My first studio session with the D300.

Wanted to try out the 55-200 VR lens as I've read quite a bit about it online.

Enjoy!

2

3

The lens looks like it does o.k.

I'm not a portrait expert, but I have to say that in many of your shots the skin looks very over processed and plasticky. You can really see it on the first shot and the last one. On the first one, I had to double and triple check to see if you were shooting a mannequin or a real person. On the last one, the difference in skin on the face and neck / shoulders is really stark because of processing.

Additionally, the shots where there are no catch like in the eyes make the model look less lifelike as well.

Just my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt. Perhaps more experienced portrait photographers can supply better comments.

Gerald

Chemprof i agree with you with the last image...

However that was the makeup creating the difference in skin tone and lack of correct lighting on the shoulders I later realized.

The first shot however is not at all that processed. Its the makeup artist ( have an amazing woman I work with)

I looked at the raw image and the skin did not look much different from the original and the edit I put through photo shop. Its actually not very processed and I achieved the look through lighting more then anything.

And yeah the 55-200 was Ok for a lens you can pick up second hand for around 150-160 it works pretty well. I am getting a 180 2.8 prime though for this work though, cant wait to get it in the mail!

khguitar098 wrote:
Chemprof i agree with you with the last image...

However that was the makeup creating the difference in skin tone and lack of correct lighting on the shoulders I later realized.

The first shot however is not at all that processed. Its the makeup artist ( have an amazing woman I work with)

I looked at the raw image and the skin did not look much different from the original and the edit I put through photo shop. Its actually not very processed and I achieved the look through lighting more then anything.

And yeah the 55-200 was Ok for a lens you can pick up second hand for around 150-160 it works pretty well. I am getting a 180 2.8 prime though for this work though, cant wait to get it in the mail!




You know, I've always disliked heavy makeup - so perhaps my comments really reflect more of a bias against that than your processing.

At any rate, I'm sure you'll have no complaints over the performance of that lens!

Gerald

I'd be happy with these results, very nice job!

Dan Bellyk

I think they look excellent. This lens looks to be a real bargain, and I believe its fairly light too.

I have that lens and I love it, for the price and weight it's my cheap walking around nighttime lens

looking at the 2nd shot I thought to myself wow nice mannequin shot but then again it moves

adorski wrote:
looking at the 2nd shot I thought to myself wow nice mannequin shot but then again it moves

+1 It freaked me right out!

Nice light you've created there, the lens seems to be doing well.

Excellent portraits. I do not like the makeup either but my taste has nothing to do with the beautiful photographs.
I own this lens version without VR. When I bought it, it was my intention to use it mainly for traveling because it is light, fits anywhere and it is very convenient. I find myself using it more often than I thought because of its excellent image quality. I have some very nice close-ups of flowers with it and also some very nice portraits.
If you are using the D3 you will find the professional 180mm f2.8 a hell of a lens in that format.
Thank you for sharing such a nice series with us.
William Rodriguez
Miami, Florida.

love the images...
the makeup artist did an outstanding job...
you did a great job on the lighting...
images are excellently executed....

incredible images !!!!!!!!!!

What an excellent example of what the lens can do. Of course, that's also including all the aspects of the photography such as the lighting, processing, the makeup artist etc, and the skill of the photographer. Really cool stuff.

Yeah the lens is pretty awesome!


I think the only downfall I have with the lens is that when I am zoomed in the 5.6 aperture at 200mm makes the autofocus a bit less accurate. Need powerful modeling in the studio to focus correctly.

Other then that one hell of a lens for the money. When it focuses dead on, the results are damn sharp!

Here is another photograph that I took of the model that looks like a mannequin haha.

The first two shots were taken with the 50mm 1.8 and the last photograph was taken with the 80-200 2.8L aka Magic drainpipe before i switched to nikon.

I must say that's the only lens I miss from Canon.

one last shot taken with the 55-200VR

Hmmm... can't seem to be able to place my finger on exactly why, but this last image is fantastic... must be the lighting...

thanks! That last image was a fun shoot. I shot it at my old place. This dried up grassy yellow backyard that was not very visually apealing. So I grabbed an old aluminum trash can, turned it over and propped the models around it with some neat lighting at 200mm and it gave me a cool affect!

I love lighting on location more then anything! The vagabond 2 is the most awesome thing ever!!

It`s been a real treat to see pictures like this posted. And all from such an inexpensive lens.
It`s just amazing what the right person can do.
Thanks for sharing.
John

Great images! I knew it was the makeup right away, and can't say I like people looking like mannequins. That said, I really like the 2nd if the first series, 2 and 3 in the 2nd series (love the shoe in the 2nd it’s wonderfully lighted), 2nd in 3rd series (I’d like to see her eyes blue too!), and your last shot with the girl wearing the furred hood. Really spectacular job of lighting. I’m going to study these!!

I agree, the furred hood shot is fantastic. Her eyes are beyond real.

Joe

Thanks everyone! I just used the lens for a last photo shoot as I upgraded to a 180mm 2.8 prime.

Here are some family shots with the 55-200Vr

The third one the older sister is telling the baby to smile and look at the camera.

And this photograph was taken with a wide angle lens inside the girls bed room. When I came to take family portraits at the clients home the daughter demanded a shoot of her in her room so we did. Here is a quick set from that.

khguitar098 wrote:And this photograph was taken with a wide angle lens inside the girls bed room. When I came to take family portraits at the clients home the daughter demanded a shoot of her in her room so we did. Here is a quick set from that.

Wow, now THAT is a very cool, very fun series. No doubt they LOVE that one, likely put it up in her room... great idea, well executed.