My First Cat Shot

[Rob MacKillop]

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...

 

[John Holland]

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

 

[Rob MacKillop]

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

 

[Chris Bennett]

You'll be on Facebook next!

Very nice indeed, Rob.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

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.

 

[Stan Hesketh]

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!

 

[John Holland]

... I realised that I was the product, not the user. ...

So true

 

[Dave Young]

Looks great Rob, enjoy the Monochrom.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Cheers, Dave. Good to see you back.

 

[Dave Farnes]

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.

 

[Chris Bennett]

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.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

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.

 

[Milan Vjestica]

It is all in the eyes!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

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

 

[Rob MacKillop]

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

 

[Pete Askew]

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

 

[Rob MacKillop]

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

 

[Rob MacKillop]

The lens won-over Thorsten Overgaard:

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

 

[Pete Askew]

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