I finally got my replacement gear from my insurance: D2H, D70, 70-200 VR, Crumpler Shrinkle backpack, etc., but now I find that I don't have anything shoot! Honestly, I don't find my new 70-200 VR too impressive, it's alright at f/2.8, but nothing worth writing home about and the VR is overated. The lens hood is terribly designed with that stupid locking switch that I always press on accident. I actually find my Bigma a much more interesting lens than the 70-200 VR. I should of got a two collar 80-200 and a Tokina 12-24 instead of the 70-200.
This camera gear is just expensive. For noobies getting into the hobby of shooting, just buy used and quality third party lenses and use your extra money for nice clothes or something! I know guys making decent livings still shooting with D100s, D1s, D1Hs, Canon D30s, D60s, etc. The expensive stuff doesn't make you better photographers. People don't look at your gear, they look at your pictures!
This camera gear is just expensive. For noobies getting into the hobby of shooting, just buy used and quality third party lenses and use your extra money for nice clothes or something! I know guys making decent livings still shooting with D100s, D1s, D1Hs, Canon D30s, D60s, etc. The expensive stuff doesn't make you better photographers. People don't look at your gear, they look at your pictures!