Playing with the 5D + 135f2

[Kevin]

Acquired a brand-spanking new 135/f2 L in a trade transaction so wanted to try it out on my 5D. My daughter was on her way out with her friend so I asked her to pose for me quickly. I don't have my studio lights any longer so this was lit with one of my Home Depot halogen work lights and I asked her friend to hold up a white foamcore reflector to bounce some light back on her shadow side.

The lighting ratio is a bit higher than what I'd normally do but since it's evening, I thought it worked. ;) (That and I didn't really have any other alternatives.) :)

This lens is really, really, really sharp! Even though I already own one, this copy is like "WOW!"

Color version~
http://www.kevinpaavola.com/PixelShooter/ORPColor.jpg


And haven't done a B&W conversion in a while so I did one using the Channel Mixer
http://www.kevinpaavola.com/PixelShooter/ORPBW.jpg

By the way, you may think Olivia looks too red but that's her accurate skin color. She's been tanning nearly every day and is getting probably too dark. Her friends have all been teasing her because she's darker than her Puerto Rican friends and as they said "it's the middle of winter". She also bought some Crest White Strips so those are her chompers, I didn't whiten them. :)

[AdrianVall]

Nice shots Kevin. Looks like the combo is a real killer.

And as for your daughter..............................

I think I might just be in her age range. Care to meet up? :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

All kidding of course. But really, great shots. You did well with what lighting you had. Though, I'm not a professional or anything, but I might offer my opinoin that I like the color much better. The B&W version looks great and all, its just the first thing that I see when I look at the picture are those beautiful white teeth. I'm not sure if anyone else agree's with me or not, but I find it a tad bit distracting.

But none the less, awesome work. Does this mean you might have to get back into studio work???? :)

Cheers,
Adrian

[Kevin]

Thanks Adrian! Maybe I should drag her with me when I come down there to shoot at Green Cay. She's 17 and a junior right now. And surprisingly, she doesn't have a boyfriend. ;) Am I sounding like I'm pimping out my daughter? ;)

You're right about the teeth being the most prominent. Valuable lesson there in understanding light (and photography in general). The eyes are attracted to the brightest object in a generally dark shot (and vice versa). So your observation is right on the money. Unfortunately, after spending enough money to buy a 400/f2.8 on her teeth, I personally think they should be the first thing the eyes are attracted to!joke;

I appreciate your comments and you certainly don't have to be a pro to have your opinion be valued. And yes, I'm hoping to finally start making some money this year doing portraiture.

[gluwater]

Looks nice to me kevin, especially for an impromptu portrait. So did I read that right? You know own 2 135L?

[Kevin]

Looks nice to me kevin, especially for an impromptu portrait. So did I read that right? You know own 2 135L?

Yes, 2 of them. I received the one today on a trade for my 30D. I figured the 135 would be easier to sell. Now I need to decide if I should keep one or sell both and get the 70-200/2.8 IS.

[gluwater]

Ahh, now I understand. I should really get rid of some of my lenses but I just can't let them go.

[Charlemagne]

Sweet shot Kevin.. and that copy looks almost as sharp as the one I sold Nick.. (I still miss it so!!)

Charles

[stilllearning]

Very good portrait Kevin. bravo;bravo; To think I wasted all of that money on a pack and heads. I should have gone to Home Depot. :doh:

[Kevin]

Sweet shot Kevin.. and that copy looks almost as sharp as the one I sold Nick.. (I still miss it so!!)

Charles
Thanks Charles....I think I might know where you could get a copy, if you miss it. ;)

Very good portrait Kevin. bravo;bravo; To think I wasted all of that money on a pack and heads. I should have gone to Home Depot. :doh:
Well, it is light, but it's not very good quality light. I'd rather have studio strobes with some decent modifiers. But it's good to know it can be done on the cheap! :)

Ahh, now I understand. I should really get rid of some of my lenses but I just can't let them go.
I know what you mean. I just don't know if I can part with both 135s. Any other lens, sure, but not that one. We'll see....

