My First Cat Shot

I've coveted a Leica Monochrom since they came out, and thanks to a pension coming good, I have managed to buy one second hand. Now I'm quite skint again, all I could afford for a lens was the 7Artisans 50mm f/1.1, bought from here https://35mmc.com/shop/product-brands/7artisans/ but it turns out to be a very decent lens, designed for the Leica.

I'd never had a rangefinder before, so need to practice focussing, aligning the two images in the viewfinder. This morning I thought I'd get some practice in while out in our garden. Suddenly this cat appeared, and started walking towards me. That was a real challenge for keeping in focus. I aimed as best I could for the eyes, took about eight shots (at f/1.7), which this is the best of:



I sharpened the eyes a tiny bit in Nik Viveza, but did nothing else. I put it through Lightroom, but everything I tweaked took something away.

I'd like to thank the model...

 

I like the tones and the DOF. The eyes are what catch your eyes

 

Cheers, John. Never thought I'd do a cat shot, but am pleased with this one.

 

You'll be on Facebook next!

Very nice indeed, Rob.

 

Ha. I used to be on Facebook, before I realised that I was the product, not the user. I closed my account, missed it for five days, and haven't thought of it since. Never again.

 

I agree that the depth of field and tones have made this a very good shot.
Reminds me of a cat I had when I was a kid!

 

So true

 

Looks great Rob, enjoy the Monochrom.

 

Cheers, Dave. Good to see you back.

 

That is a first class cat picture, (as a cat lover and Facebook user, I have seen 1000's). The sharpness of the face and shallow DoF have caught the "mystic black cat" look very well.

 

I love it!
The extremely narrow depth of field almost makes the cat look like it's peering through a portal into our world. It's body and everything else remain outside the bubble and back in his world.

 

I'm impressed by it too. Although it's what I hoped for, I do acknowledge a huge amount of luck in getting it just so. Thanks for your comments.

 

It is all in the eyes!

 

Nice cat Photo Rob. Looked at the site for those lenses. Interesting as they are not ridiculously expensive.

 

Exactly, Julian. Fantastic bargain, especially considering the price of Leica lenses.

 

So, no need for a second then; that one is perfect! And the rendering from that lens is nothing short of gorgeous.

 

Yes, it's win, win, lens, camera, action! I'm not a cat-photo fanatic, but I think I got a good one here.

 

The lens won-over Thorsten Overgaard:

https://www.overgaard.dk/7artisans-...50mm-f-1-1-Sonnar-review-and-user-report.html

 

I think I might have have a word with Mr Gill!