Which R lenses for Portrait photography, and general "shoot-about"

[Iron Flatline]

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Hi all.

 

It looks as though I might buy an R9 with a DMR, but no lens.

 

What lenses would you recommend for portrait photography, for general walking-about travel photography, and possibly something wider for architectural photography?

 

Looking at a comparable Canon line up, I might have used the 50mm or the 85mm for portraits, a 24-70 or 24-105 for walking around... and probably the 16-35 for architecture, though it gets a little bow-legged at the widest for my taste.

[masjah]

First of all, you've got to keep in mind the crop-factor of the DMR. I've also got to make the disclaimer that I use film exclusively! As a general travel lens, in my opinion the new 28-90 zoom is unrivalled - though it's not cheap, and second-hand examples are not easy to come by.

 

For architecture and film use, I find that the 28/2.8 PC Super Angulon also is unrivalled. But the crop factor brings this up to 35 mm, and I find I often need all the view angle of a 28mm, even with the shift. Also, especially working from the start in the digital domain, there are other possibilities available for straightening out verticals (in Photoshop and all that sort of thing). So you might like to consider using an ultra-wide prime, or the 21-35 zoom, being prepared to tilt the camera, and then straighten out the verticals later. Don't forget that a decent tripod and appropriate head (I use the Manfrotto 410 "junior " geared head) are also very important.

 

I have very very little experience of portrait photography (I don't do poeple) but, even given that, I am aware that some ladies find the latest 90ApoAsph a bit ruthless. Somthing a bit older in design might be better!

 

Good luck!

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[Angora]

I'd say a 19 mm, a 28 mm and possibly a 60 mm for portraiture (said to be very versatile and you get the macro feature) or a 80 mm (you may prefer the longer focal length).

[robsteve]

If you want zooms, any of the modern zooms work very well on the DMR. I would suggest the 21-35mm, 28-90mm or 35-70mm and the 80-200mm or 105-280mm. The 70-180mm is a stunning lens, but very expensive and heavy. If I was to spend that amount of money and didn't mind the weight, I would go to the 105-280mm to get the extra range.

 

Of the current primes, the only ones that outperform the above zooms at their equivalent setting would be the 19mm, 28mm, 50mm Summilux, 90mm APO, 100mm APO, 180mm APO, and 280mm APO. The newest 50mm Summilux is a stunning lens on the DMR and is marginally better than the zooms that have 50mm in the range. A 50mm Summicron is a good performer too, but it needs to be stopped down a stop or so to get the quality of the 50mm Summilux.

 

If I had a DMR and just one lens, the 28mm would probably be the lens. It is easier to focus on the DMR than the slower zooms ans is also a nice normal lens.

 

You should also try to get ROM lenses. The DMR applies some correction to lenses that have ROM. Similar to what happens on the M8.

 

Robert

[topoxforddoc]

I'd buy a zoom. My 28-90 sits on my R9/DMR 90% of the time. At other times, it's a toss up between my 80-200/4 ROM (next most used), 180 cron and 280/4 APO. I've had the older 28-70 ROM lens which is nowhere near as good.

 

Good luck and enjoy it!

 

Charlie

[earleygallery]

On the DMR a 50 Summicron would make a great portrait lens, or perhaps as an alternative to the above suggestions, a 90 Elmarit.

[robert_parker]

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Hi Yoram

 

Though this doesen't directly answer your question, the lenses that I find suit the DMR are 90mm AA, 180 2.8 APO, 60mm 2.8 and 21-35 f4 Zoom.

 

For portraits you might want to consider the 80mm, which is slightly softer than the 90AA but I have a feeling that once you've seen the 90AA results away from pure portraiture, you'll want one - which also applies to the 180 2.8 APO.

 

One of the nicest and most versatile lenses to use is the 60mm f2.8, which never ceases to amaze and the 21-35 is at least ok in most walking around situations

 

Personally I'd take the slightly slower 60mm 2.8 in preference to the 50mm Summilux as you can do more with it and in my book it gives a sharper result

[tom0511]

I really liked the 60 macro on the dmr. I found it delievers a very smooth tonality and fine bokeh, and you get it for good prices. I prefered it to the 50/1.4

Also the 28-90 worked good for me, if you dont need shallow DOF

[robert_parker]

If it's any help here's some examples -

 

21-35 Zoom @ 31mm

 

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and @ 21mm

 

[robert_parker]

60mm f2.8

 

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[robert_parker]

180mm 2.8 APO

 

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[robert_parker]

50mm 'Lux in art mode

 

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[Iron Flatline]

Wow, cool shot.

