Mike D

John_Shriver "I miss the Unified view of forums" Nailed it. That is what made PN my first choice of photo web sites on the internet.

I'm having a hard time also (I'm lazy) so I may eventually get around to checking out the How To thread but since only 8 people are on Photo.net at the present time, I'm not very motivated.

I I just can't figure out how to use the site efficiently. It seems like I have to do a lot of looking just to find the stuff I'm looking for. Maybe I'm just whining.

<p>Yup, been shooting most of the morning with an iPhone documenting all the damage our HOA has done to the slopes in front of our house. I normally shoot for fun but today I was shooting for a purpose.</p> <p>http://mdougherty.com/999-BS/slope-vegetation/00-slope-bushes-1-htm.htm</p>

<p>The only problem with Surface Pros is their lack of dependability. My Surface 3 went nuts on me when I was in Patagonia last year. Almost wrecked my trip when Even Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots got caught on video throwing his Surface against a bench on the football field last year. </p>

<p>It may make sense to just buy a used one in mint condition for $60 on eBay. They range from $30 to $200. If you would like less risk, there's an FT2 at KEH for $65. I've had bodies repaired before and it can be really expensive. </p>

<p>I always use a protective filters because I never use caps. When shooting in the field, I reach in my backpack and pull out one of four body/lens combos and start shooting. All of my bodies are preset to ISO 250, aperture priority, F8 so all I have to do is turn the body on and start shooting. (and I use a tripod) </p>

<p>The D300 was introduced in 2007 and the D500 in 2016. That's a pretty long period of time to upgrade their cropped frame sports camera. With sales volumes of DSLRs going down rapidly, I suspect that the time frame between "major" model upgrades will be stretched out in the future. The last 10 years really has been the golden age of the DSLR. One caveat is that Nikon may introduce something interesting for their upcoming anniversary in 2017. </p>

<p>David ... this is the "casual photo conversations" forum. I'm old with a degree in marketing and over the years I've seen many superior products fail because of lack of marketing, including packaging. Go to any big box retailer and notice how superior packaging is essential for product success. As Nikon and Canon go "up-market" to achieve larger margins on higher end cameras to make up for declining sales volumes of lower priced cameras, their current packaging simply doesn't warrant their higher prices. (Leica does.) This may not make a difference for older photography enthusiasts, but it certainly won't help attract any new, younger enthusiasts who are used to the high end packaging of Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung products. </p>

<p>Just got the Nikon 105 F1.4 E and while it appears to be a nice lens, the packaging is typical Nikon which doesn't seem to have changed in decades. At least my Sigma lenses came in their own case which is excellent for lens storage. It's not that Nikon packaging has gotten worse; it's that other consumer products producers have gotten much better. It first started with Apple and their beautiful iMac, iPhone, and iPad packaging. You actually want to keep it. Even Microsoft's Surface computer packaging is now very nice. It's not that the packaging makes the product better, it's just an indication that the manufacturer cares. For a $2,100 lens, you'd think that Nikon might have upped their game a little bit. (Also note, the instructions inside the box are one grade better than toilet paper.)</p>

<p>I remember back in the 70's, my dad visited Japan and brought me back a Nikon F (no meter). Cameras and lenses wee much cheaper in Japan and Hong Kong than the U.S. in those days. I remember reading a review of DSLRs in Consumer Reports and they ranked my Nikon F #13 (probably for lack of features). I was crushed. That didn't deter me and I still have that Nikon F today with a bunch of Nippon Kogaku lenses. All of the equipment still works great and the shutter action is a delight to hear and feel. </p>

<p>Brooks ... I just peeled off the film on the back and placed the rigid piece of ultra thin glass over the LCD screen. Nothing else to do, it's rigid, and sticks without any bubbles. I've used the other, non-rigid ones before and what a pain to get them on straight and without bubbles. I've now used the Larmor on several Nikon bodies. I'm sure they are made in China and the manufacturer does not have a good command of the English language. </p>

<p>I use a "Larmor GGS Self-Adhesive Optical Glass LCD Screen Protector for Nikon D750" from Amazon. Easy to install, crystal clear, and can't tell it's even on the LCD. All my Nikon and Sony bodies have this screen protector and I don't hesitate to take a towel in the field and wipe it off. Just a thought for consideration. A few reviews claim that it does not fit properly. Mine fit exact. </p> <p> </p>

<p>Instead of another DSLR successor, how about a 42 or 50 MP mirror-less body that will work with current Nikon lenses. With its much lighter wight (than the D810), it would be focused on the "travel" market. </p>

<p>A dream of the amateur photographer is the potential to make money with their DSLR. Unfortunately, earning significant money from stock sales and selling prints is getting extremely difficult. There is simply too much supply. Even talented professionals now give travel and photo tours and classes in order to enhance their income from photography. Making money from photography has become really hard work and without the carrot to attract potential serious amateur DSLR buyers, DSLR sales will continue to drop. </p>