Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm VR f/2.8G

DSLR Photography Lesson with Chris & his Nikon D300 & Nikkor 70-200mm lens

Chris, now a Nikon man - DSLR Photography Lessons in St. Petersburg Florida - SETUP: f/2.8 ISO 800 1/100th natural lightHaving DSLR Photography Lessons at 7pm during the Florida summer are great because they offer relief from the intense heat.  However, the mosquitoes are now out in full force causing me to wonder, as ever, how they can survive when there are so few people around?  If anyone knows please tell me in the comments below!

Chris had had a Canon Xti that was not getting much use over the past few years.  Recently he was given a great offer to get a Nikon D300 (same DSLR I shoot with!) and a Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm VR f/2.8G lens, a fantastic combination.  He still has the Canon, but since the buttons and nomenclature are basically all different between the systems, I told him he could leave the Canon in the car.  Ah, his car is not just any car actually, it is the awesome Lexus IS F!!

Now the Nikon D300 is not for someone just getting into DSLR photography as it is sparse on explaining what its buttons do, but for someone who knows something about photography, that is a plus as there are no useless buttons or settings on it.  So if you do find yourself with a D300 as your first DSLR, then I would recommend taking a lesson with someone, as Chris chose to with me, in order to get over the initial steep learning curve.

Chris is also wisely choosing to learn how to edit digital photographs at the same time as he learns to shoot.  He got my special discounted 4-pack of lessons so it seems we will alternate between a shooting lesson and an editing lesson as Thursday morning we are all booked to dive into Photoshop CS5!

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    DSLR Photography Lesson #3 with Danielle and her Nikkor 70-200mm lens!

    Danielle proudly shows off her awesome Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm VR f/2.8G lens obtained at a good price, used, from Craigslist

    It has been nearly 2 months since our last DSLR Photography Lesson, and Danielle has made a major gear investment in that time.  She wanted to get a medium telephoto f/2.8 lens, so I kept my eye out on Craigslist for any deals.  Danielle ended up getting a great deal on one of Nikon's best lenses, the Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm VR f/2.8G from someone selling locally on Craigslist.  How she has a lens she can really grow into as she photographs sporting events for her son and maybe even makes a little money photographing the other kids on the team as well.

    She used her 70-200mm lens exclusively during the lesson where I showed her which focus settings I would use in various situations, and why.  The decisions to be made are of course to use single or continuous focus, but also the trickier choice of single point or multi-point focus.  Some pelicans around John's Pass Village were kind enough to volunteer to be fast moving models for us.  

    We ended the lesson by showing how great of a portrait lens the 70-200mm makes both in natural light and with an external flash.  I look forward to seeing what shots Danielle can make with her increasing photography skill set and of course with using her sweet 70-200mm lens!

  • Reserve your own 1-on-1 DSLR Photography Lesson with Jason today!
  • Learn more about the lessons
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  •  

    --Professional Model DSLR Photography Lessons now available!