if you could only have 2 lenses....

[grsphoto]

i am trying to figure out if you are pulling our leg, or are serious.

You don't own the camera and lens yet, and assume that taking one workshop will make you a better photographer the "phil-flash" ( whoever that might be). You think it will be easy to reach the level of Met-Art.

The one thing about photography, there are no short cuts. It will take you months, maybe years to learn this craft.

A weekend with anyone will not be enough.

Glenn

[n5wd]

Originally Posted by L&NProductions

...we have noticed when it comes to lenses everyone has their own opinion... any advice on our first 2 lenses would be greatly appreciated.

Since you're shooting Nikons, you could do much worse than pair a Nikkor 24-85/2.8-4 (an alternative to that expensive glass would be a used Nikkor 35-70 zoom) with a Nikkor 80-200/2.8.

If you're looking for quality glass, stick with Nikon's own stuff. You'll never find anyone that says they're sorry they bought Nikkor lenses.. and you will with the third-party lenses.

And, having a fast lens allows you to find a faster "sweet spot", plus gives you the ability to shoot more available light.

Your project sounds interesting, if you can pull it off.

[L&NProductions]

Originally Posted by grsphoto

i am trying to figure out if you are pulling our leg, or are serious.

You don't own the camera and lens yet, and assume that taking one workshop will make you a better photographer the "phil-flash" ( whoever that might be). You think it will be easy to reach the level of Met-Art.

The one thing about photography, there are no short cuts. It will take you months, maybe years to learn this craft.

A weekend with anyone will not be enough.

Glenn

This is not a joke. We did not say we do not own cameras. I currently own a Nikon D50, but I want to upgrade. My friend has been using his fathers Pentax *ist D since they came out. His father has a wide variety of lenses. He also owns a Canon 7mp A620. Photography has been a hobby for use for a long time.

We are attending the workshop to help improve our skills for potraits and glamour. In the past we have been shooting mainly macros, some landscaping, and just random pictures. We also understand that we will not become a professional photographer overnight. However, we are willing to do what it takes. For the past several weeks, researching, reading tutorials and many articles has been all we have been doing.

Our goal is within a few years to be close to, or at the level of, met-art.

[mcherry]

hmmm....

This is a bit difficult to answer because there are a number of variables to consider that we don't have information for. Any high-end nikkor glass is going to be good. And all of the lenses mentioned are going to give you good quality images. What you need to consider now is how your lens choice effects your final image and what look do you want. Also, what are your shooting area limitations. For example, when shooting a person I like long lenses. At a minimum I would use an 85/1.4 for a portrait, which on the D2X puts me at roughly 125 give or take. When I can I shoot at 200mm which on the D2X puts me at roughly 300mm. For what it's worth, 300mm is the lens used on most SI Swimsuit shoots (shot on film, no crop factor - or at least it was, have no idea what they're doing now).

So those are my preferences, but here's the thing, do you have the space where you will be shooting to accommodate those lenses? I don't know... If you're going to be doing a lot of beach work, get the 70-200 VR (or get an older 80-200 like I have). If you have a decent sized studio to shoot in and want a fantastic prime lens get the 85/1.4. If you're going to be shooting in hotel rooms, you'll want to be looking at the 50 and the 35. See where I'm going?

Matt

[FrankD]

I use Canon but for me it's

Canon 70-200F2.8 IS L USM
Tamron 28-75 f2.8

Both lenses are razorsharp and wonderful complementary to each other.

If I could smuggle just one more in it would be the 50mm 1.4 for low light and extreme DOF shots.