Pet Photography - what lenses

[mineymole]

I have a Rebel XSi. What lenses do you all recommend for shooting pets - natural light, candid.

[TheHoff]

If you have a helper managing the pet you can get further back like 50mm or 85mm on your crop but if it is mostly just you, you need to be fairly wide so you can also keep their attention and manage the location. You already have like 4 or 5 lenses that could be used for it; are you looking for another?

85mm on full frame (since I wanted a thin depth of field):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2307402827_e05fb2fc0d.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/alexfirmani/2307402827/)

[mineymole]

If you have a helper managing the pet you can get further back like 50mm or 85mm on your crop but if it is mostly just you, you need to be fairly wide so you can also keep their attention and manage the location. You already have like 4 or 5 lenses that could be used for it; are you looking for another?

85mm on full frame (since I wanted a thin depth of field):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2307402827_e05fb2fc0d.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/alexfirmani/2307402827/)

Fantastic shot!

I have used my 50 1.4 and 85 1.4.... I am wondering if a zoom would be better - but obviously one that focuses fast!

One question - forgive me because I am NEW to this - is your dog shot done with natural light or was it lit? If so, what was your setup? Thanks in advance for the info.

[TheHoff]

Fantastic shot!

I have used my 50 1.4 and 85 1.4.... I am wondering if a zoom would be better - but obviously one that focuses fast!

One question - forgive me because I am NEW to this - is your dog shot done with natural light or was it lit? If so, what was your setup? Thanks in advance for the info.

Thanks; it was some natural light plus a bounced flash. There is a big window to my left, I had a 580 on the hotshoe, bounced back and to the left to accentuate it and then I had a modeling lamp on the background... really pretty simple, this was done before I bought more lighting gear.

I would say a zoom would be better assuming you have enough light and are going to stop it down or use f/4+. If, however, you're aiming for natural light photos with thin depth of field, you'll need something faster in aperture and quick focusing. That can be a zoom... my 16-35 is super fast in focus and sharp at all apertures and would make a good lens for it, but for less depth of field you'll want a longer focal length and a larger aperture.

And then you're going to have focus issues because pets just don't stay put... so you're asking for a tough setup. Using flash and stopping down the lens will get you more keepers.. so if you do use the natural light and wide apertures you'll need to shoot a lot of frames.

[gasrocks]

I get the best results when I stay back a ways and give them space and freedom to do their thing. 200mm or 300mm.

[TheHoff]

Yup, that is a good point, too (assuming you're outside and not meaning window light).

[egordon99]

You already have some excellent lenses. How do you find them lacking? What a zoom would give you is more flexibility in framing/composition and keep you from having to change lenses as often.

I do most of my "people" shooting with my 30mm and 85mm f/1.8, and I'm totally spoiled by the image quality, that it's worth it for me to deal with "zooming with my feet" and more lens changes. From my research, the Canon 24-70L might approach the quality of these two primes (albeit a bit slower @f/2.8) so that would probably be MY only choice if I were to switch to a zoom for the 24-85 range.


I have used my 50 1.4 and 85 1.4.... I am wondering if a zoom would be better - but obviously one that focuses fast!

[Jon]

Indoors, usually the 24-70 and 70-200. Outdoors, more the 70-200.

http://mysite.verizon.net/jonbarrettphoto/images/Precious.jpg

http://mysite.verizon.net/jonbarrettphoto/images/Maxwell-sm.jpg

http://mysite.verizon.net/jonbarrettphoto/images/Tyler-sm.jpg

[mineymole]

You already have some excellent lenses. How do you find them lacking? What a zoom would give you is more flexibility in framing/composition and keep you from having to change lenses as often.

I do most of my "people" shooting with my 30mm and 85mm f/1.8, and I'm totally spoiled by the image quality, that it's worth it for me to deal with "zooming with my feet" and more lens changes. From my research, the Canon 24-70L might approach the quality of these two primes (albeit a bit slower @f/2.8) so that would probably be MY only choice if I were to switch to a zoom for the 24-85 range.

None lacking. Just wondering if the 17-55 IS or the 24-80 would be better.
I'm very grateful for all the advice.

[mineymole]

Thanks; it was some natural light plus a bounced flash. There is a big window to my left, I had a 580 on the hotshoe, bounced back and to the left to accentuate it and then I had a modeling lamp on the background... really pretty simple, this was done before I bought more lighting gear.

I would say a zoom would be better assuming you have enough light and are going to stop it down or use f/4+. If, however, you're aiming for natural light photos with thin depth of field, you'll need something faster in aperture and quick focusing. That can be a zoom... my 16-35 is super fast in focus and sharp at all apertures and would make a good lens for it, but for less depth of field you'll want a longer focal length and a larger aperture.

And then you're going to have focus issues because pets just don't stay put... so you're asking for a tough setup. Using flash and stopping down the lens will get you more keepers.. so if you do use the natural light and wide apertures you'll need to shoot a lot of frames.

Thank you so much for your advice.

