If you are concerned about buying a “Chinese” drone, consider the EVO, made by Autel Robotics. While the technology is Chinese, it is an American company and is not on a “no buy” list.There are virtually no restrictions on where you can fly it, as they leave it up to you to follow the FAA guidelines. The EVO II has very advanced obstacle avoidance sensors, and can be ordered in multiple camera configurations. I am not associated with Autel Robotics, but have been flying their drones under part 107 regs for 3 years. Their service is top-notch and an order of magnitude better that DJI. Just my 2 cents.

I apologize if pieces of this post show up elsewhere. My laptop is acting up and what I type has mysteriously disappeared twice.
I look forward to posts like this that teach me. However, I need some clarity on a couple of points.

** When I take the picture at 45 degrees, what does that tell me and then what do I do with that info?

*** When I take the picture at 90 degrees. Is that just telling me the lenses sweet spot for aperture and ISO. If so where does the calibration come in?

I have a Nikon D40 camera with the original lens kit. I primarily take landscape pictures on vacations via the landscape mode on the camera. Pictures have ranged from crap to awesome as I am purely amateur. My wife and I are set to retire and travel. I would love to upgrade the camera but I don’t want to break the bank. I want to stick with Nikon as I know the majority of the functions. I don’t need all the bells and whistles. I just need something that upgrades my picture taking so that we can make travel books.

If you all think I can keep the D40 body and just buy better lens I’m ok with that if I know the lens is idiot proof. It has to work for the D40 body.

Finally. Can someone please help me with getting tack sharp focus on my landscape shots? I use the landscape mode for shooting and lock focus on the most distant object or infinity. The trouble is that I typically lose focus on the foreground especially when I want some cool flowers in focus. I do not have a live view option to see the shot. What can I do to capture so many beautiful scenes that I typically miss?

Sorry to ramble. I truly appreciate all your help. Let me say in advance how much I admire the pictures I have seen on here. The majority of the compositions are breath taking and you all truly inspire me to be better. It’s amazing how images make you feel better about simply being human. God bless all of you and thank you so very much for helping us as we move about this planet.

I purchased a used Kirk collar for my Nikon 200-500 lens. When I received it, I was surprised to find out that it wasn't a Kirk collar at all, it looked like a some off brand or knockoff. I paid almost $160 for what they advertised as a Kirk NC-200-500 V2 in excellent condition (a new one sells for $210). I called them and they sent me an RMA and I sent the collar back. FedEx said that the received it. When I called to find out about my refund they weren't very nice and transferred me to a supervisor's phone mail. I left a message and have not heard back from the yet. I cancelled payment on my credit card. I will not deal with KEH in the future

Be careful of what you order, it may not be what you need!

On December 7, 2020 I placed an order through EBay for a camera lens. I ordered a Tamron AF 18-27mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD lens. It arrived On December 11, 2020. Before unboxing the item I checked the packing slip. Everything matched. I opened the box to find a lens in pristine condition as described.

I mounted it on my Canon 5D Mark IV and lo and behold. The image had a major vignette issue. This lens is intended for a Canon camera with a crop sensor.
The “Di II“ suggests for use with a crop sensor camera. Oops, I goofed up.

Well, sometimes it's hard to explain things that by nature can be technical without getting a little technical in your explanation. And I don't think what Gene had originally suggested to the op, and which solution i also supported, was that technical. "...get a white board, turn your flash around, and bounce the light" (paraphrased some) And now with this new op talking about shooting people with the camera set to bulb cannot make any sense, and without telling them that and why, they will never learn. And you are right about confusing people with the knowledge that we take for granted, but it is part of the learning process and if they are truly interested in growing their skills in photography, they will need to be able to cull some knowledge out of all they hear. Hell, I've been shooting for over 50 years, and I not afraid to admit that I still pick up bits and pieces of new, and helpful information. My real problem with places like UHH, and others, is that a simple request for help by an op will generate hundreds of answers, and I'm sorry to say that many are just not good answers which may only send the op down the wrong path.