I have the D7100 also. My research suggests the Sigma 105mm macro. It scored a bit better than the Nikon. It will autofocus with the D7100. I think that the longer focal length means you can get a 1:1 image further away from your subject.

I use flickr.com and Fine Arts America (pixels.com).

I just bought a Promaster shoulder sling. It hooks on to the camera like a neck strap leaving the bottom plate free for tripod use. It cost me about $20 at Colonial Camera in Orlando.

The "Nikon Transfer" folder was created in 2008 when I began using Nikon transfer (part of Nikon View) to offload my SD cards to the harddrive.

"2014" is a subdirectory under "Nikon Transfer."

Each SD Card offload is assigned to an additional subdirectory beginning with the shoot date and ending with a consecutive folder number.

I use Carbonite in "the cloud" to backup my harddrive which contains all my 2014 picture folders. Previous years are stored on an external harddrive (2T).

My folder system looks like this...

- My Pictures (windows supplied folder)
- Nikon Transfer
- 2014
- 01_02_14_201
- 01_04_14_202

The last three digits indicate the folder number. I started at "01" in December, 2011.

1) I never thought of Photomatix pro as a "plugin." But, perhaps I should as I export my raw files to Photomatix Pro via the Lightroom "File" menu.

2) I make all of my color and sharpness adjustments via Topaz plugins. Typically, I'll start with Clarity, then Detail 3, photoFXlab, sometimes Simplify 4, Adjust 5 and DeNoise in that order. On occasion I'll use ReStyle, Star Effects or B&W Effects 2. I use Remask 3 for masking.

Nicely done.

I don't have the D600. So, I don't want to guess. Consult your manual - if you have one.

Jerry, Everything I have learned about shooting and processing HDR I learned from the Web. You can too.

Unfortunately, PS Elements only works with 8-bit files. So I'm stuck with that unless I go to the full Photoshop. I have no plans to do so, however.

Your final image is beautiful!

Imagemeister, does your internal HDR (Sony) allow for more than just +1, 0EV, -1? If so, then in high contrast situations (bright sunny day) it may not capture enough range.

Having said that, your images on FAA are magnificent. I'm on FAA as well.

On the Mode dial on top of my Nikon D7100 there are two user programmable choices: "U1" and "U2." These are in addition to the expected positions like "A" (aperture priority), "S" (shutter Priority) and others.

I have programmed the "U1" Mode position with my hand-held HDR shooting parameters.

My D3100 did NOT have these 2 user defined options. I'm sure there are many cameras that do not either.

These days I'm shooting with a Nikon D7100. The "U1" Mode position sets me up for 3 shots (0EV, -2EV, +2EV); ISO 200 (for hand-held); f:11; "A" mode (camera chooses shutter speeds). In the field I may make adjustments to f-stop and/or ISO depending on the light and DOF I want.

I shoot this way almost exclusively because I know that I can work with just the 0EV if I want to.

I use Lightroom for SD card transfer, Lens and CA correction. I then export to Photomatix Pro for deghosting and merging. I use either tone mapping or lately, fusion. Then I open the TIFF in PS Elements 11 and finish with Topaz filters.

Here is an example of a recent image from Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont, Florida...

BTW - images reduced to 2048 pixels from 6000

Final HDR image

(Download)

0EV image (no adjustments other than converting to JPEG

(Download)

Thanks, Willie. I was a 6 wheel nomad for years (motorhome). Looks like you're a 2-wheel nomad.