[egordon99]

I'm going to assume you mean the 24-70L.....

I've been debating this in my mind - I'd LOVE a 24-70L for event work, and one way to fund it would be to sell my two primes. I'd lose about two stops of light, but it would be more versatile. I've yet to see someone offer a definete opinion on the IMAGE QUALITY of the L vs. the two excellent primes. But everytime I snap a shot of my five month old son with my 85mm f/1.8, I give up the idea.

None lacking. Just wondering if the 17-55 IS or the 24-80 would be better.
I'm very grateful for all the advice.

[mineymole]

I'm going to assume you mean the 24-70L.....

I've been debating this in my mind - I'd LOVE a 24-70L for event work, and one way to fund it would be to sell my two primes. I'd lose about two stops of light, but it would be more versatile. I've yet to see someone offer a definete opinion on the IMAGE QUALITY of the L vs. the two excellent primes. But everytime I snap a shot of my five month old son with my 85mm f/1.8, I give up the idea.

Yes I have been giving some thought to the 24-70L or the Sigma 24-70.

[rushnp774]

By far, my best pet portraits are from my "nifty fifty" f/1.8 lens. Check out my pics on Flickr if you'd like to see them. I only have that lens and a crappy Sigma 28-105, so I tend to leave the 50mm on there most of the time.

[Ultimate CC]

70-200 2.8IS outdoors is my go to lens now but i used to love the 100-400L

http://www.danhonovich.com/img/v4/p409221083-5.jpg

[mineymole]

By far, my best pet portraits are from my "nifty fifty" f/1.8 lens. Check out my pics on Flickr if you'd like to see them. I only have that lens and a crappy Sigma 28-105, so I tend to leave the 50mm on there most of the time.

How do I find you on flickr?

[saintlover]

I almost exclusively use a 70-200mm for my dog shots. It isnt a great lens, but its a good starter one. Hoping to invest in a good one for xmas.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/lezigan/westervlle%20dog%20park/10-26/IMG_7279-1.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/lezigan/westervlle%20dog%20park/10-26/IMG_7351-1.jpg

[RPCrowe]

I started off with a 28-125mm f/3.6-5.6 IS lens for both outdoor and studio use.

I switched to a 24-70mm f/2.8L for my studio use and will usually be shooting towards the upper end of the zoom.

Shooting with a longer lens doesn't accentuate the length of a dogs muzzle the way shooting with a shorter focal length does. Many owners of purebred dogs (such as Maltese) are very sensitive regarding the apparent length of their dogs nose.

I have the dog on a low table with a background (most often black) and I have the handler stand behind the background controlling the dog. I use a pair of old White Lightnings bounced into umbrellas. I sit on a small roll-around desk chair which puts me at the dog's level.

I have a feather attractor that hangs from a short cord on a stick and also have a squeeker in my mouth. Often with dogs that are attracted to the squeeker, they look directly at the camera when I squeek the squeeker with my teeth.

[mineymole]

I started off with a 28-125mm f/3.6-5.6 IS lens for both outdoor and studio use.

I switched to a 24-70mm f/2.8L for my studio use and will usually be shooting towards the upper end of the zoom.

Shooting with a longer lens doesn't accentuate the length of a dogs muzzle the way shooting with a shorter focal length does. Many owners of purebred dogs (such as Maltese) are very sensitive regarding the apparent length of their dogs nose.

I have the dog on a low table with a background (most often black) and I have the handler stand behind the background controlling the dog. I use a pair of old White Lightnings bounced into umbrellas. I sit on a small roll-around desk chair which puts me at the dog's level.

I have a feather attractor that hangs from a short cord on a stick and also have a squeeker in my mouth. Often with dogs that are attracted to the squeeker, they look directly at the camera when I squeek the squeeker with my teeth.

Thank you for the tips. I'll have to look for a squeeker!

[Jason C]

With my 3 cats, I have yet to set up a shoot for them...like they would comply (not). Nor have I shot anything of pro quality with my cats. At a moments notice they can go off into tizzy and I need to be ready, so I'll have my camera close by and on. I usually have the 50mm f/1.4 mounted, I just love that lens. But sometimes I just have to shoot with whatever lens I got on the camera at the time, for I might not have the time and luxury to change glass.

If I have a zoom mounted, I usually shoot at the max focal length, I enjoy getting close to my cat's face. I'll go wide if the composition requires it, like if all of my cats are doing something together. But if it's just one cat, I get close.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/2392411527_6cd994613f_b.jpg

[JJD.Photography]

I get the best results when I stay back a ways and give them space and freedom to do their thing. 200mm or 300mm.

I find this very true especially considering there can be 20+ dogs playing at the local park. I can't wait to get my 2X extender for the 70-200mm :D

[ceegee]

I get the best results when I stay back a ways and give them space and freedom to do their thing.

+1 for this. These two shots were taken at different times of the day with my old 18-55 non-IS kit lens, but at pretty much the maximum range both times. The other thing I've found helpful is to get down to the animal's eye level or slightly below.

