CAMERAS: Reader Jeff Younger writes: “Any recommendations on digital SLR cameras? My wife wants one for Christmas!”

Well, I’ve loved my Nikon D300. The newer version is the Nikon D300s. It’s bound to be good. A cheaper alternative is the Nikon D3100.

UPDATE: Reader Steve Nieters emails: “We’ve been researching the heck out of this in the last month, including hands on at a local “pro” camera shop, and input from a friend who shoots sports and more for a living (which we definitely don’t!). Desire for macro and not both above and underwater. FWIW, the D7000 is what we’ve decided upon, once the thailand flooding resolves sufficiently to allow the local shop to get one in stock.”