Suggesting banning is completely out of line and un-American, as so many have already said. I did follow your thread to Amazon and it looks like from the really bad reviews that the matter is already taken care of!

I read somewhere that sheets of "Bounce" work well. just stuff one or two in your shirt pocket or around your neck and cuffs. Sorry, I have not personally tried it. not enough mossies where I live.

Just another thought on the shutter no shutter issue with digital cameras. I think true DSLR cameras do have a shutter, but all other digitals (including my G3) do not. Reasoning is related to lag time. DSLR's have virtually no lag time, but all other digital cameras have some. The sensor is the reason. Pressing shutter release, the sensor must first calculate focus and instruct the focussing mechanism then determine the correct exposure and only then can it record the image data. Film SLR cameras have a sensor in the reflex housing to determine focus and exposure, so when the shutter button is pressed, the mirror flips and the focal plane shutter releases. DSLR's mimic this arrangement, so the data recording sensor does not have the extra work (time) required to focus and determine exposure.

I read your suggested explanation. Seems to make partial sense. IE I'm partially right, but not completely! Clearly my 4/3 G3 does not have a shutter because I can see the sensor and I don't think there is a shutter blind lurking there! Not sure about my D5100, because of the mirror, but will take a look see. (Am traveling w/o either camera so cannot verify for sure.)

Never had a problem with cards.Going through multiple airport X-rays on a long trip was the reason I switched from film to digital. I carry my iPad with me and always download my cards each day I am traveling. I also keep the data on the card so i have two copies available when I get home.

Interesting question! Film cameras, such as Hasselblad have an in lens leaf (compur type) shutter, Leicas have a behind the lens focal plane shutter. Either type shutter is there to allow the appropriate exposure to reach the film. Since digital cameras replace film with a sensor, which is an electronic recording device, seems to me that mechanical shutters are obsolete. Surely the "shutter speed" is merely an electronically timed sampling from the sensor? Probably the wearing out of the "shutter" is really the wearing out of the sensor! Opinion anyone?

I have the 5100 with 18-200 lens. Takes awesome pictures, but the outfit is heavy! So I usually cary my Panasonic DMZ8 as a comfortable and lightweight alternative; pictures almost same quality. As a guest at a wedding I found myself to be the photographer of "record" using my DMZ8. The couple were very casual (as was the wedding), so had asked a friend to take the pictures. She had a 5100 with kit lens, but clearly didn't know much about photography.(I caught her trying to clean a smudge off the lens with the corner of her dress!) So I took the "back up" pictures, mainly from a balcony overlooking the ceremony. The zoom lens came in handy, and I found myself using long sessions in movie mode. Sound pick up was incredible. Afterwards I made them a movie using iMovie, they were delighted and this was their best record of their wedding. My only regret is I forgot to adjust ISO and white balance for the evening party shots. PP adjustments helped correct some of the color shift and under exposure, but doing it right the first time would have been better. Panasonic now has the DMZF200 (continuos f2.8 zoom range!) and I would think that would be the "go to" camera for ease of use and flexibility for your wedding. Check it out. But either way make a "test run" with the 5100, it has a long learning curve to get the best results.

I'm confused why you are confused! You already have the best camera....the iPhone! Save your $1000 for the baby!

Clearly, you have decided it's not worth your time selling prints! I would agree, but from a different viewpoint. I see many photographers trying to sell at booths in markets. The number of unsold prints they stock at their tables far outweighs what they actually sell. That said, I can get a 16x 20 print (Sam's Club) framed (Hobby Lobby) for about $60 and sold for $180. I get repeat business, so my work can't be too shabby. But if I wanted to make money in photography I would only work on assignment. Build a good reputation and the work comes to you.

Adobe construction in SW USA is similar to that used in W.Africa. However, the scaffolding you see in W.Africa is not used in the SW USA. What you are seeing projecting from the walls in the SW are either rain spouts or the ends of heavy roof beams. Sorry I don't have a picture to hand, am traveling with my laptop and only about 6000 of my 30000+ picture library.

Buildings in W.Africa are frequently made of mud brick coated with a mud plaster for preservation. The sticks are used for scaffolding so that maintenance work can be performed. I think the Timbuctu Mosque is a combination of function and artistic license. The attached Mosque in Burkino Faso shows the functional scaffolding more clearly.

Burkino Faso

I like the low view point. You nailed the exposure, difficult with high contrast. Here are a couple of my takes on perspective. As you can see, the "architecture" is hiding!

Yellowstone


Timbuctu


Volga

As an architect I frequently photograph subjects with pattern. I also like to photograph interior domes. My main problem is trying do do this without a tripod (time and weight constraints usually). Your dome picture is well composed and good exposure. Be happy!
I'm attaching a couple of my dome shots for you to compare.

Choice is unimportant. Both make excellent cameras and lenses. Nikon gets my vote, however. They are an older company than Canon. And Nikon didn't change lens mounts in mid stream.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned histograms! If you are going to over ride auto in any way (P, AF,AS, or M) then you should be checking your histogram. If not, then use bracket mode (if your camera has this feature). I learned photography the "old way", but I do like the speed and convenience of P. Can spend more time on composition and PP is always there to correct (some) errors!