Generally speaking, I prefer #1; if the intent is to present oneself as a specialist in wildlife photography, then #3.

Thank you all for your replies. I think I'll give on this idea.

While browsing eBay for Canon R7 prices, I found an occasional dealer offering such a camera for approximately
$200 less than the more or less median price of around $1500 at B&H and Adorama. It is to be free of shipping charges and delivered directly from Japan. This sounds almost too good to be true. One has to suspect that some sort of unanticipated fee or cost will materialize to bring the price more in line with those delivered from U.S. locations. Has anyone had experience with this kind of purchase, or have knowledge of any pitfalls therein?

[quote=PHRubin]The most versatile are the bridge cameras....

At those locales, and with the wildlife to be found there, it is definitely worth the cost to have the long lens. Don't scrimp on a visit to those magnificent parks.

Best regards,

[quote=Tessa23]


If you have a Goodwill outlet near you, that might be a possibility. Some stores apparently have a means to post notices of items for sale through their website, www.Shopgoodwill.com. The site lists many categories of items, including camera gear. I have never tried to donate camera gear, but your items do not appear to be out of line with their offerings.

Best of luck,

I purchased a Sony RX-10 a couple of years ago and I really like it. I am a rank amateur, and basically a Canon person. I had some previous experience with a Sony Nex. There seems to be some similarity in Sony menus from one of their models to the next, so I had a little bit of a leg up regarding the RX-10. But practically everyone who comments on the subject agrees that Sony menus are difficult, or perhaps I should say, not intuitive, and I concur. One would practically have to be an Einstein to master the menu and retain it.

However, the camera is so great that I would recommend purchasing it with the plan of learning as you go. Plugging in the basics and beginning operation really is not much different from any other camera. Then you can branch out to the more complex and exotic features at your own pace if you wish to do so. I haven't 'learned' all the features on mine and don't ever expect to do so. Part of the fun is getting there.

Best wishes,

I think you have captured a perfect example of a dog-faced expression. Let me guess--is he a 'black and tan'? Or perhaps a mixture of 'blue tick' and 'black and tan'?

Fantastic work. Thanks for sharing.

[quote=Gene51]45 usually, 85 a little less frequently ....

Awesome works, Gene. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you, Mark. Very interesting and touching photos. Remarkable restoration and colorization, too.

[quote=joer]As a complete neophyte, your budget is way too high for a starter camera Check out some used equipment from KEH or MPB for about $1000 or less and use it until you have an idea of what is it you like to shoot and what level of complexity you can handle.

About a year or so ago, I picked up a carbon fiber Nest gimbal on eBay for less than $200.00. I have never used any other gimbal head, but I am quite satisfied with this one. It does everything that I think could be reasonably expected from any gimbal head.
This is the same mentioned by Manglesphoto (above) that was sold by Carter Camera Cottage in Montana. The Camera Cottage has since gone out of business, but according to my recollection, a number of UHH'ers purchased this item back in the day and gave it good recommendations.