 

Thanks for all the feedback people, lots to think about.

 

... and as though I didn't expect this, my G.A.S. is in full swing right now... argghhh.

[wildlightphoto]

The pre-AA 90 'cron is an excellent portrait lens.

[Jamie Roberts]

EDIT (that will teach me to read too quickly) another vote for my all-time-favourite portrait lens, the 80R lux, which is almost like the Nocti in the M world, but without the focus shift (and the 80 seems sharper stopped down too).

 

(@ f1.6)

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[mgcd]

The pre-AA 90 'cron is an excellent portrait lens.

 

I totally agree with Doug.

[roguewave]

.

 

What lenses would you recommend for portrait photography, for general walking-about travel photography, and possibly something wider for architectural photography? QUOTE]

 

IF, you have gotten a full spectrum of answers. Rob Stevens kowns these Vario/Zooms very well. Most importantly his work & images are the best judge. He gets the most out of those objectives. Robert Parker makes a good case with others. Neither, however answer your question as I understood it.

 

Jamie nails the portrait issue with a bullseye. I don't believe there is a better lens made by Leitz\Leica for portriats, formal or streetwise, than the R LUX 80. It just flat out is the most beautiful and most versatile prime they offer. The 35 LUX is next, followed by the 50 LUX. I NEVER leave home without one of those lenses. The ability to capture the full spectrum of light below f2 and the myriad of bokeh and sliver thin DOF to just etch the most significant feature is stunning. The real issue is taking the time to learn it's secrets. As Jamie stated, this is the Nocti of the R system, only better because of it's versatility. The 50mm lenses is the least visually interesting of any prime.

 

Two other "primes" for me. I feel they are indespensible for street work; 1) the newer 19. Unbelievable rendering in color & B&W. Close to ZERO distortion if used correctly. 2) The ROM'd 24. With absence of full frame, the 24 becomes the 35. With the same logic, the LUX 35 is now my 50 and the LUX 80, well it does everything, you just need to experiment with it. The LUX 50 is soo good at night. It doesn't need to be sharp like the 'cron's. It's much warmer & forgiving. I'm almost having a hot flash, thinking about the coming spring & summer nights with those primes tucked in my backpack, late into the night & awaiting the dawn. Go LUX young Leicaman, Go LUX.

[Jamie Roberts]

I totally agree with Doug.

 

Conrad, I know we've talked about this before, and the pre-AA 90 Cron is one I've never used on the R system, which is why I didn't comment on it, but since we talked last I did get a pre-ASPH 90 M, and so assuming the R version is like the pre ASPH 90 Cron on the M system, then I'd agree--that's one fabulous portrait lens too.

 

The 80 is softer opened up and faster (of course); the 90 is softer-sharper opened up. But we're talking differences between champions, IMO; stopped down they're both amazing.

[Jamie Roberts]

{snipped}The LUX 50 is soo good at night. It doesn't need to be sharp like the 'cron's. It's much warmer & forgiving. I'm almost having a hot flash, thinking about the coming spring & summer nights with those primes tucked in my backpack, late into the night & awaiting the dawn. Go LUX young Leicaman, Go LUX.

 

Ben--I'd agree, I love the current 50 R Lux too; it's my all-round no-think R standard (and the 19 is great as well... can't wait for a FF R digital!)

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[Iron Flatline]

Thanks everyone for your repsonses.

 

Ben, after your comments, and Jamie's great image of the young couple, I think I will be going 'Lux... beginning with the 80mm.

 

The walk-around lens for me seems to be the 28-90.

 

This will be followed by a 50mm 'Lux... and yes, Robert's image of the pier is quite lovely.

 

... and then I need to breathe deep and learn to use my gear. It will be a while before I worry about how to shoot wider with it.

 

Thanks all. Let's hope I get the camera.