Exactly.

Then you’ve been lucky: FB has major issues. Unsubscribe ASAP. Roll the dice

Mike: thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to seeing some of your high mag stacks. Maybe Nikonian can add a set-up thread for extreme macro: defined as 10x or higher?

First on package delivery: as an urban dweller, I am familiar with the urban retailer: Front Porch. But only from news reports and social media. My process is to send it to the office where I work. Second choice have it held at the local shipper for pickup. There is no third option: I’m not taking a day off for a scheduled delivery and I’m not risking having it stolen.
Second on Adorama: customer service is only relevant when something goes wrong: Helen (Adorama) responds on UHH to try to resolve complaints. Of course, the customer is not always right. But she does an admirable job. I recently had a item delivered that did not work. Of course it’s frustrating. However Helen referred me to their customer service dept—and they sent a return shipping label and they credited back my Amex card.

My purchasing process is simple: Buy local (rarely is there an advantage to the “deal”); if they don’t have it-check Adorama; if they don’t carry it: B&H or directly from the company.

I will also buy used—and then I include KEH as my choice after “Local” & Adorama.

Love those hoppers.

Yeah. All along I felt these were missing something—and then I re-read the topic title.

Just kidding. Nice set.

Shoot a lot between now and then. Read the manual, get a book, or whatever works for you. You want to know exactly how to do what you want to do. Using the camera should be second nature. You want to be thinking about the finer points of photography—not the controls and where to find stuff in the menus.

I also have used both. I wish I had started with the Arca-Swiss clamps. Just so pleasant to use.

$647.95

I thought I would never sleep well again.

Wonderful!