Leica Q2 Monochrome for portraits...

[Elmiko]

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Hello Everyone,

I'm new to the forum.  I am strongly considering purchasing a Q2 Monochrome soon, but I have a couple of questions.

1)  Is the Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH. Lens capable of composing what would be considered "typical" portrait compositions?

And...

2) How would the macro feature of this lens work with close-up or head shot portraits?  Any downsides to using the macro for such portraits?

Thanks a bunch for any expertise you can provide!

Mike

[jaapv]

Well, it will work if cropped down to something like 75 mm equivalent. In macro mode it will be great for big-nose caricatures... 🤩 I would not call this a specific portrait camera, though.

[Elmiko]

Yeah, that is what I was wondering... obviously wouldn't use it if the 75 mm crop would enhance the foreground the way you describe.  But 28 mm isn't that wide an angle, so I was hoping somebody who has used the camera/lens to shoot portraits on occasion could tell me what they experienced (and maybe provide some actual photographs to illustrate).  I understand that 28 mm isn't a traditional portrait lens.

Then there is also the macro capability... I have found others using google search where they used macro for headshots, but with longer focal lengths like 100 mm.  

Anyway, I really want to hear from users who have tried the camera/lens in portrait situations if possible.

[Leica Guy]

The Q2 will work for portraits and I’ve used it for that on occasion. The capability of cropping to 35,  50 or even tighter focal lengths helps. You want to stay far enough away from the subject so as not to get too much wide angle distortion. 
I cannot imagine any use for Q macro mode and portraits. My Canon 100mm lens is a macro lens, but my use model has nothing to do with close focus when shooting portraits. The lens operates like any 100mm lens for portraits. 

I far prefer my Canon R5 for portraits using either a 70-200 or a 100mm lens. 
I took this a couple years ago with my Q and really like it. 

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Edited December 14, 2020 by Leica Guy

[Leon_is]

I think it's far from being considered a clasical portrait camera...even with the 75mm crop, it will not look like a picture taken at 75mm, because the perspective will be different.

You can take a lot of portraits, but is not very flattering for women portrait (if you shoot from below the jaw will look big and if you shoot from above and if you shoot from above, forehead and eyes will look bigger), for example...if you photograph a woman, it is better to shoot from a little above or not very close to it.

It is perfect for taking street portraits or with people doing something, so you can catch them completely...

 

You cand search on Goolge: "28mm portraits" and you'll find enough pictures to get an idea..

 

 

Edited December 14, 2020 by Leon_is

[Stephen.s1]

You can crop the H*** out of it and eliminate the WA up close look.  Perspective in a classic portrait (with suitable BG) will amount to nothing..

[jaapv]

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On 12/14/2020 at 2:04 AM, Elmiko said:

obviously wouldn't use it if the 75 mm crop would enhance the foreground the way you describe

You have it the wrong way around - the 75 mm crop will de-emphasize the perspective distortion, the 28 mm will enhance it, as you will be much closer to the subject. 75-90 mm is the classic focal length for portraits.

[vedivv]

What is a "typical" portrait?  28/1.7 is great for environmental portrait when you want to capture the scene.  But if the "typical" portrait involves great bokeh, an fast 85mm lens would be better suited.  And no, the "macro" setting on Q2M is not good for portrait, unless you want to create highly distorted and partial face images.  

[Leon_is]

It would be better for a woman to tell us some about how they see the portraits..:)

He asked: " Is the Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH. Lens capable of composing what would be considered "typical" portrait compositions?" and "close-up or head shot portraits"

it is good to tell the man what and how he can do. He may buy Q2 for portraits, but it may not be what he hopes for (maybe it will be ok)...I, for example, shoot a lot of portraits with a 24-28 focal length, but not many women will be happy with pictures taken with 28mm....

I wanted to be on topic and not confuse the man...I have a lot of "portraits" with 16mm, but they are not typical....

Edited December 15, 2020 by Leon_is

[T25UFO]

Posted this earlier in answer to a similar question.  Not the Mono (obviously) just the regular Q2.  Maybe not designed for portraits, but when it's the only camera you're carrying, it will do the job.

 

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[plantagoo]

Am 14.12.2020 um 20:35 schrieb Leon_is:

I think it's far from being considered a clasical portrait camera...even with the 75mm crop, it will not look like a picture taken at 75mm, because the perspective will be different.

It will „exactly“ look like a picture taken with 75mm when your distance from the subject is the same. Bokeh may be different but the perspective will be the same.

