Your refreshingly wry and witty humor is always welcomed Jerry! :thumbup:

Gene,
I'm not sure I understand how an "adequate tripod" will minimize shutter vibrations.
Can you elaborate further? Thanks!

My experience is that once I have done everything else (all of the common sense stuff),
to minimize vibration, using a remote shutter release and setting the mirror lock-up function
are both worthwhile (used together) to eliminate the finer camera induced vibrations.

Dear Bull Drink Water (AKA "Shallow Pockets ") ).

There is lots of advice for the lesser heeled here, but this is NOT a matter of money; it's a matter of how particular you are about the quality of your images combined with developing enough knowledge and experience to know how to take full advantage of better (often more expensive) gear.

Better gear alone WILL NOT yield a better photo.
A cloth bag of rice in the hands of the more experienced photographer will trump a Really Right Stuff top of the line tripod and ballhead in the hands of a casual weekend photographer every time.
The pricey gear can help, but it's almost always the photographer's experience and knowledge that makes the difference.

Hard to say for certain, but electrical interference of any sort you may have encountered was NOT the problem.

I STRONGLY suspect that some gorilla bashed or forcefully crushed your LowPro bag while trying to make room in the overhead.

The lens to body mount is possibly out of alignment or even structurally bent.

Suggestions for future flights based on hundreds of flights worldwide (including those with large populations of gorillas:

1) ALWAYS REMOVE your 28-300mm lens from your Nikon D750 body and pack them individually.

2) NEVER leave a medium to long lens attached to a camera body when traveling.

3) Consider getting a Pelican or other super durable and padded case that can be carried on the plane for your more expensive gear while on the plane and pack the almost empty LowePro bag with the less fragile items in your check-on luggage.

I know how you feel and I suspect the repair will be expensive.
My condolences.
I hate flying gorillas!
They have no respect for other passenger's property and there are always several on every plane.
Good luck with the repairs.

There are gorillas on every plane flight!

Check out this website first:
http://extreme-macro.co.uk/extreme-macro-tripod/

Tripods:
A good $170 Budget model is the Vanguard ALTA PRO 264AB 100 Tripod and Ball Head.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/828703-REG/Vanguard_ALTA_PRO_264AB_100_Alta_Pro_264AB_4_Section.html

A better $500 quality model is the Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 Carbon Fiber 4 Sections Tripod with Horizontal Column.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1034141-REG/manfrotto_mt055cxpro4_carbon_fiber_tripod.html

I hope this helps. There are many many more options out there.
Your best bet is to visit a local camera shop and see what they have to offer so you can touch and feel the tripos before buying.

Yes, this is an inexpensive solution.
http://www.amazon.com/ALZO-Horizontal-Accessory-Supporting-Photography/dp/B0015ASKMY

However, I would NOT mount my camera as shown in ALZO's photos.
Mount the ALZO horizontal arm directly to your tripod and move the ballhead to the camera.
More stable, flexible, and less stress on the ballhead.

I have really grown to love my RRS ball heads and tripods. They are just so well made, functional and reliable that I feel justified in paying for them.
I also frequently use carbon fiber tripods by Induro with my RRS ball heads when working in harsh conditions, like the ocean.

I am particular about supporting my camera on a tripod from the center of gravity of all attached gear (lens, hot shoe accessories, Cokin filters, etc.).
This means mounting the tripod on long lenses and using a mount that can adjust back and forth to fine tune the balance (RRS is my preferred gear; pricy but they work reliably and hold up after extensive use).
For non-static shots (i.e. BIF [Birds In Flight] or distance motion), I really prefer to use a quality gimbal with the camera/lens balanced on its mount.

Nevertheless, using a cheap bean bag (or bag of rice from the local grocery store when traveling) set on a tree branch, fence or car roof, works quite well when you know what you are doing and why.

That’s what hands-on experience offers when combined with an obsession for continuous improvement.
Without that, it is very hard to justify the higher costs, diminishing returns, and inevitable disappointment when the more expensive gear alone does not yield a dramatic improvement.

I agree with you DerBiermeister.

Photography is a learning process. Starting out with the best of the best gear is nice, but the budding photographer has skipped a portion of his/her hands-on education if he/she buys the best from the onset. He or she will also not be able to take full advantage of the superior gear without going through that learning curve.

Most of us learn by doing and making mistakes while making incremental improvements. That’s how God made us.

 

Or a "free" boat.
Free is never truly free.

I agree. A current version of LR will import them seamlessly.
So will Photoshop.

I suspect other software that is popular with UHHers will also, but I can't verify that.

And then, as another UHHer noted, the software that came with the camera does some basic Sony raw file conversions.

A cute hedgehog pin sounds fine to me.
It may even elicit some conversation with another photographer, but other interpretations are far more likely.

However, I suggest you AVOID the use of the word "hogger."

Gamers will think you are really good at the online World of Warcraft game.

Perverts may immediately go to hogger's more sleazy definition.
(Don't open link below if easily offended, as it's offensive)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hogger

I prefer "Hedgehog". Cute, ugly or otherwise.

LOL!
No, I'm not. And I'm glad you asked for a clarification.
My wife would find it funny also.
Your witty response made my day. Thanks!

Depends a lot on what you are using them for. Flash, camera, etc.
What is your application?

Generally, you get what you pay for (longevity and duration between charges).
However, if you always have a spare with you, off label brands like Vivitar will save you money over OEM branded batteries.

It depends on how critical service and performance is to your particular use.
(For example, personal use versus professional, or casual wildlife shots versus primary wedding photographer).

Nice shot!
You seem to have a knack at making your own luck.
Keep it up!