I think the general trend of the answers is correct--just shoot, shoot, shoot... Turn the power on and set to either A or P. Don't forget to take the lens cap off (I'm not being condescending--many of us have failed that simple test). Then just point the camera at something and push the button.

At first I'd suggest just shooting anything--the view out your window, flowers, your house, your car and specially your jewelry. One of the biggest obstacles for many of us who started with film was learning that digital pictures don't cost anything so no matter how many mistakes you make you can just delete the ones you don't like.

Also, experiment by twisting the lens to change your magnification--you can see it right through the viewfinder. Take the same picture as maximum magnification and minimum and in the middle and compare.

Download the images to your computer so you can see what you are getting.

I think once you break the ice you'll find a great deal of fun and fulfillment in taking pictures and then you can start seriously taking pictures of your jewelry. Have fun!

Agree--it would be worth it in this case.

I know, I always follow the social distancing and mask rules. I always love the ocean wherever it is and it's really nice here in socal. I used to live two blocks from it but then went away for a while. It's only ten minutes from my house now. Anyway, your pictures always inspire me. My best shots were of some surfer shooting the Ocean Beach Pier during a winter storm. It was pretty cool. But I still need to work on my images. That's why I like your postings--images are very good and subject too.

A slightly different take. I don't think I vision my images the same as others on the forum do and that's fine--we each know what type of images we want. I tend to like more reach for the images I shoot as I like to get my subjects closer be they mountains, people or animals.

I had a Nikon d7100 for years and bought the 70-200 to go to Manchu Picchu because they said they didn't allow lenses over 200mm (not really true). It worked well for that but even then I wished I could have used my Tamron 18-400. In all the 70-200 was a good lens on my crop Nikon but it just didn't have the reach I wanted. I used the 18-400 as my walk around lens and got enough keepers to keep me satisfied for quite a while (I've since changed to Sony a7iii).

So you should consider how much reach you want for your day to day images. I do like the idea of renting before you buy if convenient but if you're looking for the 70-200 range I think it would be a great walk around lens.

John, I am so embarrassed--please accept my apology. I was so taken by the original statement that I responded to your post as though it was to that. I completely agree with everything else you've just said.

I'm sorry but I don't agree with you. There can always be some slippage if a great many people wear masks but if enough do then the virus can be slowed to manageable levels. That's been shown in many other countries.

I thought the subject statement was excellent and said it much more politely than I would. I tend to think that people who don't wear masks are inappropriately political and inconsiderate of others and people who do are considerate of others and understand it's a public health issue not a political one.

Brent - I always love your pictures--they remind me of home. Wait, the are home but I don't get to the beach as much as I used to when I lived at the beach and it's still one of my favorite places. Keep on posting.

I agree. If really really high quality is your goal go the lenses suggested. If good quality, easy portability and a good zoom range is what you want the Tamron 18-400 is one of the best. I used the Tamron 16-300 on my Nikon d7100 (crop) and liked it. I finally switched to the Tamron 18-400 although I was nervous about losing the "macro" part of the 16-300. Once I switched I did not notice the loss in close-up pictures but the additional reach really helped with wildlife (Africa, South America and North America). I don't think you can go wrong with the Tamron unless you are striving for prize worth or professional quality pictures.

Intriguing question and I hope I don't go over your guidelines. First, my answer has to be qualified with a very common observation, it depends. It depends on what you like to shoot and when. For instance I shoot sort of macro like flowers, insects and close wildlife and I'm starting to like shooting surfers. I also shoot animals and birds in Africa, South America and Asia (not to mention North America) where the subjects are quite distant. So if I may qualify my answer with one stipulation--that if I was limited to one camera one lens I might rent lenses for special needs. I think that right now I'd stick with the following as one camera one lens.

Sony a7iii with Sony FE 24-105 f/4 G OSS lens. This is shorter than I like but images can be cropped and because the a7iii works well at high ISOs I can work in low light situations. It is quite flexible for general photography. (In reality the 24-105 does not have the reach I like and I have added a Sony FE 70-300 which improves my flexibility but does not meet the one camera one lens criteria and is a little more awkward to carry in rough country, for long hikes or on boats and vehicles so does not qualify as the "one lens.")

Previously I used a Nikon d7100 w/Tamron 18-400. I liked that setup quite a bit although the low light limitations caused me many problems. Adding a Nikon 50mm 1.4 helped but not completely. Plus, the Sony really has better IQ overall.

I do like the idea of a general camera/lens and I try to keep my gear to a minimum as I don't like traveling with a lot of weight and bulk.

You are correct that punctuation is important but in this case I don't think it matters without some other clause. But like the elephant and monkeys it's best to state your assumptions.

Good analysis. I was stuck with whether the elephants saw the same three monkeys or three different monkeys. Once you stipulate one way or the other you have the answer.

Well, the good news is we've improved the plank--the bad news is . . .

Very nice set. You have given me some ideas for improving my cactus flower shots. I had five days of one flower a day--you're right about here today, gone tomorrow. I'll keep trying to improve and in the meantime will enjoy your shots.

Rusty - What I meant when I said you were right I was agreeing that in my memory too it was LBJ who first used the social security trust fund to cover the war despite the Social Security Act that specifically make the trust fund independent. I'm pretty sure about Reagan and later presidents following suit. It's just political accounting and misleading to the people.

Federal congress representatives and almost all federal employees have been part of "the system" since 1985.