I used this picture to try out the Merlin app myself. I am looking forward to seeing just how far variations go, as you say it's not quite like the pictured ones.

I had a MacBook Pro 2012, and just upgraded, because it had slowed down so much I couldn't really work on it any longer. I also use an iPad, but I find it much inferior to a computer, so to me that was not even a dilemma.

After doing a lot of reading, and seeing a video of someone who wanted a new MacBook Pro for photo editing, I followed suit: MBP 13" (2020), 4 thunderbolt 3 ports, 2 GHz quad-core i5 chip, 32 GB RAM, 1TB hard drive. I need close to a 1TB for photos now, so I actually have all my files on two external drives, 2TB each (one is a backup). I got a little card reader to read in the files. I also have a magic mouse. While I used to do all the editing via track pad before, it became difficult with small movements and the mouse works much better. I don't have an external monitor.

The picture quality on this MBP (retina screen) is *so* much better than the 2012. I use Capture One, and it works much faster than on the old computer. I tend to have a lot of things running at one time, which is why I maxed out the RAM. Besides, if it is to last me for 8 years, like the last one, it is guaranteed next generation software will be using ever more RAM.

So far (2 months) so good. I am totally happy with my new computer. The fact that the pictures go to an external drive likely makes that process slower than if they went to the computer, but with more and more files of bigger and bigger sizes, I was pretty sure even a 2TB hard drive would not have kept up with my photographs.

Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck choosing!

Thanks Joe! I am a psychologist (and a mom), ergo the id.

V.

My friend has a Canon G7x which makes beautiful pictures. It has an unbelievably good auto white balance, shoots raw, its zoom covers 28-100mm equivalent, and it's very good at low light (f/1.8-2.8).

I personally use a Fuji X100s (35mm equivalent prime lens) which I love (not as good auto white balance though). You can get a wide- and a tele-lens converter, making it 28mm equivalent and 50mm equivalent (f/2.0, no loss of light with converters).

Update on Fuji -- the 100-400mm lens is out, AND it can use the 1.4x converter, which makes it a 840mm FF equivalent.

Fuji, as of right now, does not have a really long lens. I think 100-400mm is in the works (that's a cropped sensor, so a 600mm equivalent). Currently the longest you can get is a 50-140mm lens with 1.4x teleconverter. But that is one awesome lens (f/2.8).

X-T1, current top Fuji, is a fantastic camera, with everything easily accessible, plus a "Q" (quick) menu where you can decide what to put in it.

You really should try it to see how it feels for you.
Oh, yes, and gorgeous images...

Actually made me laugh out loud!

Beautiful, thank you!

These are really fun, but I think they would have been better with grandma in them (they remind me of my mom and daughter making cookies). A thought: it's not that grandma didn't want to be in the picture, it's that she was worried she wouldn't look good in it...

Another vote for the Coke photo.

These are some of the most beautiful photos of Bryce canyon that I have seen.

Wonderful!

I really like the white background, it makes the dog really stand out. Of the three I prefer the first picture, as I think the dog's eyes stand out more when the color of the collar isn't taking attention away.

A great pair (of pictures).

When I had a D5200, my second lens (after the 18-55mm) was a 35mm f/1.8. It's a beautiful lens, much faster than a zoom, and not at all expensive.

The question, as always, is 'what do you need?' Range (and which FOVs) or speed?