bnelson

<p>Paul: It can't be too elderly. It's a couple of years younger than me! Ok, it's a '49 bug.</p>

<p>Another grandson, same lousy lighting.</p><div></div>

<p>My grandson's basketball game in a lousily lit HS B-Ball court.</p><div></div>

<p>Great shots today.<br> This is a "What is it?" </p><div></div>

<p>Also did a little macro in backyard. Spring is springing on my peach tree.</p><div></div>

<p>Ok, I'll get it this time</p><div></div>

<p>Great photos this morning! I especially like the fisheye perspective.<br /> Found an interesting billboard last week in the Sierra Nevada foothills.</p>

<p>Great shots of animals this week. Alas, I only have a landscape today.</p><div></div>

<p>OK, I admit it! I own an 80-400mm VRI. I bought it used when I had a D90. It served my purposes for what I could afford at the time. I got some great nature photos with it, but alas, they were not at the 400mm range. When I updated from 12mp to 24mp it really showed its flaws at 400mm, even stopped down. Looked cool on the camera though.</p>

<p>No snow on the Sonoma Coast. Lots of rain, big waves and beautiful sunset at Bodega Head.</p><div></div>

<p>Waves without surfers</p><div></div>

<p>Sugarloaf Ridge State Park stream.</p><div></div>

<p>Dieter: Great shots<br> Did a tour of Sonoma county's coast last week and weather cooperated just fine.</p> <div></div>

<p>From Bodega Head last week</p><div></div>

<p>I'm afraid all I have for you this morning is the bird - Raven that is.</p><div></div>

<p>Great shot, Mary Doo! Shun, Staten Island is full of Sandhill Cranes this year. Good shot.<br> Last week went to Yosemite Valley on a snowy day and captured El Capitan in clouds</p><div></div>

<p>Half Dome took the day off, but there is always the Merced River</p><div></div>

<p>Happy New Year to everyone. I actually experienced some winter this week</p><div></div>

<p>Merry Christmas everyone.</p><div></div>

<p>Great photos again. Gup Jeffries, still trying to figure out if you are on the back of a dragon, or looking down from a ridge.<br> A black necked stilt</p><div></div>

<p>Finally, BIF with tripod and inexpensive gimbel head.</p><div></div>

<p>This is with a monopod for action</p><div></div>

<p>As a person who still owns an 80-400mm VRI lens and on a limited budget, I would like to add my 2 cents worth. <br />My last camera purchase was the D7100 and it out resolved the older 80-400mm. My replacement choice in my price range at the time was the Tamron 150-600mm. (The Nikon 200-500mm hadn't come out yet).<br> This lens has much better IQ than the 80-400 VRI. Along with the lens comes a learning curve. I learned quickly that it is a lens that cries out for a monopod, or tripod. <br> For the price of a Tamron or Sigma 150-600mm and a D7100 or D7200, you will be money ahead with great lenses and cameras and you can spend the rest on upgraded food and lodgings.</p><div></div>

<p>Captain Jack Sparrow (with a white crown)</p><div></div>