Outstanding set. Number 4 is my favorite.

Very nice set. Thank you for sharing.

I would like to thank everybody for their insights and suggestions. Last night I saw Nikon has a sale on refurbished lenses, sadly not on the 180-600. I'm going to pull the trigger and get Nikon's 200-500 its a shorter reach but higher IQ than what I have now. I'll avoid the long wait time and I'll save some money in the short term over the 180-600. In a couple of years I'll revisit my decision, hopefully the 180-600 will be available on the used market.

I am thinking of replacing my Tamron 150-600 Di VC lens. I have a Nikon D7000 and a new Z7ii. I have been very happy with the Tamron it works well on the D7000, BUT it does not auto focus on the Z7ii. As best as I can find it is the firmware/software on the lens and cannot be updated. I love the Z7ii and the focusing capabilities. I am thinking of the Nikon's F mount 200-500 f/5.6 E ED (used it can be had for 900 range at MBP) or the Z mount 180-600 f/5.6-6.3 VR (new 1,700 no used listed that I have found). I have the F to Z adapter. I have been happy with my past used purchases from the usual suspects (KEH, B&H). I have a few F mount lens those that autofocus work with the F2Z adapter and work on the Z7ii. I have two Z mount lenses 24-120 and the 105, both are S lenses and have to me outstanding image quality. I would be using this lens for birds and other nature photos. If you have either or both which do you think has the best image quality and would be my best option?

Your DX lenses will work on your Z camera using the F2Z adapter. The camera will automatically go into DX mode, using only a portion of the full frame sensor. I went from D 7000 to Z 7ii and have been unable to to find an override to keep it in FX mode. You lose resolution because of DX mode, your 24 Mb sensor will only use 1/1.5 of its sensor (16 Mb). All my F mount lenses work on my Z 7ii. The only issue is with lenses that require the AF motor on the camera; you have to manual focus.

We have Bichons and they get hot spots. Here is what we found that helps: Feed them a quality (premium or super premium) dog food, when washing them use an oatmeal soap and an oatmeal conditioner, Benadryl and Linatone. Once they get a spot we found that swabbing the spot with a cotton ball soaked with
hydrogen peroxide helped the healing. To prevent our babies from continue to the licking the spot we wrapped an ace bandage around the affected area. Our little twelve pound female would get them on her shoulder and wrapping the ace bandage around her shoulders and over her chest gave her the Mexican Bandit look. We also used a Thunder Shirt but not in warm weather.

Number two reminds me of Damascus steel. What filter or technique did you use?

A project I am working on.

Celtic L

Midwest Camera Repair is probably the closest they are in Wyandotte Mi. They fixed a lens for me and I was happy with service and price.

I had a similar call while at work three weeks ago. I wasted my lunch hour while wasting their time. I being a most upstanding individual qualified for a $14,566 federal grant paid for by the Apple Company processed through the Health and Human Services Department. I was amazed at what they had on me my name, address, phone and email. But not the necessary item like DOB, SSN, or where I worked. After providing that info (all way wrong but greatfully accepted) I was transferred to the manager. I got their phone numbers (caller ID placed them from Kitchener Ontario) and address in Waco TX (later I Googled the address and it was an IRS office). They wanted a $400 processing fee which will be fully refunded. My new best friend Rudy Smith wanted me to stay on the line while I went to Walgreens to purchase the prepaid card. He asked for credit card, debit card or electronic check as if I was going to provide that info. I asked so many off the wall questions a couple of co-workers came over and listened in as I placed him on speaker phone. Most on my questions were about what I could spend the money on, I was told nothing illegal. So I asked if hookers, gambling, guns were OK, as long as they were not illegal. I asked about chemicals so I could make some meth with my friend Walt White, as long as it was not illegal. As time was getting low I put him on hold and toldy friends what to say. Then while on talking to Rudy the Federal Tax Police raised my home and put me under arrest. Fifteen minutes later he called back to see if I was still going to get the prepaid card. My friend then started to question him. Rudy kept to his script. We ended the call by saying he had compleated the traced of the call and would be stopping by soon.

Moral of the story. The have a slick script. I understand why some would fall for it. He did not want me to tell anyone about the grant because the prepaid card is as good as cash and could steal the money from me. I now feel sorry for those that fell for them.

Just amazing. Number one is IR at its best.

Very nice.

I have been a reader here for three years and I am finally posting some images. I took these three years ago with a Tamron 90mm macro lens, not the typical glass for birding. We were standing around about to unload a car at the family cottage near Travers City, Michigan. Then this Tennessee Warbler shot by us and smacked into a car window. Four dogs immediately went investigate but twelve year old Ryan beat them to the bird. At first we thought it was dead but luckily it was unconscious. Ryan gently carried him to a small tree, while I ran and got my camera and my fastest lens. When he started to come too, Ryan placed on a small limb and we watched to make sure he could hang on. I snapped away while he was dazed and confused. After a while it was apparent it wanted to leave and when I stepped back off it went. These were shot with a Nikon 7000, Tamron 90mm f2.8, ISO 200. I am pretty sure I was using the maximum aperture, on this lens the aperture changes with focus. I am looking forward to spring and hope to get some time to do more birding. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. I think he is a Tennessee Warbler, I hope somebody will correct me if I’m wrong.

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I was very happy with my purchase from KEH. You might want to consider also purchasing a used filter from them. I picked up a B+W used filter at a big discount.

Digital has changed the world. Does your presentation include an example of the high quality prints you provide and the quality (or lack of) from the local print kiosks and internet sources. If your prints are higher quality (I am sure they are) then hopefully the client will see that your quality outshines what they can buy or print themselves. You might even want to leave the samples in the sun for a while to show how they will degrade with time. Rumor has it Arizona has sunshine it might only take a few days or weeks. Seeing the difference, should be a powerful selling tool. I wise person knows you get what you pay for.