Because you took this slightly above and from the front with the lens angled down and with a very shallow DOF, the focus is tack sharp on the coins in front but not so on the key, clip and flashlight (?) at the back. If this had been taken from directly above, it might have been sharp throughout. The only way to correct it--as far I as I understand--is a smaller aperture to increase DOF, focus stacking or using a tilt shift lens.

Now THIS ought to get interesting. :-D

I'm using it and really can't see much difference. Go for it.

Check out almost any of the Serge Ramelli LR workflow tutorials at http://www.Photoserge.com. He's the biggest proponent of what you're talking about.

I haven't done any testing but I'm not seeing any noticeable different between 5.7 and CC.

Nice.

Is this IR? Kinda has that look.

This worked for me. Seems like a step that should/could be unnecessary, but .......

Lots of older folks on the site, including me. We seem to have lots more time now that we're retired. :D

BTW, welcome to the Hog. Good placed for lots of interesting and important stuff.

Brampton is good, but I find other books more useful.

Like a responder said below, you can take any book to Staples or one of the office supply companies and they will spiral bind it for you. I do it with EVERY book I buy since it makes them much easier to use. Costs about $6 or $7 to get it done--sometimes if they aren't busy, they can do it while you wait. Be aware that some books are so thick they have to be bound as two volumes, but it's still better than hard bound. When I have to have it bound in two volumes, I have them copy the index and put it in both books--just makes things more convenient.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5IV23g-fE

LOL. He has two things that are important--passion and some reasonably strongly held views. Still chuckling.

I have Great Courses "The Art of Travel Photography" course with Sartore--excellent. Very fine instructor.

There are two different, virtually identical versions of this lens. The Nikon USA site is now showing only the newer version, and the priced has dropped from about $900 to $600. The older version didn't have a barrel lock, so you got some serious creep when you carried it on a strap with the lens facing down. Make sure you understand which one you are thinking about buying.

I had the older version and liked it a lot. Was it a perfect lens, with spectacular IQ and sensational edge-to-edge sharpness and clarity? Of course not, but it was very nice walkaround lens. I only sold mine to get the 18-300mm when I went to Alaska and wanted the extra range.

I suspect that even at the $600 new price, this is a good buy.

Experimentation and learning. Good reasons to try something new.