Jump to content

Best portrait lens


KAD

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I say if you know how to post process any lens will work. One can always soften a "too sharp" image, but it is very difficult to bring back sharpness that you later wish was present in the image.

 

You miss my point.

 

For a capture as the one above, a candid textured image, few lenses will match it (? Otus 85). Wonderful isolation and a slightly nervous but non-distracting bokeh. Rather than detract from the overall image, it adds an energy.

 

The R 80 Lux/M 75 Lux have a gentle, slightly 'glowy' character WO that needs little PP to maintain flattering skin tone and texture. To my eye, the bokeh from these two just make for the perfect portrait.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • Replies 62
  • Created
  • Last Reply

The best portraits on 35 mm are done at 5 or 6 feet.

this distance keeps elements in proper proportion. Pick the focal length the takes in the proper angle.

 

50 mm 3/4 body

75 mm 1/2 to 1/3 body

90 mm for "head shots".

 

Obviously there is some overlap. For M8, use 35/50/75

 

Learn to use photoshop to soften the image locally or overall.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Maybe "crappy colors" is more appropriate.

I find it unlikely we don't have the same lens (latest model with built in hood).

Did you know that 8% of the male population suffers from some kind of color blindness ? Many people don't know they are in this 8% until they are tested for some reason.

I did not know about the "crappy colours" of the Elmarit 90/2.8 and the figure of 8% but my sample is indeed a late 11807 # 39706**, CLA'd and coded in 2012 by Leica, and my ophthalmologist has a rather good reputation so we have not the same right brain, it must be that :D.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Thighslapper, excuse my English, in writing and in understanding, but it did not seem to me that it was a negative comment on this lens...

 

Al, mine was a negative comment.

I may have a "weird right emisphere", but I cannot stand how this lens renders colors, especially in sunny environments.

 

To be fair, I can say that - if you are not as picky as I am with color rendering - the Elmarit 90/2.8 is a fantastic lens.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Al, mine was a negative comment.

I may have a "weird right emisphere", but I cannot stand how this lens renders colors, especially in sunny environments.

 

To be fair, I can say that - if you are not as picky as I am with color rendering - the Elmarit 90/2.8 is a fantastic lens.

 

Hummmm again.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I recently got an Elmarit-M 90mm and found its' orangish and dull color rendering a great match to my color-blind induced preferences.

 

I did some more research on the lens and a little known fact is that almost all Elmarit-M 90mm lenses happened to be sold to the color-blind 8%, which is why very few owners actually know about the dull orangish colors of their lenses and thus nobody else seems to mention this fact in other threads about the lens.

 

The lens fits in perfectly both in color rendition and in contrast with my other two lenses, the 28mm Summicron and the 50mm Summilux ASPH. They're similar enough to use together. This obviously leads to the conclusion that the Summicron and the Summilux have the same dull orangish color rendition that color blind people like me (and the rest of Leica users) fail to notice.

 

Even though I don't see the orangish dull colors myself I will from now on desaturate the orange channel and pump up the rest of the color just in case a non-color blind person will get to see the pictures. :cool:

 

Thank you for pointing out my blind spot. :D

Link to post
Share on other sites

This obviously leads to the conclusion that the Summicron and the Summilux have the same dull orangish color rendition that color blind people like me (and the rest of Leica users) fail to notice.

 

... or the conclusion that you haven't tested the lens properly :rolleyes:

Link to post
Share on other sites

For the vast majority of my portraits over the last forty years as a full time portrait photographer, I used the longer lenses for my one and two person portraits. Therefore I would highly recommend the 90mm in any if its incarnations. For larger groups I may use wider angles, but the ability of a longer lens to isolate a subject against a larger background is paramount. Using a wide angle draws in too much background and may detract from my subject. Go for the 90. You can see some examples on heymanports2.blogspot.com.au

Link to post
Share on other sites

Wide apertures sound attractive, but I, for one, get a bit tired of portraits where one eye is in focus and the other not, so I am more likely to shoot at around f/4 anyway, as long as I can get good separation from the background.

 

 

I couldn't agree more,

Link to post
Share on other sites

All three are great lenses

I use 50Lux ASPH, 75Lux and 90Apo for portraits. but if I have to stay with one 75Lux all the way.

 

shot on M240+75Lux

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

  • 1 month later...

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...