georges_pelpel

<p>Agree with others that lens scratches would prefer any lens from getting an EX rating. Was the lens advertised as having scratches on the front element? If not, then KEH should exchange the lens against the clean one at no cost to you. Otherwise, unless you got a super deal, I would return the lens. As is you will get a major hit if you try to resell the lens even if image quality is not affected.</p>

<p>I love ultra wide angles and wouldn't go to Yellowstone or the Tetons without one. There is more than wildlife there. I doubt you will regret an ultra wide at Grand Prismatic for instance.<br> I will second buying a used lens such as the Nikon 12-24 or 10-24. Sure they are DX only lenses but they will be easy to resell at the price you bought them if you are careful in the purchase.</p>

<p>+1 to what Bela said.</p> <p>I would add to never hold the camera/lens combo by the camera when a big lens is attached. You don't have to worry too much with a 300/4 or 70-200/2.8 as they are not that heavy. The bigger lenses come with their own shoulder strap, a big reminder that is what should be used and not the camera strap.</p> <p>In regards to the non sf-s 300/4, it's a beautiful lens. Its only limitations are slow AF and the lack of a Nikon AF teleconverter. You have to use a Kenko AF converter which will make AF even slower. I used mine (before I owned the sf-s) with a TC-14b in manual mode, quality was still very good.</p>

<p>Actually not a 'cheap' card reader! Buy a good one that is compatible with UDMA cards and has a USB3 interface. A good one is the Lexar Professional USB 3.0 Dual-Slot Reader.<br> These readers will be way faster at transferring files to the computer than 'cheap' ones and also faster than direct camera-computer connections.</p>

<p>I would recommend at least a 32GB CF card for RAW images. The 16GB will fill up way too fast especially in action shoots or if you bracket a lot.<br> Check Adorama, they have a great sale on Lexar cards this weekend.<br> Otherwise I have my D800 set the way you want to set yours with the same purpose of using the jpeg files (from the SD card) for backup and for iPad reviewing. It works fine.</p>

<p>If you own an FX body such as the D700, D800(e), or up and want a DX body that shares the same interface what other choice do you have?</p>

<p>You also have the option to rent a second body for the trip.</p>