Received camera body from Amazon on 3/23. Lots of new features (5D2 manual is 259 pages; 5D3 manual is 403 pages). For the work I do, I was looking for two improvements over the 5D2: Ability to bracket more than 3 shots and much lower noise. The first wish was granted. As you probably know, the 5D3 does 7 exposures. Nikons do 9, but 7 is almost always enough. Those who need more will probably have a Promote remote anyway. Noise? Well, the 5D3 images are cleaner but I wouldn't say dramatically so. With the default noise settings and long exp NR set on, I'd say it's 1 to 1.5 stops better than the 5D2. Now, with a little Noiseware or other NR, you can get very clean images at 12800 with very little loss of detail so I don't consider this a problem. I guess it was unrealistic to expect the 5D3 to match the very low noise of my D700 but it would have been nice.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

It's true that nearly every feature on the 5D3 is an upgrade over the 5D2. Not all of these will result in better images but it's fair to say that the entire "feel" of the 5D3, the layout, viewfinder, displays are all nicer than the 5D2. The two things that may be game changers, IMO, are the shutter and the AF. If you haven't heard and felt the shutter on the 5D3, you're in for a treat. It isn't just quieter; there is much less kick from the mirror. Add the "silent" mode and, wow. I would not be surprised to see signs in the future that say "Please set your camera to silent mode". As for AF, I never had a problem with the AF on the 5D2 so I'm less impressed here. But if you shoot moving subjects, the 5D3 has it all--predictive, wrap around, sequential, selective. The manual devotes 45 pages to setting autofocus.

A small thing that I've been waiting for, a dual axis electronic level is wonderful. For some time, digital SLRs have had an "artificial horizon" that tells you if you are tilting the camera to the left or right. That's nice but in almost all imaging software, rotating an image takes just a second. What these left/right levelers don't tell you is if you are tipping the camera up or down which can be a real pain with a super wide lens. Well, problem solved with the 5D3.

The in-camera HDR Canon EOS 5D is a mixed bag. Output is jpeg only and even at that, it takes awhile for the 5D3 to register the images. (This could be my cards which are Lexar UDMA 400x & Sandisk Extreme IV). Anyhow, it's a fun feature. This brings me to yet another interesting feature. Since the 5D3 has two cards (CF + SD) you can record different file types to each card. In other words, you could have a RAW-only card and a JPEG-only card. I haven't tried this but I presume this would mean that you could shoot everything RAW except in-camera HDRs which, being jpegs, would end up on the other card. I get requests for jpegs so now I can put them on one card while keeping an all-RAW card for myself. You can also have redundant cards for backup, sequential for extra capacity, etc. As with the autofocus options, the possibilities are endless!

So, to summarize. Pros: Better AF, 100% viewfinder with electronic grid (no more screens), better LCD, faster drive and processor, fabulous shutter/mirror, 7-stop bracketing, 2-axis level, somewhat lower noise and thus somewhat cleaner images vs. 5D2, two card slots, uses same batteries as 5D2. Cons: Still no built-in flash (yes, it's very handy), in-camera HDR so-so, mode knob still feels flimsy (and it locks now, so be careful). All in all, this is a very nice, refined camera and anybody trading up from a 5D2 will be happy. And if you do get a 5D3, the person getting your 5D2 will be happy as well.

Just a footnote. One thing that comes through loud and clear from these reviews is how very different people's needs are and how differently they use a camera. I can only explain how a product meets or fails to meet my needs. I would not dream of saying you do/don't need this feature or "read and decide" as if I was some sort of oracle. You know what is or is not important to you and how much you're willing to pay for it. The web has made everybody a professional and an expert but when it's your money, the only expert is you.

Amazon Fire Phone

Amazone Fire phone Reviews

For me, this phone works fantastic. There are lots of other reviews on here about the features, so I will skip that.
Now, I am using this on Straight Talk, so I will go in to a little about that.

I purchased the Straight Talk ATT Nano Sim directly from the Straight Talk website. Now, this is important, you need to set your new Fire Phone up and the account on Straight Talk BEFORE you install the Nano Sim.
I set the phone up first. So charge your phone and then turn it on. After you have followed the on screen instructions and configured your phone, you need to go into SETTINGS ---> WI-FI & Networks then down to Change your mobile network operator, then go to Access Point Name, from here you can select or add your APN.

If you are setting up a new account, set it up now.
After that all you need to do is follow the activation instructions from your network provider.

Also Important, use the Sim Card number on the red sheet with the Nano Sim Card provided by Straight Talk, you Do Not use your phones IMEI Number.

