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

Discussion in 'Other Systems' started by mesmerized, Apr 6, 2014.

Top Rated
  1. mesmerized

    mesmerized Mu-43 Veteran

    399
    Jun 18, 2012
    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
     
    mesmerized, Apr 6, 2014
    #1
  2. RT_Panther

    RT_Panther Mu-43 Legend

    5,933
    May 4, 2011
    Texas
    [video=youtube;w4XQCc2uwKA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4XQCc2uwKA&hd=1[/video]
     
    RT_Panther, Apr 6, 2014
    #2
    • Like Like x 2
  3. mesmerized

    mesmerized Mu-43 Veteran

    399
    Jun 18, 2012
    Hmm... For some reason I can't see anything in your post Panther. I can't open the picture either.
     
    mesmerized, Apr 6, 2014
    #3
  4. mesmerized

    mesmerized Mu-43 Veteran

    399
    Jun 18, 2012
    Hahaha! I love it! I was finally able to open it!

    Still, the question remains the same...
     
    mesmerized, Apr 6, 2014
    #4
  5. silver92b

    silver92b Mu-43 All-Pro

    1,033
    Feb 7, 2013
    Atlanta, GA
    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...
     
    silver92b, Apr 28, 2014
    #5
  6. taz98spin

    taz98spin Mu-43 Top Veteran

    843
    May 13, 2011
    NYC
    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"> 9462459308_594de2343e_c. "800" height="534" alt="In line"></a>

    <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/taz98spin/11464328933" title="Posing by Taz Kang, on Flickr"> 11464328933_cf98371cbd_c. "800" height="534" alt="Posing"></a>

    <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/taz98spin/9459039198" title="SOOC by Taz Kang, on Flickr"> 9459039198_c00c60e9f4_c. "800" height="534" alt="SOOC"></a>
     
    taz98spin, Apr 29, 2014
    #6
  7. rbelyell

    rbelyell Mu-43 Veteran

    368
    Sep 15, 2013
    Mountains of NY
    yup, absolutely right. acting naturally is number 1. tilt screen/tilt evf and quiet shutter are also other key ingredients.
     
    rbelyell, Apr 29, 2014
    #7
  8. RT_Panther

    RT_Panther Mu-43 Legend

    5,933
    May 4, 2011
    Texas
    RT_Panther, May 1, 2014
    #8