trygve_thorsen4

<p>The Lowepro Rover Pro (35L and 45L) are very comfortable backpacks to wear for long hikes. I have a 45L that is both used for photo trips and multiday mountain hikes and the harness system is excellent.<br> The included camera bags are sized for DSLR with grip, so now and then I use my F-stop 'medium shallow' ICU if I want more space for other gear. The camera inserts from Lowepro fits nicely in my F-stop Lotus as well. The Lotus (32L) is not as comfortable to wear but I find the back opening more practical for access to gear especially when it is wet or muddy. </p>

<p>I am using the AF-I 300mm f2.8 with my D300, D700 and D800 cameras. I find it to be an excellent lens and as long as you test it before you buy I can not see you going wrong with it. It focuses fast (I have not used newer 300mm lenses to compare), and is very sharp. I find it also to work very well with the AF-I TC-14 and TC-20 III converters. Make sure you get the lens hood with it and a L37c filter inserted in the filter holder. Mine was mint when I bought it and I paid the same as a new AF-S 70-300 VR. Well worth it!<br> http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html#300<br> http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/afi30028.jpg</p>

<p>I have a universal Benro MPU100 L bracket which I am very satisfied with.<br> I use a dedicated L plate for my Nikon D700 but find the Benro plate is more than adequate for occasional use with other cameras (D300 and compacts). As long as I mount the vertical plate touching the cameras left side, I have had no problems with rotation with any lens. The rubberized part holds quite a lot itself as well.</p>

<p>I have the same with my VR lenses. The Nikon V1 keeps VR on at all times, as long as VR is ´on´ at the lens and ´on´ in the camera menu. This in difference to DSLR´s which only engages VR when the shutter button is pressed half way or full.</p>

<p>I have some mirrorless cameras in addittion to D300 and D700: The Nikon V1 and the Panasonic GF-1.<br> Regarding your points:<br> 1. I see difference in image quality on all of them, but for small photos on web or in photo books it is not enough to make a difference to me.<br> 2. I see why Nikon has gone for CX: It is small enough to be conciderably smaller than DX. I feel DX and micro 4/3 is so close that for the lenses there are not enough difference to go for the smaller sensor. Mirrorless cameras will of cause be smaller than DX/FX, but that is just one part of the kit. I do not find the CX format has too small lenses and camera bodies.<br> 3. I still like having a viewfinder, and the GF-1 and V1 viewfinders are not as good as an optical.<br> 4. Same here - serious shooting is done with DX/FX - family snaps with CX.<br> 5. I have the lens adaptor for the V1, and the possibility of converting lenses to super telephoto is sometimes nice. But, I do not use it as often as I tought I would.<br> 6. Since I am used to Nikon DSLR menus I also prefer them for familarity. Not sure they can not be improved, though.....<br> 7. 4/3 ratio I also can not get to grips with. I almost always end up cropping in postprocessing. But, a lot of my images end up in 1/1 squares anyway.</p> <p>I treat the V1 and GF-1 cameras as 'compacts' and for that I find they do a tremendous job - much better than any smaller, traditional compacts. I would never (for now...?) ever concider selling my DX/FX and go fully mirrorless. But that is just me...</p>