At age 66, I'm just learning how to be old. I had a left hip replaced a month and a half ago, and have to have something to push my arms against to get up from prone or kneeling. I have and have seen others on eBay, a 30-year-old Bogen monopod...the heavy duty aluminum one, for about $20. I bring it with me, in my tripod bag. I can push up with that and on to the next shot.

There are some colors and tones that digital still can't get quite right, and they look much better on film. I prefer digital as it's faster to get results and you get an idea when you're on a shoot if you got what you wanted or not. But there will always be moods that film does better than digital.

It's always important, IMO, to get things as right in the camera as you can, but that's not always possible when it comes to exposure. You don't always have time to get a second shot, light can change or a subject can move from a light area to a dark area or a number of other circumstances. Focus is much more critical, and exposure, unless you're really off, can usually be fixed in post.

My first real camera was a Yashica TLR. I was taking a photojournalism class and was expected to work in 35mm. I couldn't afford a good one off the bat, so settled for a Zenit B. Too damn slow, so I came up with the money and bought a Nikkormat FTN. Made some freelance money and added a Nikon FTN. I liked the way the Nikon felt in my hand...a natural balance that holds still today. I have but a D7100, but it's done everything I've needed it to do.

I have a Nikon D7100, and my lenses span from 18mm to 600mm. My 18-55 kit lens is good enough for everything I'm doing. My 35mm 1.8 lens is my standard carry lens. I have a 60mm Tamron macro that works well as a portrait lens. I have a 150-600 Tamron I use for astro and wildlife. My weakest link is the 55-200mm kit lens. I want to replace that with a 70-200mm f2.8. I don't know what else I would need. I do meetings/events, astro, macro, pet, and wildlife/landscape. An occasional party and a rare wedding thrown in, I'm still covered.

I say "Thanks! I taught it everything it knows."

I have the G2 I use on a Nikon D7100 and I love it! I've never had a problem and have taken a number of good shots with it.

Nothing free that is worthwhile, in my opinion. Windows Movie Maker will work, but is very limited.

If you use Adobe Photoshop for still editing, you can edit video in that as well. It has its limitations and there is next to nothing you can do about audio except delete or replace it or adjust level. Adobe Premiere is better. and both programs are available for a small fee per month (PS/LR is $10 a month).

The TTL light meter is usually close, but usually just gives you an average reading, especially if you don't aim the camera at darker or lighter areas of the scene. If your scene is fairly evenly lit, it doesn't matter much where you point. If you have time, bracket your shots. Same scene, set by your meter, then at least one shot underexposed and one shot overexposed. Check the histogram and the LCD screen. The histogram is much more accurate than the screen, but it will tell you if you're close. If you shoot for awhile, you'll be able to get a good guess about what settings for what lighting situation, but metering is always a good thing to do.

What ap is that?

Thanks! I'll check them out.

I've tried to use a couple of the free Android light meters, but they seem to not be all that accurate. I usually use the TTL meter in my Nikon D7100, and it's usually close enough, but there are times I'd like to meter more closely. I also shoot an ancient Minolta XG-1 35mm which works great except the light meter doesn't work at all. I really don't want to spend $250 for a handheld light meter, so I'm interested in a cell phone ap. Is anyone familiar with an Android light meter ap that actually works? I don't mind paying something, but the prices of new ones are outrageous.

I've used a Bower for a couple of years. It doesn't last as long as the Nikon, but I've had no other problems.

Most people will tolerate blurry cell phone pictures, as long as they can make out what it is...and it's free. I've posted what I consider mediocre pictures and get 50 likes on them. I shoot for me, and I am my worst critic ever.

I have had people who I've inspired to learn photography. I've also had a couple of kids get interested in nature studies from a couple of those mediocre images. That's better to me than someone who loves the tonal range of clouds I captured.

Make sure your lens and camera are calibrated, either doing yourself or taking it to a camera store. I use a Nikon D7100 with a Tamron 150-600 and there isn't much difference between that and a Sigma. I set the camera to take multiple shots. That way if you're a little shaky or the bird moves wrong or something, you might have another chance. I use my camera strap to steady up a bit more.