Yes, the D810 is a beast, but a darn friendly one if you treat it right - will reward you all every time. I guess you said it best, it is about knowing the limitations of the platform and how best to use it. Its not just the cost of the
Inspire2 but in winds aloft conditions, things can go South pretty quickly if your situational awareness is not sharp and there goes your 6k investment or some portion, not to mention confidence.
Yes this is an expensive endeavor and at this point not yet paying, so still a hobby. In the old days when shooting out of a Bell Jet Ranger, all I had to concentrate on was getting the shot, pilot was ex-navy, so in great hands and stabilization was rock solid, but for the cost of renting the bird and petrol. Ah Stereo's, now there is a money bit and my vintage vnyl habit <g>
Saw your Vimeo site, some nice images - DR does of course suffer at night, appreciate the offer