Best lens for detail shots

[Harpomatic]

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Thanks everyone!

I knew the Macro-Elmar would be the best choice, but it’s too expensive. 
Probably the Nokton 75mm is the only choice, notwithstanding what andybarton  says about option under a grand! 😉

The reason why I am looking for a less expensive lens is that I would have to buy specifically for this project and it is self funded. I have almost no use for anything longer than 50mm for my daily shooting, despite having owned a 90mm or 135mm most of the time for my Leica. I just never reach for it.

But, for this project, it could come in handy.

Has anyone had any experience with the Kipon 90mm 2.4? I ask because it seems to be the only 90mm with a 0.7m MFD, which would give much more magnification. But, is the image quality decent at all?

Thanks again!

[LarsHP]

On 4/20/2021 at 8:43 AM, Harpomatic said:

...

Has anyone had any experience with the Kipon 90mm 2.4? I ask because it seems to be the only 90mm with a 0.7m MFD, which would give much more magnification. But, is the image quality decent at all?

Thanks again!

It appears to be surprisingly decent - at least at medium distance.

https://sonyalpha.blog/2018/11/22/kipon-iberit-90mm-f2-4/

[rramesh]

Harpomatic,

• What are you trying to shoot?
• Is the subject static or mobile?
• Are you shooting indoors or outdoors? You mentioned low light. Can you boost lighting?
• Can you use a tripod?
• Do you need the whole frame sharp and in focus? This will rule out wide open shots.

Sharing some of these answers, will enable the forum reader to provide meaningful answers to your needs and choice of lens.

 

[Rick in CO]

25 minutes ago, rramesh said:

Harpomatic,

• What are you trying to shoot?
• Is the subject static or mobile?
• Are you shooting indoors or outdoors? You mentioned low light. Can you boost lighting?
• Can you use a tripod?
• Do you need the whole frame sharp and in focus? This will rule out wide open shots.

Sharing some of these answers, will enable the forum reader to provide meaningful answers to your needs and choice of lens.

 

Agree completely.

Additionally, how large to you intend to print?  Or, are you interested in posting online?

My wife's Leica C Typ 112 has proven ideal for smaller (up to 5x7 inch ) photos for publication and more than adequate for posting online.

Newer small Leica cameras with macro mode might give even better results and be within budget.

The smaller sensors are more amenable to depth of field sharpness than full frame as well.

[wda]

33 minutes ago, rramesh said:

Harpomatic,

• What are you trying to shoot?
• Is the subject static or mobile?
• Are you shooting indoors or outdoors? You mentioned low light. Can you boost lighting?
• Can you use a tripod?
• Do you need the whole frame sharp and in focus? This will rule out wide open shots.

Sharing some of these answers, will enable the forum reader to provide meaningful answers to your needs and choice of lens.

 

I asked for a more precise description of his task in my post #2, but received no answer.

[Harpomatic]

On 4/21/2021 at 2:44 PM, rramesh said:

Harpomatic,

• What are you trying to shoot?
• Is the subject static or mobile?
• Are you shooting indoors or outdoors? You mentioned low light. Can you boost lighting?
• Can you use a tripod?
• Do you need the whole frame sharp and in focus? This will rule out wide open shots.

Sharing some of these answers, will enable the forum reader to provide meaningful answers to your needs and choice of lens.

 

Hi rramesh, I’m documenting an artisan at work and the subject and his hans are in constant motion. Light is very low, indoors, and lighting and tripod are out of the question. The whole frame in focus is out of the question as well. 
 

I think earleygallery was right in saying that my Leica is the wrong tool for the job. I will have to look at other solutions.
 

Thanks everyone for your contributions! I really appreciate it!

[Ko.Fe.]

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You need not tele lens but 35 and wider lenses. You could get not expensive 21mm M mount lens. It will gives less distortions and larger DOF even at large aperture.

[rramesh]

Note:

• Focal length merely determines how much you need to get in the frame. 
• Nailing focus with a lens wide open and close, indoors in poor light, may be a challenge.
• Best to use a reasonably wide lens (28 or 35), f/2.8 or f/4, high ISO and 1/100. You can decide how much creative speed blur would be acceptable. With a wider lens you can capture the artisan's hands plus more of his body or face.

You should be able to fix a great deal in post.

I have taken photos of artisans at work during some trips, having to jostle inb a crowd, to get a nice framing. Speed is essential and some zone focusing would be needed. I found that on occasion my wife takes better photos out of camera with her iPhone. Of course a full frame shot gives you a lot of room to process and crop.

Edited April 23, 2021 by rramesh

[Harpomatic]

The problem here is that the detail shots are important in this project and I do need the close focusing/detail isolation capabilities. Wide angle lenses don’t isolate enough and I have to be out of the artisan’s personal space, so I can’t just stick my mug and camera in or the shots.

Time to look for a suitable tool for the job.

Outside of the Leica systems there are incredibly capable cameras and lenses for really reasonable prices. I will have to look there.

[a.noctilux]

As side note, my experience with same "unique"  situation, if this can help.

Once, I was invited by an artisan guitar maker, while looking from the shop's window.

So I had photographic equipment NOT really adapted for the situation : Leica M6 Summilux-M 50mm and happily 400 ISO films.

 

The artisan worked while I tried to make some images without disturbing him working.

In this case, the 50mm was wonderful and the M6 discretion didn't disturb the quiet atmosphere

I'm proud that I did have some good pics even with the 100 ISO film that I took some frames before 400 ISO.

 

 

[wda]

4 hours ago, Harpomatic said:

The problem here is that the detail shots are important in this project and I do need the close focusing/detail isolation capabilities. Wide angle lenses don’t isolate enough and I have to be out of the artisan’s personal space, so I can’t just stick my mug and camera in or the shots.

Time to look for a suitable tool for the job.

Outside of the Leica systems there are incredibly capable cameras and lenses for really reasonable prices. I will have to look there.

You have shared your problem with us. A special plea from me. Please share the best of your results with us so that all of your forum friends can learn from your experience. 

[Jean-Michel]

When faced with a special need equipment fo a project, such as a digital back or rarely used lens, I would simply rent. So, in the OP’s case it might make sense to rent a higher end camera and lens with good iso capabilities and good autofocus.

[Harpomatic]

On 4/23/2021 at 1:40 PM, wda said:

You have shared your problem with us. A special plea from me. Please share the best of your results with us so that all of your forum friends can learn from your experience. 

I haven’t forgotten and I will, I just had a really busy weekend!