Dog portraits

[David_miller70]

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Hi, so I’m finding I can’t get close enough for good head and shoulders portraits of our new puppies with my 50, which close focuses to 0.7 metres.

I guess with all those mega pixels I could crop but which longer lens would you suggest for such pictures please on my M10-R.

Best, David

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[Joakim]

The Summarit 75 f/2.4 also has a MFD of 0.7 meter but the longer focal length will help you and it is a very good lens for its price. Notice that this lens is no longer produced but it might still be available in some stores since it wasn't that long ago since it was discontinued, otherwise you always have the second hand market.

Also note that the previous version that is f/2.5 only has a MDF of 1.0 meter so it's not as good in this respect.

[anonymous]

The 75mm APO Summicron has one of the highest reproduction ratios of all M lenses (like the 75 Summarit mentioned by Joakim).

For a much more economical solution you could look at the 50mm Summicron “DR” or “Dual Range” lens.  However, it’s a bit finicky on a digital body.

[wda]

90mm Macro-M

[Tp2000]

Just be aware that when using some of these lenses close up, the end images could give your dog a complex as they’re so sharp and will show all blemishes and wrinkles

I would recommend the Summilux 75, wide open will create a flattering look for the beloved dog in your life, without highlighting any aging blemishes or imperfections  

[Narsuitus]

On 2/14/2021 at 11:49 AM, David_miller70 said:

Hi, so I’m finding I can’t get close enough for good head and shoulders portraits of our new puppies with my 50, which close focuses to 0.7 metres.

When I shoot dog portraits, my Leica rangefinder is not my first choice. I prefer to use an SLR with a 28-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens. After using the zoom lens for a while, I will then switch to one of the following primes:

35mm f/1.4

50mm f/1.4

85mm f/1.4

105mm f/2.8 macro

[David_miller70]

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6 hours ago, Narsuitus said:

When I shoot dog portraits, my Leica rangefinder is not my first choice. I prefer to use an SLR with a 28-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens. After using the zoom lens for a while, I will then switch to one of the following primes:

35mm f/1.4

50mm f/1.4

85mm f/1.4

105mm f/2.8 macro

Thanks, had I have known that we were getting super-cute puppies I might not have chosen a range finder when I bought a new camera last year but hey-ho, we'll make use of what we have.

I think I'm going to go for a second-hand 90 f2 APO ASPH but still mulling it over and happy to hear alternative suggestions.

Best, David

[andybarton]

On 2/14/2021 at 6:44 PM, anonymous said:

The 75mm APO Summicron has one of the highest reproduction ratios of all M lenses (like the 75 Summarit mentioned by Joakim).

For a much more economical solution you could look at the 50mm Summicron “DR” or “Dual Range” lens.  However, it’s a bit finicky on a digital body.

And doesn’t work on every body. Mine doesn’t on my M240.

[andybarton]

On 2/14/2021 at 9:36 PM, Tp2000 said:

I would recommend the Summilux 75, wide open will create a flattering look for the beloved dog in your life, without highlighting any aging blemishes or imperfections

Good luck getting that in focus...

[microview]

I think I'm going to go for a second-hand 90 f2 APO ASPH but still mulling it over and happy to hear alternative suggestions.

 

That's a heavy lens for playful puppies and the small macro would be better. Live view perhaps best for subject matter focus/composition.

[wda]

1 hour ago, microview said:

I think I'm going to go for a second-hand 90 f2 APO ASPH but still mulling it over and happy to hear alternative suggestions.

 

That's a heavy lens for playful puppies and the small macro would be better. Live view perhaps best for subject matter focus/composition.

My solution is not one you will want to hear. But here goes. If you do not already own one, seek a recent mint or new D lux or V Lux. The D Lux is compact,  has face-recognition AF,  is inconspicuous,  and is always available and to hand; all at a price equal to, or less than, buying another rangefinder lens. The V Lux gives you a greater stand-off shooting distance. I regard these as my 'around the house and garden cameras'. I have my rangefinder system for subjects, for which it is better suited. Although I like the precision of rangefinding on static subjects,  autofocus is a clear winner with active pets.

