DanielJamesVersace

So I wanted to get a general feel of what sort of batteries people use, What brand and whether they are rechargeable.

I was using Energiser because i got about 16 when i first brought my Speedlite, and now i just brought 40 Duracell because i got them at around the same price, about 30¢ a batterie. I was going to a 21st and only had my last 4 batteries so i popped into a Service station and brought a 4 pack, These were a brand i had never heard of before and 4 batteries were as light as 2 of the Duracells. these Batteries lasted 200 shots, while the energiser ones last about 300-400.

I am still waiting to see how well Duracell batteries perform and will keep you all posted, I'm a bit iffy about using rechargeable.

And yes the flash is on the same settings and same power for all the shots.

So I haven't shoot a function in a while and the other day i was at the beach at night with a group trying to shoot with the flash, I always felt that having the Flash pointed straight at my friends was way to harsh, but with a dome i couldn't get the range.

Now i ask the question for all occasions, is there a universal way to use the flash that works well in all areas, i saw a "Pro" Using the bough card with the Flash pointing straight up, but we were in a church with a very high ceiling, and then when we went out side there was no ceiling at all!

I normally shoot like this to, but now i am starting to wonder is this better then using a flash dome? or are the two completely different uses.

So i have been looking around for a good and reasonably priced 30 or 35mm for my D3 or D600 and all i have found so far is the Sigma at around $700 and the over priced Nikkor at around $1800.

Now i know the Nikkor is worth its weight in gold, (and maybe thats the problem cause it doenst weight much I'm told) but i just don't have that sort of money to start out, is there another focal length i can use that is close enough to this that still does nice shots indoors and out, I have the 50 but feel some times a bit to squashed against the wall to frame everything.

So iv been doing a few portfolio Pieces over the past few days, and I'm shooting with my camera in different Picture control settings, I have shot from Vivid to Portfolio and even Monochrome, But the problem is when ever I upload the photos to iPhoto or even Lightroom the photos loose their "Effects or Settings" as you will, when i move from photo to photo while I'm waiting for it to load in that split second i will see the original photo with the settings i wanted but then it will quickly change to as if i didn't use a setting at all.

This happens on my D600 and my D3, Why is this doing so? is it just their for preview and is there  anyway i can stop this from happening.

Thanks heaps guys

So I popped into my local camera store today and had a quick chat to them about consigning my D5100, after some consideration and thought I felt maybe I would just pay $50 and get it converted to take IR photos. The camera store sadly doesn't do these transformations but I know I can find someone who does or at least watch a youtube Video and do it my self.

What I wanted to ask was has anyone done this conversion, should I do it my self, or just make $500 form my camera and lenses I know longer use. All opinions are welcome.