Photography Confessions

OK, might as well get it out of the way right now. I shoot Nikon and currently only have Nikon lenses. I am using the Nikon D90 body with the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and Nikon 50mm f/1.8. I am not a professional, just a avid amateure. The features on the D90 are everything I need without the bulk and cost of the Nikon D300 or D3 (although I do like the high ISO options). I tend towards landscape photography of which we have many opportunities around the Portland area.
I find the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR great for general travel, but I am strongly considering the Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 for landscape work.
The Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR works fine for general people photography, but the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 is outstanding when you have time to switch and use it.
I am also considering the older Nikkor 75-300 instead of the Nikon 70-300mm VR to get a little more reach when shooting birds in the nearby Whittaker Ponds preserve. I don't need VR as I'll be using a tripod and it will save some money.

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

I take a good many pictures when I travel to Ireland. I've used point and shootto larger fixed lens cameras to DSLRs.
My mileage varies as will yours. The trade off is portability vs. image quality. The point and shoot fits in your pocket or small bag, but you won't get the nice interior shots in low light that you can with a DSLR.
Of course you could be a tourist and use the flash, blinding everyone in the pub and disturbing the poor musician causing him to drop the family fiddle onto the flagstone floor. OK, you don't want to be that guy (or gal). Learn how to use your camera, turn off the flash and bump up the ISO setting.