This text might be of use to someone thinking to get a Sigma SD-14 or just have ordered it or just have got it. You will find info of - what's in the package - what else you need - some tips on how to get started properly. The package includes: 1. Camera Body (SD14) 2. Body Cap (on the camera) 3. Eyepiece Cup (on the camera) 4. Strap 5. Finder Cap 6. Li-ion Battery BP-21. Battery Cover is included. 7. Battery Charger BC-21 8. Battery Charger Cable 9. USB Cable 10. Video Cable 11. SIGMA Photo Pro Disc (SPP3) 12. Instruction Manual 13. Warranty Card 14. SIGMA Limited Warranty & Service Network What else will you need? A Compact card A lens What you should get in addition: More CF cards More batteries Screen calibration SW/HW There is also a battery grip. I have not tried it. There is also a net adapter. I have not tried it. There is also releases. I have not tried them. If you already have a CF card that has been used in another camera, you may need to reformat it in Windows prior to using it in the SD-14. Test that it works before critical shooting. For CF cards LARGER than 2Gb, use FAT32, for 2GB and smaller use FAT16. (FAT16 is supposed to be a little bit faster than FAT32.) Use a card reader to get the images off the CF card. Do not work in SPP directly against the card. Keep number of files per folder at less than 100 or even less, else SPP 3 will give you problems (also very slow on generating thumbnails). A fast card (with a fast reader) gives higher performance when getting the images off the card, but have little effect in the camera. I use the fastest available card, the Sandisk Extreme IV 2Gb FAT16 (first 2 months with firmware 1.00), but I get no better fps or buffer clear time than others. The RAW files are somewhere between 8 and 20 Gb in size. You insert the CF card "backwards" (front away from you). When you get the camera, first charge the batteries. Make sure you charge/discharge your batteries a couple of times before doing critical shooting. You may need to upgrade the firmware. See the latest version of the firmware here: http://www.sigma-sd14.com/software/firmware/. To install the firmware you need a well charged battery or the net adapter. With firmware prior to v.1.03 the battery indicator was not accurate. Check your firmware by activating Menu. Find "Firmware". Press Ok or Right arrow, highlight "Current version" (default) and press "Ok". Current firmware is shown. Press Menu to exit Menu mode. To do a firmware update, make sure you have a fresh, seasoned battery. See the manual for the procedure and FOLLOW IT. DO a camera format prior to updating. (If the update fails, the camera might have to go back for service, so take every step to get it right.) ... to be continued In part 2, the next post in this thread, I will give some tips on: -Batteries -Focus -Speed -Start using the camera Good luck.