I recently bought a Sigma 70-200 and will be trying that out for this winter's pet portraits.

[saintlover]

+1 for this. These two shots were taken at different times of the day with my old 18-55 non-IS kit lens, but at pretty much the maximum range both times. The other thing I've found helpful is to get down to the animal's eye level or slightly below.

I recently bought a Sigma 70-200 and will be trying that out for this winter's pet portraits.

WOW those are GREAT pics for a kit lens! Nice job... beautiful golden too!

[saintlover]

I took these with my new nifty fifty... gotta love it!

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/lezigan/IMG_9334.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g124/lezigan/IMG_9326.jpg

[ceegee]

Here's another one, taken earlier today with my 60 mm macro. I LOVE this lens for portraits, animal or human. This is the same golden as in the previous shots, but a year later. She's over a year old now.

[saintlover]

Such an expressive face and eyes!!! Great picture!

[Naturalist]

Someone gave a talk at our camera club not too long ago about pet photography and she stated that it is best to have a fast zoom or wide angle lens as the dogs and cats can move around quite a bit---same thing applies to younger kids, too.

[Mustang GT]

I use a 28-135 IS and got to play around with my friends canon 70-200 4.0. With both of these I ended up staying near the max focal length, it seems much easier to keep them in focus at a range and they are less likely to get distracted by you.
28-135
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg77/phillipsl0921/italians.jpg


70-200
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg77/phillipsl0921/adog.jpg

[RPCrowe]

I shoot small dogs on a table with a background set up and two lights bounced into umbrellas.

I like a zoom lens which has a focal length of 50mm or more for a 1.6x camera. The zoom is because dogs will often move a bit, even on a table.

The 24-70L is a great dog lens but, in reality, the 28-135mm IS lens is not bad at all.

I like a longer lens so that the dog's muzzle is not elongated when I do full face shots.

Larger dogs are shot from further distances. I use my 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens and fill flash for bigger dogs outdoors.

I definitely want a fast focusing zoom when shooting outdoors.

[jnbradley]

RP- Thanks for your great tips on shooting small dogs.

[kimmylixx]

the 70-200 2.8 IS great for fast moving objects such as small dogs, gizmo in flight.

[cincojoe]

Here is one I took of my Beagle on is 14th birthday. 24-70L.

[olletsocmit]

wide angle

[rox1e6]

I find my Nifty Fifty is a great pet lens for close up and action shots!
My english bulldog Bubba....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3463608822_1069b146d8.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3515317231_1b1922f475.jpg

[deepalisnis]

You have done an great job.Thanks for sharing that, it was wonderful of you. Good luck!!!!!!

[robgr85]

The truth is, that You can shot pets with almost any lens, and the choice should depend on situation, fast lens with accurate AF (USM) is nice, but You can also take nice shots with 'KIT' lenses, here is my dog taken with 55-250 IS

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2299914015_9f68f84f4b.jpg?v=0

Cheers,
Robert

[dieseljake]

I have a 50, but haven't played around nearly enough with it and the dogs - now I'm excited!

A pet photographer recommended a telephoto for portraits and action shots, so I played with my 75-300. And now I've ordered the 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM lens so I can take advantage of the IS for action shots.

I'm glad to have found this forum - I'm always looking for tips!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3391/3561368038_28615060b1.jpg?v=0

[robgr85]

A pet photographer recommended a telephoto for portraits and action shots, so I played with my 75-300. And now I've ordered the 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM lens so I can take advantage of the IS for action shots.


IS helps in 'panning shots', but otherwise for sports, for catching action (fast shutter speeds) I turn it off. It helps in reducing camera shake at 'long' exposures (from Your hand), not for freezing the motion...

Cheers,

[dieseljake]

Thanks for clarifying. It is the camera shake I'm looking to reduce, because usually when taking action shots, I'm on the move too!

[robgr85]

ok :) I've allways thought, that hand shake becomes visible at times longer than 1/(focal length) [and I turn on my IS in that situation], I have to try if it really helps when shooting at short exposures too :>

[Oddjob82]

With my 3 cats, I have yet to set up a shoot for them...like they would comply (not). Nor have I shot anything of pro quality with my cats. At a moments notice they can go off into tizzy and I need to be ready, so I'll have my camera close by and on. I usually have the 50mm f/1.4 mounted, I just love that lens. But sometimes I just have to shoot with whatever lens I got on the camera at the time, for I might not have the time and luxury to change glass.

If I have a zoom mounted, I usually shoot at the max focal length, I enjoy getting close to my cat's face. I'll go wide if the composition requires it, like if all of my cats are doing something together. But if it's just one cat, I get close.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/2392411527_6cd994613f_b.jpg

Reminds me of my Abyssinian :)

[TheMaggedy]

Without a doubt the nifty fifty or the 85mm 1.8 (I use it at the dog park too). I get the most amazing shots of the cats' eyes with the primes and a bounced flash or even better no flash. I will also use the 55-250 mm at dog park, but I really prefer the sharpness I get with the primes.