General walkaround lens for dogs?

Now that I have my 70-200 for agility and so on, I'm looking for something smaller to bring with me on my dog walks (both alone and with friends). Looking for something to take just general photos with, would a prime be a good choice?

Been looking at the 100/2.8 L macro and 135/2.0 L

From those two the 135/2.0 L. You will appreciate the blazing fast AF and reach. Not to forget image quality

Tmuussoni wrote in post #15923597
From those two the 135/2.0 L. You will appreciate the blazing fast AF and reach. Not to forget image quality

Question is, will I feel trapped within the same FL all the time? This requires me to move around alot right? I would consider a zoom but I really hate zooms that extend, are there any with internal zooming?

I would find a way to carry the 70-200 comfortably. I think it is your best option for good photos of you dog.

JohanBorjesson wrote in post #15923605
Question is, will I feel trapped within the same FL all the time? This requires me to move around alot right? I would consider a zoom but I really hate zooms that extend, are there any with internal zooming?

There are two ways to look at this; either take a fixed focal length and look for images that suit it; or, take a zoom and increase versatility at the expense of low light performance and (a little) image quality.

My dog-walk-round is the 24-105mm on FF, which does extend when zoomed - I don't find that a problem and mine is very sharp, with the usual caveats for this particular lens. The original 24-70mm f/2.8 for example (AFAIK) extends within its hood so that may be an acceptable compromise.

You don't say if you are using a crop or FF body? If you are using a crop how about the canon 15-85mm or 17-55/85mm. If you are using FF then how about 16-35L/ 17-40L/ 24-70L or 24-105L, But don't forget other makes, Sigma, Tokina, etc.

If you get a prime, be prepared to have the same activity level as the dog! Run Johan, Run… just to get the dog composed the way you want it. This is where the zoom works well- if the dog is running towards you, you can adjust accordingly.

The dog photographers Ive read about- many use either the 24-70L or 24-105L for typical dog-in-the-park shoots, and the 70-200L or 70-300L for stuff like agility courses. However, I can see situations where a mellow dog is walking around exploring & sniffing… enjoying the scenery… a prime would work fine then.

Ive captured a few great shots with both the 24-105 (9 puppies running all over) and the 70-300 in a park with my dog where she popped out of the background.

I think you're all assuming that the OP only wishes to photograph his dog(s). I've taken all the doggy pics I want so on my walks, I'm looking for other stuff and choose my gear accordingly.

I've shot my own dog while on walkabout with 17-55, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 100L, 135L, 70-200/2.8L IS, 100-400, 120-300/2.8 OS. They all do great so I wouldn't sweat the decision too much. I would say that longer focal lengths normally make the shooting easier, as you don't need the dog to be on top of you and as distance changes in absolute terms (metres/feet) it changes less in relative terms (percentages). Actually, looking at my originals I would say that cropping has been the order of the day with the shorter focal lengths, so I'd recommend going longer than shorter.

Here are a few examples....

7D and 100L, cropped :

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Tapeman wrote in post #15923700
I would find a way to carry the 70-200 comfortably. I think it is your best option for good photos of you dog.

Like a BlackRapid? That could definitely work.

paul-t wrote in post #15923740
You don't say if you are using a crop or FF body? If you are using a crop how about the canon 15-85mm or 17-55/85mm. If you are using FF then how about 16-35L/ 17-40L/ 24-70L or 24-105L, But don't forget other makes, Sigma, Tokina, etc.

I'm on a crop.

I kind of had the same issue. My 17-50 doesn't really focus fast enough and doesn't have enough reach. The 85 is a god send but as mentioned you will either have to crop or miss a lot of shots because they are too close. If I had a 70-200 I would be all over that!

HLxDrummer wrote in post #15924171
I kind of had the same issue. My 17-50 doesn't really focus fast enough and doesn't have enough reach. The 85 is a god send but as mentioned you will either have to crop or miss a lot of shots because they are too close. If I had a 70-200 I would be all over that!

Yeah well I will sell the 70-200 and get one with IS, have to rely on weather too much now.

The title fooled me. I was intrigued enough to check the thread to find out which dogs use walkaround lenses!

Lbsimon wrote in post #15924250
The title fooled me. I was intrigued enough to check the thread to find out which dogs use walkaround lenses!

A Pointer perhaps..?