[elgenper]

Well, I shoot a lot of dogs (...😜).  My "solution" is simple: my trusty M9 with (most of the time) Apo-Summicron 75, (sometimes) Summilux 50 Asph, or (occasionally) Summicron 35 V. 1 (8-lens).  Here is a recent one with the 75.

My experience is somewhat different from those of some posters here (and I don´t dispute theirs, we´re all different...).  I seldom miss focus altogether, even with the 75 (and the example cited isn´t one of the sharpest ones, admittedly), but I often miss fast situations (never mind, there´ll be another one in a moment with those models).  What´s important for me is control over the exact moment of exposure, to get full control over positions and expressions, and no EVF camera comes even close to giving me that; I own both the DLux 7 and a Fuji, and for me none of them work the way I want.  The dogs in the above example were romping around wildly, the moment when they didn´t overlap was very short here.  Here´s an other, older example, also with the 75.  And this couple didn´t stand there for an entire duet, like Mimi and Rodolphe in La Bohéme, their posture was short lived indeed...

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[David_miller70]

3 hours ago, microview said:

I think I'm going to go for a second-hand 90 f2 APO ASPH but still mulling it over and happy to hear alternative suggestions.

 

That's a heavy lens for playful puppies and the small macro would be better. Live view perhaps best for subject matter focus/composition.

Thanks, I thought about the 90 macro but it has a minimum aperture of F4. I know I'll miss them half the time but am looking for some shots at F2 to really isolate the subject.

Best, David

[David_miller70]

1 hour ago, wda said:

My solution is not one you will want to hear. But here goes. If you do not already own one, seek a recent mint or new D lux or V Lux. The D Lux is compact,  has face-recognition AF,  is inconspicuous,  and is always available and to hand; all at a price equal to, or less than, buying another rangefinder lens. The V Lux gives you a greater stand-off shooting distance. I regard these as my 'around the house and garden cameras'. I have my rangefinder system for subjects, for which it is better suited. Although I like the precision of rangefinding on static subjects,  autofocus is a clear winner with active pets.

I'm not as opposed to this as you might suspect. I have been asking myself if I should spend the money (even for the second hand 90 f2) on a really good camera / lens combination with super fast autofocus. Dare I say I might even consider something none L........ !!!!!

On saying that, I did blow all that cash on an M-10R, 21, 35 and 50 mm lenses to wuss out not at the final hurdle?? 😉

David

[Narsuitus]

1 hour ago, David_miller70 said:

Thanks, I thought about the 90 macro but it has a minimum aperture of F4. I know I'll miss them half the time but am looking for some shots at F2 to really isolate the subject.

 

On 2/14/2021 at 11:49 AM, David_miller70 said:

Hi, so I’m finding I can’t get close enough for good head and shoulders portraits of our new puppies with my 50, which close focuses to 0.7 metres.

With my 90mm f/2 Leitz lens, at the closest focusing setting, I can fill the frame with a 30cm subject.

[fotografr]

I would not rule out the 90mm Elmarit. Wide open you'll have a bit more dof than with the Summicron and shooting at close range you'll still have a nice oof background. They are razor sharp and you can pick up a very good used copy for $800 to $900. 

[David_miller70]

Trigger pulled. Brand spanking new 90 f2 Summicron APO ASPH now on its way.

Going have to put some serious time into mastering focus at f2 with moving subjects, or train the puppies to play statues 🙂

Best, David

[wda]

59 minutes ago, David_miller70 said:

Trigger pulled. Brand spanking new 90 f2 Summicron APO ASPH now on its way.

Going have to put some serious time into mastering focus at f2 with moving subjects, or train the puppies to play statues 🙂

Best, David

I wonder why you asked when your mind was already 99% decided 🙄

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[David_miller70]

I was n’t anywhere near 99% sure when I started this thread.

Even though I thought the 90 Summicron was the most likely outcome I see this forum as a place to sanity check, get alternatives experiences and get an idea of other possible lenses that might do the job cheaper or better?.

Appreciate your’s and everybody else’s input.

Best, David