I favor your approach-doing any noise (grain) adjustment near the very end. Once the tif file returns to Lightroom I may do some final touch ups and make any final adjustments that improve the presence of the subject.

Raw

Bill-You are correct except that it is called a “loss leader” not a “lost leader”. The retailer takes a loss in the item they offer. Nothing is “lost”.

Thanks! I enjoyed taking them and wish I were there now to take some more.

Thanks-glad you liked them.

Hello,
Although I live in the DC area I am from Ithaca,NY. Regarding timing for your trip, now is the week to go there. Although the color change in areas immediately adjacent to the lakeshores will be somewhat behind, the other areas will peak in the next few days. There are several microclimates given the topography and they change at slightly different times.
Here is a gallery of images I shot there in 2020.
https://www.ronsartphotos.com/ithaca2020
If you would like suggestions on good places to go, just send me an email and I will put together a list.
Have fun—I wish I were going up this week myself.

The D800E does have a built-in flash and in a pinch, it works quite well.

The D800E is a very able camera and a beginner could use it effectively. I recommend buying one of the excellent books that describe its features so that she doesn’t become overwhelmed by its complexities.

I normally shoot my D850, but yesterday during a portrait session I picked up my D800E which now serves as my backup camera. I shot it for about a half hour and it was like putting on an old pair of comfy slippers. With a 105mm f2.8 on it, the image quality was really good.

I recommend going for it!!

The earlier versions of this camera are also quite good.

Sony RX100 Mark 7 with the hard shell case is my go-to for travel and walking around.

I also have these three lenses and I use them on my D850. I find that I use the 105 more for portraiture than macro. The 200 is razor sharp. The 60mm can be used as a walk-around lens with good results. If I had to choose only one lens for macro it would be the 200mm.

I have the VII and previously had the IV model. It is ideal for traveling. All the previous comments are on point. I have the hard shell case that Sony sells for it and it makes handling the camera much easier and it provides good protection. I have three extra batteries and rotate them carefully. I take this camera with me whenever I leave my house. You won’t be disappointed if you buy the VII.

I use this model Sony hard shell case. LCJRXK
There are a couple of variations of the design and if you have the RX100 Mark 7 you will want to make sure you get the version that has the hole through which you can get to the microphone jack without removing the case.
This case offers excellent protection and makes the camera easier to hold. It doesn’t have room for an extra battery or SD card but that’s what my trouser pockets are for.

Bravo!!