Hi to all;
Currently I'm shooting with a Nikon D500, using a Tamron DX 17-50f 2.8 lens. In normal lighting conditions, I get razor sharp images. But I'm noticing two things: When using a flash (Godox V850 II for Nikon) and I added MagMod "dome" to evenly disperse the light, often the subject will be out of focus but the surroundings will be sharp??? I have the focus set down to the one dot, and I put the focus box on the subjects face yet the pics still come out bad.
Secondly, I was shooting in low light at a baptism ceremony. I used a NanLite LumiPad 11 so I could set the camera on "coninuous Low." I realize that there are limitations with the Lumipad, but my images came out grainy and unsharp. I had set the ISO to 10,000 and even adjusted the camera to Auto ISO (with no luck) I set the camera to Shutter priority 1/200 of a second. I realize the higher the ISO value the more grain gets introduced, but the results were so wide varying, it is maddening. Some pics were rather sharp, others were very unsharp and muddy "grainy."
Any suggestions? I would likely be using a mirrorless camera by now, but I have seven DX lenses. Going to a full frame camera with a cropped lens makes no sense. While I'm on the subject, are there any Nikon fans out there who could make suggestions for a Nikon mirrorless? I'm hoping to get enough on a trade in of the body and all lenses to offset some of the cost of the new camera. Plus my needs have changed and I'm not likely to need more than two or three lenses. I figure staying with the same make camera would cut down on the learning curve and the Godox for Nikon would likely be OK with the newer model camera. This old dog wants to learn as few new tricks as possible. I welcome all tips and suggestions.
Thank you in advance.

In the CB world, and in other circles where radios are used, Height is Might. Getting up onto high ground, and or just having a decent antenna on a mobile unit makes all the difference in the world. One thing that has been happening a lot lately is there has been a ton of "skip." When there is solar flare activity, it creates atmospheric conditions that allow radio signals to bounce off the atmosphere and travel some insane distances. Of late I have spoken to a gentleman in Newfoundland on one day, and others in Florida, So Carolina, Michigan and Missouri on others. It is unpredictable, here one minute gone the next. But it is fun when it happens.

During the pandemic I got back into CB Radio. I hadn't messed with a radio in well over 40 years. What I have found with getting back into the hobby, is often I can talk and receive radio chatter in areas where there is little or no cell service. I knew that would likely be everyone's first question, why mess with CB if you have a cell. There is your answer. Plus, through some experimentation, a friend of mine and myself have been able to figure out some amazing stuff on the radio. And for anyone who is a prepper, a CB Radio is a must. I'm not a prepper, but I was a boy scout (never abused. LOL) The motto "Be Prepared," has never been more relevant than what goes on in the world today. For anyone thinking about getting a CB, I have some really good suggestions that won't cost an arm and a leg. Just sayin'.

I appreciate the input. Some of the searches I have done online have gotten my inbox bombarded with come ons and I figured people here would be in the "know." Thank you all

John

Can anyone direct me to a site where I can purchase Lightroom? I prefer a stand alone version where I don't have to pay a monthly fee. I predominantly use ACDSee Pro, but have been working on a project where all the other Togs are using Lightroom. I don't want to get hooked into a long term contract for something that I may or may not adopt as my primary photo process. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the info. I still haven't decided. I think what I will do though is go to a camera store and get my hands on a few different models to see which ones are the most comfortable to me. Unlike publications like "Consumer Reports" which BTW are great if you are buying a car or a washing machine, but when they rate cameras, they say things like "it was heavier than the other camera, etc." Whenever I have looked at a new camera, I check the specs on the accuracy of the shutter and other critical measurements.
I take photos for my church. Low light, no flash allowed, so having a decent ISO is critical. the other shooters all have Canons. I'm the only Nikon shooter. We all shoot in the RAW format. (Actually NEF for Nikon,) but I will say this. The Nikon photos upload about twice as fast as the Canon shooters. My D500 has better low light vision than my eyes. LOL

You aren't the first to say that, and from what I have been reading, I think you are correct. When the $$ is available, THAT is likely the way I will go.

Isn't that is what life is all about? I hope you still have a ton of sand left in your "hourglass" measured more in decades than in minutes.

How about a Buick. I want more than a Chevy Trax, but can't afford a Caddy Escalade. In truth, a lot will depend on what the camera store offers me for my D500 and lenses.

Hi;
I have been mulling around the idea of going to a mirrorless DSLR. I understand the consequences. It means buying all new lenses, etc. Currently, I have a Nikon D500 with only about 10,000 snaps on the shutter, and about a half dozen various lenses. Over time I went from a Nikon D200 to a D300 to a D7000 (I used that as a back up to the D300) and finally went to the D500. I can't say that I'm unhappy with the D500. It takes excellent photos and I have had no issues with it.
My thought is this: Going forward, in not too many years down the road, ALL new cameras will be mirrorless. When that day comes, existing cameras will be worth something less than what they are worth today.
Since going mirrorless will entail getting all new lenses, it frees me to look at other camera manufacturers.
The three top contenders IMHO are: Nikon, Canon and Sony. I do a fair amount of indoor photography where I can't use a flash, so I need a camera with a decent ISO rating.
I guess the only other deciding factor is what type of trade in I can get on my current equipment. I'm looking for suggestions, with pro and cons various models. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

BTW: How do you like your D500? I've had mine for a little over a year and I love it. I shoot mostly with Tamron lenses. I was having a lot of trouble with a 70-200 f2.8 lens. This goes back three cameras ago, the Nikon D200, D300, D7000 and now the D500. Turns out if I didn't use the spot focus feature of the lens, it would search constantly. I was doing a shoot when it started acting up. I had to switch to manual focus. It is otherwise a fast lens (it weighs a ton, all glass.) Happy Shooting.

I have a D500, and when I shoot a moon rise, I have to put the focus on a single point (the moon) otherwise it will search and search but never focus. I would say try changing the focus points.

Can anyone guide me in selecting a Laser Printer? I went the B&W printer route when I bought a laser printer about 15 years ago. I have a Brother MFC8440 which has served me well.
What I would like to do, is start printing some photos in color, but I want a laser that also has a decent capacity black toner drum. The printers that I have looked at, all have rather small black toner drums. I guess I'm looking for the best of both worlds.

I always get a kick out of people that run under trees to get away from the rain.

I have been interested in photographing lightning strikes for some time, but have never been able to be in the right place at the right time. Recently, a buddy of mine said that he purchased a lightning strike trigger that he uses on his Canon DSLR. I have a Nikon D500 and would like some advice on a lightning trigger. I have been looking for any ratings for the different triggers, with no luck. Can someone either direct me to where I can find the triggers being rated, or can they give me some feedback on what to look for and or what triggers to stay away from. Thanks in advance for any help.