Thanks so much for all your suggestions - I really appreciate your knowledge and expertise!

Mostly digital, with an occasional print.

I've been watching some of the threads about selecting a wide-angle lens to use with an APS-C camera.

One suggestion I've seen is to take several overlapping images and then stitch them together in post.

I'm shooting with a Nikon D3300 which has a built-in Panorama mode, and my question is whether capturing the image in this mode would produce a better image than stitching together several images in post.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

A couple of observations...

1. OUTSTANDING photos! Very clear and great detail. Nicely done! :)

2. The Tamron 70-300mm is a great lens - I have one for my Nikon D3300 and it's great when you need the extra reach. Plus, on a crop-sensor camera, the effective range is more like 450mm. There is some variation in the build quality though, and it took me three tries to get a lens with the sharpness everyone was raving about.

3. You said, "Yes they were cropped. I don't have the originals." What are you using for your post processing? Most programs are what are called "non-destructive" which means that you always have the original - the program simply stores and applies each incremental adjustment to produce the final version you see.

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far - I really appreciate your input!

-- Ron

I have a trip to Europe coming up and was wondering if anyone could recommend an Android app that identifies good locations to photograph based on your current GPS location. Of course, this wouldn't have to be limited to Europe - an app like this would be great for all locations!

Thanks in advance for your help!

I very highly recommend the Peak Designs Slide (https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Design-Slide-Camera-Shoulder/dp/B00LI7QNQO) Instead of a single mounting point that screws directly into the tripod mount, you use a special Arca-Swiss-compatible mount that has Peak's unique attachment system. The camera doesn't "dangle" and is much more secure; it's easily accessible; you don't have that "camera-around-the neck" tourist look, and it REALLY takes the stress of your neck.

When I'm just keeping the camera in my sling-style backpack, I use the Peak Designs Cuff (https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Design-Camera-Wrist-CF-2/dp/B0115FC0B0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1492966122&sr=1-1&keywords=peak+cuff) which gives me a sense of security when I'm holding just the camera.

Very reliable and easy to use - the Slide was a real game-changer for me in the field.

I would definitely echo these comments. I'm pretty good at landscapes and things like shooting my great-nephew's baseball games with a 300mm lens, but I would never even consider being the primary photographer at a wedding.

I did offer to take informal shots at my niece's wedding earlier this year, especially at events where the pro wasn't shooting, like the rehearsal dinner and the after-reception bonfire. And I was very careful to stay out of the pro's way when she was shooting the actual ceremony and the reception. (The pro had 3 shooters and an assistant, btw, and those photos were spectacular.) My niece was thrilled when she was the final versions of my shots, and they were a nice complement to the pro's shots.

That said, we do have a friend who is having a super-informal wedding and reception at our local wine shop. I asked the bride-to-be if she was having a photographer there; she laughed and said, "No way - this is super low key!" I offered to take some informal shots throughout the evening, and she was thrilled beyond belief.

This one I'm okay with because there are no expectations; other than that, it's strictly backup photographer for me!

Actually, according to the TSA website, you CAN bring both tripods and monopods in your carry-on luggage:

http://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/cib_results.aspx?search=monopod
http://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/cib_results.aspx?search=tripod

I have brought my tripod several times with no problem at all. Of course, the actual TSA agents can decide otherwise, so "your mileage may vary" but if you keep those links on your phone, you can show them the rules.

Hope this helps.

Don't even check any luggage unless you absolutely have to, and NEVER check anything of value. I have millions of miles logged on two different US airlines, and I can tell you that there are only two kinds of luggage: carry on...and lost.

I have a D3300 and checked in to several options for the 70-300mm lens. I ultimately decided on the Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SP Di VC USD XLD. If you time it right (when Tamron offers a $100 rebate) it ends up being about $150 less than the comparable Nikon lens.

The only heads-up is that there seems to be some variation in the build quality and it took three tries to get a copy with the image quality the reviews all rave about.

That said, it was easy to exchange them with Amazon, and the images I'm getting now are bright and tack-sharp. This is a fantastic lens to consider.

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