[Charlemagne]

One really good thing about this photo though.. she doesn't have FLUFFY hair!! LOL; LOL;

Charles

[Sheldon Bowles]

Kevin, I am most impressed with this portrait --- and the more amazing that it isn't the best of a series of 125 taken in a studio with mega lighting options. I predict you're going to make a small fortune in the portrait business --- no, make that a large fortune.

As for the daughter, this lady shines! Her warmth and intelligence just radiates at the camera.

Congratulations on a great portrait and what must be a fabulous daughter.

Sheldon

[Lisa]

Beautiful girl, beautiful portrait and great teeth! Send this to Crest!

[Rudi]

Now I need to decide if I should keep one or sell both and get the 70-200/2.8 IS.

Kevin, whatever you do, do NOT sell both of them! You will regret it straight away, IMO... :)

[Bobby]

Beautiful portrait Kevin, nice to have such an attractive model in the family. I agree with Adrian about the black and white. By the way I think you have piqued his interest in your work and other things. The 135 is certainly a good copy. As we are up to our tushies in snow it is really nice of you to reference the tanning in the middle of winter.

[Kevin]

One really good thing about this photo though.. she doesn't have FLUFFY hair!! LOL; LOL;

Charles
And she has a $150 straightener to ensure she doesn't! :daydreaming:

Kevin, I am most impressed with this portrait --- and the more amazing that it isn't the best of a series of 125 taken in a studio with mega lighting options. I predict you're going to make a small fortune in the portrait business --- no, make that a large fortune.

As for the daughter, this lady shines! Her warmth and intelligence just radiates at the camera.

Congratulations on a great portrait and what must be a fabulous daughter.

Sheldon
Well, Sheldon, I'm not sure if you're serious or you've gotten into the liquor cabinet again but I'll take you as being sincere! ;) Thank you very much for the kind words. As to whether large or small, I'll take any fortune I can make. I'll also pass your comments on to Olivia. She really is a good kid and a daughter a Dad can be proud of.


Beautiful girl, beautiful portrait and great teeth! Send this to Crest!
Lol....She's become obsessive about her teeth since her braces came off. One of best friend's mother is a dentist and last time she was over there the mom was telling Olivia she needs to get her gums cut to even out the size of her teeth. I just rolled my eyes...rolleyes;

Love your new avatar!!

Kevin, whatever you do, do NOT sell both of them! You will regret it straight away, IMO... :)
I know, I know...but I'm trying to evaluate and get my minimalistic gear setup sorted out. If I do sell them then miss them too much I can always reacquire them. But I hear what you're saying.... ;)

Beautiful portrait Kevin, nice to have such an attractive model in the family. I agree with Adrian about the black and white. By the way I think you have piqued his interest in your work and other things. The 135 is certainly a good copy. As we are up to our tushies in snow it is really nice of you to reference the tanning in the middle of winter.
Thanks Bobby. Her tanning is done inside a booth so if that makes you feel any better. Of course she could go out today as it's supposed to hit 81F. As for Adrian, the only thought that comes to mind is "Be careful what you wish for." ;):biglaugh:

[gluwater]

One of best friend's mother is a dentist and last time she was over there the mom was telling Olivia she needs to get her gums cut to even out the size of her teeth. I just rolled my eyes...rolleyes;

That is just ridiculous :arghh:

[Sheldon Bowles]

That is just ridiculous :arghh:

I'm with Nick on this.

Every face has some imbalance --- our right ear is not a perfect match for our left except reversed, one side of our nose is different than the other, our two eyes don't flawlessly match. This is critical to good looks. I've seen studies (can't remember where right now, but National Geographic or Discover Magazine may be it) where they showed what people would be like with perfect match of right and left compared to how they looked.

The lesson was, and the one you need to tell Olivia: Perfect equals plastic.

Real beauty to the human eye is very dependent upon the balance "imperfections" that come built into the human face. Mess with them at your peril.

Again, great photos, even in the morning when last night's booze has worn off.

[davespix]

I love the shot, very crisp. I was offerd the use of a 5d for trial, I am afraid to.
Then I will sell everything to get one hehe. I may wait to see the new fugi.
Who knows. I am not tied to anything other than my future studio, with new gear waiting for setup. This shot makes me wonder why the thousands were spent on my lighting. Great work.

