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Were I to write a dissertation on the 'camera' (image recording) market, I might begin by declaring there are probably two (book) ends to it, with vastly different interests but using similar tools to meet their needs. The more obvious one, is the creative person who 'sees' an image they want to record. That might be a landscape, an object, a person, or it might be something they want to create, using a camera to begin the making of a final image. Someone with an 'urge' to create or record. At the other end, the technophile. They might have gotten into cars, audio, trains, but got into cameras. They will buy the latest 'all-singing-all-dancing' kit' simply because it happens to be the best available. Most buyers/users will sit inside those extremes, if being creative can be called an extreme. Being 'technically' aware is something that gives me confidence. When I did my photography course, I could afford the equipment I needed, so I acquired it. I don't remember anyone else in my class having a colour darkroom at home, but they were mostly interested in recording a good image, and letting someone else take care of the processing/printing anyway. The college had some studio lighting and processing for black and white film, but I had (and have) the whole kit. It would be fair to say I was seriously immersed in the course, putting in twice (or more) hours than anyone else, because I'd made the opportunity to do that. I had access to a lot of pretty ladies at the time too - which of course had no effect on my enthusiasm. If I'm going to have another stab at this, I need to be competent, and at the moment I suspect I'm not. Sure the camera records images most would think were okay, but I need to get myself good enough so people will pay for what they see. I've a lifelong belief that people lose their creativity as they get older. Youthful frustration (I think) develops into that creative need. As we get older, we become less dissatisfied, which (I think) removes that need for creative 'venting'. That said, my photographic course tutor was at least 60. He was still doing weddings, and told us of a short set of pictures he took using the bottom of a bottle as a lens.... Lovely man, I remember him still. So first orders for me ... Work out what the buttons and wheels do, and reprogram them if I need to. Find out what the camera can/won't do. These modern cameras are significantly more complex than film cameras, not least because each additional feature is designed as much as a sales opportunity, as being a useful tool for a photographer. Meaning 80-90% of them are likely to be redundant throughout the ownership cycle of the camera for owners, though the core set will always be used by most owners. I'm still working my way through the manual...