If the camera is out of warranty, I doubt Nikon - or any other camera manufacturer - would repair the camera free whether the battery that caused the damage was OEM or aftermarket.

To my tastes, that is a beautiful picture that captures very well some of the aspects of the Southwest. If I had shot it, it would grace my wall for sure.

Beautiful shot! These days we see way too may time exposure star shots such that they have become a cliche. Same for time exposures of water. You did both - and made it work brilliantly. Congrats.

Beautiful shot! These days we see way too may time exposure star shots such that they have become a cliche. Same for time exposures of water. You did both - and made it work brilliantly. Congrats.

Here is another approach:
https://petapixel.com/2019/04/08/building-a-photo-editing-computer-on-the-cheap/
I remain very pleased with this system.

Cheers

Bob

I use a Sony A6500 APS-C camera, which includes Image Stabilization. Recently I bought the superb Sony 70-350 mm APS-C zoom, which includes built in OSS (Optical Steady Shot). Please note that I am 77 years old and nowhere near as steady as once I was.

On a recent outing I shot eagles in a tree. I shot, strictly hand held, at ISO 800, the lens at f/8, and a shutter speed of 1/3200th of a second. The lens focal length was 350 mm - equal to 525 mm on a full frame. The image was significantly cropped - this is about 1/6th of the full image.

I would have to say the picture speaks for itself.

Cheers

Bob Locher

I am in my late 70's and still able to drive, and hope to for some years yet. But I pray that self driving cars will be a reality when I have to give up the keys. A self driving car would allow me to continue living in my home and still have a life.

Cheers

I have the 30 mm f1.4 Sigma lens designed for AP-C, available new now for under $300, and it is incredibly sharp on my A6000. It is a great all around lens, equivalent to 45 mm on a full frame camera.

Cheers

Bob

I am presently recovering - very nicely, thank you - from knee replacement. But my wife had shoulder replacement surgery in May. She had some rotator cuff damage as well, which the surgeon was watching for and repaired. She is right handed and of course it was her right arm. She is about 80% recovered at this point, and most of the time is pain free, something not true a year ago even with considerable medication.
The physical therapy is not fun for her but she perseveres and is closing in on 100% recovery.
Suggestion: Buy a couple of the gel ice pads that you can stick in the freezer. Ice is your friend!

Good luck and stay with the program!

The processing is slow - it is very computer intensive. Sharpen AI is a tool I use only for my best shots, and not all of them, since many would simply not benefit. But when I do use it the improvement can be spectacular. And it is almost always the last processing I do to a photo before I consider it finished.
Cheers

Breathtaking - and thanks too for the historical note - interesting indeed.

I urge people to watch this YouTube video showing what Topaz Sharpen AI can do:
https://youtu.be/Tr8eGOXPv7I
It is a little slow getting started - stay with it and you will see what Sharpen AI and Gigapixel AI can do.
And it compares what the Topaz programs can do versus what Photoshop can do. Which brings me to another point - smug PS users who have NOT tried Topaz Sharpen should not be posting comments denigrating Topaz products...

Cheers

I use both Topaz Sharpen and Gigapixel. Both really impress me. Yes, they are slow, and they use all a computer's assets to process. I certainly don't use them for every shot - and not every shot benefits when I do - but often the results are breathtaking.
Upping system resolution is difficult - and expensive - more megapixels and super sharp lenses. Sharpen AI can often do more than a $2000 lens upgrade - and for a whole lot less.
Cheers

I have the Sony 18-135 mm and it is an incredible lens. I try to shoot 2 stops below max aperture and the resolution is terrific. I also won the Sigma 30 mm f1.4 - and it is the sharpest lens I own. I strongly recommend either or both.
Cheers

I think you pose a difficult question. Unless you are shooting professionally, in which case you have to please the client, you should be shooting to please yourself. Criticism from others can be helpful, but remember they are always trying to steer you towards their idea of what is good.
Consider this approach - look at other people's work, and decide which efforts you would be proud to put your name on. Do not attempt to copy them, but instead figure out for yourself what the strengths of these pictures are, and work to develop those strengths in your own work.
I am presuming you have the technical skills needed - get sharply focused, well exposed pictures etc. If there is any question on that, tackle those problems first.
Bottom line - shoot to please yourself! Be proud of you best efforts. I believe these are the important things.