Paul -great suggestion
Thanks

Paul - I think I realize how little I know about this hobby. I really appreciate the cautionary words and advice.

Just curious - what telescope did you land on?

Thank you so much - this is exactly the information I was hoping to receive. Great suggestion on the clubs and I appreciate the candor regarding my budget and where to invest to get the most band.

Yes - very beneficial and appropriate as my grandson wears glasses
Thank you

Thank you - any suggestions on the range of eyepieces?

Hi - I am a frequent visitor to the UHH Photo Forum, but first time to visit the Astronomical Forum. My grandson is passionate about astronomy. I want to get him a telescope for Christmas for viewing and taking pictures of stars and planets. I am hoping this group can help me identify options to purchase. My grandson is a college freshman and is interested in taking astronomy classes (maybe major) - so this isn't a passing fancy. Can you recommend quality brands, must have options, focal length, etc. I am planning to send up to $750 if that much is needed to get a good telescope. It may be his first telescope but I want to get one that he can build on and obviously a more serious instrument than a beginner toy.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Chris - I appreciate your insight as you have "hands-on"experience.
I would be very interested in your assessment of the D6 and the real value over the D4 or D5.
I have waited for the D6 for couple years and was disappointed to hear what it offered. But I have not spoken to anyone who has actual experience. Please share what you learn. My email is Jack@JackLewisPhoto.com

I have heard the Sony cameras perform really well in low light. Is the performance significant enough to shoot with f4 lens. I need f2.8 at a minimum with my DSLR.

I am seeking any experiential, in-the-field information you can share.
I am end of life with my Nikon D4. I have read all about the D6 and I am not eager to spend $7000 for what I perceive to be limited improvements.
I am considering a Mirrorless camera instead - big decision, especially with my investment in Nikon lenses.
I am open to any manufacturer but I am seeking improvements over my D4.
D4 has full frame, 11fps and 12 megapixels.
I want more fps, faster autofocus, higher megapixels (24?).
Has anyone used a Mirrorless for shooting sports?
Would appreciate pros & cons as well as feedback on your specific manufacturer.
Do you used full frame camera?
Thanks in advance.

I appreciate all the "war stories", insights, suggestions and experience. Lots to consider. So glad I asked before upgrading to Catalina.
Thank you all!!! :)

I am in similar shape - my MAC is 2014.
I don't need to update OS - I have not experienced any issues that Catalina will address.
So, I think my dogs will continue to sleep

I just went on the Adobe Forum and was told LR5 came in two flavors - 32 & 64 bit.
If LR was installed as 64 bit originally, you should be able to upgrade to Catalina.
If the original installation was 32 bit you can not upgrade OS and still run LR since the Installer program is only 32 bit, won't run with Catalina, and therefore can't be upgraded/installed as 64 bit version.

Still seems risky - upgrade to Catalina and possibly lose LR.

When Catalina was first released this Forum reported compatibility issues and errors. I run Lightroom 5 and have held off upgrading to Catalina. Does anyone know if the errors have been fixed? Is it safe to upgrade to Catalina? Thanks for the help.

I can agree with most of what has been shared about USAA and their Customer Service. However a word of warning. I insured my cameras with a Personal Property policy. I was told at sign-up that it covered replacement cost - no deprecated value. Also, I was told it covered breakage due to accident, and loss due to being stolen. I paid for insurance for 7 years - no claims. This year I called toad a new lens and during the conversation I mentioned my photography business. I was immediately canceled - the policy did not cover business use equipment. So, don't try to insure if you have a business an read the policy - it is depreciated value, and only for limited causes for loss.