Smoke on the Water - TLud's E92 M3 build page (Updated with Rolling Shots)

[TLud]

Originally Posted by Nawaaz

Gorgeous pics with downtown Houston in the mix.

Thanks, Nawaaz.

Originally Posted by frankzlin79

Wow! Looks like you were all over downtown today. These pictures are excellent. The quality of the D90 and lens is awesome. After my exam, we'll go on a photo-shoot. I'd like to test out your lens and see what the D5000 can do with it.

Thanks. I'm really glad that I ended up getting the 18-200 mm lens instead of the kit lens. Taking into account its limitations (biggest one is the pincushion effect when photographing architecture at high zoom), it's a nice quality and really versatile lens that really helps a beginner like me. I can't just "see" a shot and know exactly what I need to capture it like more experienced photographers. This lens lets me play around and figure out what works. You're more than welcome to test it out on your camera.

Originally Posted by Eugene-TAIWAN

Wow Houston looks nice!

Never been there.

It's like any city. It's got its really nice parts, and it's got its not so nice parts of town. The best thing about Houston is the people.

Originally Posted by STALKER

Looking good.

Originally Posted by aus

Great shots. Does the D90 do video?

Thanks again, guys. Yes, the D90 does HD video (720p at 24 fps).

[monsta]

the last pic is WIN!!

[Poppin Fresh]

VERY NICE! Those RAC wheels looks so good in that color. Which RD Sport bumper is that?

[tinpot]

Originally Posted by TLud

Posted up some more pics on the first page, but I'll post them here too. Took these with my new D90. Be kind, my camera is far better than my skills.

Very nice pics with a great background!

Originally Posted by frankzlin79

Wow! Looks like you were all over downtown today. These pictures are excellent. The quality of the D90 and lens is awesome. After my exam, we'll go on a photo-shoot. I'd like to test out your lens and see what the D5000 can do with it.

If you guys meet up, let me know. I've been an avid reader of my D5000 for dummies book so I'd like to try out my photography "skills". I’ve been messing around with the stop motion feature, too, which is very cool.

[TLud]

Originally Posted by monsta

the last pic is WIN!!

Thanks! Btw, I've always loved those moving shots that nMd took of your car and I've wanted to get some of mine for awhile now. The guys I ran into yesterday clearly had some experience with rolling shots and took some amazing pics of my car. I can't wait to post some of them up.

Originally Posted by Poppin Fresh

VERY NICE! Those RAC wheels looks so good in that color. Which RD Sport bumper is that?

Thanks, it's the RDSport Stradale (street version).

Originally Posted by tinpot

Very nice pics with a great background!

If you guys meet up, let me know. I've been an avid reader of my D5000 for dummies book so I'd like to try out my photography "skills". I’ve been messing around with the stop motion feature, too, which is very cool.

We'll be sure to keep you posted. I'm still trying to make it through my owner's manual!

[Muffnbluff]

Originally Posted by TLud

Small world! A buddy of mine lives in those town homes right there, so I'm over there once a week or so. Great neighborhood. Too bad I missed you.

Ha, well then I pay the same HOA dues as your buddy, I live in the ones between baldwin and bagby.

He doesn't live in 2517 does he? We almost bought that one.

Make sure to gun it down mcgowen next time you're there so I can hear you inside my house.

[TLud]

Originally Posted by Muffnbluff

Ha, well then I pay the same HOA dues as your buddy, I live in the ones between baldwin and bagby.

He doesn't live in 2517 does he? We almost bought that one.

Make sure to gun it down mcgowen next time you're there so I can hear you inside my house.

He's at 212 Bremond, right on the driveway between Baldwin and Helena. Bought it a couple of years ago. You guys are in a great location and I like the brick exterior.

I try to keep it tame in the ol' neighborhood, but maybe I'll let it loose for ya.

[spicoli024]

Nice pics Tom. I like #7. Funny, I was going to head downtown Sunday and snap some shots too. I had the location of your first pic in mind. I really wanted the skyline in the background. Plus Houston has one of the nicest skylines in the country IMO. I thought underneath Enron Circle might be a cool spot too. Anyway, skipped all that to go house shopping with the gf. I didn't get any pics, but I did have fun driving all over town on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Maybe I'll get around to pics next weekend. Tag along if you have time. You can log some extra D90 practice hours taking pics of my car too

[MMMorish]

That last picture is worthy to be in next years M3Post calendar. the D90 is sweet and your 18-200 is a great walkaround lens. Car looks great!

[slipstream]

I love the Houston skyline. The Heritage Plaza building is my favorite skyscraper, period. Great job on the photo shoot! Almost makes me miss university days. . . almost.

[JC919]

Great pics Tom, also congrats on the D90 purchase, its a terrific camera!!

