:tup: i feel a lot better about the shots i'm taking even with just a small upgrade (18-55 kit lens thrown out to pasture, replaced by a 18-200 and 35mm prime combo for low light). really wanted a 24-70 but couldn't justify the stupid cost right now.

my d5100 is doing pretty well again. just poneyed up some cash for an op/tech strap because the nikon one sucks and started hurting midway through anime expo.

The strap that comes with the camera hurts! Haha and it gets sweaty if you are in the sun haha.

I will have to look into an 18-200..

the 18-200 is not good for low light, like it seemed you wanted to take in your previous post. i'd go for the 35mm/1.8 or 50mm/1.8 depending on what you're shooting with, IMO.

also - a decent flash helps if you don't have a tripod; if you can remote it somewhere, even better. but i'm still getting used to shooting in lowlight as well, so take my thoughts with grains of salt.

Also, the gear only gets you so far. I hit a plateau a while back and decided to take some one on one classes with a local photographer. Needless to say, I learned so much from him that it totally changed the way I take pictures. I'm using a pre-owned canon 7D with my old t2i kit lens, the cheapy 50 1.8 and the 85 1.8. Nothing expensive or grand, but when used right can yield amazing results, good enough to start a side business lol. Check out my portfolio in my signature down there.

Also, invest in some cheap speedlights and wireless triggers for a complete revamp of your photography skills. Again, all can be had for very inexpensive prices.

85 f/1.8 is a great bang-for-buck lens. a lot of the lower end L-glass is very good for that, the 17-40 f/4 L is an amazing lens for the money. i use my frequently

http://www.modachroma.com/the370z/NYC-7626.JPG
City Bikes - Soho


http://www.modachroma.com/the370z/NYC-7633.JPG
City Bikes - Lower East Side

Here's some pictures from a recent Titan meet/campout at Lake Cushman up here in the sunny PNW. Took so many different shots that I had trouble deciding what to put up.







The Andromeda Galaxy is in this one.

Nice shots. I really had to strain to see Andromeda.
(see what I did there?) :tup:

Good work.

:tup:

Stuff I see.
This was on the steps at The Met in NYC. Wonder if her guy saw an upside-down me taking his picture?

http://www.the370z.com/members/lunaz...ple-street.jpg

that was perhaps even more clever^... or did you know it was the same author? :tup:

.... but the image quality is worth it. Just like the price of the car is worth the price you pay.

Any idea what kind of bird that is?