Believe what you wish, either way. Just PLEASE stop trying to convert me to your point of view, whatever it is. They are discussions without merit or resolution, like Ford vs Chevrolet, etc. Whatever you like, fine. I don't need or want to know about it.

This would be a good time and place to share the name of the seller that provided such a positive experience. There are so many threads here condemning stores that offer bad experiences--in some cases way too quickly--that it'd be good to hear the name of a good source!

"Sarah Palin Proved Right." There's a headline you don't see..
It's true: Sarah Palin is far, far "right."

The answer is not what I recommend or what I feel is right for you. The answer is, man up and learn to make a decision, and then live with its benefits or consequences.
Start with what you think is important to you, based on what you need or want now, and what you envision needing in the future. If you get to the point where you just can't decide between the choices, buy something and get on with it. Don't go nuts on additional lenses until you have the experience of shooting a variety of things. If you don't like the camera, trade it in on another brand. If you like it, buy a lens or two...

Frankly, no one can tell you what to do...hope this doesn't come across as harsh--I don't mean it that way

Can we add "I don't care" to the list? Believe me, she cares. Take it as a "no."

But, nobody blames the sanctioning organization for lax rules or lax enforcement? The name of the game is "win." Athletes will do everything--everything--they believe will be tolerated. That is their job. Take notice, nobody was "awarded" Armstrong's recalled wins, because they couldn't find anyone that was clean w/o going back into the peloton to a ridiculous degree. I'm not condoning it, I'm just sayin' the sanctioniong body is as much at fault as anyone. Who punishes them for past deeds and policies?

While I'm on the soap box, I'll add that it is good that enforcement has been stepped up, but let's look forward, not behind. Going after past abusers w/o going after the agencies that winked at juicing is selective enforcement, and sort of changing the rules ( or at least the "culture" ) after the fact. In cycling especially, drugs were tolerated to an amazing degree--impossible without the governing body turning as blind eye to the issue.

"Shoot a wedding=lose a friend"

I must be in the minority here. As an old film shooter, I relized when I switched to digital that I have the priviledge (no sarcasm here) of buying amazing new technology every five years or so. For me, it's a priviledge to learn a new camera, not a hardship, and I appreciate all the new features. For someone else, it might be just two years, or ten, whatever. On that basis, I don't want to pay what it would take to build a "camera for life" because I want to stay current within reason. I think anyone who clings to the camera-for-life mentality is asea in a market that no longer does things that way, and that is, to me at least, a good thing. Cameras are still quality items, built to last beyond the meaningful life of the software. They aren't built of "cheap" plastic--it's actually pretty good plastic, but the material is appropriate for the demands of the market.
Those who "can't afford" to replace a camera say, once or twice a decade, couldn't afford to buy the camera they whine for either, as manufacturing costs would put the popular DSLRs into Hassy price ranges.
With the cash that is saved on film and processing, why not make a little deposit in a set-aside bank account to pay for a future upgrade?

All that said, I wonder why the OP even shoots digital at all? There doen't seem to be satisfaction either in the digital gear or the results. And all those old camera-for-life film models are still around, and for cheap, by and large. Film is still available, as is processing, so I would say, switch back or quit yer bitchin.' It is ok not to like something. It's your moneyy and your hobby or profession. Do what makes you happy. Emphasis on happy. Don't waste time complaining about something you don't like if there are still alternatives.

Yes, by all means go. And while you are there, take some time, and a short train ride, to the mainland, to Padua. Beautiful town, nice shopping, not so touristy.

I use a day-glo green soft wallet from Digital Pro that holds 6 SDs in their plastic cases. It keeps me from mislaying them. With 2 SDs in-camera, I have plenty of storage for trips and vacations.
Pelican makes good stuff, and I assume there are shooters out there who live a much move dangerous lifestyle than I, and could benefit from such a case. If you need it, buy it, otherwise, a bulletproof case is something like the ND filter on a lens--cheap insurance, but open to debate and personal preference.

Hey, I acccept differing opinions. I don't accept blindly copying and pasting something I read that supports my position, without checking its accuracy first. I don't accept promoting false information. Fishing rods and medical tax? C'mon--that isn't waving a red flag at you? It is sooo easy to check Snopes (at least Snopes) first, and it keeps one from looking foolish to one's fellow 'hoggers. How many of these "incredible" things
have turned up false under the most basic of fact checking? Why do you accept that people use forums like this to promote baloney? This has nothing to do with opinions. It has to do with being gullible, and it has to do with naively promoting BS just because it supports your personal point of view. This, for me, is the end of this discussion. I'm not gonna change my feelings about fact checking, and probably neither will anyone else, because tomorrow will only bring another post of a similar nature. "There is no accountability on the internet."

No, not anyone. That sounds like something you'd hear from Fox news... Maybe the moral is, political commentary isn't for amatuers? I agree there will be problems, but I believe it can be fixed. Its a complex task...worth doing. Think back a few years--many were unhappy with the old health care system and spiraling costs. Until someone tried to fix it, now we all "love" the old way, where the rich can afford to remain alive and the middle class can just go off and die.

Crikey, would it kill you to just check something out before you pass it on as fact? May I suggest you bookmark www.snopes.com (PM me if you need help with that), and USE IT?
By passing on unverified information, you are even sorrier than the person that originated it, but you are both persuing an agenda of wishful thinking. Look, there's gonna be a lot of stuff that'll need fixing with Obamacare, there won't be a need to make stuff up!

...and I presume that when you have a technical photography question, or something about photographic technique, you consult your lawyer for advice, right? Hey, he/she probably owns a camera, so...

Be smart--ask hoggers about photography, (unless the respondant is also a lawyer).

I repeat again: I don't seek photography tips from my lawyer, and I don't seek legal advice from any photographers...or Google for that matter.