[TLud]

Originally Posted by spicoli024

Nice pics Tom. I like #7. Funny, I was going to head downtown Sunday and snap some shots too. I had the location of your first pic in mind. I really wanted the skyline in the background. Plus Houston has one of the nicest skylines in the country IMO. I thought underneath Enron Circle might be a cool spot too. Anyway, skipped all that to go house shopping with the gf. I didn't get any pics, but I did have fun driving all over town on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Maybe I'll get around to pics next weekend. Tag along if you have time. You can log some extra D90 practice hours taking pics of my car too

I agree that Houston has one of the best skylines in the U.S., and yesterday was a perfect day for taking pictures. I ran into so many people doing the same thing downtown, it got to be pretty funny. Let me know when you want to take some pics and do some driving. I'm down. Enron circle is a great spot, but I think it works best late at night. There's much less traffic then and the lights at night are very cool.

Where are you looking for a house? The wife and I are starting to look around for our second house on the west side of town or in the heights. We'll probably keep and rent out our current house.

Originally Posted by MMMorish

That last picture is worthy to be in next years M3Post calendar. the D90 is sweet and your 18-200 is a great walkaround lens. Car looks great!

Thanks again! It's funny how everyone I've shown these pictures to has a different favorite. The 18-200 is a great starter/one-and-done lens. I've already got my eye on a couple of others, but I need to work on my skills first.

Originally Posted by slipstream

I love the Houston skyline. The Heritage Plaza building is my favorite skyscraper, period. Great job on the photo shoot! Almost makes me miss university days. . . almost.

Thanks, and I agree about the Heritage Plaza building. It's amazing how it stands out even among the other very original and incredible buildings in downtown Houston. Did you previously live/go to school here in Houston?

Originally Posted by JC919

Great pics Tom, also congrats on the D90 purchase, its a terrific camera!!

Loving it so far. You should meet up with Kyle and me -- maybe we can get some nice rolling shots.

[amk6453]

very nice and clean!

[spicoli024]

Originally Posted by TLud

Where are you looking for a house? The wife and I are starting to look around for our second house on the west side of town or in the heights. We'll probably keep and rent out our current house.

I do not really have a set area in mind. My objective is to find something with good situs value that I can either fix up and rent out or fix up and call home and hold onto as an investment for a few years. I found a pretty cool house a block from the Galleria. It needs a little work IMO but the location and shell are great. It has a surprisingly large, shaded backyard and a view of Transco Tower at night. The large two car garage is also a plus. Once I manage the funds there will be plenty of room for the CGT

[JC919]

^You'd have to learn how to drive a 6MT

[asaulo1]

those wheels are just sickness.... Cheers....

[AMPowerJ]

Originally Posted by TLud

Best one of the bunch from a pure photography standpoint. Not sure if you planned the blues, etc. but it came out very nice with the lighting and all.

[spicoli024]

Originally Posted by JC919

^You'd have to learn how to drive a 6MT

ha, I think 5 years with a manual tranny as a DD was plenty of practice.

[TLud]

Originally Posted by spicoli024

I do not really have a set area in mind. My objective is to find something with good situs value that I can either fix up and rent out or fix up and call home and hold onto as an investment for a few years. I found a pretty cool house a block from the Galleria. It needs a little work IMO but the location and shell are great. It has a surprisingly large, shaded backyard and a view of Transco Tower at night. The large two car garage is also a plus. Once I manage the funds there will be plenty of room for the CGT

My next house requires a three car garage for obvious reasons...actually, one obvious reason that starts with the letter "P."

Originally Posted by asaulo1

those wheels are just sickness.... Cheers....

Thanks! If you're interested, there's a second and final group buy for the RG63 wheels wrapping up right now in the Sponsor's section.

Originally Posted by AMPowerJ

Best one of the bunch from a pure photography standpoint. Not sure if you planned the blues, etc. but it came out very nice with the lighting and all.

I expressly picked this location for the blue and red background to match the blue and red on my car. It took awhile to compose the picture the way I wanted, and I waited for 20 minutes for the sun to go behind the clouds to capture this shot, but it was worth it.

Originally Posted by spicoli024

ha, I think 5 years with a manual tranny as a DD was plenty of practice.

It's okay, Kyle, I hear the CGT 6MT is very forgiving.

[marty_mcfly]

what's next on the mods list?

[TLud]

Originally Posted by marty_mcfly

what's next on the mods list?

Dangerous question. I've been in discussions about possibly adding a supercharger. Other than that possibility, I'm done. I really don't want to take the modding too far, although I'm sure some would say that I already have.

[spicoli024]

Originally Posted by TLud

It's okay, Kyle, I hear the CGT 6MT is very forgiving.

I have been doing isolated left leg squats every day since the car was introduced in 2004. It is now 2010. I'm insanely disproportionate and daily life is a challenge, but I hope to be prepared for the CGT when it arrives.