There should be a standardized policy that requires that published photos be annotated with a watermark of AI for photos created by artificial Intelligence, ALT for photos ALTered with post processing and O for photos Originally straight out of camera. I realize that cameras may ALTer photos up to and including use of AI (Artificial Intelligence), but they need to be identified.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) can be very dangerous if allowed to be used indiscriminately. Any individuals' personna can be captured and altered to do whatever the nefarious party wants, so they can take over YOU! Everything about you can be controlled by a nefarious individual to the point of criminal convictions and any other interference in an individuals life.

At the same time when it is properly applied AI can prevent people from making mistakes and generally improving our lives.

Honesty is the best policy!

Besides the very good advice you have been receiving as responses to your query. There is a good reason to consider this: Consider buying an inexpensive pocket camera, as Paul has mentioned, take a lot of photos with it, and when you find what it limits you to, take note and this will be a feature or features you will need to have in the camera you purchase for your use.

You may find that the pocket camera does everything you need and you have not spent a lot of money. Also you may find that photography is not something you want to invest a lot of money into, you haven't done that. There are a lot of really good pocket cameras for under $500.00, and used ones for very low prices.

There are times you may want to have a camera, but don't want the hassle of carrying a large camera and lens(es), just throw your pocket camera into your pocket and you are ready to go.

You, like most people nowadays, probably have an iPhone or Android which could serve the same purpose. Find out what you are limited with, on your phone, and use those things to determine what you really want in a camera.

I haven't suggested a brand, but the big three are the best ones to stick to. Use your own judgement to determine the camera you would like. One point is you may have friends who have and use cameras they could help you if you can't get satisfactory responses here on UHH, but the responses I have seen are very good advice.

Being as to me a Fossil, I confess. I enjoy cameras they are machines and with film, you have to be more into the process. Of course it has handicapped me for digital photography, the "Each photo has to be near perfect because film costs too much to waste it on senseless things". I have to push myself to forget frugality and just go ahead and press the shutter button even if I suspect I need to change a setting and then make the change. I can just delete the one that I don't like. Old habits are hard to break. Then there are days when I just like the sound of the camera mirror and shutter flip flapping away, and "Let 'er rip" like a full automatic, after all just delete the ones you don't like.

I'll still use the film cameras, ON OCCASION!

My wife solved the going out for Thai food problem, she is a Thai Chef (not a cook, a genuine Chef!). She had her restaurant in Thailand for 25 years before coming here to California to find me. I have some serious food allergies too, and she just, without missing a beat, prepares whatever we agree on. [No seafood, fowl or meat on my plate or in the preparation or I have a violent uprising in my stomach and within an hour, sometimes within seconds, the eruption can be up or down.].

I have the original VR version on my D300 where it has resided for some years. It also did duty on my D200. I haven't tried it yet on my D810, but I agree it is a very good "All Everything" lens. It isn't an f/1.4 or f/2.8, but you don't need them all the time. Some don't creep, but mine does, I just have to check it and keep it horizontal .

Can't help much with MACs. I started out with the Apple meetings when Steve Wozniack was developing the original Apple 1. He is a genuine genius, but his logic was not consistent to me. I dropped out and went back to mainframe UNIX which is far superior to anything that Apple has come up with. And even Apple has joined the LINUX (UNIX) crowd, as they along with Microsoft have now based their software on Linux (which is command for command UNIX). The front ends are from Microsoft and Apple, but the innards are Linux). Ubuntu Linux is the best Operating System for MAC's and PC's . Best of all LINUX is FREE, as is most of the software built for it.

If the MAC works for you, GOOD, not for everyone. Same for Windows if it works for you, GOOD.

Not too long ago, I was in an Apple store, my wife wanted to update her iPhone, and the lady (they refer to themselves as "Genius's"), made a comment about something, my wife didn't understand and asked me what the "Genius" said, I commented that Apple personnel regard themselves as "Special". The "Genius "" flagged the City Police Officer on guard, to kick me out of the store. I just walked out and my wife asked what happened. I said you just witnessed Apple's self aggrandizement for yourself, that is part of why I have no use for Apple and it's products.

The Lisa, which Steve Jobs stole from Xerox's PARC Labs is still one of the best computers, slow, but it works with the UNIX Operating System.

CHG_CANON. I have been fortunate with my eBay purchases because they have been better than described or pictured. Yes, 98%+ approval of many sales is an indication of a legitimate dependable seller. I use PayPal too, which is a big help, it is a rapid sale and I have been refunded when items have not been delivered to me.

I remember one time in 2006 or 7, my Nikon D200 showed a whole bunch 50+ blank photos when I tripped the shutter by accident with the lens cap on. I deleted the last one and the rest disappeared. It never happened again, and yes I had formatted in camera. I reformatted the card, and everything was normal after that.

I stay with Nikon Batteries unless they are no longer available. That said, I usually get the battery holder for AA batteries, because I can always use AA batteries if the Nikon batteries are no longer available.

I used 35mm film for more than a few years, F3, F4 & F5, and that is Full frame. This is my own, first FX digital, but not the first one I have used.

All but 3 of my lenses are FX mainly because I owned many before digital cameras were marketed, but knowing the center of the glass is the best part of any lens, they really are better on a DX camera than on an FX camera.

Thank you!

WOW! Received day early and I am really really intimidated by the Nikon D810. I'm in over my head as to how to use it best.

It's a lot lighter and smaller than I remembered it being of course the last D810 that I handled was about 6 years ago.

I said that I would mount a lens, so first I mounted my 35-70mm f/2.8 D lens, snapped a couple of junk photos. Then installed my 28-70mm f/2.8 and ran into the dreaded fEE. Not to worry, I just set the lens to f/22, locked it and ready to go. Snapped a few more junk photos which I am sure will be my results as I learn and correct each problem. A TOTAL BEGINNER! Settings, "mein gott"! I expect a lot of laughter at my fumble finger approach.

I need to read more of David Busch's Nikon D810 books and set it up the way he recommends,my path forward.

The camera is like new and came in it's original Nikon Box with the correct S/N as well as most of not all if what was in the box when Nikon first shipped it. Of course the S/N 30xxxxx shows it as US.

A strap, either around my neck or wrapped around my wrist. Bandolier style is another way.

Like the guy who works in construction with one hammer, he uses it for every job that requires a hammer.

I have been using LINUX, for the past 20+ years. When Microsoft stopped supporting Windows XP, I went to Linux. I like to compare the use of Linux to Windows XP. My latest 2 Laptops have Widows10 & Windows11 on them, but I installed Ubuntu Linux version 20-04 as it is a Long Term distribution. The beauty of Linux is, it is FREE, as in just download it ad install it. For those who use Microsoft Office, There is a Free office, Libre Office which will open, work with and save Microsoft Office files. There are versions of Libre Office that work in Windows and Apple and they too are FREE. If you were not aware of this, Microsoft Windows and the latest Apple OS are now based in Linux as are most servers that are in use, because it is a superior system.