TennesseJones
Well-known
Good stuff here from Cris and everyone.
A dumb question: does it feel much different to using a 28mm?
A dumb question: does it feel much different to using a 28mm?
Good stuff indeed! I'm particularly taken by the skin tones Chris is getting... as well as the cool theme.
On the focal lengths... I have this same 25 Biogon and the 28 Summicron, both used recently on M240. As expected, the 25 feels a little wider than the 28. To put numbers on it, the 25 has an 82° angle of view while the 28 is 76°.
Both share a similar "need" to move in closer than we're otherwise used to, leading I think to a sense of immersion in the scene, a more intimate experience than longer lenses. The wideness brings in some context for the subject, but the related common mistake is letting in too much unproductive area by not moving in close enough.
For another take on the difference... on the 1.3 crop of the M8, the 25 has the angle of view of a 33mm lens on full-frame, while the 28 seems like 37mm. These numbers may move it into a more familiar zone for comparisons.
CrisR
Well-known
Many thanks TJ, Doug!
For me, 28mm was just too close to 35mm, but 25mm has a very clear difference to it. It's the widest lens I've used, that has a feeling of space and vastness about it's images, without seeming distorted, surreal, unusual.
Is there a huge difference? No, not really. If Zeiss only made the 28 Biogon, I'd use that without any issue really.
However, for me, the 25mm gave a little extra something. The external viewfinder has lines for both 28 and 25, and it's essentially just a thick boarder, but it was always the 25mm shots that stood out while researching, then one came up at a great price.
Also, I like my parings and ratios, between primes. 25mm and 50mm go together great, as one is double the other, just in the same way as my 18mm and 35mm are (practically). But in reality, 28 and 50 are pretty much close enough!
Oh, and one last thing - totally with Doug on the need to move in as close as possible. All my 25mm portraits are shot at minimum focus distance on the rangefinder. Which is certainly very in your face!
For me, 28mm was just too close to 35mm, but 25mm has a very clear difference to it. It's the widest lens I've used, that has a feeling of space and vastness about it's images, without seeming distorted, surreal, unusual.
Is there a huge difference? No, not really. If Zeiss only made the 28 Biogon, I'd use that without any issue really.
However, for me, the 25mm gave a little extra something. The external viewfinder has lines for both 28 and 25, and it's essentially just a thick boarder, but it was always the 25mm shots that stood out while researching, then one came up at a great price.
Also, I like my parings and ratios, between primes. 25mm and 50mm go together great, as one is double the other, just in the same way as my 18mm and 35mm are (practically). But in reality, 28 and 50 are pretty much close enough!
Oh, and one last thing - totally with Doug on the need to move in as close as possible. All my 25mm portraits are shot at minimum focus distance on the rangefinder. Which is certainly very in your face!
CrisR
Well-known
CrisR
Well-known
CrisR
Well-known
Chris... a question, if you will: How do you approach your subjects and have them do what you ask? Thanks...
CrisR
Well-known
Hi Doug,
I stop them, introduce myself as a street photographer, then ask if i could take their photo?
I explain it's for a project i'm working on, purely for art's sake, I'm not gonna put their face on a bus, and it'll take a couple of minutes.
When they agree, i let them know i'd like to take 2 photos, one with them looking at the camera, the second with them just looking up, with their eyes. I assure them they can do whatever they like, any expression, just be themselves.
I find the first shot relaxes them, the second is what i'm after. Everyone reacts different tho, and i like those differences.
I show them the photo, thank and reassure them that it was great, give them my card, let them know they can email me if they want a copy and jot down their details.
Here's today's
I stop them, introduce myself as a street photographer, then ask if i could take their photo?
I explain it's for a project i'm working on, purely for art's sake, I'm not gonna put their face on a bus, and it'll take a couple of minutes.
When they agree, i let them know i'd like to take 2 photos, one with them looking at the camera, the second with them just looking up, with their eyes. I assure them they can do whatever they like, any expression, just be themselves.
I find the first shot relaxes them, the second is what i'm after. Everyone reacts different tho, and i like those differences.
I show them the photo, thank and reassure them that it was great, give them my card, let them know they can email me if they want a copy and jot down their details.
Here's today's
benji77
@R.F.F
benji77
@R.F.F
TriX rated at 1600 with DDX on the 25mm.
CrisR
Well-known
Thanks Benji, it's not easy, i get a lot of noes. I cycle/walk for a long time between people, i've worked out it's around 15-20 mins of looking for people that
a) look interesting
b) do no appear busy or in a rush (this includes using phones, headphone, in a large group)
c) look like they would say yes. This is much harder to judge, but generally people who look like they're in a mood, don't say yes. This is also the case for people who may not look as comfortable with themselves or look uncertain of their environment.
d) do not look like they will take offence, be aggressive or try and rob me!
I get it wrong sometimes, about 30-50% of people say no straight away, but this is also affected by the area I'm in. I've tried to get a good mix of people, but i find some groups of people are far less likely to agree. Older women tend to say no, business men are usually too busy, to just name a couple of examples. Some people are very suspicious or think i want to sell them something.
Anyway, here's today's chap
a) look interesting
b) do no appear busy or in a rush (this includes using phones, headphone, in a large group)
c) look like they would say yes. This is much harder to judge, but generally people who look like they're in a mood, don't say yes. This is also the case for people who may not look as comfortable with themselves or look uncertain of their environment.
d) do not look like they will take offence, be aggressive or try and rob me!
I get it wrong sometimes, about 30-50% of people say no straight away, but this is also affected by the area I'm in. I've tried to get a good mix of people, but i find some groups of people are far less likely to agree. Older women tend to say no, business men are usually too busy, to just name a couple of examples. Some people are very suspicious or think i want to sell them something.
Anyway, here's today's chap
CrisR
Well-known
CrisR
Well-known
Range-rover
Veteran
Those a great shot's, I wonder what there looking at??
Range
Range
CrisR
Well-known
Thanks Range 
Chris didn't let us in on this earlier, but he must have a colorful feathery cat toy on a stick attached to his backpack so it flutters above his head. And he says, "look at the camera", CLICK, and "look at the birdie", CLICK, "have a nice day, bye."