The important factor is the distance - nothing else.

Proof: https://youtu.be/_TTXY1Se0eg 

Greetings

Erik

 

[plantagoo]

Dennis. Taken at the Leica Gallery in Frankfurt (taken with the Q2, Q2M may not look that different)

 

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[jaapv]

Both these portraits are fine, and well taken. But one must move close to the screen to get the perspective to look "natural" At normal viewing distance the noses are quite pronounced - and the skill of the photographers makes it acceptable (*). Try it: move in and out to your computer screen.
It is not just the distance of the camera  to the subject that determines our perception of perspective and feeling of "normal.  ( geometrically it is...)  Viewing distance and print size has to do with this as well as does scale. A striking example - In general, a macro shot will yield a normal perspective using a focal length of 100-150 mm. However, if you want a model railway to look like the real thing, you need to get in close with a wideangle lens.

(*) Sometimes using a wideangle lens for a close portrait will convey a feeling of intimacy and the subject moving in towards the viewer. The young lady in post #4 is a brilliant example.

[Guest]

Hi Mike, here are some samples of images with the Q2. Take a gander  if you'd like. 

Not sure if those fit what you'd describe as "typical portrait compositions." But I shoot a lot of portraits with mine.

[T25UFO]

8 hours ago, jaapv said:

Both these portraits are fine, and well taken. But one must move close to the screen to get the perspective to look "natural" At normal viewing distance the noses are quite pronounced - and the skill of the photographers makes it acceptable (*). Try it: move in and out to your computer screen.
It is not just the distance of the camera  to the subject that determines our perception of perspective and feeling of "normal.  ( geometrically it is...)  Viewing distance and print size has to do with this as well as does scale. A striking example - In general, a macro shot will yield a normal perspective using a focal length of 100-150 mm. However, if you want a model railway to look like the real thing, you need to get in close with a wideangle lens.

(*) Sometimes using a wideangle lens for a close portrait will convey a feeling of intimacy and the subject moving in towards the viewer. The young lady in post #4 is a brilliant example.

Totally agree with everything here.  My SL2 with 75mm APO will always produced a better portrait than my Q2 cropped to 75mm.

 But when the Q2 is the only camera you have at the time . . . .

[Fedro]

4 hours ago, yohan said:

Hi Mike, here are some samples of images with the Q2. Take a gander  if you'd like. 

Not sure if those fit what you'd describe as "typical portrait compositions." But I shoot a lot of portraits with mine.

lovely portraits

[PhotoCruiser]

Am 14.12.2020 um 00:13 schrieb Elmiko:

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to the forum.  I am strongly considering purchasing a Q2 Monochrome soon, but I have a couple of questions.

1)  Is the Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH. Lens capable of composing what would be considered "typical" portrait compositions?

And...

2) How would the macro feature of this lens work with close-up or head shot portraits?  Any downsides to using the macro for such portraits?

Thanks a bunch for any expertise you can provide!

Mike

Your question is simple to answer,

No, not for a typical portait composition

No, absolutely not

The reason for both no is already described above, particularly the excellent explanation JaapV wrote.

The lens for a typical portrait composition is a 70-90 mm lens, shorter or longer lenses will distort, but the distortion can be a aspect of art.
The excellent people and portrait photos by Yohan show that you can shoot very nice people photography,
but you need to know the ens very well and use creativity to reduce or use the distortion at your favor.

Chris

Edited December 16, 2020 by PhotoCruiser

[plantagoo]

And again. If your distance to the subject is identical you pretty much get the same picture (despite the bokeh and of course the pixel count).

Did anyone watch the first 3 minutes of the above linked video? 

There is no distortion whatsoever. They provide an extreme example comparing a 24mm to a 400mm.

Here are the results of the proof.

 

 

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[Craig Clark]

I guess it all depends on the look youre going for.  I have a QP and a Q2M, so 28mm is the only focal length I shoot.  I took the pic below of my wife with the Q2 monochrom and she liked it....which is usually a pretty good barometer of whether something looks out of proportion or wonky...I think you can take a portrait with any camera you just have to get creative sometimes...did Leica have portraiture in mind when designing / creating this camera?  Likely not...but when its all you have you make it work.  I decided when I bought my first Q that I was going to be a 28mm photographer and havent looked back since.  

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[Craig Clark]

This one was taken with the QP....these are also uncropped.  keep in mind, shes my wife so I dont mind (and she doesnt mind) me getting right in her face with the camera...but back to my point....it can be done.  

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