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Leica Portrait Shooters

esophoria

By esophoria
in Leica M Lenses

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farnz

farnz

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My advice only applies to candid portraits as I don't do studio work. For me it's the 80/1.4 Summilux-R for portraits where detail is needed and the older 85/2 Zeiss Sonnar (Jena or Opton) for portraits where micro-detail would be unwelcome but smoothness of tonal graduations is an advantage.

 

Pete.

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lct

lct

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...The real solution is to learn to retouch so that the photo more closely matches your perception of the person in a flattering light . . . plus maybe a little fairy dust added for good measure.

To each his or her own as usual. I don't like to disguise my models in PP so the solution is a good pre-asph lens for me.

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CaptZoom

CaptZoom

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Good PP technique is essential. That being said, any thing that can reduce PP time is welcome- some times that men's using a softer lens, intentionally miss focusing, etc.

 

The PCB beauty dish is really frakking bright and directional. It's fantastic for bring out details and particularly useful for highlighting clothing, jewelry etc. It can be quite harsh for skin.

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120

120

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I'm glad I started this thread...the perspective of fellow Leica shooters is really informative as well as thought provoking.

 

Someone asked about the Summarit....it's a fine lens...but doesn't do my subjects any justice. I find myself taking a Summarit 90mm image and having to bring it in to Portrait Professional and work on it.

 

Middle age and older women always complain about their wrinkles and my wife says my lenses are too sharp...they seem to find all of the imperfections on people's faces.

 

To me, the imperfections are what gives the Leica portrait shooter the assets in making a fine portrait.

 

The lens I hope to buy will be my first Summicron. I have a 135mm Elmarit...which is too long for my studio work. I do like the rendering of the Elmarit's.

 

I have the Paul Buff beauty dish...works so well with their Einstein lights.

 

yeah as someone said you need a larger modifier. I cannot figure out the current summicron for head shots, and not sure if I like it or not. A couple of people here swapped it for the previous version.

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luigi bertolotti

luigi bertolotti

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I'm glad I started this thread...the perspective of fellow Leica shooters is really informative as well as thought provoking.

 

Someone asked about the Summarit....it's a fine lens...but doesn't do my subjects any justice. I find myself taking a Summarit 90mm image and having to bring it in to Portrait Professional and work on it.

 

Middle age and older women always complain about their wrinkles and my wife says my lenses are too sharp...they seem to find all of the imperfections on people's faces.

 

To me, the imperfections are what gives the Leica portrait shooter the assets in making a fine portrait.

 

The lens I hope to buy will be my first Summicron. I have a 135mm Elmarit...which is too long for my studio work. I do like the rendering of the Elmarit's.

 

I have the Paul Buff beauty dish...works so well with their Einstein lights.

 

Same for me about the Summarit (I have the 75 . for M8) : a bit too sharp for portraits.

 

And about the Elmarit... if I were you I'd consider seriously a used Elmarit 90, be it an Elmarit or a Tele-Elmarit : old Summicron 90 can be, imho, problematic when used at f 2... which is not with an Elmarit at 2,8.

I mean the OLD Elmarit, of course : the last one is even sharper than the Summarit... (making it a superb lens for paysage)

 

 

 

.

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brusby

brusby

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My all-time favorite is actually a 35 'preasph! It renders beautifully and is very versatile. This is followed by the 50 f/1. Even with the MM. Also, proper pp is so crucial.

 

+1 for the 35.

 

Actually the 35 preasph summilux reminds me a lot of the f1 noctilux and 75 Summilux . . . minus the size ;)

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hoppyman

hoppyman

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This is really a multi-facted topic ( subject models, light source/s, modifier/s, lens design,focal length, framing, developing (post processing) and preferences and prejudices play a part too.

Worthwhile discussions I think. Maybe you could link to examples of what you like to shoot in this?

My personal preferences/prejudices are for the modern M lenses and longer is better for tighter framed shots. However you can do stuff with even a 35 in the right circumstances.

I have never shot the APO 90. They have an excellent reputation of course. I like the APO75 very much (wonderful in window light too) and the little Elmarit M 90 works very well too.

 

I do use post processing (retouching, skin etc etc) as a normal part of my photo developing and I much prefer the best lenses rather than softer ones. You won't see much if any commercial work where that is not so if you pick up any number of fashion magazines for example. There is no wrong answer there of course.

 

Beauty dishes have that name for a reason :). You can greatly change their effect with positioning (distance, feathering etc and optional grids or diffusers too. I use diffusers for pretty people but equally you can do well without.

Big modifiers can give lovely soft wrap around light of course, Octas (bigger the better), big softboxes etc.

 

But contrary to intuition maybe, modifiers used very close to the subject (just outside of frame) are very suitable for beauty and clamshelling them is a recognised technique.

 

Then you get into what fill and ratios you want to employ etc. etc.

Hours of entertainment for all ;)

Limiting my examples to studio flash lighting below (you can see a lot with the APO 75 and available light in the same gallery):

 

APO 75 with single beauty dish and reflector

Bri-1 photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

 

 

Elmarit M 90 on M9, beauty dish above with small softbox fill

C437 photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

Becky photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

C461 photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

 

For half length/full length, these are nearly all with the new 35 and some with the Summilux M 50 ASPH and a single small soft box. These are all art nudes though. Don't look if that may offend

Anne's art nudes Photo Gallery by Geoff Hopkinson at pbase.com

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Reds

Reds

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Thought I'd post a couple of samples I've taken in my studio. Both with the MM. First is with a nocti & 2nd with a 50 lux. I used an ice light and/or a bare kino flo bulb for added photons for these.

 

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

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Duane Pandorf

Duane Pandorf

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Here are a couple examples using the 35 'Lux pre-asph on an M9.

 

Newest%20Leica%20Emma%2010%20web-XL.jpg

 

I think I will quit complaining to myself about my 35mm pre-ASPH. Its what I could afford as I've ventured into the Leica platform this year with the Leica M-E. But I keep looking at the newer ASPH version because I think I want sharper images when using f1.4.

 

Now that I see what you've done with this image, which I assume has been shot wide open, I realize I should be happy with my current lens/kit.

 

I too have the latest Leica 90mm Elmarit for its rendering at f2.8 and the latest 50mm Lux pre-ASPH.

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