been getting a couple of 3d models lately and I was wondering if I was still up to speed on some things…
When doing a basic vray material… I am selecting the bitmap for my diffuse material and do I STILL have to change the material RGB thingy under option to .255 ?
I haven’t done the .255 option thingy since SP3
if I dont, the materials are overbright
bump.. 
I stopped that .255 thingy a long time ago, too! Try using Reinhard for your color mapping with a .25 burn value and increase if needed.
I will try that… Is that what everyone does now…
are you using VFB or MAX’s? If you are using MAX’s you might be getting double gamma since MAX already applies a gamma curve. I have been keeping MAX and VRay at gamma 1 and then I tick the sRGB in the VFB.
Linear Work Flow
I still thaink that Linear Workflow stuff was just a gimick from the VRay veterans. They didn’t want us to get good so they started playing with our little minds. 
i am using the Max buffer and also Reinhard is set to .3. what am i doing wrong
The MAX frame buffer applies its own gamma curve. Try VRay’s Frame Buffer or change the MAX Gamma settings.