When I started in photography over 50 years ago, after an examination of camera possibilities, I decided on 35mm because I did not want to be overburdened with equipment. One Nikon body with an 85mm lens was all I had, and I used it for everything: theatre, dance, bird dog field trials, landscapes, city scapes, people...everything. When I switched to digital, I started with a 40D but soon switched to full frame. And my lens collection grew. I started with a Canon nifty fifty, soon added a 70-300, then a 70-200 f4. Oh, and an extender. These remain the heart of my collection with the addition of a WA plus a few more zooms. Now, whenever I have a gas attack, I think of my old pal, Charlie Harbutt and his one Leica lens and keep my $$ in my pocket. I guess that I get more enjoyment from interacting with a puppy than with a lens. <g> So I'm much more apt to buy a $500.00 bird dog puppy than a camera lens! Harry

Bubbee, "UGG has made a profound difference in my life."

Not in mine! Oh, I suppose that I picked up a tip here and there but a "profound difference" - nope. I can think of two things that made "profound" diffs in my life: at age seven I became a really good reader who loved to read and at age 31, I graduated from Yale Law School, which totally changed the trajectory of my life. Well, maybe three: I served in combat in Korea for a year or so at the age of 22 which gave me a lot of self - confidence. Harry PS I bought a Canon 5Dc early on and it's still my main camera. 12 mp ain't a lot but it let's you print 8x10s. That became my preferred size in B/W when I was shooting dance and theatre with a 35mm all those years ago when I was in college. (I do have a nice [imho] 35mm color print of my significant other standing on a Pacific beach. The print is 12x18 or thereabouts. IIRC it was taken in 2001 with a Nikon.) I printed it myself on a Canon Pro 100, sprayed it and put it up in direct artificial light, indirect sunlight. To these old eyes, it hasn't faded a bit. Harry

What does it matter? If you can't contact them, you can't buy from them at any price, real or unreal. :-) Harry

CC wrote: "The 18-135 on an EOS 80D is the only lens you need."

I'd still pack a nifty fifty just in case. Harry

Good advice. I usually ask my "best friend" .38 Special to come along with me. I've never been let down by my old pal. Harry

[quote=wdross]

>My lenses have banged into walls, doors, fences, etc.

I've been shooting for over 50 years and I've never "banged" (or even bumped)
a lens into anything. Do you guys only shoot when you're drunk??? <g>
Harry

"No, I wouldn't give pictures to someone who wants to use in a book."

But would you sell them one? Harry PS I'm an amateur but when taking pictures of the Ohio State Univ. Dance Company, I was beseiged by requests from students so I started selling 8x10s for $1.00 which was what the local photo shop charged me. (I wasn't going to waste my time developing dozens of photos.)

Then a company came in to give a concert and when they saw some of my photos, they inquired about them. "Talk to Harry, he'll take some for you," they were told. "We can't afford pictures," they replied. (Coming from $50.00 a picture NYC.) "Can't afford $1.00?" And so I started getting requests from pros and since they'd already been quoted a price.... Harry PS These requests weren't coming from Martha, Merce or Jose or from the top dancers in those companies but from younger dancers and dancers from smaller companies.

Dunno if they have what you need but the Hoya HD3 UV is a helluva filter. I have 'em on all my lens. Harry

I guess that I'm not too smart. Either that or I'm missing something. Or maybe both. I just don't understand why you are considering a camera like the Z9 which won't be available for a year. Here's my take: get rid of all your Nikon stuff and move into Canon. Live dangerously! <g> Harry PS My advice is not worth the paper it's printed on.

Very nice. I started doing B/W a few years ago. Some shots (like yours) just seem to scream "NO COLOR"! Harry

[quote=sb]IF Of course

Don't you mean Acoarst? <g>

ROFLMFAO And you've experienced both so we now have your expert opinion. If I had to choose between the two, death would NOT be my first choice! Harry PS I've never "lived in fear" not even when I was in combat in Korea so maybe I'll be OK with a camera in a large city. I used to wander around Seoul, taking pics with a 35mm and never had a problem. Harry

The only place that's really safe is your basement.

[quote=therwol]I' The difference is in how much Europeans walk and burn calories.

Yeah, tell them to fly into NYC and walk to the Grand Canyon to burn a few calories. ROFLMFAO

I haven't been to Paris for a few years but I used to go every year. no trouble, ever
with my camera. Of course, I carried a fixed blade knife on my belt and in those days I was
6'1", 190 and in pretty good shape. (I'm 90 now)
I always loved Paris, both the food and the women were so far
superior to London back then that it's hardly worth mentioning.
(And superior to NYC, Chicago and LA for that matter!
And to my hometowns of Ytown and Columbus OH.
In those days and IMHO anyway.) D^mn, I loved those Parisian women!
Food was pretty good too! <g> (I found a little side street restaurant where
both the food and the prices were excellent. Ahh, to be in Paris now that April's here.)

Harry PS That guy who said that April is the cruelest month, probably never spent
it in Paris!