Being a Realtor, I shoot all my own properties and want to get into aerial pics. Anyone have experience with a remote controlled quadcopter w/camera mount and live feed? Seem to all be DIY build projects and I'd rather buy something pre-tested ready to go. Still photo's mainly but video option would be good too. Budget $1000?

Congrats and talk about a Happy New Year for you! Don't discount the kit lens, it will serve you well. My order for extra goodies would be the flash (sb400 a great starter), the 55-200vr (I think a better bang for the buck than the 55-300), a 35mm 1.8 for indoor low light w/no flash, and yes, eventually a 10-20 superwide zoom. Then since bad habits happen , go for a second body (always nice to have a backup) some fast glass like a 2.8 70-200 (portraits, sports, indoor gyms) and by then you'll probably have 2 or 3 different bags/backpacks depending on the days need. I say no rush at all, you've got enough right now to get some fabulous images. Just shoot, shoot, shoot! :thumbup:

Thanks. I'll be looking forward to spring time for some Harley chrome reflections too!

A time to reflect.

I save the pennies and hit the library once a month or so. Great way to stay current. Fun to look at some back issues too that are maybe a year+ old, they do seem so outdated by then!

Same opinion on my D40. It's my main walk around.

Yes, I was doing a lot of daydreaming of a March cruise! I'm thinking my speed might have been too slow also. iso200,f7.1,1/160th,200mm,WBdaylight. Seems to me some moonshots I had success with were around there so not sure.

That could have been what happened to me too. 2 degrees here this am. Moon dipped below a neighbors roof pretty quick so that was my excuse to get back in and warm up!

Well not contest worthy but just to prove I was out in our 2 degree temps this morning (burrrrrrr), here's a shot. I was having a hard time getting a good focus and might have been shooting too slow to capture detail - or maybe some of both! (iso200,160th,f/7.1,200mm,WB.daylight) Moon dropped below a neighbors roof line just as my hands were losing feeling which let me put my tail between my legs and go back inside. As with most new challenges, it was not as easy as I thought it was going to be. Comments on settings appreciated.

Sorry to hear about your shocker. It would ruffle my feathers too but I'd stay a pro, do what I was hired to do and remain very pleasant. If guests asked me about the pics I would tell them to talk to the DJ. Add this item of experience to your checklist before you book your next event. Learning never ends, right?

Well something sounds fishy. The only "fit" issue is the "mount type" that yes, does need to be the right one for your camera. Pretty simple though, Nikon mount fits Nikon camera, Canon mount fits Canon camera, etc. Now that said, you can get 3rd party lenses like Sigma or Tamron that will offer the different types of mounts that are compatible with the major brand of cameras. There shouldn't be a price difference for the different mounts. Nikon and Canon lenses as far as I know do not offer different mounts for other brand cameras.

nice shots textim. what were your zoom and aperature settings for the third one?

There's only been two versions made by Nikon and they were both considered DX format superzooms. 1st version 2005-2009 called VR, second version 2009+ called VRII. Only difference in the VRII is the addition of a lock button to keep the zoom from creeping out when you're carrying it, slightly different graphics and some sort of "super integrated coating" to help reduce flare and ghosting. All else remains unchanged. The original version wouldn't be around anymore new.

Here's some interesting portrait lens information from Ken Rockwell. He can be over-opinionated at times but he does have some helpful info on his site. http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/portrait-lenses.htm

I have the 50mm 1.8 for my dx (75mm equiv) but find I am to close to my subject for head or head/shoulder shots. My 17-70mm is at f/4 at 70 (105mm equiv). I'll keep saving for the 70-200 2.8 (maybe Santa) and then I'll be covered completely!

For the longest time I used Windows Live Photo Gallery which has a lot of simple to use fixes in place. Bought Elements (8) but never had the patience to learn (I will eventually). I then started using Picasa which does even more than Windows. When I need just a little more customizing, I click on Picnik which as mentioned, is free within Picasa (which also as mentioned is free within Google). Love that free stuff and it does 99% of what I need plus even I can figure it out.

8-) 8-)