It is a 400mm Zoom and it is made by Tamron...it is older, but it works well. It came with an adjustable sleeve that would screw into the tri-pod, but it broke and I cannot find another...the lens gets heavy...

Does anyone know where I can purchase the sleeve that can wrap around my lens to connect to my monopod....?

A camera is very personal...it is as personal as the pictures that each of us take. I agree that both Canon and Nikon are great...it is all up to personal preference.

I shoot a lot of sports stuff and it takes a little tuning and trial and error to get the correct settings...but the Canon 7D makes it very easy...especially with the ISO capability...

I like the Ford Chevy reference, but I have been using Canon for years and initially it was due to the lens compatibility. I had a Canon SLR and when I started my digital quest I felt it was just a natural progression. I have heard a couple of things...the Canon is metal...the Nikon is a high grade plastic. When you shift from hot to cold weather the Nikon reacts differently due to the plastic...the Canon fogs up in the humid climate. I learned this when I went to the islands...it was a minor issue, but it happened. I am still a Canon user and will likely be one for life. I have the 7D and what a great camera...and I have all the lenses...and they all work.