given her my old E3 Rolleiflex 2.8 Planar and other stuff. Yesterday she sent me this text: "I'm at a photo conference in Philly called SPE and I've been wearing your rollei all around. Everyone's so in love with it - lol - and it's been an easy way to start conversations and get a bunch of free stuff, so thank you."'

I reminded her that it is now her camera, not mine, and that most "old timers" would recognize it. She went on to say: "Yeah and even young kids are all into it and have asked questions about it. I tell everyone how it was yours and how it's my baby now. Also, the dudes at Ilford gave me 11 rolls of free film and Kodak gave me one as well so that was really cool of them."

She is very creative and has made some very nice images with this old camera.

Proud Grandpa.

Shooting retirement party this Wednesday in a hall sort of dimly lit at times.. 40 people minimum so will be group shots. Thinking about using 24-70 on tripod for group shots and 70-200 handheld for everything else. Canon, both L lens. Question is, is a expensive diffuser worth it or should I go with el cheapo. Please give recommendations so I can shoot down to B&H. Not doing a DIY as it looks tacky. Bouncing the flash might still give me harsh lighting. Before I get the impatient short comments, I looked into the search portion and reviewed numerous vids on the tube, techradar, etc... first paying gig so please be helpful or refrain from commenting. Much appreciated

Thank you (everyone) for the comments and feedback. I definitely need the F2.8 since my primary purpose will be to take real estate pictures for realtors, although I definitely intend to use the lens for architectural and landscape photography as well as night time photography.

Looking at the DP Review of the Nikon 14-24 vs Tamron 15-30 shows the Tamron as the "clearer" choice. However, reading the Ken Rockwell review, he seems to like the Nikon 14-24 F2.8 as the most clear of any ultra-wide angle lens he has ever shot and he is well respected for his reviews of lenses. So, I'm still torn. The price difference is quite significant. What to do? One thing the Nikon has above the Tamron is the resale value, but I don't ever plan to sell it.

Ref: https://www.dpreview.com/articles/4651324149/tamron-15-30-f2-8-vs-nikon-14-24-f2-8-shootout

Ref: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/14-24mm.htm