[Kevin]

Sheldon, I let Olivia read your comments. She laughed and said "Too bad he didn't see the ones of me eating the cracker" (in her sarcastic tone) :D I should've kept the one I had of her shortly after she bit it and crumbs were flying midair. :)

Thanks Dave! Yeah, the 5D is a magical camera capable of very nice images when matched with some equally magical glass. I really love mine. I was done in when I went by the camera store with CF card in hand and took some ISO3200 shots. Yowza!!

[Permagrin]

Lovely! Your daughter is beautiful and that color shot is fantastic! (I've used those halogen lights from HD as well, and surprisingly they don't do badly in a pinch at all)

Now I'm curious if you'll keep one of them or we'll be seeing portraits w/the 7-2f2.8 IS soon ;)

[I'm glad you like the lens (and are pleased with it's IQ) I'll probably miss it (especially after seeing these wonderful shots from it) but I really needed a backup cam w/faster fps for my bif shots...]

Looking forward to seeing more!

[j_b_l]

Kevin, wow...what a great shot...that is one sharp lens!!! :wink:

[Trish]

She is such a cutie! Nice job!!:notworthy: My next purchase is going to be the 17-55 2.8 I purchased the 50 1.4 and it's fun to play with...but I have turned into a ZOOM QUEEN!!:silly: A few more weeks Kevin and I will be heading to St. Aug's will let you know:)

[Mao]

Man, I know this guy Kevin, he works magic with all sorts of equipment. I can see the line up at Home Depot for those halogen lights.

On a more serious note, any advice for studio lights? Mostly want to do it to learn more about lighting.

Thanks.

[Roger]

Great job on the face, however I can see why people say that that lens has a shallow DOF, you can notice it on the left side of her hair below the eye, which could be fixed. I think the only reason I noticed it was because of the light.

Did you take this hand held or with tripod?

[Kevin]

Kevin, wow...what a great shot...that is one sharp lens!!! :wink:
I'm hoping by now you have your own and a camera to go along with. ;)

She is such a cutie! Nice job!!:notworthy: My next purchase is going to be the 17-55 2.8 I purchased the 50 1.4 and it's fun to play with...but I have turned into a ZOOM QUEEN!!:silly: A few more weeks Kevin and I will be heading to St. Aug's will let you know:)
Cool...please let me know when you're going I'd love to meet you up there. Thanks for the kind words also. Actually I like zooms when doing portraits as it's nice to be able to frame each shot without really having to move around. But, when you get a lens a nice as this one (or the Nikkor 105/f2.5 AIS) you will walk all over the place just to get to use it. I never got to use either of those lenses you mentioned but I know they're good.

Man, I know this guy Kevin, he works magic with all sorts of equipment. I can see the line up at Home Depot for those halogen lights.

On a more serious note, any advice for studio lights? Mostly want to do it to learn more about lighting.

Thanks.
You're funny, Mao! Thank you though. :) Best bang for the buck? Alien Bees. Depending on how much space or what you're going to shoot, get the AB800s or even the 400s. They're great. I'm starting to rebuild my kit after I sold it all off to get the 5D.

Great job on the face, however I can see why people say that that lens has a shallow DOF, you can notice it on the left side of her hair below the eye, which could be fixed. I think the only reason I noticed it was because of the light.

Did you take this hand held or with tripod?
Hi Roger! Long time no talk. :) This was handheld. It wasn't a formally arranged portrait but rather an impromptu portrait. With the available light, it was shot at f4 so it is somewhat shallow but not terribly so. Ideally, one would want the head and shoulders in focus but occasionally, I like to do things a bit different and try to ensure the mask of the face is in focus. It's pretty easy on this shot to see the actual dof my looking at what's in focus and what's not. It's not much distance front to back but it does encompass the whole face.

[Roger]

Yes, I have been busy with the expecting wife. I find portrait shots like these very interesting, please post many more :) I find them easy to relate to.