Very interesting, some further refinement might add to the image? It has a top heavy look, maybe burning in the base might stabilize it better? Interesting effects! Have you ever tried reversing the colors and tone with a negative effect? Well done!
Just use a piece of foam core board cut to whatever shape you like, at least that is what we did in the "old" days!
Welcome Shane, and nice to see another from Ohio!
Mohammed: #5 and #7 were very well done!
Smells like a scam. The value of Craigs list is local buyers and cash transactions. If you are willing to ship then look to E-Bay, and paypal there is the best way to go. But you pay for that security, about 10%. But paypal from TX and ship to OH smells to high heaven. Better to refuse the deal, and turn it in to Craigs for them to track down as well!
The 40mm Nikkor is a consumer grade, DX macro lens. And consumers use mostly auto everything. So to expect a smooth damped focus on the 40mm is not very realistic. Pay the bucks for the 60, or 105 micro-nikkors and you take a big step up in all respects! Now for the 28-300, an extremely wide range in focal lengths. Manual focus suffers some? Oh well! Not considered a pro lens by most. But also loved as a walk around lens with a one lens does all approach, though some prefer the 24-120 f4 VR. Now the 16-35 is like a Prosumer lens. Nice quality and sharp as a tack. Many prefer that lens over the slightly wider, twice as expensive pro lens Nikon makes. If we look at an FX pro lens like the 24-70 or some similar clone, yeah it will focus nicer over a narrower range. Is it a great walk around lens? Up to you to decide if the missing long end is a real loss to your style of work. If you want to go light and carry one lens, you will miss the 28-300 I think. Figure out what your goals are in photography, then buy the lens to do the best job within those limits.
1 I carry a knife when in the woods, and when out shooting pics usually. Carry something more lethal if I am going to be in a place where it may
warrant it. And yes, licensed.
2 A dull knife requires more force to cut something, which increases the chances of the user not having complete control over the cut. So if it is
not sharp, leave it home!
3 I have several stones, including a hard Ark, had those since I was a kid, they do a respectable job. Now I use a water immersed wheel, fine grit
bench grinder for rough work. And one of several diamond hones to finish the job. Japanese water stones work well too! But I work with wood
and metal so need to get quality edges on cutting tools.
Thank you for that posting, the images were inspiring!
Check your private messages if you have not recently. Someone may be trying to purchase your items?
If you do not know what price sell an item for, look on E-Bay. You may need patience and look for a week or more to really get a "feel" for what it is worth. Click on the watch item button for something that matches what you wish to sell, then easy to find out what the winning bid amount ends up at.
To actually sell: E-Bay works but can be complicated for some. Craig's List is OK for very popular items, but specialized camera gear can languish for months, and then you get lowball offers, and very often: scam requests. But if it is Photo related, use this forum to sell it once you have a little idea for what it is worth. No fee's, so simple even a cave-man (or cave- woman) can do it! Paypal is 3%, but make the deal, and build that into your price if need be.
I like it! A lot to keep a viewer busy looking at it. Well done.
I have 10x50 Zeiss binoculars. But nowadays much prefer a nice wide angle 7-8X with 35 to 50 objective. Most of us get shakier as we age, and the 10X shows up as more bounce and shake. I am retired and will most likely sell my 10X50 soon because of my shakiness. Any of the better name brands will give sharp images and nice contrast. Better to shop around yourself and compare them side by side. Bass Pro shops and other large sporting goods stores have super selections and waterproof models abound for the outdoor enthusiast.