Point Success, Mount Rainier National Park. My challenge...to get some definition between the clouds and the mountain's ridgeline profile because the glacier at the top blended in too much with the clouds that afternoon. The overcast just started to break but I did not have the time to wait around to see if I could get a natural contrast. Also the shot was taken late September; the park was in full Fall colors; the overcast muted those colors. Some have told me this shot looks like a water color painting. It is as shot except with some Lightroom post processing.

(Download)

I considered the 24-70 VR version until I noticed it takes an 82mm filter, not the 77mm that is used on the 70-200 VR which I have. I did not want to have to buy another CPL or ND just for that lens. That was not the only reason I did not get the VR but I might say it was the deal breaker for me. I have four Nikkor manual focus lenses, all made in Japan, from my film days; they work fine on my D850, better than on my D7100. All those lenses take 52mm filters; I like that.

HAVE NIKON: WILL TRAVEL!!!!!

This looks more like a hornet to me; nastier than a wasp from my encounters with them especially in the Fall months.

Put LCD screen protectors on both my D7100 and D850 as I was setting them up new out of the box. Cheap insurance is right!

I had the exact same outfit, a first generation Tamron 150-600 on a Nikon D7100 and could not rely on the combo to give me clean shots. I went so far as to photograph ground squirrels and pheasants and robins at distances of under 100 feet, even closer at time. I was so frustrated; eventually I got rid of the lens; nothing wrong with the D7100. I am not a Tamron user any more; had a 24-70 G2 and did not care for it after some testing so sent it back to B & H. For my money I am staying with Nikon lenses, their pro lenses especially. Will bite the bullet on their cost and trade that for IQ any day now.

The last order from B&H I got on time as promised was a D850 back in early January this year. Since that time I have had issues, delivery set for one day and Fedex never shows up with the package. It is an issue when it's something that needs a signature and I am the only one home to sign and arrange my days off just to be there then someone changes the delivery date without updating me. Had that happen with a Tamron then a Nikon pro series FX lens. Second time I was pi$$ed so called and told them to keep the darn lens. Did not order a lens from them after that. Delivery does not bother me as long as no signature is required, I just order so I do not NEED the item yesterday. I live in NE Illinois, less than an hour from Chicago.

I have been thinking about a Z6 myself; I have a D7100 and D850. I like the weight factor of the Z6. Was just about committed to placing an order when my 18-200 DX VR lens decided to stop focusing. Right now I have an old 18-70 kit lens from my D70s days on the D7100. Because of the D850, any lens I get has to be FX rather than DX. The Z6 will just have to wait; I need a new lens now! And in my illogical mind I can use most any "f" mount lens on the Z6 with its adapter, but as far as I know I cannot use a "z" mount lens of a Nikon "f" mount body?

Was out scouting for bald eagles along the Mississippi River and got this shot at the lock at Lock & Dam #13 near Fulton, IL. Took the shot with an old 18-70 kit lens from my D70s days, my first Nikon DSLR. This is as shot; no post processing done.

(Download)

HAD to get a new cell phone; HAD to go from an old flip phone to a smart phone. Glad I have a granddaughter to teach grandpa! HA! My point, at the Verizon company store, I was signed up for insurance on the phone and was not even asked if I wanted it. I had to go back to Verizon a couple days later, and another person helped me; that's when I found out about the insurance, when that person reviewed the previous transaction. I was more than a little annoyed! My experience was then related to the store manager.

YUK! Grew up near downtown Chicago and in my youth loved the snow; not any more. A dusting now and then is fine for a day or two and a few pics, then ADIOS! Snow yesterday and The Big Red Noise, aka...Santa, arrives at Bass Pro in Bolingbrook around 5 pm today. When ya work retail your holiday spirit is gone before Thanksgiving arrives. BAH HUMBUG!

I am wanting to see pics and read user comments; I am interested in the Z6 myself mainly for its weight and size package. Not interested in the Z7 for cost reasons.

The eagle had attitude on its face. The Little Bad Wolf, that's a sneer on its face; I think it was checking me out for lunch or dinner or a snack? Glad I got the wolf shots, found out a couple of the wolves were being shipped to other zoos involved in the breeding program....Mexican grey wolves are a very endangered species now. Gorgeous critters!

Overcast and dreary at Brookfield Zoo the afternoon of November 1st..............No monopod, no tripod, walked around looking for photo ops. In order......"TATANKA", "BESHKNEW", "EL LOBO"..............

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

As a lifetime White Sox fan, I am a realist, don't get too high, don't get too low; unlike most CUBS fan who overdose on CUBS Kool Aid like it's holy water. I have little use from CUBS fans. At my job I try hard to ignore CUBS fans. The media in this town acts like there is only one major league team in Chicago and the south side team is minor league. Same with BEARS fans, way too much Kool Aid drinking. BEARS fans are almost as bad as PACKERS fans who are football constipated 365 days of the year; I should know, I worked for a company on the NW side of Milwaukee for 6 years; PACKERS fans are insufferable.