APSC vs Full Frame? Image quality differences?

Mike,

1.  You surely don't need an FX camera to get great photos ; although in my experience, you get more latitude in exposure / tonal range adjustments, while maintaining image quality.

2.  (Post processing a big factor ?)  I'd say no, getting the exposure right in the camera is key, and proper focus. I like the rule "expose to the right" when shooting raw. I watch the Histogram close, and dial it in with the exposure compensation making sure the highlights are getting full signal but not pushed so far as to clip them ,maximizing dynamic tonal shade range, and signal to noise ratio.

3.  (Monitors ?) I have a wide gamut monitor by NEC.  Love it, I'm not the expert to ask about monitors though. But the funny part is, I edit my raw photos in the sRGB color space.  I used to edit and work in adobe RGB and then convert the files to sRGB when exporting, but I really did not notice much if any advantage(with landscapes anyway)  ; in fact it can be a big disadvantage if you accidentally embed the wrong one.

4. (Equipment questions ?)  One of my best lenses is the "Nifty Fifty" 50mm f/1.8

I recently picked up a copy of the newly released Nikon 70-200 f/4 ,  I am blown away by this     lens coupled with the D800E..  Pixel peepers dream come true!

Most all of my wide angle shots were taken with the Nikon 16-35mm. This lens is working fantastic with the D800E as well.  there are good lens and camera combinations with all the brands and the don't have to be "pro-series".  Research the characteristics of your lens so you know where it's sweet spots are. Don't stop down further than necessary, avoiding diffraction.  (Bracket your apertures) and point of focus.

Someone mentioned I probably use ND filters : >I use the large 4x6 ND's and hand hold them.  For my sunrise/sunsets I use a 4x6  .9 reverse ND, the majority of the time.  If I'm shooting waterfalls or other scenes where the sky is bright, I use a 2 stop 4x6 ND soft grad.

Thanks again for referencing my website,

-John