Cheers mate. Yes, I was fully trained in Professional, studio and audio-visual photography, with a bit of motion-picture thrown in, before moving onto a Specialist job in Graphics/Reproduction photography and printing, working for that well-known photographic manufacturer. Got me into some interesting places, both as a Specialist and a photographer!
The problem with the Nikon DSLR, from my viewpoint, is that there are too may unneccessary features, which means some functions can't be accessed as rapidly as they could on film SLRs, a very real requirement for aviation photography. Obviously designed to make the camera more 'creative' for amateurs, and no doubt I'll get used to it eventually. I have to say though, the little Fuji 'bridge camera' I've been using for the last four years, apart from being easier to use, and handle, is not only more robust in construction but, for artificial light, 'table top' shots, it turns out better images, first time, than the Nikon!
OK, my knackered hands don't help things, but I find the Nikon somewhat clumsy, and off-balance, and I have the feeling that even able-bodied users might experience some handling problems. That said, it's quite nice overall, and hopefully will do the job for 'action' shots at a distance.