Two photo sessions in one day was a first for me. One had been lined up for some time and the other was picked up last week.
Lenses
As far as gear goes I could have done both with the practical precious.
Why do I call it the practical precious? Because in all honesty it is the only lens I need for my photography work. It is the best zoom lens I have ever used. Nikon users are in for a treat. Maybe Canon will come around and let other companies make RF lenses. Reaching a 225mm equivalent in crop APS-C mode and 35mm at the wide end it covers just about any situation. I team it with the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 for the rare occasion that I get backed into a tight space and I am good.
Also used the primary precious this day.
Used it far less frequently, but to great effect. The best prime lens I have ever used. I have had a few ask what I think about the since released FE 50mm f/1.4. A fine lens that I might have considered if they had been released in reverse order. But with both available I think the f/1.2 is worth the added expense if possible. If not the f/1.4 would do just fine. Heck, the old timey FE Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 (Used. For the new price I would get the 50mm f/1.4.) would be fine. Good times.
Cameras
As far as camera bodies go any Sony A7II (First body with IBIS.) or newer model would have done just fine. Are the new bodies better? Certainly. But required? Not in my opinion. I have done just fine with them in the past. That being said the A7C and A7RV were the choices of this day.
Lighting
Used a new favorite. The Godox AD300 equivalent Flashpoint model. Paired it with the snap on light modifier and a light stand and I was good to go. It is a great light that strikes a nice balance between the AD200 and AD400.
Why I like it over the AD200.
One AD200.
Bare bulb set up from case to light stand is a bit fiddly with the AD200 and the AD300 is ready to go. Just remove the protective cap and go.
Two AD200s.
On paper two AD200s can be paired up with an affordable adapter to reach AD400 power levels. While great…
…this takes a bit of time to set up. This is set up time I did not have during a recent shoot with a little one on the brink of a full on melt-down. Started losing a little one’s calmer self once moving outside. So instead of taking the time needed to assemble and switching to the two AD200 setup I went with the AD300 outside.
And it did just fine.
Why I like it over the AD400.
This one is easy. The AD300 is powerful enough for most of my needs while significantly smaller, lighter, and it shares a battery with the AD200s I already have. If I do need 400Ws of power I already have the two AD200 set up as an option.
Anyhoo. Back to the task at hand.
First Photo Session – Portraits
Done for this distinguished gentleman.
Marichal Gentry, former Dean of student affairs at Yale University, and in addition to currently serving as Enrollment Outreach Coordinator for Durham Academy, he is also Project Manager for their Diversity, Equity, and Engagement initiatives.
The primary precious at work above. Here is another with the 50mm GM.
But the main lens for the day was the 35-150mm which did a fine job also.
Second Photo Session – Bridal Shower
My daughter came along as moral support and second shooter. She was armed with the SIGMA dp2 Quattro and did a great job taking envoronmental shots.
Once again the 35-150mm made easy work of the day. From the same position I went from close up shots at 35mm…
…to reaching across the room at 150mm.
I also used this combination along with the AD300.
Wrap Up
The 35-150mm f/2-2.8 was the star of the day. It let me put lens selection aside so I could just concentrate on capturing images. A perfect solution for portraits and events. Here are a few more captures from the day.
A great day filled with great people.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 
3 Replies to “One Day, Two Photo Sessions: Another Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Post, Along With A Bit Of 50mm f/1.2 GM and Godox AD300.”
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