Leica versatility question

[PJRiley]

Some of you are getting to know me a bit; I'm a working photojournalist and am happily awaiting my first Leica (an M6TTl). I am also in the process of starting a pet photography business, specializing in dog portraits, in which I would go to clients' locations instead of setting up a studio. Would I get good results shooting the M6? Or are Leicas (or rangefinders in general), by their very design, better suited to photojournalism and street photography?
As always, your experiences are a big help to RF newbies...😀
Mary

 

[ferider]

Leicas are perfect for environmental portraits, including dogs. My dogs like them 🙂

I wouldn't let you near my dogs with a 50mm, though, you'll need a 90 🙂 For various reasons, among other, it would keep the lens clean ...

 

[thomasw_]

I shoot Echo, my Husky, a few times a year. He told me to tell you that he loves the Leica M click.

 

[RuedigerMerz]

Our dogs love Leicas, because they don't have ultrasonic motor (which scares them) in there lenses.😉

 

[PJRiley]

That was what I was thinking of, Andy. I'd much prefer to shoot in natural, outdoor settings rather than studio. Or, in the owner's home, where the dog is more relaxed. Your photos are very fresh, and Wes is beautifully captured.
My dog is a basset named AJ and he only moves quick when there's food around, so I figure I'll practice on him.
I'm waiting for the M6 I bought from a fellow RFF'er, and I'm really looking forward to trying it on my long-eared buddy!
Thanks for the encouragement.
Mary

 

[payasam]

Good luck, Mary. I've done well enough with Leicas and dogs. As Roland said, you'll need a lens longer than a normal.

 

[Spyderman]

memphis: What about German dogs ? 😀

I don't have many pictures of my beast, when I kneel down, he always runs right to me 🙂

The only time when he sat still was when my girfriend was holding him 😉

taken with Bessa R and Jupiter-3 50mm f/1.5 @ about f/2.8

 

[ferider]

OK, here are some of my samples:

Two German dogs for Ondrej (meet Loki and Thor):

Two of my wife's pets 🙂 (meet Luna and Storm):

All with RF and short tele.

Roland.

 

[Rafael]

Some great shots here guys! I can never resist a thread on dog photography. I confess that most of my dog photography is shot with an SLR. But I agree that you can make fantastic portraits with an RF.

 

[shimo-kitasnap]

I love the pic of your dog running through water, dogs and water make very fun environments. Although I haven't photographed my dog with a leica, I did take a pic of him with my canon p and 50mm nokton. He came right up and licked the lens (good thing I always have a UV or Skylight on my lenses) no big deal really, just wip with shirt tail and keep shooting.

 

[Chris101]

The greatest dog photographer of our time, Elliot Erwitt uses a Leica.

 

[marke]

I love a good dog thread!

I love a good dog thread!

Yes, Mary, the Leica and canine are a great match.

My greyhound, "Zoomer", taken with my MP and Elmar 50/f2.8...

And with my IIIf RD with Summitar 50/f2.0...

And a "street canine" taken with my M6TTL and Summicron 35/f2.0 ASPH...

 

[Toby]

Check out http://www.erinvey.com Great dog photographer based in Seattle uses Canon 5d. I honestly think DSLR is a better bet especially if you want to do thin DOF stuff.