u/TimeToRetire2030

TLDR:>! I worked my way through college as a newspaper photographer, wedding photog, boudoir photog. 40 years later, about to retire from IT. Should I go back to being a part-time photographer?!<

About me: in the 1980s, I worked for the local photographer after school. General work: portraits, weddings, etc. I worked my way through college as a newspaper photographer: news, sports, pet of the week. Degree in IT, minor in finance (later years would add a masters in healthcare.)

In the 1990s, my (now ex) wife and I did weddings as a sideline. We developed the reputation of being the photographers of choice for the "first trimester bride." In addition to cameras and lenses, we brought a 3 gallon bucket for cases of morning sickness during group shots.

In the late 1990s, we transitioned into boudoir. Again, a good reputation, did very well, but in 2000 the advent of cheap digital photography dried up our business. Plus our children were getting older and "asking questions" so we shut the studio down completely.

From 2000 until now I've transitioned from film to digital, but my shooting has been family stuff. And honestly I use my iPhone for a lot of quick shots. I need to learn a lot more about Adobe Photoshop, and I've never tried Lightroom. Basically I use Photoshop for quick retouches.

My IT career is winding down and in a couple of years I will be forced to retire (contract ending, and ageism is a real thing.) My (new) wife wants me to retire with her, but I worry about feeling relevant. We live in a resort community (population about 35,000) and the prices for wedding photographers here are insane (two years ago we paid $3500 for our wedding photog and that was with a discount! Straight photography, two shooters, 6 hours, no video.)

I'm considering whether to spend the next two years spinning up my photography skills, digging into Photoshop, and maybe open a studio on a part-time basis. I will not "need" the money... I need to feel that I have a use. But I also want to have retirement time with my bride.

Thoughts?

Current gear: Nikon D810, Nikon D7100, multiple prime and f2.8 zooms, Nikon flashes.

Currently I have two different Nikon bodies and lenses. And importantly, I wear lined trifocals, so the camera viewfinders are diopter corrected (keeps my grandkids from messing with them!) I no longer shoot professionally (closed my studio in 2001) and I shoot as a hobby. If i print a photo, it will be 11x14 or smaller. But I've hit a point of frustration and could use some advice, please.

I have a Nikon D810 with 24-120 f4G as the "everyday" lens. Exposure count about 50,000. I love the image quality and large file size. Mentally I prefer the lens focal lengths to be what I grew up with: 50mm is normal, etc. The viewfinder works well with my trifocals. The negatives are the camera is heavy and I HATE using the buttons for changing modes. Flipping between P, A and S forces me to break my concentration as I navigate the screens.

The other camera is a Nikon D7100 with 18-200 f3.5G as the everyday lens and the MB-D15 battery grip. Exposure count about 1,800. Physically it's about the same size as the D810, but weighs 1lb lighter. And it has DIAL CONTROLS! Flipping between P, A and S is fast and doesn't break my concentration. But the viewfinder is not as trifocal-friendly as the D810: I have to wiggle my head a bit to see the entire frame. And having a DX sensor, there is a small mental shift in focal length equivalences.

To me, it seems the D7100 is the better walkabout camera and the D810 would be a great studio camera. But I no longer have a studio, and it's unlikely I will ever open one again so do I need the D810? I have a personal bias forwards full frame sensors. The D750 has the same viewfinder as the D7100; assuming I can handle the viewfinder, should I sell the D810 and find a good used D750?

Hello all! I have a 2005 E85, 17000 miles, with beige leather. Over the past few years, the leather on the driver's chair has been lightly stained by my denim jeans. I'm looking for suggestions of a leather cleaner that would reduce/remove the stains.

Thanks!

My 13 year old granddaughter is showing an interest in photography. Summer is here, and she's too old for daycare now. I think that a camera might be a way to focus her summer. I've shot Nikon since the early 80s so I'm biased. I have a spare Nikkor 18-105 DX VR kit lens, but don't have a spare body.

To be blunt, I don't want to spend a huge amount on an experiment, maybe $200 or so. Teens can be fickle. So I'm looking for suggestions, please, something good for entry level. Thanks!

Hello all! I've bought a 2022 230i coupe, 27k miles, that is 2 months outside of warranty. I did not buy from a BMW dealership. Carfax shows all maintenance performed by Taylor BMW (Evans, GA) and everything looks correct.

My local BMW dealership (Little Rock, AR) is offering to do an inspection and (if it passes) sell a 60 month/100k mile extended warranty for $7000. The warranty is through CNA, about which my mechanic (whom I trust) says "it's not BMW but it's better than the rest."

Still, $7k is a lot. I'm assuming that a catastrophic issue with the 230i (transmission, turbo, A/C, electrical gremlins) could come up to $7k. One issue would pay for the warranty. Two would make the warranty worth having.

So my question to the techs: how often are you seeing catastrophic issues with the 230i?

I have a vacation to Denver next month and we may be going to Rocky Mountain National Park, Valley of The Gods and/or some old gold/silver mines. Due to luggage restrictions, I am limited to one camera and lens. The images are for family, not commercial. Which of the camera/lens pairs below would you take?

Nikon D810, Nikkor 24-120 f4 ED VR (G series.)

Nikon D7100, Nikkor 18-200 f3.5-5.6 DX ED VR (G series.)

Thanks!

Hello all! I'm looking to sell my 2022 RAV4. No lien, perfect working order, just a few body scratches. Carvana has given me the highest offer and I'm tempted... but... as we know, a few years back the company was in bad shape.

Looking through posts here, I see occasional problems with Carvana checks bouncing. I have not seen a post where an ACH payment was delayed, though.

So my question: if I decide to sell to Carvana, should I choose ACH over a paper check? And if anybody has received a bounced check from them, how did it get resolved? Thank you!

I just bought a 2022 230i, 25k miles and two months past factory warranty from a Porsche dealer in another state. Clean Carfax, good maintenance history, one owner. It is being shipped to me later this week.

I have a long-term relationship with my nearby BMW dealership (there are no independent shops where I live that can be trusted with BMW.) The BMW dealership is offering to sell me a 60 month, 100k mile platinum warranty from CNA. I've bought CNA extended warranties before (for Toyota and VW), and they've paid off a couple of times with catastrophic repairs. CNA is expensive, but the company seems to honor their commitment.

For a "platinum" bumper-to-bumper, exclusionary warranty, the cost of the warranty is $7k. Not cheap. Neither is a rear seal repair, A/C compressor or replacing an LCD screen. And with arthritis, I no longer work on my own cars.

Would you buy the warranty? Or would you bank the $7k and carry the risk?

I am considering installing a Pioneer head (DMH-WT5000NEX) in a 2005 BMW Z4. The Z4 is single DIN, with air conditioning vents directly above the factory stereo. The Pioneer head extends forward from the dash then upwards, and the LCD screen will completely block the center air vents.

I often drive the car with the top up due to weather (cold, excessive heat, etc.) Will the A/C vents blowing on the back of the Pioneer head unit affect the LCD over time? I'll be running air conditioning in the summer and heating during the winter. Thanks!