I like the contrast, tonal range and composition best in nr 3 and 4

Eighteen years and you brought that lens back. Now it gets to see Thatcher State Park with you, and that feels like the right kind of story.

I'm glad you could fix it!

That first frame caught what a lot of people miss when they're testing a lens after a repair, you were actually looking at something, not just pixel-peeping. The composition holds. I've had filter rings seize like that and the YouTube rabbit hole you describe is real, I spent an entire afternoon once watching videos before I touched anything. You came out ahead.

Bummer but sounds like a strong recovery. Good job.

I like them all, but the first one stands out to me. Nice job 👍📷

That repair sounds nerve-wracking. I've never had to deal with a stuck filter ring but I can picture exactly how careful you'd have to be with those pliers, one twitch away from a real problem. Glad the glass came through clean.

I spent a couple days at Thatcher Park years ago with a pochade box. The overlooks up there are something, especially late afternoon when the light starts to warm up and those valley shadows stretch out. Good territory for testing a lens.