gorgeous!

This thread made me realize how 'silly' I can be: when I want a piece of camera gear, I never 'wait for the best price'. I buy it when I want it, and - seriously - don't even remember what I paid. But almost 3 years ago I bought a mobile phone with a new plan. A couple of days later the company dropped the price on the phone since it had already been updated; they would not give me the discount - it's funny, because to this day, I'm still 'stewing' (probably because the monthly charges are still incurring) - but, camera gear? Could care less what I pay... LoL!

Appaloosa, for sure - the more spots the better! Improvement: go back an hour or so before sunset to get the light lower on the horizon - even better when there is a golden glow in the sky; it will warm the subjects, thus improving the 'storyline'. DOF good; but move so that the distracting elements in the background are eliminated - then crop to tighten up the scene. After getting a few good shots - zoom in closer to capture her colt in a tender moment.

You'll know soon enough. :-( Look for focusing issues, lens to camera mount wobble, and other odd behavior. You are lucky that it fell on carpet -- you might be in the clear. After waiting 3+ months for my new D850, I slipped on icey pavement, barely 2 months of owning it: that set me back almost a grand between the camera and lens repair. :-( (also, it's always a good habit to wrap the camera strap around your wrist when you are moving it while it is still attached to a tripod). Good luck to you!

Maybe it's buried here already - but I have a friend who only shoots film but is having trouble finding a reliable place to have it developed. Any recommendations? (for me, I'll never go back - lol!)

Totally agree - and I always say the same thing when 'new' photographers ask which brand do I recommend that they buy. There are many fine cameras out there - with up and comers emerging all the time. Options are good! :-) Although I still have most of my Nikkor lenses that I bought in the 90s, I have 'replaced' many for the newer zooms, since they are sharper than my primes of yesteryear. Another total surprise is I am gravitating towards Tamron vs Nikon lenses! It felt sacrilegious at first, but I'm getting over it - since the quality is.... (Ok, I won't say it). LoL!

I started with a Pentax Spotmatic in 1972 -- than later moved onto Olympus (full blown -- Zuiko lenses, etc). It wasn't until the mid 90s that I 'matured' to Nikon (always presuming it was out of reach financially - and it probably was -- I was young, just starting out in the corporate world - going to college -- whole nine yards). Bought a consumer grade SLR Nikon -- can't remember what it was -- but I know I didn't know much about cameras back then. I thought since it was "a Nikon" it had to be good - lol! However, I was so disappointed with my first roll of film - so I pitted my Olympus side by side with this Nikon and brought my results back to the camera shop. He agreed; the Olympus was much better than the Nikon :-) - so he credited me fully and I went home with a Nikon N90s. I thought I was a pro - lol!! Loved that camera for many years and have been a Nikon owner ever since :-)

ha ha! The OP left the room, days ago. He/she doesn't give a hoot what any of you are saying. LOL! Let's all move on to a new topic to follow.

Many may not agree (of course :-), but get a good used D810 and you'll be just as pleased until you are ready. I have both (do event work and need two bodies) - set them both up identically (so as to not worry which is which), and I get the same incredible - identical - images from both. Only difference is the final file size when I shoot raw. When I shoot for a fine art purpose, sure - I tend to grab the 850 - but don't need to, actually - since I don't see myself printing for a 'billboard' any time soon. :-)

Just another thought: I had the D since my film days (90s), but when I bought my D3s in 2010 I saw a 'ghost' in the center of the image. I sent it Nikon for repair and they checked it over thoroughly - seals, etc - and cleaned it. They could find nothing wrong with it -- but felt there may be a compatibility issue with the D3s - due to the distance between something (can't remember the details - sorry!). I bought the G version - had no further problems with the camera or any of the subsequent others: D810 and D850.

Seriously?? LOL!

Just giving you (and others) some things to consider when buying used - that's all. All the same to me what you do or don't do, aellman - lol!

I'm with some of the others: I watch You Tube videos when I want to perfect s certain PS/LR issue that I don't quite have a handle on - it's free. 😊 However, that comes with its own set of challenges, I've found: can't always see the details that the poster is doing - talks too fast (Serge) - too technical (Kost) - or the most common: I can't replicate their results (so I must have missed something - lol). Post processing is incredible - but can be incredibly frustrating when you first try to develop new techniques. But, as many others have said, it's takes time and practice. Personally, I don't think I would go the 'purchase' route - there are oodles of free information on YT - at all levels of value. I find it relaxing to spend my evenings watching them - save the best for further review when I'm ready to practice. Great that you've 'gone manual', streetglide!

Potential risks: (a) it was purchased new - but was grey market; (b) he finds out it has issues [not all cameras/lenses are perfect - even expensive Nikons have 'bad copies' now and then, I've found] - found out it was too much trouble to get it repaired and decided to cut his losses. I know nothing about these cameras so I can't say if it is good price or not -- but these are just some potential risks that can occur when purchasing used. I always purchase new, from an authorized, reputable dealer - in the long run it's worth the extra cost -- but of course professional vs hobby is a big difference. good luck!

We'll that's depressing. Super great camera - almost identical to the D810 in so many ways - surprised Nikon would take the effort to change the illumination and thickness of the squares. I'm going to contact Nikon to see if they offer an optional screen - or another solution. Will post their response here.