TBonz

First SLR was a Zenit-E.  It had Pentax screw mount lens and a very simple light meter built in...but, you had to manually stop down your lens after framing and focusing.  Moved to Pentax and shot MXs for years.  I think I had 10+ lenses, 3 bodies with motors and Vivitar 270s for each when I was shooting quite a bit.  Eventually sold / traded all of that off for a Nikon F4s, a couple of zooms and a flash when I cut back on my shooting.  Then a D100, D90, D7000 before my current 2 D600s.

The Nikon TCs at about $500 each aren't exactly cheap IMHO, but not too expensive and after shooting my new TC14E on Saturday, I'd have to agree it is worth having one in the bag if you can.  Bright sunny day at a Lacrosse tournament on Saturday and before the first game, I took two photos in a row of one of the lacrosse goals with and without the TC on my 70-200 f/2.8 and cropped to about the same size so you could check the details easier:

Also included an action shot where I used the TC.  Photo details of each of the photos are in descriptions in the album.

I was very happy with the results. Edit:  Forgot to add that the first image above is without the TC...

Great topics and great comments...I think I'd have to categorize myself as a serious hobbiest who has made money through photography - and I still do...

WAY back I saved up some money to get one of the "high end" pocket cameras...yes, I know...but that does say something (in addition to telling you I'm old!).  I was way too young to work, but I wanted to take photos and I was pretty good at it.  I actually had a number of photos published in our school's yearbook when I was 12 or 13.  I kept at it and finally saved enough for a cheap SLR.  Slowly I built up my gear and portfolio and shot for both my high school and college.  I even won a couple of Society of Collegiate Journalist awards (2 Honorable Mentions).  I grabbed a second job at a local photo chain and used that money and discount to round out my gear. 

I've done a wide variety of paid photography including advertising, promos and albums for musicians, weddings, kids, pets, and about anything else people asked me to do.  Most of that paid work was far from what I really wanted to do with photography.  I love shooting nature and do it when I can and will do more of it.  But, my favorite photography is sports and live concerts.  I've had work published since college in a few magazines, by some sports teams (high school, college and pro) and have decided that is where I want to "focus" my talents.  I primarily photograph for the local high school now and post game photos to one or two local pubications.  The kids and parents enjoy it and I make a few bucks that help me towards new gear...Still trying to round out my digital hardware...

My goal is to have a business that brings in a bit of extra cash and keeps me happy and active in my retirement.  You may never see one of my pix in Sports Illustrated, but I know I'll be shooting and enjoying myself wherever I'm shooting!

I have the grips on both my D600s and on my D7000.  I don't think I'd buy a camera without the grip or without a built in grip (like the D4).  I was without the grip for the first few weeks on my first D600 and it bothered me not having it.  With the D7000, I believe it gives a bit faster continuous rate as well if that's something you might want.  While most of my shooting is done in landscape, having the portrait shutter release on the Nikon grip is very helpful when I'm shooting in portrait mode.  I'm probably just used to it, but the weight doesn't bother me at all and having the extra battery has come in handy with some of my shoots.