Hallo,
Lots of D3x owners do to think that if they have the right gear, that they automaticly shoot good pictures.
You are one of the photographers who knows to handle the right options and boost it to the max.
Very nice pictures and I can see the dificulties off this discipline.
It is often underestimated.
I have a costom curve in mij D300 witch boost the quality, perhaps some thing to try.
You wil never know....
If you want to have it ( for free) mail : hetaykas@hotmail.com
Sorry for my poor writing, I have learnt some year ago.