Francy - I am linking below to a Gardenweb FAQ on vent hoods, which should help you. Regarding the width of the hood, a 42" hood would be ideal for your 36" range, because it is most ideal to have 3" on each side of the range for capture area, to capture all the smoke/grease. I did not have the space for those extra inches, so I have a 30" wide hood over a 30" wide range, and it's OK, but I do wish I had the space for a 36" wide hood. Please make sure you check your duct diameter. Ventahood has specific requirements for duct diameter depending on the cfm's you get. If your duct is smaller than what's specified, you will get more noise, as you are constraining the air flow out of the blower. I chose the VAH Excalibur, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! However, the Excalibur was a special order, and took about 10 weeks to arrive, but I was not in a hurry, so it was OK. Unlike you, I was not going for a vintage look; I just loved that curved design. I chose it in a stainless steel finish, with the bands in stainless steel also, which was an upcharge (the bands come standard in black). Also, I chose rivets on the bands, another upcharge, but so worth it IMHO. The rivets are small, but they are the cherry on the sundae! From a functional point of view, I have found the VAH Excalibur to be efficient, quiet (but I have only a 6' run which helps keep it quiet), and a cinch to clean (don't believe any threads you might see that the VAH is trouble to take apart and clean--if you can open the latches on a briefcase, you can open the VAH's latches and take it apart to clean.) Here is a link that might be useful: Gardenweb's Vent Hood FAQ

I'm an optician and I sell a lot of Varilux lenses. The Varilux Physio 360 is being phased out for the newer Physio Enchanced. Both are types of progressives and both come in many different lens materials. They are both excellent progressives but there are very good progressives for less money if it's a concern. I do suggest high index lenses for you and you shouldn't have problems with these lenses as they come in high index materials. The thinnest lens you could get would be the 1.74 high index but depending on the frame and your pupil distance a 1.67 high index would be cheaper and could be only a little thicker. Do get the Crizal Avance anti refective coating, it's really outstanding and worth paying extra for. I'm glad to answer any questions.

You can purchase a lens TP lens that magnifies x1.94. shooting range approx. 1.2m to infinity...My question is can you get really good close up shots like of birds with that magnification? Don't want to buy one if that isn't very good. my fujifinepix e500 alone has a 4.1 mp, 3.2x optical zoom....

Thank you both for the links. Joe I found the answer I was looking for on your link. Susan the one you posted will be a great place for me to go to learn [hopefully]. I did spend quite a bit of time there this afternoon before Joe posted his link. I find interesting how different people come up with the different links. I have spent quite a bit of time googling nikon lens, nikon d80 lens, lens for nikon d80 and a few other ways and never found what I looking for. I found mostly sale sites. Your the BEST! Thanks again! Syd!