I'm considering the Tamron for my D7100. However I've read on another blog to be sure you get a "good copy". I assume the only way you can determine if you' have a "good copy" is by shooting with it for a few weeks. Then what, return it for another lens and hope it's a better copy?

So my questions are, has anyone experienced a "bad copy" with this lens and what steps did you take to resolve it?

What does a "good copy", "bad copy" say about quality control of production?

Bill and Chg Canon- thanks for both of your replies. I've decided to go with the CC version based in your input. 😀

I’m considering the $9.95/month Lightroom CC 2015.3 subscription. If instead I purchase the 6.0 DVD version it is my understanding that I can upgrade to 6.3 which was made available along with the recent CC 2015.3 update a few days ago.

Doing the math it seems going with the DVD/6.3 upgrade option is a better deal long term. I thought I had read somewhere that once CC came on the scene the DVD option would be discontinued at some point as well as future upgrades and yet it appears you can upgrade to 6.3.

My question is, does anyone know if Adobe will continue to allow upgrades to the non CC version? If not then I would go with the CC subscription.

Thank you in advance.

I don't shoot Cannon but my favorites of the Big 5 in order are Canyonlands, Bryce, Arches, Zion and Capitol Reef.

However three other sites that are routinely overlooked but just as spectacular, and much less crowded, are Natural Bridges, Dead Horse State Park and Muley Point. Natural Bridges would require a bit of hiking but Dead Horse and Muley Point are completely assessable and easily walked.

Dead Horse State Park is only 15 min from Canyonlands via Grand View Point Rd/Island in the Sky Road and UT-313 W.

And btw, you are familiar with that final scene in Thelma and Louise where they drive off the cliff? "The spectacular gorge of the final scene is not the Grand Canyon, but the Colorado River flowing through Dead Horse Point State Park, on SR 313 18 miles off Hwy 191 about 30 miles southwest of Moab." http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/t/thelma.html#.VZ05yMvbKUm

To get to Muley Point you will travel on an off highway gravel road but only for a portion of the drive. The road does NOT require a 4-wheel drive or ATV. We drove it in our rental car with no problem just need to reduce your speed. Without reservation, the drive is totally worth it which you will agree once you arrive at Muley Point.

Again Dead Horse and Muley Point are spectacular and you won't be disappointed!

I have a D7100, a BR Sling Strap and a Tamron 70-300 lens and have never had a problem. I used the above combination hiking in the Galapogos earlier this year and just returned from a 2-week hiking trip in Death Vally and Yosemite. I SAY GO FOR IT!

I took an HDR class last month. The instructor used both HDR Efex and Photomatrix and the participants downloaded both for the class as well. HDR Efex absolutely does merge multiple Raw images from Lightroom as well as Photoshop. And since the class I've been using the software regularly to merge raw so unless I'm missing something I'm not clear on why some folks here are saying HDR Efex does not handle raw.

I have the Tokina 116 Pro DX-II 11-16 mm f/2.8 for my D7100 and am extremely satisfied with the results. Purchased through B&H for $479. A good value for a great lens.

The OP asked a perfectly legitimate and appropriate question in this forum. If Hershel is "swore to secrecy" then his answer should be the same regardless if answered in the forum or in a PM.

This is a question any one of us would ask a sales associate face to face right in the B&H store so I don't understand why asking in the forum is an issue.

okay tried his laptop and neither card works so definitely bum cards.

Thanks everyone for your input. I'll review the buying suggestions offered and purchase one. My laptop has two USB ports and I have tried both readers in each. What I haven't tried though is my husband's laptop. I'll give it a shot before I purchase a new reader.

Yes both have stopped working with all formatted cards.

I’ve gone through two SD card readers in under a year. They work for a while and then they just stop functioning altogether. One is a SanDisk MobileMate SD+ and I don’t know the manufacturer of the other one although it is USB 2.0. I’m running Windows 7.

Any recommendations for a reliable card reader?

Thanks in advance.

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding but if I change the white balance setting in the camera and shoot in raw and then open in ACR, I can definitely see that white balance has been effected.

I returned from a 7-day Galapagos trip in February. It was a truly amazing and once in a lifetime trip that I shall never forget. I liken it to an adult Disney World! The wildlife you will see and experience is incredible and you will want to photograph everything and the beauty of it is that the Galapagos wildlife have no fear of humans. Believe me you will get amazing photos as I did.

I brought my Nikon 24-120 and my Tamron 70-300. I carried both on the first full day of expedition meaning a morning expedition and an afternoon expedition. I learned quickly that with the 4-6 daily embarkations and disembarkations on the Zodiacs with wet and/or dry landings, and the required wearing of life vests, carrying of snorkeling bags, my camera, backpack and additional lens, water, sunscreen, bug spray, etc... Well I learned that something had to give big-time. It was just too darn much weight to carry. Keep in mind that a trip to the Galapagos Islands means you are on the go constantly from about 8am- 9:30pm and it is physical- hiking, walking, swimming, snorkeling, planting trees etc. All very exhilarating and by the end of the long day, believe me you are exhausted.

From Day 2- Day 7 the only lens I carried was the one on my camera. There was always a morning and afternoon expedition and based on what they were and what we were going to see and/or do is what I let determine which lens I would use. Being “restricted” to just one lens forced me to be more creative and think outside of the box to get the shot. My pictures turned out fantastic regardless of which lens I used and all shots were hand-held as the use of a tripod is IMPOSSIBLE so do NOT even bother to bring one. Do bring however a water proof cover for your camera as it will get splashed on the Zodiac which again you will be riding at a minimum of four times a day.

Have a great trip and don’t pack too much. Shorts, shorts, shorts and more shorts! Ha ha of course a bathing suit…it’s very casual.

I will post some pics later.

I use both Bay Photo and MPIX. Bay has many more options in terms of sizes though. The quality is excellent. Both are online. Good luck.