Not sure I appreciate the clumsy part but most of my pictures are around antique farm machinery and the chances of a inadvertent bump is probably a bit higher. Hadn't thought about the CPL issue though, as I do use a CPL occasionally.

Are these worth the price for adding some additional protection for a lens? No sure how much they help when the lens is mounted on the camera.

I'm 6'3" and I can relate to your Tripod Height issue. I don't use a tripod very often so didn't want to spend a lot of money on one but I wanted one that was high enough so that I didn't have to bend over very much when viewing on the tripod. Several years ago I purchased a SunPak Platinum Plus Ultra 7500TM 2-in-1 tripod Monopod. The maximum extended height for it is 72.75" almost 6' 1" Fully extended, I can have the camera mounted on the top and look straight into the view finder without bending over(bad back). I use a wireless remote control to avoid any contact with the camera when taking pictures. Has worked for me but my requirements may not be as stringent as yours.

For Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irh-B1gl3mY

I went through this in detail when I selected the Nikon D80 vs the equivalent Canon. The Canon was a little less expensive. But one of the final determinants for me was how the camera fit my hand. The canon was too small for my hand size and large long fingers. A lot of parameters have to be included in the decision process. I was very happy with the Nikon D80 for many years. Until it got dropped, camera and lens, on to asphalt. @#$%^&* It has now been replaced by a Nikon D7100 but would still like to try to repair the D80 if the cost isn't completely out of line.

I think you need to step back from this a little and make sure you have all the facts straight before you let your emotions trample all over good logic. A very minor part of your argument that is totally wrong is the $5 crime reference. If you were to do your research you would find there was much more value stolen than $5 and a physical confrontation that is the large part of the crime. Look at the suspects rap sheet. It is a long ways from being lilly white!.

I just went through looking at the same difference in price on a Nikon D7100 Body only. After investigating those that are selling at the lower price, they are selling a Grey Market camera and then trying to mask that with their own proprietary warranty.

I didn't want to deal with those kinds of sellers and went with Adorama at the $1096 price for two reasons: 1.)They were selling with a Nikon USA warranty and 2.) They were offering about a $100 worth of accessories with the camera body included in that $1096 price. A camera bag big enough for the D7100 and a zoom lens, an extra aftermarket battery and a 32 GB Memory card. So I ordered it on-line.
Received an order confirmation for only the D7100 camera body not the rest that was supposed to be included. After much hassle and uncomfortable confrontation I finally was able to get Adorama to deliver what they had advertised, promised and what I had ordered.
I have finally received everything now in two different shipments, was supposed to be one, and am very happy with the D7100(USA warranty) and the three additional items were better than I expected. (My expectations were fairly low)
However, I sure did not like the hassle I went through to get what I actually ordered and paid for. Has really left a bad taste in my mouth about Adorama. Expected Adorama to admit the error of their ways but they did not other than finally ship what they had advertised and what I had ordered. Sum Ting Wong there. Buyer Beware.

I'm not hiding out anywhere but I'm currently residing in NW Washington state near Seattle. I know the lens is damaged but if I can get the lens off the D80 I can probably find out of the D80 is still good since I have other lenses.

Anyone have any hints, tips or tricks to removing a Nikon lens off of a Nikon D80 after the camera and lens were dropped on to asphalt. Camera still works and lens still works except not very good in clear focus. Depth of field seems to have taken a hit too. But.... Would like to get lens off and see how much damage there is the camera vs the lens. Lens will not rotate at all when trying to remove from camera even with the release button depressed. Maybe a 0.1" at most Just won't release to allow the lens to be removed. Any hints on how to get the lens off without sending it to Nikon for $$$$$ repair?