Be warned, it might take up to a day to activate! I already had a number on Straight Talk and it took 12 hours for the number to port.
If porting a number with Straight Talk, do not install the Nano Sim until your old phone has stopped working on the network, after that you can install the Nano Sim and then turn your phone on.

When installing the Nano Sim, it comes with a sim port tray tool, but you can use a paper clip. Bend the very tip down of the tool or paper clip into an L shape, carefully insert into to the tray, and slowly and carefully pull out. Put the Sim Card on to the tray, matching the notch. Gold Contacts face down.
Now, very important, when inserting the tray with sim back into the phone, Hold the very top of the sim card down when slowly sliding back in so the Sim Card does not pop up. Click it into place. After that, you can turn on your phone and are ready to go!

I have had no problems with sending/receiving text messages, multi-media messages and have been able to use the web when I am off the Wi-Fi network. My phone shows that I am on the 4G LTE and it is running smoothly and fast.

I personally have no problems with not having access to the Google Play Store, all the apps I personally need are on Amazon. But if you do have a problem with that, take a read at some of the other posts regarding installing the play store on your phone.

Personally, and this is me, I like the layout of the phone screen. It does take a bit getting use to, but watch the Fire tour video a couple of times and you will have it down.

I have only 2 gripes, the first one is that the screen rotation lock/unlock is not easily accessible, as you have to go in to Settings ----> Display to lock and unlock the rotation. The second one is that the earbuds are not very comfortable, they are nice, but are a fixed size and made of hard plastic, so a person that has a smaller ear opening cannot comfortably use them.

Other then that, I am very happy with my Amazon Fire Phone. Perfect companion to my Kindle, Fire Tablet, Fire TV and my Echo! Plus now I do not have to pack around a larger device as all my Amazon media is on this phone now!

All in all, since I already use Amazon for all my online shopping needs, I am very happy with the Fire Phone.

Samsung UN75F6300 75-Inch

After owning a 32" Dell flat screen for nearly a decade, it was seriously time for an upgrade. I had absolutely no interest in 3D capabilities but did want to enter the smart TV age. After months of research and waiting for a price break during the holiday, I committed to Samsung's UN55F6300 and could not be any more satisfied.

Upon delivery, the television was inspected and found to have arrived in factory condition. The only bit of assembly required was installing the base to the monitor and that, in itself, was super simple.

When I turned it on, I went through the steps required to setup today's smart TV functions and, I must say, Samsung has done a great job creating a user interface that is easy to use understand and even easier to use. Within minutes, I was enjoying some high definition programming in absolutely stunning picture!

The Samsung UN75F6300 75-Inch, in its own right, is very sleek. The bezel is thin with a nice tint that gives the picture a good border that is none-too-large. The stand provides the ability to rotate the horizontal angle of the screen and provides a study base that does not feel flimsy at all.

Samsung's smart TV interface has been widely recognized as one of the best in the industry and provides quick access to various applications which turn this television into an even greater entertainment experience - none of which do you have to ever use or interact with if you do not desire.

For picture quality, I did a simple search on the internet to find adjustment settings that have been recommended by professionals who have the equipment to properly fine tune a television. Making the adjustments correlate with the suggested settings was a breeze and, in my opinion, really did enhance the viewing quality. For gamers, the 'game' setting can be set for a specific input source and will maintain that setting with no need to repeatedly flip back and forth when you switch between TV and gaming. That is: all settings correspond to the input source you have selected, providing the opportunity to create an array of picture settings, depending on the input device you are using.

The remote - although it lacks the neat stylis-like feature of the more expensive models - does what you need it to do. Unfortunately, the backlighting for the button could be brighter; but, when your eyes are glued to the beauty of the television screen, the dim yellow hue of the remote is the last thing you will be thinking about. Quick access to Netflix and Amazon on demand features allows you to access your video libraries at the click of a button.

The Wi-Fi receiver for this television seems to operate wonderfully. My television is downstairs in a partially underground, spit-level home while my wireless router resides upstairs - the television picks up on the signal and maintains a connection without any troubles.

While I wish there was an older RCA input for this television, there is an adequate amount of HDMIs and one component input for an assortment of DVD/Blu-ray, video gaming and other devices.

Although I did test sound through the onboard speakers to ensure they worked, I did not spend much time evaluating their quality before hooking up my sound system. Sound through the digital output is crisp, clean and in sync with the picture.

Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with this television and have expectations that it will last many, many years in our household. With the Samsung name, I have come expect quality and this set fulfills all of those expectations and then some.

If you are in the market for a television, have no need for 3D features, and do not wish to sacrifice picture quality at the expense of a smaller price tag, I encourage you to consider this television and to take advantage of Amazon's excellent delivery service.