Focal length for dog photography

[DavidT]

Yeah I think it's 15fps iirc

Yup all non Sony lenses are limited to 15 fps

 

[DavidT]

Right now it's looking like either the 70-200 (used gm II or tamron) or the Tamron 35-150, plus possibly a rokinon/samyang 85mm 1.4 for closer portraits with lots of background separation.

I’ve held the 35-150 and it’s stupid heavy. I’ve had the 70-180 tamron and very sharp, light and small. They have a version 2 now I had the first model. I’ve got the 70-200GMII and it’s pretty great but if I didn’t use it for sports and want the higher frame rate I would have kept the Tamron.

 

[Hobbzz]

I’ve held the 35-150 and it’s stupid heavy. I’ve had the 70-180 tamron and very sharp, light and small. They have a version 2 now I had the first model. I’ve got the 70-200GMII and it’s pretty great but if I didn’t use it for sports and want the higher frame rate I would have kept the Tamron.

I pretty much only hand hold my 400 2.8 unless I'm shooting something like an owl that spends a lot of time perched, so the weight of the 35-150 would be a relief lol. I rented the 70-200 II for our tetons trip last fall and liked it. Current used prices are 2000-2200 right now though, so I don't think I'd pay an extra 800 for 5fps over the Tamron if I go the 70-200/180 route. 15fps is plenty for me.

 

[cchuck]

Your photos are beautiful and more than a portrait. Your'e using landscape to complement the dog. Keep up the good work! Good luck on choosing a lens or two that helps you create art with a dog as its focal point.

 

[Elbert]

From the reference images in your post and your response to question I gather you are looking to do imsges of your dog as part of an interesting environment. The reference images look like they’ve been taken with longer focal lengths, a 70-200 or 100-400 would probably work. If you want shallow depth of field a 70-200 F/2.8 or 120-300 F/2.8 (is there something like that for Sony?) would be best I think. As a second lens you could consider a 35 F/1.4. When you’re in an interesting landscape a bright 35 can give both subject isolation and a sense of surroundings. And finally, to do these kind of shots you definitely need a second person to ‘work’ the dog, keep it’s attention etc.

 

[Hobbzz]

Your photos are beautiful and more than a portrait. Your'e using landscape to complement the dog. Keep up the good work! Good luck on choosing a lens or two that helps you create art with a dog as its focal point.

Those aren't my images. They are from 2 different photographers whose pages I linked to in the first post. But I agree they are beautiful!

 

[Bikeman]

I must have accidentally excluded it when filtering by aperture. It's definitely on the contender list. Have you tried continuous autofocus with a subject running towards you?

I haven’t tried that, but it did fine with basketball players running down court towards me in AFC.

 

[KimH]

I must have accidentally excluded it when filtering by aperture. It's definitely on the contender list. Have you tried continuous autofocus with a subject running towards you?

I know a dog photographer who shoots Sony and has this Tamron lens. She loves it for its versatility. She just used it to photograph dog agility with it.

 

[Calson]

My choice would be the Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS lens. The only negative is the 7-blade diaphram but bokeh is not a priority for most photography. The lens does provide image stabilization if the subject is not in motion.

 

[Reno]

Beautiful photos!

 

[Patty]

My wife and I are getting our fist puppy and I'm going to need an e-mount lens for photos (doesn't have to be Sony). I only want one lens. Over the years I've whittled down my collection to 2 lenses, 400 2.8 and 100 macro, and I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a half dozen lenses for one purpose. I know what focal length I'll need for portraits, and my 400 can probably do a lot of that, but my favorite style is more wide angle or mid range stuff with a decent amount of the background and foreground in the frame. I shoot wildlife almost exclusively so I don't have any experience in what kind of focal length I'd need with a small subject that I can place anywhere and tell it to sit and stay. I'm kinda worried that a 70-200 would be too long on the short end. 135 1.8 is another option but not suitable for wide stuff. And I'm worried that a 24-70 will be too short on the long end. Also very important is that it needs to be fast enough for a running dog. Preferably fast enough when it runs towards the camera. I've used a sigma 105 1.4, and it was a great lens, but slow focusing. I've linked to some instagram accounts to give some examples. Body is an A1

Here are some composition examples from the linked photographers below

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https://www.instagram.com/audreybel..._web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== I don't have access to these kinds of landscapes so the examples I'm interested in here are more for her close-ish work.

