gib_robinson Posted November 13, 2011 Share #21 Posted November 13, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Looking at getting the best portrait lens i can afford, would like it to be Leica but open to suggestions ,maybe a Ziess.I have an M9 and have one lens only the 35mm f2 summicron .Only had my M9 a couple of weeks and hooked for ever. Also have a d-lux 5 .Which i also love. Since you only have one lens, I'd encourage you to get a second lens like a 50mm Summicron or Summilux that will give you lots of flexibility rather than get a more specialized lens such as a 75mm. Honestly, I can't imagine owning an M without having a 50mm, although a 35 and a 75 are a nice combination. --Gib Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 13, 2011 Posted November 13, 2011 Hi gib_robinson, Take a look here best portrait lens for M9 Suggestions. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pico Posted November 13, 2011 Share #22 Posted November 13, 2011 If you don't want the sharpness simply add gausian blur in photoshop for a beautiful soft look. No. Surface blur. Try it. Separate layer. Erase those parts you want sharp. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charles-k Posted November 13, 2011 Share #23 Posted November 13, 2011 I would strongly suggest the 50 Lux Asph, maybe 75 Lux. For portraits, having the choice whether you like to include the environment, is a choice of f stop. The 50 and 75 Lux at f/1.4 really paint like no other lens for portraits IMO. The 75 Lux is a great lens, in that you have MFD about 0.7m, same FOV as the 90AA at MFD. But if needed, you can include a lot of the background too. My only concern, is you already have the 35 Cron, which technically is close to the 50. But the 50 Lux, is a very different lens in what it can deliver. Recently I acquired the 24 Lux, and another brilliant lens of Leica, in that renders people's skin tone beautifully, at f/1.4 there is separation from the background, but the FOV allow for the background to be included for composition. Only problem is the angle of distortion, and getting this right can be tricky. The 50 Lux would be my first choice:) Yesterday in some shots in Bangkok, one with the 24 Lux the other 50 Lux:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darylgo Posted November 13, 2011 Share #24 Posted November 13, 2011 No. Surface blur. Try it. Separate layer. Erase those parts you want sharp. Very nice, I hadn't used surface blur previously. Same procedure with gausian blur, seperate layer and blend to desired look. The Zeiss Softar did the same thing in camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted November 13, 2011 Share #25 Posted November 13, 2011 I think my favorite length for portraits are at 50mm and at f2 or faster.. Here is a shot of my wife on our wedding day, 50 noct f1 wide open.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakley Posted November 13, 2011 Share #26 Posted November 13, 2011 Like some others here, I usually shoot portraits with a 50 Lux - because I usually shoot EVERYTHING with a 50 Lux. I get results I like. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohnri Posted November 13, 2011 Share #27 Posted November 13, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) My favorite portrait lens on my M9 is my Noct f/1. Nothing else like it. Has a learning curve. Best, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pelagia Posted November 13, 2011 Share #28 Posted November 13, 2011 After reading this interesting thread I dare to conclude that a) very few of us photograph portraits per se and very few of us possess lenses longer than 75mm. Hence the examples half of which hardly are (strictly) portraits and which were photographed mostly with 50mm lenses. I do not intend to escalate the discussion on WHAT IS a portrait, but still I would like to bring up a certain "techno-psychological" aspect of a portrait lens. This is as follows. When you photograph people, especially non-professional models, you want to be at a right distance from your subject. Right distance means not too close and not too far. Too close - and you disturb a person, loosing naturalness . Too far - and you lose contact. I would say, around 2-2.5 meters is a good distance, at which you have a proper contact. Now what lens would give you a portrait, which is a face and upper body? Around 80-100 mm lens, I suppose. Starting from the above, I would reiterate the OT question: what is a best lens for M9 around 80-100 mm, suitable for portrait work? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick De Marco Posted November 13, 2011 Share #29 Posted November 13, 2011 Once I get used to the focus shift, I predict my favourite lens for portraits in the M9 will be the Zeiss Sonar 50mm f1.5. So far I have succeeded better with it on film. I also think the 50 Summicron and Plannar make great lenses, though not with quite the same mystique as the Sonar. My other favourite for portaits is the Voigtlander 75mm f1.8 - an outstanding lens I would use more often if it was not so big. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxofrome Posted November 13, 2011 Share #30 Posted November 13, 2011 This is one of the most exciting thread I ever read. There is, as always, no single rules and many of you do portraits (stunning portraits) with wide angle lens. I did some in 35mm summicron and I am happy with that, and as many suggest a 50mm will fit perfectly in any photographer bags. