Help with next purchase and HDR Technique

[thephotoroom]

I hate to do this, but I don't have anyone else to ask expect a store clerk.

I sold a car and have at most $1,000 to put into my photo work. I have a basic Nikon D60 kit with the two lenses. A sweet tripod and a mac book pro with CS5.

I think the next best thing for me to get is a flash and a lens. What are some recommendations? I was thinking a killer zoom (XXmm - 500mm) or a wide angle fast lens. (Tokina 11-18).
For flashes I dont see what the big deal is with the speed lights. Eventually I realize Im gonna have to get a better camera body so I want to keep that in mind…. As far as purchasing items that I will be able to cary over to another camera.

My interests are landscape and I'm also getting into HDR, but am not pleased with the results that my photoshop program yields. Not sure if its the program, my lenses, or my technique, but the images don't look surreal and as sharp as they could be. I typically use my 18-55mm at F11 for these. I hear thats the best I can get as far as clarity with what I have.

Just curious as to what you guys think. Thinking out loud here.

Thanks.
-Alex

 

[KmH]

Decent and good long lenses cost long money.

A Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED Autofocus VR Zoom Nikkor Lens will set you back about $1600, new.

A Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo will eat up your whole $1000.
and the Nikon 200-400mm f/4G AF-S SWM SIC ED IF VR II Nikkor Super Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras is $6700. Ouch!

The Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X116 Pro DX for Nikon AF is about $600.

You can pick up Vivitar 285HV Auto Professional Flash for $90 all day long.

Generally recognized as about the best HDR software available is Photomatix Pro. It's what I use to make the occasional HDR.