joseph_verdesca

Another vote for the 300 f/4 AF-D. Great lens, great value nowadays, use the focus limiter, I've used that lens a lot with

good results (once you get the hang of it) with the Kenko 1.4x extender (best in sunny conditions).

I have and love the White Lightning X1600s (eight of them, in fact). I even managed to have one fall from about 6' and

survive - note to self - always use sandbags on lightstands. When I moved to Europe, I found the use of voltage

transformers quite cumbersome (very heavy, and adding heat and a bit of a hum) and ended up buying strobes directly

compatible with both 115V and 220V instead (Profoto in my case). I have on occasion used the Hensel Porty in the past,

and found it quite good but don't have experience with the units you're looking at. I don't have a recommendation for you,

but wanted to make sure you have considered whether you would need one "bigass" transformer or several smaller

transformers to allow maximum flexibility in light placement (which is the route that I followed).

I personally started learning using this site (http://www.photo.net/learn/studio/primer) as well as the lighting forum archives on

photo.net, the Amphoto series of lighting books, and lots and lots of test shots (I wish I had digital back then).

You may want to try searches on this site such as "strobes with children" and "lighting for children" - I found some threads

that could be of relevance to you (though you may have seen these already).

If you're on a budget and looking for maximum quality, I would second Douglas's suggestion for the 50 f/1.8. Extremely

inexpensive, high quality, nice contrast. As I'm sure you know, given the sensor size of the D70, this lens will

effectively act like a 75mm lens in terms of magnification. Though not part of your question, I would also highly

recommend getting a hood for it. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/357637-

REG/Kalt_NPMLH52_52mm_Metal_Lens_Hood.html.

As you already have a nice telephoto (the 70-200) and a nice wide angle zoom (the 10-20), the 50 would appear to fill a

gap. I own and love both the 50 f/1.4 and 50 f/1.8, but would suggest that the 50 f/1.8 would give you the most bang for

the buck.

I personally would get rid of the 18-200, as a zoom covering that range will not give you high quality results (as well as

being slow and unable to produce a very narrow depth of field for selective focus).

Hope that helps - good shooting!

Nik Software (recommended several times above) allows you to demo their products through online downloads. Though not

a pro, I am a fan of their Color Efex Pro and Dfine products.

I agree with David Bell's suggestion to avoid overdoing actions, but find that application of any of these effects on a new

layer, combined with a layer mask to selectively add / blend the effects into the main work, is a very versatile and time-

efficient method of working (particularly with subtle skin smoothing).