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted November 13, 2011 Share #31 Posted November 13, 2011 Very nice, I hadn't used surface blur previously. Same procedure with gausian blur, seperate layer and blend to desired look. The Zeiss Softar did the same thing in camera. Here are examples of using the softening filters in Photoshop. You can build a layer of each one and then easily compare them yourself after you're done. It's all very subjective and depends on what you decide is best given the subject matter (there is a comparison photo at the end of the article.) http://www.geekinspired.com/graphic-design/photoshop/professional-portrait-retouching-comparing-skin-softening-techniques/ Here's a video of the same technique in that tutorial. It's very helpful to be able to see the results of each filter on the same file, and then make your own choice.Professional Portrait Retouching - Comparing Skin Softening Techniques on Vimeo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblutter Posted November 14, 2011 Share #32 Posted November 14, 2011 For price you can't beat the 75 Voight - but I agree with the others - get a 50 1st used summi 2.0 will do for now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted November 14, 2011 Share #33 Posted November 14, 2011 Between 80-100mm range? I guess the 90 cron and then followed by the elmar.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted November 14, 2011 Share #34 Posted November 14, 2011 After reading this interesting thread I dare to conclude that a) very few of us photograph portraits per se and very few of us possess lenses longer than 75mm [ ... ] Well, I do own one 135mm Apo-Telyt and two 90mm lenses, and I do use them! But I agree that few of us make posed portraits. Instead, we take pictures of people we are interacting with, and that is of course what a Leica M ias a superb tool for. Consequently, most of these 'portraits' are made with lenses of 50 or 35mm focal lengths – while with a SLR, which encourages a more detached role for the photographer, focal lengths around 85–105mm have traditionally been favoured. I don't know if the picture below is a portrait in the proper sense – I do not know the subject, he just couldn't get away! – but it was done with the Apo-Telyt. The old man from the Age of the 9cm Elmar Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/166133-best-portrait-lens-for-m9-suggestions/?do=findComment&comment=1843671'>More sharing options...
Bill Allsopp Posted November 14, 2011 Share #35 Posted November 14, 2011 Some good answers and some super images shown here, here's one with a 90mm Summarit and is a 50% crop of the full frame - with Leica glass quality cropping is not an issue. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! I've photoshopped out the clutter behind:D Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! I've photoshopped out the clutter behind:D ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/166133-best-portrait-lens-for-m9-suggestions/?do=findComment&comment=1843676'>More sharing options...
Printmaker Posted November 14, 2011 Share #36 Posted November 14, 2011 Once I get used to the focus shift, I predict my favourite lens for portraits in the M9 will be the Zeiss Sonar 50mm f1.5. So far I have succeeded better with it on film. I also think the 50 Summicron and Plannar make great lenses, though not with quite the same mystique as the Sonar.. When I moved from the M8 to the M9, I found that I missed the EFV of my 35 Summicron on the M8. I considered a Zeiss Sonar but remembered the rendering of one of my old 50 Summicrons. I had both a black 50 Summicron from 1968 - 1970 and a dual range Summicron. I ended up selling the black one and keeping the 50 DR because it seemed a little sharper. Just a few months ago, I sold the 50 DR and bought another 1969 Summicron. What I'm finding from this lens is that the micro contrast is low at 2 and 2.8 but grows stronger as it is stopped down - not unlike the Zeiss 50 Sonar. But it does this without a focus shift. Very interesting. True, this lens is prone to flare if the sun hits the front element but otherwise it is an excellent performer. This Summicron is a wonderful portrait lens at 2-4. It has the perfect amount of sharpness for pleasing faces of all ages. A few years ago, you could buy this lens for around $500. Today they go for twice as much due to the strong demand for Leica lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted November 14, 2011 Share #37 Posted November 14, 2011 I've photoshopped out the clutter behind:D And it seems to me you have touched some more PS tools. like contrast and saturation Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwolf Posted November 14, 2011 Share #38 Posted November 14, 2011 I think your choice depends on the type of portraits you mostly shoot. If mainly head and shoulders, go longer. If your preference is environmental portraits, go with a 50. Personally, I think the latter will give you more flexibility. Here's one of each -- my son with the Voigtlander 50 1.5, and my daughter with a 75 Summicron. John Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/166133-best-portrait-lens-for-m9-suggestions/?do=findComment&comment=1843938'>More sharing options...
Printmaker Posted November 14, 2011 Share #39 Posted November 14, 2011 The photo of your daughter is stunning. Says a lot for your talents and the 75 Summicron's abilities. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted November 15, 2011 Share #40 Posted November 15, 2011 To my mind, a portrait shows some interaction between the photographer and the subject. Sometimes it's posed, but hopefully you get beyond that. The lens choice really just depends on what you wish to frame. APO Summicron 75 ASPH. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/166133-best-portrait-lens-for-m9-suggestions/?do=findComment&comment=1844046'>More sharing options...
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