"Spy-mode" portraits with X-T1? What lens would you recommend?

[mesmerized]

Hi there,

I envy m43 users this lens: 75mm f/1.8 and my guess is that it's a great lens to take "spy-mode" portraits. It must be so convenient to take portraits from a distance. I often find myself in situations where I'd like to take a portrait of a person from a bit of a distance without making him or her aware of being photographed... Any suggestions what I could put on the X-T1 in order to take such pictures?

Thanks

 

[RT_Panther]

[video=youtube;w4XQCc2uwKA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4XQCc2uwKA&hd=1[/video]

 

[mesmerized]

Hmm... For some reason I can't see anything in your post Panther. I can't open the picture either.

 

[mesmerized]

[video=youtube;w4XQCc2uwKA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4XQCc2uwKA&hd=1[/video]

Hahaha! I love it! I was finally able to open it!

Still, the question remains the same...

 

[silver92b]

One easy way to shoot people stealthily is with a very wide angle lens. For instance the FE Rokinon 7.5 will allow you to capture a subject almost beside you while ostensibly aiming straight ahead... Another way is to "shoot from the hip". With the M43 cameras and the tilting screen, you can even sneak a peek at the viewfinder to see what you have..... I use my Epson R-D1 with a Voigtlander 40mmf1.4 or a Voigtlander 35mmf2.5, with those lenses I can generally guess where the subjects might be and if I preset the focus and stop down to f5.6 or smaller, I have a better chance to keep the subjects in focus. Most of the time, I either take a quick shot and move on or wait in ambush holding the camera pre-focused and squeeze the shutter when they subject crosses the field of view...

 

[taz98spin]

You don't really need a long lens to shoot stealthy.
It's about acting natural, and now that the X-T1 has a tilt screen + faster AF it should be easier.

Here's a few with the 35/1.4 on the X-PRO1.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/taz98spin/9462459308" title="In line by Taz Kang, on Flickr">

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"800" height="534" alt="In line"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/taz98spin/11464328933" title="Posing by Taz Kang, on Flickr">

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"800" height="534" alt="Posing"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/taz98spin/9459039198" title="SOOC by Taz Kang, on Flickr">

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"800" height="534" alt="SOOC"></a>

 

[rbelyell]

yup, absolutely right. acting naturally is number 1. tilt screen/tilt evf and quiet shutter are also other key ingredients.

 

[RT_Panther]

http://petapixel.com/2014/04/30/honys-brandon-stanton-explains-approach-strangers-must-see-qa/