That's correct Gene. Occasionally I like to take Nellie (Miata) around to different places and shoot photos of her. She's a great model- she takes me to the location, she's patient when it takes me a little time to set up, doesn't mind different and interesting poses, then takes me back home. Oh... and and best of all, she doesn't complain.
W

....and I'm not that young either!
Thanks guys!

OK folks, let's go back in time, back to 1946+-
At the time this was a popular camera.

I picked one up in rough shape with a non-working shutter on ebay. The aluminum was badly oxidized in spots, and the leather was peeling. I gave it a work-over.
Now the shutter works remarkably well, especially for a 71-year-old camera. The lens is bright and clear, and the aperture ring is smooth.

Here are a couple of shots I just had processed. Shot on Ilford XP2, a C-41 process B&W film with great latitude. You see the entire image, straight out of the camera (for you purists).
It's the first B&W film I have shot in probably 25 years. Camera photo is not mine.

(Download)


(Download)

Nice shots! Here in upstate NY we see fewer and fewer of these beautiful fellows.

Well, I didn't consider myself gullible (I do now) but recently I had an issue with Paypal. I couldn't find their number quickly, so I thought I'd Google it. There was a large entry with a phone number in bold letters, so I called that. A typical, nice sounding individual with Indian accent answered. I explained my issue. He tried to get me to go to a specific page that somehow never appeared. He asked what browser I was using and I told him. I was getting frustrated, so he asked to let him take over my computer and find it. In a moment of weakness I let him do it. Then he wanted me to sign in again. It was at that point that a little bell went off in my head and I tried to retake control, but could not! So, I just shut off my computer realizing that the number I dialed was not really Paypal. When I went back into google, that particular listing and phone number for paypal was no longer there!
Just because you find it in Google, does not mean it is what you think it is!!! I almost think the people behind this scam worked for google. Otherwise how could they inject and remove a listing so quickly?

Whatever.
Actually, it was the seller's feedback as both a buyer AND seller, NOT the product's.
I have almost 2000 feedback, but even I had only a couple of feedbacks at some point.
But, like I said, whatever.

33 feedback as a seller, 100% .
If I needed a D500, I would go for it. Besides, if there is a real problem, you can get your $$ back from Paypal. I have on a couple of occasions.

Welcome! If we can't confuse you , nobody can!
I own a full frame D800 and APS-C D7200. I have to admit I use the D7200 more often for weight concerns and because I like just that little bit longer reach in astro-photography. I'm your age and live in upstate NY. My lens collection goes from an 8mm fisheye to the 150-600mm Sigma. My main lens on the D7200 is a Nikon 16-85mm VR while the D800 usually has a Tamron 24-135mm anniversary edition or a Nikon 24-85mm attached. But I also have a 14mm, 24mm, 50mm, 90mm macro, 90mm portait, and a couple of other primes and zooms in waiting. At least that is the current collection. If I had to give up one camera, at this stage of my life it would probably be the D800 since it is a bit heavier (though I have probably logged in 75,000 shots on that body by now).
That gives you some idea where I stand. The D800 was purchased new, but the D7200 was acquired used (with fewer than 2000 actuations). Lenses are purchased new or used, depending on many factors. I often trade/buy/sell on ebay or Craigslist.

Fabulous action and contrast/color. Love'em.

Look on ebay. In search window place the following number: 162555115940

That will take care of what you are looking for.
W

Thanks Jerry, that explains a few weird phone calls I tried to follow up on recently. Bas......ds!!

OK, enlarged, I now see what you mean. It almost looks as if this was cropped from from a larger photo and the original was shot at ISO2400 and had noise reduction applied.
I owned the Nikkor 300mm f4 (Non-stabilized) and it was an extremely sharp lens, with fabulous micro-contrast. That is what I believe is missing in this photo and could happen if shot at too high an ISO. It could also happen if the camera was shaken when the photo was taken, or if slightly out of focus.
But, after looking at the specs on your photo, I see it was shot at 800 which should present NO problem for the D500, and you should not be losing sharpness to noise reduction.
Soooo....
Looking very closely, I do not see the typical "shaken" look with faint, off axis secondary or tertiary images, so I would rule that out as well.
That leaves us only one possibility- focus.
It looks to me like there is nothing directly behind the owl (fabulous specimen, BTW) that IS actually in focus, but, the feather just in front and below the owl, and some of the brambles seem to be in better focus than our main subject (though not totally clear either).
Soooo...
I would vote for a front-focus issue, possibly combined with poor light (no sunlight on the owl).
I might even check if the same issue happens with other lenses (a camera mount mis-alignment issue) or maybe even a poorly aligned lens element.
Resolution:
My first, quick solution would be to rent another quality 300mm lens and see if the issue persists. If the shots are sharp, replace your lens. If they are still OOF, send the lens and D500 to nikon.
w

G
Get yourself the Slik Sprint Pro (currently a seller has it for $63 on ebay).
I have used it traveling for years. It goes to 64", down to about 16", easy to use, light, and actually fairly steady! I put a hook on the bottom of the column and have a piece of string that I can hook to the bottom and wrap around my foot if I need it to be REALLY steady. Then shop around for a better price on the fz80. you will really appreciate the wider angle as well!
I just noticed the fz80 is selling for about $400 brand new on ebay!
I also took that trip.
When you stay at the park, you should keep an eye on the weather. If it's clear, take a flight over Mt.Denali. Also, from Skagway, take the steam train over the Rockies into Canada. Stay in the last car. The shots of the train going over the huge old trestles and bridges you can get out the window will be amazing.
One more thing, don't book side excursions like this through the cruise line. You will pay over 50% more and have worse seats. You can easily get tickets when you get there. Enjoy your trip!

If you're used to the quality you get from the Canon, you might be disappointed when you make enlargements of that once-in-a-lifetime eagle shot taken with the FZ70, although the thought of lugging the 150-600 doesn't do much for me either. I'd ditch your wifes sony P&S and hand her a Panny FZ80. That will give a 60X zoom - much more useful!

Lucky you! Nice shots too!