If you believe the 150-400 is heavy and expensive, you should try to imagine what a full frame equivalent would cost and weigh.

That would be a 300-800 f/4.5 zoom with a built in TC that would get you 1000mm. It hurts my shoulders just thinking about it, and you'd be cryung all the way to the bank.

And you probably wouldn't get nearly as good weather sealing or IS.

I went to the Senior Citizens meeting yesterday, and a woman wanted to use her computer to show a slideshow I made. Unfortunately, without Wi-Fi, she couldn't connect. I told her to download it and show it the next time. They suggested that I make a Facebook page to display whatever there is to display. I did that last night, and I posted some pictures. Unfortunately, I was not able to post the four-minute slide show (353MB). I tried several times, but it was "loading" for over an hour each time. I'm trying again today. It worked find on YouTube.

What surprised me is that out of the group of twenty-one, only eleven have computers. How can they live like that? Even with a basic Chromebook, they could get and send email, browse the web, and use Facebook and YouTube. I'm not about to start promoting this, but it was a surprise to me to learn that so many are unconnected.

I got started decades ago with the Apple IIe, and I've been hooked ever since.

This question interests me, also. As an Industrial Engineer, I believe strongly in using the proper tool to do the job.

Most video captured with still-format cameras or cell phones isn't very good if closely examined. It tends to be very "home movieish," with too much unintentional camera movement and way too much panning and zooming. Many video websites are the same, even if they use purposed video cameras.

There is a term for this style, "cinema verite." It was popular in the movies and on television for a few minutes many years ago. Remenber "Hill Street Blues?" For me, it fails totally with today's excessively sharp high resolution images. It is laborious and tiring (and tiresome) to watch.

If this communicates too much thought to you, let me just sum it up by saying that most video today is really pretty bad. The quality bar is set pretty low for pictures that move.

The "old computer running an old operating system" is not a solution, for the very problem the original poster noted: His financial institutions' sites are incompatible with the browsers that run on that old operating system. He might be able to print again, but would be locked out of his accounts, the very issue that caused him to upgrade his operating system in the first place.

Simply put, there comes a time when solving a problem with old hardware incompatibility with a new OS requires new hardware. We are no longer living in an age where you could buy a piece of "capital equipment," depreciate it in a straight line for ten years, and use it, "almost free," for the next decade.

Addendum: Virtualization may be a solution. With an Intel Mac and Parallels Desktop, an older version of MacOS or Windows could be installed and run the older system and older printer driver. Consulting Parallels may be a worthwhile adventure.

By Chris Gampat
07/02/2023
The Phoblographer

"The Nikon Z8 is best described as an ergonomic wonder of a camera for anyone that used a DSLR. It essentially feels just like a DSLR but is much smaller and designed for Z-mount lenses instead. Photographers will really enjoy it when shooting events, photographing wildlife, doing portraiture, and so much more. It’s only going to get better with firmware updates too. Lucky for you, we’ve also reviewed the most Nikon Z mount lenses of any publication still standing. So we’re here to help you choose the best lens for the Nikon Z8 that you need. Dive in below with us for our findings:

Here’s some insight into how to use this guide to find the best lens for the Nikon z8:

The Phoblographer’s various product round-up features are done in-house. Our philosophy is simple: you wouldn’t get a Wagyu beef steak review from a lifelong vegetarian. And you wouldn’t get photography advice from someone who doesn’t touch the product. We only recommend gear we’ve fully reviewed in these roundups.
If you’re wondering why your favorite product didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance it’s on another list. If we haven’t reviewed it, we won’t recommend it. This method keeps our lists packed with industry-leading knowledge. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Nikon Z Mount (which we’re focusing on here) has many lenses available. And so, we’re choosing the best lens for the Nikon z8. Luckily, we’ve reviewed the vast majority of lenses for Nikon Z Mount. You can find them in this guide here. To further clarify this statement, we’re not talking about lenses that can and should be adapted to the camera.
So what makes a lens the best lens for the Nikon z8? Well, Nikon lenses tend to not have a lot of character or anything that makes many of them unique — aside from a few focal lengths. The color rendered can surely be pretty, though. We’re also only selecting full-frame lenses. Further, because the Nikon z8 is a camera meant to do serious work, we’re focusing on weather-resistant lenses. Versatility is also a big thing here.
Nikon’s autofocus isn’t what Canon and Sony are capable of doing.
NIKON Z 24-120MM F4 S
You’re probably wondering why we chose this lens. Well, there are several reasons. First off, the Z mount variant of this lens is far better than the F mount version. This lens is weather resistant and is unique in that it’s a 24-120mm instead of the standard 24-105mm. It gives you significantly more reach that you don’t appreciate until you need it. That reach furthers when you go into the DX crop mode with the Nikon z8. The image quality and autofocus are also satisfactory for what the lens is designed to do. Sure, some folks may want an f2.8 zoom instead. But honestly, Nikon could do faster zoom lenses. They just haven’t yet. F2.8 lenses often aren’t enough for really dark situations — especially those where you’re photographing POCs that have a lot of melanin in low light.
PROS
Nano Crystal and ARNEO lens coatings
Super silent S-line lens
Macro focusing capabilities as close as 1.15 ft at 120mm
Weather sealed lens barrel and rubber gasket over the lens mount
Customizable L-Fn button
Dedicated manual focus ring in addition to the control ring
Only $100 more than the Z 24-70mm f4 S that doesn’t have most of the above capabilities
77mm filter thread means I can use a lot of my existing circular filters from F-mount pro lenses
Rugged construction. Mine fell from 4 feet high and smashed to the ground. Apart from a broken UV filter, a few missed AF shots on the day, and some scuffing, it continues to work perfectly.
CONS
No Vibration Reduction in the lens. I’m guessing this was left out to keep the costs down. Nikon Z full-frame bodies have in-body stabilization already.
You’ll miss the satisfying zoom ring lock if you’re upgrading from the Z 24-70 f4 lens.
Not the most satisfying bokeh at 120mm

3 Other Great Options Some Might Think Is The Best Lens For The Z8
NIKON Z 85MM F1.2 S
PROS
It’s super sharp.
11-blade aperture and f1.2 create beautiful soft backgrounds.
RAW colors are actually a really great starting point with the ProStandard profile.
While technically sharp, a bit of character is possible with vignetting, flare, and bokeh.
The wide aperture is a big help in low light, and the focus isn’t terrible here.
It’s weather-sealed.
CONS
It’s heavy.
The autofocus had difficulty keeping up with action on the Z7 II (but performed better on the Z9).
Colors on JPEG Standard weren’t as pleasing in flat light, wire service photographers won’t really like this. Nor will their editors.
It’s significantly more expensive than the f1.8 lens.

NIKON Z 70-200MM F2.8 S
PROS
Spectacular bokeh and color
Excellent sharpness
Weather-sealed
Plenty of controls
Much closer focusing than other 70-200mm lenses
Stabilized
CONS
Autofocus missed about 20 percent of the time for sports.
Hood lock is annoying but does loosen up with use.

NIKON Z 50MM F1.2 S
PROS
Excellent balance between sharp and sterile
Beautiful bokeh
Accurate colors
Weather-sealed
Digital lens info display
CONS
Long and heavy
Autofocus is slower than the competition.