Chance to shoot Jaguar cars and live models: Just attended a free photography class (because I bought the Nikon D7200) at our local photo shop, taught by Jeff Mitchell from Nikon. It...

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Just attended a free photography class (because I bought the Nikon D7200) at our local photo shop, taught by Jeff Mitchell from Nikon. It was a beginning class on how to use cameras in general. I almost didn't go, but glad I did. I learned a few things. The main reason I went was to socialise.....hehe Shane's on me for thinking this old dog couldn't learn anything new.......

At the end of the class the shop owner announced there was a few openings left for a model shoot at the local Jaguar dealer. All lighting will be provided. All I have to is take my gear (bodies and lenses), Tripod will get in the way they say. There will be quite a few there in thinking maybe 30-40 photographers.

I'm thinking I'll take my D7200 with 18-140mm 3.5 - 5.6and D3300 with 35mm 1.8 so I can get enough light and fast shutter speed. I don't want to waste time changing lenses. It's a two hour event, after the dealer closes for the day.

What do you think? I've never done anything like this. It should be fun and interesting. A few pros will be on hand as this is also a teaching event. Prizes will be awarded, for what I don't know.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

frankraney wrote:

Just attended a free photography class (because I ... (show quote)

I'm glad you clarified the meaning of your title "...shoot jaguar cars and models"! Go it will be a blast!

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

rmm0605 wrote:

I'm glad you clarified the meaning of your title "...shoot jaguar cars and models"! Go it will be a blast!

Haha.....all shooting around here is with a camera...... There will be several kinds of luxury cars, not just jags.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

You'll be better off with the 35 for interior model shoots than you will with the 18-140. The 35 on a Dx will give you the equivalent of a 50mm and the f/1.8 will be a plus for interior lighting. You could use the 18-140 for wide angle establishing shots, but the 18-140mm 3.5 - 5.6 is just too slow for your setup. Why not put the 35 on the D7200?

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

You'll be better off with the 35 for interior model shoots than you will with the 18-140. The 35 on a Dx will give you the equivalent of a 50mm and the f/1.8 will be a plus for interior lighting. You could use the 18-140 for wide angle establishing shots, but the 18-140mm 3.5 - 5.6 is just too slow for your setup. Why not put the 35 on the D7200?

Thanks Bob for your input.....I do prefer the 35 for the fast part, but was just thinking if I needed bigger, like 50 mm or so. I do have an 18-55 also.

There will be plenty of light, but there might be times when they drop the light down and turn on tail lights, then I'd have to expose for the tail lights and use fill flash for model.

uhaas2009

My first thought was what lens have the right distortion for this kind of subject......

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That sounds great!

FredCM Loc: Central Illinois

Shiny cars, bright lights... polarizing filter?

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

FredCM wrote:

Shiny cars, bright lights... polarizing filter?

I forgot.... Thanks for the heads up. All I have is a CPL, which should work? But I think I'll go get a regular one.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

frankraney wrote:

I forgot.... Thanks for the heads up. All I have is a CPL, which should work? But I think I'll go get a regular one.

Go and have fun. You will get multiple looks and chances to shoot so changing lenses is no problem. But keeping them safe might be. Give that some thought.

Also more important, bring extra charged batteries and extra flash cards. You might need them.

Listen to what they recommend, for typical Studio shoot with Strobe lighting, you might use 1/200, f8, and ISO 400, and 5000k white balance. Be sure to take a couple test shots and chimp to check exposure. Then forget about it and focus on the subjects! Above all, have fun.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

JD750 wrote:

Go and have fun. You will get multiple looks and ... (show quote)

Thanks JD. appreciate it. But I was thinking more of 5.6 don't want a lot of DOF. But as you say, a shot or two should dial me in. I just hope I can focus (me, not camera) with all the beautiful cars and models....hehe

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

frankraney wrote:

Thanks Bob for your input.....I do prefer the 35 for the fast part, but was just thinking if I needed bigger, like 50 mm or so. I do have an 18-55 also.

There will be plenty of light, but there might be times when they drop the light down and turn on tail lights, then I'd have to expose for the tail lights and use fill flash for model.

If you're going to use fill flash, get some sort of flash diffuser like a Gary Fong Lightsphere or something simple like a #10 white envelope rubber banded to the flash head (head pointing up) for bounce and fill flash. Will prevent undue reflections on the car and red eye on the models.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

You'll be better off with the 35 for interior model shoots than you will with the 18-140. The 35 on a Dx will give you the equivalent of a 50mm and the f/1.8 will be a plus for interior lighting. You could use the 18-140 for wide angle establishing shots, but the 18-140mm 3.5 - 5.6 is just too slow for your setup. Why not put the 35 on the D7200?

Robert, I did the calculation, and you are right. F8 at about 10 feet will give about 6 feet of DOF. That should catch the model and some of the car....

ELNikkor

Go with the 18-135 on the camera. If need be, you can change to the 35 1.8 in 15 seconds or less. 2 hours is plenty of time for you to use both lenses.

KTJohnson Loc: Northern Michigan

Nothing to lose - everything to gain. Please share results with us.