As per using the Zeiss pads...when picking up my new glasses I asked what they recommend for cleaning. Of course they had their own brand of cleaner they recommended, followed by dish soap and water...dry with micro fiber cloth. I asked about the Zeiss pads...they responded saying it was the worst thing you could use on your new glasses. They said alcohol destroys the coatings on eyeglasses. Personally I never cared for the Zeiss pads...too coarse texture and seemed to smear.

On a side note...another place I purchased eye glasses...all they used was alcohol with a micro fiber cloth.

Kind of like asking a question on the internet...lol

CO
Thanks for the reply. I've been checking the d500 videos for set up etc.. Am amazed with all the possible button reprograms. At 74...I hope I can remember any changes I make :-) Really looking forward to using the new camera. Like a kid when playing with new toys.

I've been agonizing over the same decision...upgrading my d7100 to either the d7500 or d500. The d7500 seemed the logical choice since I already had all the accessories...and I never used the 2nd card slot for back-up. I like to shoot a variety of subjects, one of them birding...another air shows. I went with the d500 mainly for the focus system and was recommended by several friends in the camera club. I borrowed a d500 for a day and it paired very well with my 200-500.

My new d500 will be delivered tomorrow. I'm wondering how I will like the grip...never used one before. Most painful part was buying all new memory cards, reader and remotes.

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm trying to picture how and why to use a pan/tilt head on a monopod. Makes sense on a tripod...but I don't have enough hands and arms to adjust the two control arms, hold the monopod steady and push the shutter. Guess I need to make a trip over to youtube...maybe I'm missing something.

My Kenko extension tubes work automatic...even with the old screw drive lenses. Only problem is you lose some light and can't focus to infinity. No need to shoot in manual mode unless you are using the cheap extension tubes without electrical contacts or the screw drive extension.

I hope you're right...I'm waiting for the holiday sales...might help me make up my mind which way to go...D500 or D7500.

I found that out a few years back. I bought a new Tamron 70-300 VC for a upcoming Alaska cruise...to test it out I took it out on a friends boat. Long story short...it went into the water. After finding it I pulled the battery and lens, dumped the sandy murky water out of it. I then let it dry in the hot Texas sun for a few days. Not expecting anything...I put the battery back into the Nikon D90...it powered up. Totally amazed I proceeded to clean the camera/lens with canned air, brushes, pec pads etc.. Attached the lens and everything seemed to work electronically and physically, but the photos were horrible due to all the lens glass scummed over.

After a few phone calls...found out no one would touch it...cheaper to buy new. With nothing to lose I decided to disassemble and attempt to clean the lens...about 50 screws later I knew the lens wasn't going back together again. That VC (vibration compensation) mechanism is amazing.

Learned two lessons that day...why lenses cost so much and buy insurance. The D90 still works today...internal focus motor won't lock focus...but works fine with the normal AFS lenses. I now use the D90 for my kayaking camera.

Live view for fireworks?? Can't imagine why. Most fireworks display for about 30 minutes max...barely registers battery usage on my Nikon D7100. I set up camera in manual, about F8 or 11 and 4 seconds on tripod and wired remote...release shutter at any sign of action...checking display for decent exposure. Basically shooting solid for about 30 minutes.

Why is it incredible for fireworks...A tripod is necessary for fireworks. But a battery grip??? Maybe I'm missing something.

Totally agree...but sometimes those park rangers don't see it that way.

It used to be occasional...lately it's hard to find a topic that isn't attacked by the grumpies. What a bummer! Takes all the fun out of the site.

NOT!!

I've been cleaning my sensors for years...and this is the first time I've seen where you want your white paper in focus. I've always read the opposite...everything totally out of focus. I shoot a piece of white foam core under a bright led desk lamp from about 6 inches, with aperture priority set to about f22, manual focus at infinity. Any spots that show up will be on your sensor. No need to worry about camera shake.

I recently purchased the Lenspen Sensorklear Loupe to aid in the actual cleaning. Not too sure about the Lenspen for cleaning...but the Loupe is great for checking your progress as you clean the sensor.

About 3 years ago I had one of the original Bigmas...a 10 year old Sigma 50-500...no stabilization. There was a fair amount of play in the barrel so I sent it in for a estimate. It was about 10 days and hadn't heard anything...getting ready to call them and it was delivered that day. All repaired and clean...no charge...just cost me for shipping it to them. It was well past the warranty period. Needless to say I was a instant Sigma fan.