geoffs1

<p>I'd shoot raw, that way you have the most conversion flexibility and dynamic-range (and WB isn't an issue).</p>

<p>One thing to consider is that the AF sensors in many bodies operate differently with f/2.8 (and larger) lenses.<br> This can be an advantage shooting rapidly moving subjects with AF-servo.<br> I have the f/2.8 version for that reason.<br> FWIW, most of the people who've asked me for recommendations on 70-200mm lenses have ended up with the lighter/sharper/cheaper f/4 version since that was the better fit to their needs (esp. the cheaper...).</p>

<p>The ThinkTank Airport International is supposed to comply with international carry-on limits: http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/airport-international-v2-roller-camera-bag.aspx</p> <p>I have the older version as my primary camera bag and it's held up through all kinds of abuse (ex. being dragged across a field with uneven ground and tall grass many times).</p>

<p>I agree with Andrew, the improvement curve is dropping off. I regularly use a nine year old 20D and a 1Dmk2n (both 8Mpix). Until it died last fall, my 40D still got a lot of use. I admit that most of my photos were taken with my 7D, but I would guess not more than 50%.<br> <br />I'm looking at a 7D2 not for any sensor improvements, but almost exclusively for the better AF.</p>

<p>If I'm going to be shooting in the cold for more than a day, I just leave my cameras out in the car so they never warm up.<br> Batteries and memory cards come inside using plastic bags. They tend to warm up much faster than a camera/lens.<br> <br />When it's time to bring the cameras inside, I just put the whole camera bag in a plastic garbage bag and seal it up. Then let it sit for a bunch of hours (usually overnight or longer). Again, the memory cards and batteries come inside separately so I can get to them sooner.</p>

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<p>One thing I like about using my phone-camera is how close to the ground I can get the lens.<br /> My Samsung S3 has the lens less than an inch from the edge of the phone, letting my get shots like this very easily:<br /> </p><div></div>

<p>Landsailing at Ivanpah dry lake:<br> <img src="http://geoff-s.net/blokart/misc/20141112_152740_700h.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>I've only once gotten rid of a camera that was still working. I still have the Exacta RTL 1000 I got as my first "real" camera, and all the OM stuff I got later on. In the digital era, I did sell my D70 when and lenses I switched to the "other brand", but I still regularly use the 20D I got to replace it (in fact, it's sitting in my car right now).</p>

No idea. I'd never heard of it before. It looks interesting. FWIW, you can find it for ~80 on eBay. I haven't found a useful review yet, but nobody is posting anything really bad about it. It's popular enough that its been copied/counterfeited...

Can you rent one?

<p>Photographic Solutions PEC*Pads and Eclipse solution: http://photosol.com/</p>

<p>IMHO the most important things to understand for a successful transition to digital are:</p> <ol> <li>The sensor's characteristics and how they differ from those of film (ex. linear gamma and noise).</li> <li>Sharpening</li> </ol> <p>Some links I like on exposure and development:<br> http://www.adobe.com/digitalimag/pdfs/linear_gamma.pdf<br> http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1709191<br> http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1709190<br> "The Digital Negative" book: http://thedigitalnegativebook.com/wp/<br> On sharpening:<br> http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=608637</p>

<p>One thing you might try is to find an early photo (i.e. one taken soon after you got the camera) that shows the problem. You might have some luck using that to get a warranty repair, but it won't be easy...</p> <p>FWIW, I had a similar problem with my first Nikon D70 (I even discovered it within the warranty period) and my bad experience with Nikon service was one of the reasons I switched to Canon soon after: http://www.fencecheck.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=6061</p>

<p>I put a moderately sized watermark near the edge, not so much to prevent theft but mostly so I can post individual shots on web-sites or FB and know that there's at least some indication of who took the shot.</p> <p>For example, this album: http://moving-target-photos.com/2014MarchIvanpah/</p>

<p>I've seen them on *-Bay when I search for backgrounds. I'm always looking for seamless/featureless backgrounds, so I haven't paid too much attention to the others.</p>