Which flash for my d3000 nikon on budget?

Hi I'm trying to decide whether to buy a flash or not? I have considered the sb-700 but is very expensive as I'm just an amateur so I'm looking at the Metz range and the sunpak range does anyone have any advice on their quality? And particularly the Metz Mecabiltz 50 af 1 compared to the sb-700 as it is considerably cheaper.

Why won't my nikon d3100 focus when taking pictures of stars?

I've tried several time using diff setting trying to take pictures of the stars to try and get some star trails and the stupid camera won't focus and it says its "too dark", which clearly, duh, its at night of course its dark. I'm getting really frustrated… Any help? Anyone?

DSLR video mode. Nikon D3100.does anyone know how to switch to video mode?

I'm on vacation and don't have the manual with me, don't have much experience with DSLR's and been trying to figure out where the video mode is for like two days now… Any help would be appreciated.

What did i do wrong? Advice appreciated

Ok, hey guys… I really am just a beginner trying to figure out my camera and so. I got a nikon d50 w/28-80mm lense.
So i went outside today in the late afternoon to take some shots… It was nice and sunny, no overcast… I set my camera to M and then picked ISO 200 & f/11 ( i remembered the sunny 16 rule and since i don't have iso 100 on my camera i picked 200 & f/11)
but all my pics came out just plain white or white and black blinking images but there was no "real" image to see what so ever.
whay is that? What did i miss? Or did i get that rule wrong?

i apprechiate any advice on that thanks so much.

Is the nikon d7000 for me?

I'm a beginner and looking for my first dslr. I want to know if its for me now i know that you may think i don't need this but i'm very serious about photography and passionate i'm a junior and id like to go to college for photography and i don't want to get an entry level camera and then have to upgrade and i know how to use ISO and the idea about aperture and shutter speed my thing will be understanding the buttons how the camera itself works what's what and getting the most potential out of it. I think i could do manual mode. I have so much i want and need to say i can't remember it all. Would i be overwhelmed by this camera i plan on being serious about photography.

I own a Nikon D90. How do I fix my light meter in the viewfinder?

My camera has taken a 2 foot drop onto a carpet floor. The body and lens are just fine, but the meter in the viewfinder isn't working. What can I do to fix this problem? Is it simple?

Added (1). And I can't send it out for repairs, because it could take up to six weeks for a simple fix. I need it done As soon as possible. Suggestions?

Why can't I view my photos?

Okay, I have an idea but I'd like confirmation or other help. Basically I've took say over 1000 photos on my 16GB card using a Canon 600D. Usually I use a Windows OS to take all of my photos off and back up, but I took it into uni today, took more photos for a stop-motion project. I had no lead to connect it to the mac I was using, so instead I just took out the card and put it into a Nikon D5000. The first problem upon doing this; the mac never found the storage device. The photography tutor tried other cameras, still to no avail. He just told me to continue compressing my stop motion project at home. So I took it away, took more photos along the way home, but couldn't find my previous photos! Got me pretty worried. When I got home, I put my card straight into my PC, using Windows 7, and couldn't find my previous photos before the ones I took on the way home. Only it says there's 10GB free on the card, when in reality I've only used 0.5GB. My prediction is that the others can only be viewed on a mac maybe? Doesn't explain why I can't see them on the camera. Oh and I've got all my photos backed up, don't worry about that.

Added (1). Yeah I understand that I won't be able to view any photos taken by a Nikon camera through my Canon. But I never took any photos on the Nikon, I took them all on the canon previously. And Everything before the stop-motion photos I have backed up twice, all I need is everything after.

What camera would be better for macros/ close ups?

Either canon 1000d or nikon d3000

First shoot in all Manual, tell me what you think

This was my first shoot in all manual with manual focus. I just went for it and didn't look back. Tell me what you think!

Nikon D3000, 50mm 1.8 lens (manual focus), No flash. ISO 100 on all.

Thanks in Advance.

Added (1). Secret a: I was in center-weight metering. The subject was moving around playing on a playground and in an out of direct sun/shade.

Connect a Nikon D50 to a Centon F. H.4.5 flash?

I have a Nikon D50 that i recently got as a present for my birthday and i have a Centon F. H.4.5.flash that i have had for years. I was wondering if there was a way that i can use both of them. I have heard about a TTL, but i don't know exactly what it is or what one i should get that would connect the two.