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I am a pet photographer. For what you want to do and based on your description you will need both a 24-70mm f/2.8 and a 70-200mm f/2.8. That's the standard set up for professional pet photography. For the shots you posted I would bet the house that they were all taken with the 70-200mm f/2.8. You get the compression and the nice blurry background. The 24-70mm lens is great for a wide environmental shot where the dog is more a part of the landscape and you need the detail in the landscape (focus front to back). The 24-70 is also used for treat throws and "look up at me" shots. The 70-200mm is essential for run to me shots and general all around outdoor portraits to get compression, blurred out backgrounds and that nice bright bokeh on backlit shots. You really need the f/2.8 if you want the shots like what you posted. The first of my two images are with the 24-70mm f2.8 (landscape and look up to me). The next two are with the 70-200mm f/2.8 (front run to me and backlit bokeh). If you want some tips on getting good shots of your pup let me know. You could get a nice fast fixed 135mm but it's not as versatile as the 70-200mm lens for taking images of dogs. Some pet photographers may disagree but most of the time it's that 70-200mm f/2.8.

 

[Calson]

Indoors a focal length of 85mm or less is needed and shorter than 50mm will result in distorted features unless the camera is perfectly level and no part of the dog is closer to the camera (same applies to people which is why so many pictures are posted of people with very large noses or hands or feet). A 24-70mm or 28-70mm or 28-75mm or a 24-120mm would be best choices.

 

[Hobbzz]

I am a pet photographer. For what you want to do and based on your description you will need both a 24-70mm f/2.8 and a 70-200mm f/2.8. That's the standard set up for professional pet photography. For the shots you posted I would bet the house that they were all taken with the 70-200mm f/2.8. You get the compression and the nice blurry background. The 24-70mm lens is great for a wide environmental shot where the dog is more a part of the landscape and you need the detail in the landscape (focus front to back). The 24-70 is also used for treat throws and "look up at me" shots. The 70-200mm is essential for run to me shots and general all around outdoor portraits to get compression, blurred out backgrounds and that nice bright bokeh on backlit shots. You really need the f/2.8 if you want the shots like what you posted. The first of my two images are with the 24-70mm f2.8 (landscape and look up to me). The next two are with the 70-200mm f/2.8 (front run to me and backlit bokeh). If you want some tips on getting good shots of your pup let me know. You could get a nice fast fixed 135mm but it's not as versatile as the 70-200mm lens for taking images of dogs. Some pet photographers may disagree but most of the time it's that 70-200mm f/2.8.

Nice images. The 135 1.8 was a contender, but even though we're getting a small breed (mini dachshund), I think it would be too tight for everything except portraits, which the 35-150 and 70-200 could do. Not to mention my 400 2.8. The little bit of exif data I can find from Flickr (most photos don't have any) in dachshund pics, people are using mostly 100-200 ranges, but they're shooting tighter than I like, which kinda pushes me to the 35-150. But, I suspect they're also pretty close to their dog, so 200mm might not be too tight. I think I'll rent the 70-200 and see how that goes.

This is a photo I took a few years ago. While larger than a dog, if I could have told the crane to move I probably would have placed it right about where it is. I shot this with a 200-500 and iirc I was at about the 200-300mm range. I'd probably want the dog to occupy about the same percentage of the frame, maybe a little more.

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[EricBowles]

My go to lens for dog photography is the 70-200 f/2.8. As David and others suggest, the 70-180 f/2.8 is the budget alternative and is a good option.

I prefer to photograph dogs with an f/3.2-3.5 aperture. That gives me a quiet or clean background. So I would stay away from slower, all purpose lenses. You need a fast lens with a shallow DOF.

 

[Hobbzz]

My go to lens for dog photography is the 70-200 f/2.8. As David and others suggest, the 70-180 f/2.8 is the budget alternative and is a good option.

I prefer to photograph dogs with an f/3.2-3.5 aperture. That gives me a quiet or clean background. So I would stay away from slower, all purpose lenses. You need a fast lens with a shallow DOF.

Thanks. I'm not considering anything slower than 2.8.

 

[Strodav]

I'm in the 70-200mm f/2.8 camp as well for outdoor shots. For indoor, it's usually an 85mm f/1.8 - my portrait lens.
This was taken with a D850 and a Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 G2. One of my favorite outdoor lenses. 135mm, f/5.6, ISO 640, 1/160 sec.

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[Alnitak]

Thanks. I'm not considering anything slower than 2.8.

The other "fast" that is necessary for action shots is focusing. I worry that the 35-150 isn't "snappy" enough to keep up with a running, perhaps zig-zagging dog. Great for portraits, but not really an "action" lens like the 70-200. I agree with Patty above. Most all of my outdoor dog shots are with the 70-200.

