Quoted: Really Right Stuff: your camera support experts. We design, build, aquire and sell the very best tripods, ballheads, quick-release clamps, and quick-release plates available anywhere. From the casual weekend shooter to the most demanding professional, discriminating photographers in over 80 countries around the globe rely on the experts at Really Right Stuff for all their camera support gear. Our quick-release system makes setup faster and easier, and better stability means better results. Visit us online at http://reallyrightstuff.com.

Quoted: Serious photographers around the world recognize the performance advantages that Kirk products deliver in the studio, and in the field. Kirk Quick Release equipment lets you easily switch cameras and/or lenses when seconds can make the difference between getting the shot and missing an opportunity. Kirk also offers a complete line of exclusive camera mounts, flash brackets, custom and modified tripods, precision tripod heads, adapters, books, videos, accessories and much more.

Thom Hogan (http://bythom.com/support.htm) writes about this ballhead:

"A strange looking head, but it is light (1 pound) and works quite well. I especially like the fact that I can keep the ball clean while traveling in hostile environments. Strongly consider getting the rubber knobs (an extra cost option), as the metal knobs are rough on the hand when you do a lot of fiddling."

Quoted: What you need to know about tripods and heads.

Camera Armor - always-on protection for your camera and lenses. Looks pretty good.

There are a number of SD to CF I/II adapters. Many aren't flush, which means they can't be used in a camera. Some have reliability problems. This one sounds better than most.

Quoted: I live by the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared. I have a zippered pouch in my gear bag that has all kinds of little adapters and tools. Things like the Victorinox CyberTool and FlexUSB adapter. I just found another adapter that will be taking up permanent residence in that pouch: The EagleTec SD to CF card adapter, which I received from Brando. There isn't anything really mysterious about this adapter. It is basically a CF Type II shell, with a slot that an SD card can plug into.

I was skeptical about this lens, but it has gotten really good reviews. If you can only carry a single lens, this might not be a bad choice. It's $900 and 50% heavier than the 18-70 or 18-135; it's longer than the 18-70 and shorter than the 18-135.

Quoted: Amazon.com: Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens: Electronics

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