Visit with Schmoelzel

Thanks everybody! I only got 30 shots of Tyler with the 85L and these were the best 3. Under normal circumstances, I would have posted these pictures... but I thought I should share.

To be honest, I wasn't completely happy with any of them and know I could do better if I had more time. For example, the background composition in #1 is pretty distracting and doesn't show off much contrasting colour. Also, the lights in the background are very distracting in #3, especially the ones right out of his head.
The last 2 (ISO 800) were too noisy and mis focused for my liking... but thought I'd share anyway.

Also, the lighting wasn't that great there... I'm SURE they would be much more impressive outdoors or under natural lighting.

I found it hard to compose a good shot there but tried my best with the time and space that I had.

REEWIK: If you want a longer lens, the 135L was just amazing too.

SMITTYMIKE19:
Pic 1 was 85L~1/160~F1.2~ISO 100~Av~Partial Metering
Pic 2 was 85L~1/320~F2.2~ISO 800~Av~Partial Metering
Pic 3 was 85L~1/250~F2.2~ISO 800~Av~Partial Metering

JOHNNYG: I'm not sure about exceptional... wasn't totally happy with them... but thanks man!

LEO: I'm not sure if I have prime fever... put I am an L-coholic.

MRCLARK: If you think those have pop, you should see some of the other shots that didn't turn out. And you should see what the 135 did. Wholly crap!! These lenses definitely work better with some distance.

BALLIOLMAN: I did some processing... tried to follow Michael's workflow but seemed too harsh for my XT. There was some saturation added, but not in the conventional sense. I also tried using the Shadow/Highlight tool, but wasn't happy with the results. Especially in the dark areas with ISO 800. The images came out a little underexposed (or so it seems) so I ended up bringing that up a bit too. I didn't spend a whole lot of time on these edits though.

BOKEH'ED: My main goal was to see how it shot near wide open... since I'd use the 1.2-2.5 range quite a bit. It wasn't all that bright there (had a hard time shooting with my F4) so I wasn't about to put the 85L up to F8 or something. Had I known/noticed that I was already at ISO800, I probably would have stopped down for some tests. Stupid me!

EVERYBODY ELSE: Thanks for the compliments... although I think you're just being nice.
Tyler's eye's are captivating... he has a very expressive face.
Perhaps when I get this lens (there I said it) I'll wait and post good pictures. For the mean time, I thought it would be cool to share my Schmoelzel experience.
Maybe next time I won't be thinking too much about the fact that "I'm shooting with Schmoelzel's 85L" and actually pay more attention to photography and composition.

Dante... it's RAitch... as in R.H. We went over this... I'm not a chick!
These 3 were 85L... but honestly I didn't do it justice with these ones.

Thanks Richard for all the compliments and it was great to meet you and your family too!! Your kiddo is great and was fun to shoot as well.....(couldn't use my 85L because Richard had it on his camera!! ) Those are some seriously good shots Richard!! And that small and light-wieght XT felt rather good........don't worry about the ISO Richard. I was using the 35L and didn't realize that I was at ISO 400!!

RAitch wrote:
Dante... it's RAitch... as in R.H. We went over this... I'm not a chick!
These 3 were 85L... but honestly I didn't do it justice with these ones.

Im Dante's body guard... Calm down or i will have to hurt you honey

no no eric, I am definately out to provoke good ole RH.

Dante King wrote:
no no eric, I am definately out to provoke good ole RH.

I just wanted an excuse to punch someone

REEWIK: If you want a longer lens, the 135L was just amazing too.


No. No ... By long lens I meant the 100-400 or the 400 5.6

Oh, when you were considering the 85 but mentioned longer, I figured we were talking a little bit.
The 100-400 is nice and a reasonable size. You can even use it as a walkaround for wildlife shots... even if you have back problems.... ask MrClark.

Anyway, the 135 is pretty sweet too.

I can vouch for the 135, it is schwing!!!

schmoelzel wrote:
Thanks Richard for all the compliments and it was great to meet you and your family too!! Your kiddo is great and was fun to shoot as well.....(couldn't use my 85L because Richard had it on his camera!! ) Those are some seriously good shots Richard!! And that small and light-wieght XT felt rather good........don't worry about the ISO Richard. I was using the 35L and didn't realize that I was at ISO 400!!

Sorry about the 85L... I was thinking about sneaking it into my backpack.
You think they're seriously good? I'm pretty sure I could do better (more like YOUR posted shots) if I had more time with this bad boy.
Maybe I could babysit it for... hmm... lets say a year or more!

ISO is a bugger. That doesn't happen too often because I'm normally aware of matching shutter speeds for my lenses (when I get used to them).

After holding your 1D (and throwing out my shoulder) I'm not sure if I want one down the road. But who knows. Maybe later on when the 1dsM2 is around $2K I'll pick one up

schmoelzel wrote:
couldn't use my 85L because Richard had it on his camera!!

Doesn't have to be the 85. If you got any, feel free to post any pics Michael.

Hey guys - give us some more 85L pics !

NEWS FLASH... I just pulled the trigger on a used one.
Waiting for confirmation of fund transfer and I should have it for the weekend.

Until then, I don't have much more to show you. There are other shots online though.