 

[Patty]

Nice images. The 135 1.8 was a contender, but even though we're getting a small breed (mini dachshund), I think it would be too tight for everything except portraits, which the 35-150 and 70-200 could do. Not to mention my 400 2.8. The little bit of exif data I can find from Flickr (most photos don't have any) in dachshund pics, people are using mostly 100-200 ranges, but they're shooting tighter than I like, which kinda pushes me to the 35-150. But, I suspect they're also pretty close to their dog, so 200mm might not be too tight. I think I'll rent the 70-200 and see how that goes.

This is a photo I took a few years ago. While larger than a dog, if I could have told the crane to move I probably would have placed it right about where it is. I shot this with a 200-500 and iirc I was at about the 200-300mm range. I'd probably want the dog to occupy about the same percentage of the frame, maybe a little more.
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Great idea to rent the lens. Also, keep this in mind. You will be able to get a lot closer to a dog than you will wildlife. In fact, more often the case, they will want to come up to you quite a bit and even lick your lens. That's why I use a lens hood and UV filter. The 200mm is usually the max for pet photography unless doing events like Fast CAT (100 yard dash for dogs). For Fast CAT a lens with 400mm to 600mm is best. Make sure you get good at using noise makers and when to use treats. Having a helper is a plus. BTW, don't overdo with noise makers as dogs get used to it and will ignore them after a while. It's always good to change things up to get their attention. Don't push your dog too much as you don't want them to hate doing a photo session. They will let you know when they've had enough. Look for signs when the dog is feeling stressed. If you see those signs it's time to quit the session and let the dog take a break. Try to make it fun for them, rewards, treats, play etc. It makes it easier to do future sessions.

 

[Whiskeyman]

I already have the 400 2.8, but that puts me really far away from the dog to be able to include enough of the environment in the frame. Good for portraits or head shots or running at the camera stuff.

The 135 1.8 was one I was considering. I think my best bet is going to be to rent something that covers all the focal lengths I'm considering, test them out, and then buy the lens or lenses. Why can't somebody just make a 35-200 1.4!

Because very few could afford one?

For what it's worth, have you got a 50mm lens? I believe there are many situations where a 50mm lens would be a good choice.

 

[Hobbzz]

The other "fast" that is necessary for action shots is focusing. I worry that the 35-150 isn't "snappy" enough to keep up with a running, perhaps zig-zagging dog. Great for portraits, but not really an "action" lens like the 70-200. I agree with Patty above. Most all of my outdoor dog shots are with the 70-200.

I found one review saying that it was fast, although that person didn't define what their version of fast was or what they were using it for. I'm still trying to research that.

 

[Hobbzz]

Because very few could afford one?

For what it's worth, have you got a 50mm lens? I believe there are many situations where a 50mm lens would be a good choice.

I can't even imagine what that would weigh lol.

 

[Udall1973]

My wife and I are getting our fist puppy and I'm going to need an e-mount lens for photos (doesn't have to be Sony). I only want one lens. Over the years I've whittled down my collection to 2 lenses, 400 2.8 and 100 macro, and I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a half dozen lenses for one purpose. I know what focal length I'll need for portraits, and my 400 can probably do a lot of that, but my favorite style is more wide angle or mid range stuff with a decent amount of the background and foreground in the frame. I shoot wildlife almost exclusively so I don't have any experience in what kind of focal length I'd need with a small subject that I can place anywhere and tell it to sit and stay. I'm kinda worried that a 70-200 would be too long on the short end. 135 1.8 is another option but not suitable for wide stuff. And I'm worried that a 24-70 will be too short on the long end. Also very important is that it needs to be fast enough for a running dog. Preferably fast enough when it runs towards the camera. I've used a sigma 105 1.4, and it was a great lens, but slow focusing. I've linked to some instagram accounts to give some examples. Body is an A1

Here are some composition examples from the linked photographers below

View attachment 90819
View attachment 90820
View attachment 90821
View attachment 90822
View attachment 90823
View attachment 90824
View attachment 90825
View attachment 90826

https://www.instagram.com/audreybel..._web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== I don't have access to these kinds of landscapes so the examples I'm interested in here are more for her close-ish work.

Nanuq Dog Photography (@nanuqdogphotography) • Instagram photos and videos

21K Followers, 709 Following, 538 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Nanuq Dog Photography (@nanuqdogphotography)

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