I was recently on vacation (cut short by 'you know what') and seldom without my camera, came across a photo shoot that amused me and the bride. It was a very windy day to add some context to the series of photos.

I think that the topic is timely and below I will tell you the 'why' from my perspective.
1. I am an experienced photographer (I didn't rate myself) and was recently told by 'I forget who' that I should not delete images in the camera but only once they have been loaded from the card to the computer. The reason, which I also forget, was something to do with the integrity of the card or the camera. Is there any truth to this?
2. I have approximately 50 albums of printed photos dating from the early 1970's to the time that I switched to digital, likely around 2005. I have started to 'cull' the photos with the intention of copying the selected ones to my computer and producing a gigantic book of photos for my family. I also have loose photos from my late parents and in laws. What a task to choose which ones. They are all 'valid' otherwise they would not have made it for inclusion in the albums. Not looking for suggestions, just saying ........
3. For your information, I am photographing the images that I want to retain as opposed to scanning them. The scanning takes too long and I am technically challenged as the default on the scanner is PDF. Also, not looking for suggestions, just saying .....
4. Since my in-laws were survivors of the death and labour camps during the Second World War, I have created a 'fond' at an Ontario based archive. Just sharing .......
5. With respect to my parents, I had already created a photo book including 'epithets' from family members. Just sharing ....
In conclusion, please jump back to point #1 and comment if you can/like/care.

The thrusts and parries were very amusing and especially so after receiving and reading an endless supply of virus jokes, parodies and the like. I have not yet made an attempt at water drop photography but am moderately interested in it. It's like the joke about asking you someone if they know the secret to comedy. Before the person can answer, you say emphatically, timing. So, I don't have a photo of water drops, but I can offer a a photo of slime' in black & white. Enjoy!

I have the f/4 Nikkor 70-200mm lens. There are 4 settings on the lens, two of which are immediately understandable. The other two are a mystery. I know that I can 'google' the questions and answers but I prefer to hear from my fellow 'uglies':
1. A/M or M - autofocus versus manual focus - OK
2. Full or 00-3m - what shooting situations using 'Full' and '00-3m'?
3. YR on or off - OK - a no brainer - OK
4. Normal or Active - Is this referring to my state of mind? I believe that I am normal and I try to stay active. Ha Ha! I am certain that the lens does not deal with my emotional or physical state! When to use 'normal' and when to use 'active'?

If the 18-300 lens has a motor drive, Autofocus will work with the adaptor on the Z cameras.

Need help, please. I am scanning family photographs from my HP printer/scanner to my Mac. I have directed that the digital images are saved in 'Documents'. I want transfer the images into 'Photos' and then edit them. The digital images will not transfer. Is this because they are PDF files? How do I scan the images but not in PDF format?
Thank you in advance .

Country Boy
I took the leap into mirrorless but very much wanting to stay in the Nikon family. I did venture into mirrorless a few years ago with Olympus and was not happy. At significant expense, I sold out and went back to DSLR, the D500. However, I did not purchase a new D500 or wait for the D780 as these are big cameras and they need big lenses to complement them. So, I again took the leap into mirrorless and am REALLY happy. The camera talks, walks, and looks like a DSLR Nikon. The lenses are magnificent and like GPS Phil, I am so pleased with the quality of the images that I am achieving. The camera is phenomenal in low light. I have even been able to do the 'silky waterfall technique' using the camera hand held. (although typically I use a tripod for such long exposure photography). I know that there has a lot been written about electric viewfinder versus optical viewfinder. The electronic viewfinder system in the Z6 is great. It shows you what the image will look like once you depress the shutter. How many times was I fooled by the optical viewfinder! The change to mirrorless is akin to the change from film to digital. You don't have to; it just makes sense. Good luck.

I find it very interesting, distracting, misleading and irrelevant when I hear that a camera was manufactured to do something particular. When I purchased my D500, I did not think sports photography. I love the autofocus system, the build quality and the familiarity with the D300S controls that I was replacing. Unfortunately, due to a strap mishap, my D500 was seriously damaged and since out of warranty and my desire to go FF, I went to the mirrorless Z6. I don't do video and I am very pleased with the images from the Z6, still photography images. The camera doesn't complain that I am not shooting video and doesn't go 'yuck' when what I believe are stellar images, are produced from the Z6.

Quality is defined as a degree of excellence and you know it when you see it.

On a more serious note, it takes more than picking up a camera, turning it on, pointing it at something and exposing the image to be called a photographer. A photographer understands the difference between a snapshot and a compelling and quality photograph. (I would say a 'work of art' but I fear being roundly criticised as a poser or a snob or worse. Who knows what malice lurks in the minds of certain regulars on this site). However, I do digress. A compelling photograph tells a story, keeps the viewer in the photograph and inspires the viewer. If the person holding the camera can inspire such feelings in the viewer, hopefully a discerning viewer, he or she can be called a photographer.

Again, thank you for the guidance. This photo below, I believe, is getting closer to the panning technique. Continuous AF, single shot, ISO 1400, f/stop f/11, manual setting, shutter speed 1/30.

Thank you all. You are (all) correct. The shutter speed was too slow. I have shot some images at 1/30 to 1/60. I will load them and send out later today. Your assistance is so much appereciated!

I have rediscovered panning. I have not tried this technique since my film days and it was very difficult back then. It is easier now with the fast autofocus of my Z6. However, I'm not happy yet with the results but could use a critique from anyone who wishes. Now remember, this is about the photograph and not the photographer. Be kind and constructive. The image was at the following exposure: ISO 100, Aperture f/22, Shutter speed 1/25th. The focal length was 24mm (using a 24-70 fixed aperture lens). I tried to match the speed of the cycle to the speed at which I panned. I may have pressed the shutter a bit too early.
Thank you for your helpful comments.

I cannot comment on the Tiffen VND filter. I purchased a Cameron Pro Variable ND filter and have used it only one time, with great success (I think!). The most significant issue that I have with the filter is extracting it from the container in which it came and into which I store it. The plastic container has a notch that I press, pull, swear at and pray to. Somehow, after a few unsuccessful attempts, it opens. Anyway, back to the VND filter. I attach two photos from that photo outing, which took place very early on a very damp and cool morning, on the shores of Lake Ontario.
I am vry open to any comments - positive or negative which you wish to offer. I truly did not do much with the filter except to screw it on to my lens. I did play a lot with exposure compensation to get the image exposed that way I wanted it. The VND filter allowed me to obtain focus and hold it for the 30 second exposure.

I purchased a Nikon Z6 last summer and currently have two Z lenses. Here are my main comments.
1. The autofocus is not as fast as I experienced on the D500.
2. I lLOVE the electronic viewfinder. It shows you what your exposure is going to be.
3. I like the size and the weight, substantially less than the DSLR.
If you are a Nikon user, you will like the Z6. If you are a devotee of any other brand, you will like the Z6.
Go Nikon!