I went to Lumina (works on Windows and Macs). After watching a few tutorials I was using it and like it. It is fairly easy compared to some.

I got a notice and did update. The update did not seem significant .

I just got the Aodelan Pebble for my D500. Works great either wirelessly or cable. I had ordered from Amazon a different one (Pixel) which focused the camera but it would not release the shutter. I returned it. I like the Aodelan better anyway. Simple and it works.

I don't know what lens you have now. I am a wild life photographer and have several lenses. I shoot mainly in S mode plus auto ISO and use mainly 2000th shutter. If I want a greater depth of field I use A plus auto ISO. For birds I use a 200- 500mm lens. I don't recommend it on a trip as it is heavy. I would take my 55- 300mm and 18- 140mm. I use the 300 for butterflies. Plan on taking some videos of whales. I would recommend watching YouTube videos to learn about your specific camera and the shutter, aperture, ISO relationship. Guess I have learned most of what I know about photography from YouTube. Enjoy your trip. We went last year.

Yes, it shows the status and a light for focus and a light for shutter. It focuses ok. That's why I think something must be wrong with the unit.

i've tried all that so I am sending it back. Others say it works great for them. Thanks.

Yes, it fires by hand ok.

I bought a Pixel TW283 wireless remote control. It also can be used with the cable and not going through the wireless. The problem is that it will focus the camera when the button is pushed halfway but pushing it all the way does nothing. No shutter release. I am baffled. Might I have a bad unit? Is there a camera setting that needs to be a certain way?

I have a Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT Aluminum Tripod Legs that I bought from Amazon. It weighs 4 1/2 lbs. is very sturdy and folds to 24". They have other models with ball heads. I didn't want a ball head. It is very stable with my 500 mm lens. If you want a kwik mount you will have to choose one. I use the GkGk G06 Tripod Pan Head with the quick release plate. Am happy with that.

I use Luminar and Affinity. Like them both. I can open Luminar in Photos on the Mac and do my Raw processing right in Photos in Luminar. I find it does a great job using filters and layers. The erase tool usually does an excellent job. I use it a lot to eliminate power lines. I watched a lot of tutorials to get the hang of it.

Go to Youtube and watch tutorials for your camera. There should be lots of them. Thats what I did for my camera. Some I watched more than once.

I use Affinity which develops RAW also. $50 from Apple site. I think it does a decent job.

Beautiful birds and nice pictures of them. Vernon

Great Pictures. I used to go to many airshows years ago as I love planes. I used to work in the aviation industry (DC-9 flight test) and took many pictures- slides.

I just finished a photo course with a successful professional photographer. Of course she liked macro lenses, but for the money felt extension tubes did an excellent job.