I would love to be able to just whip out the checkbook and order the latest and greatest. But life is very good and patients is still a virtue.

I am considering the purchase of a common 100-400 4-5.6 type I or II. Obviously type II should be improved over the type I or there would not be a type II. I understand the AF was improved, I'm guessing a good deal improved.

So while I'm waiting for the expendable cash bucket to fill a bit more I am wondering if the more experienced gaming us would care to offer some thoughts on the +s and -s of the choice.
The cost of one over the other, depending on who has it for or sale can be significant. I realize you get what you pay for, no free lunch, etc. etc.. So I want to avoid if possible, making a purchase and wondering later about my discussion.

I am primarily considering just the 100-400 canon BUT those Sigma and Tameron 150-600 s do seem worth adding to the discussion tree as well.

I shoot wildlife 90% or more of the time , very often from a bot but winter is rushing at us. A lot is hand held with my added surgical grip but I am working more and more with the tripod when ashore.

And, my only camera for now is a Canon t3i (cropped sensor) already slow on autofocus lock.

Thanks
Bill

Hi, a couple of years back I received some superb advice here when I was deciding on the purchase of my first DSLR. I ultimately purchased a Canon 80D and I primarily use a Tamron 18-400mm lens. I am still shooting in JPEG and I currently use the very basic processing program, which is part of my IOS operating system. More and more I'm receiving encouragement to change to RAW. I recently moved to NC and I plan to continue to take photos of Nature and Wildlife including Birds. I realize that when I change to RAW I also have to change the program I use to process my photos. When I have a discussion about changing to RAW from folks from all over, they almost all use Lightroom but I realize there are other programs too. So all this said how difficult is it to transition to RAW? I'm told it's easy to learn Lightroom, but I don't know, what I don't know about it yet or whether I should consider another processing program. I am concerned about the learning curve in all this and the time it may take to process my photos. But while I may be like many somewhat resistant to change, I think I'd like to improve my photo quality. I welcome any advice on how easy it may be to change to RAW and any reference info. Additionally I welcome any advice on what to do with all my JPEG photos after the change. Thanks in advance.

Is it better to buy camera in USA or China?

My son is traveling from USA to China in a couple of weeks. He is interested in buying a new mirrorless camera (his first), either Sony or Canon or Panasonic, and not sure whether to buy from USA or China.

Questions:

1. If he buys in China would he likely get a better price than USA? If so, is such price difference significant?
2. If he buys in China, would that be considered gray market? ie, no USA warranty?
3. Is there any customs tax on such a purchase when he returns to USA?
4. What do you recommend? China? or old USA faithful B&H or Adorama?

I just read an old travel photography article by Thom Hogan. One of his suggestions is to put brightly colored luggage pulls on the backpack zippers so that they are easy to see, no longer black on black. Great idea, especially as my eyes age. I hate fumbling for the zipper pulls when a great picture opportunity is quickly developing and will soon be gone. I have a few simple gadgets. Despite the life changing benefits of Google Map, I still have found need for the small compass I keep on my camera bag when hiking or in a big city. Phone batteries don’t last forever, signals fade. I also have found surprising uses for a light weight locking carabiner always clipped to my bag handle.

Nothing as profound as the gear vs photographer diatribe now at 290 posts. I’m curious what unique tips or what small gadgets people find useful as a traveling photographer.

My interest has been peaked over the Tamron 150-600 G2 lens that has been talked about. I currently have a Nikkor 400mm F3.5 AIS along with the matched teleconverter. It has a lot of history with me and I would hate to give it up. Nikon of Japan rebuilt it in 2000 with all new glass and it has been the sharpest lens I own. But I am getting older now and 7 pounds is a lot to carry around.

I was hoping to get some of your marvelous opinions about whether I should sell the 400 and go for the G2. Maybe I should mention that I shoot with a D7100. I look forward to your comments. Thanks

I love wildlife photography. Photography is not my profession but i like to give voice to the voiceless mainly through pictures.
I love Bigcats. I also do click birds if chances arise, wouldn't like to miss them. But bigcats are a priority.
I spent maximum 1-2 months in a year in the jungles, rest i have to work. So, i don't want to miss any chances because of less reach, or angle of view.

I am confused between the D750 and D500. The D850 is out of budget. The other Dxx series is not at all available here or older ones like D3s.

The bigcats are mainly active in early morning and late evening especially the tigers, which i shoot mostly as they are in India.
But these leads to low light scenarios.

I currently own the D3400 with 18-55mm & 70-300mm VR kit lenses which is good upto 2000 ISO & have used D7100(rented) which was good till ISO 3200 max. But picture quality takes a hit after 1600 ISO in both.

I have recently got an used Nikon 70-200mm VR II f2.8 for 785 USD and an used Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 for 642 USD.

I know the D500 have all the fancy features of D5 and D750 have nothing of those features, even a max of 15 raw bursts buffer. But it has low light performance which helps with shutter speed when handholding. There is no room for tripods or monopods in shared vehicles. I will be attaching a few images with focal lengths if possible, you can check them.

Price of D500- 1614 USD ( Also have noticed a grain present in D500 shots, in sunlight for birds its not noticeable but in shades for mammals i can see it in few images)

Price of D750- 1271 USD, used around 930 USD
Price of D7200- 700 USD, used around 400 USD

So, i could get a used D7200 and a new D750 for the price of a new D500.