Use DxO Mark to evaluate lens options for the D5300. Note that an FX lens will often produce inferior results on a DX camera relative to an equivalent DX lens.

Cameras do not "shoot" TIFF or JPEG. All cameras read image data from the focal plane, add metadata (data about data) such as camera model, aperture, lens speed, lens model, ISO, time and date, etc., and either send the image data with the metadata to the buffer as a raw file, or processes the data to produce a JPEG or TIFF file before sending it to the buffer. The processing is very fast. The buffer write speed to the memory card is not as fast and can be a bottleneck for large files such as TIFF or raw files.

Low light photography.

Has anyone tried to use the Sony A7S with an adapter for Nikon F-mount lenses?

Good response. I saw the test results on eight macro lenses in the July issue of NPhoto (UK magazine). The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 came out on top. I plan to buy it this week.

Apple products cost so much because they are worth it ... just like divorce.

My daughter uses a MacBook Air because her three previous laptops Dell, Samsung, and Acer expired for a variety of reasons (screen hinge broke, screen de-laminated, power cord connector broke off the motherboard). The Air costs more, but it is quality, light as a feather, has a high quality calibrated screen, and has the best trackpad going.

I used a PC, and more recently, a MacBook Pro. I really like the Apple environment and can move between my laptop, iPAD, and iPhone depending on where I am to use mail, calendar, notes, and applications. They are all the same in function except for the screen size and keyboard.

I spend no time fixing my Apple products and several hours a week fixing problems my wife has with her applications and operating system on her desktop PC.

Debbie,
I used to live near San Francisco. Take the fastest wide angle lens you can. Telephoto lenses won't do you much good. Take a Bay cruise at night. Photograph the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco from the high hill north-west if the Golden Gate Bridge.

Does your lens automatically focus? Does it have image stabilization? Can you control its aperture using a control on the camera? I doubt that any camera other than a Nikon will support these functions with your 70-200/2.8 FX lens, even with an adaptor.

I agree. I've been to Yosemite many times. You will be close to everything you want to photograph. You can probably do it all with the 18-270mm lens (at 35-50mm). The only reason you would need a 500mm is to see what kind of sandwich a climber 3/4 of the way up El Capitan is eating.

Great recommendation. I bought "Understanding Exposure" last week. It is very easy to understand. I am half way through it. I suspect it has saved me from only using Auto and programmed scene settings. I just ordered a copy for my son in MA.

Thanks. Looks interesting. I've added it to my Photography bookmarks.

Hi,
Now that I am retired, I am becoming more serious about photography--as a hobby. I have a Nikon D5300 and a Sony RX100 M3. Very impressed with both. I am looking for good books and on-line sources on both the mechanical and the artistic aspects of photography. UHH is one of my sources.