Portraits with macro lens (Page 3): I would not hesitate to use a "macro" lens for male portraiture, if you are looking for a rugged appearance. However, for the female you generally...

Festus Loc: North Dakota

Metpin777 wrote:

Anybody use a macro lens for Portraits? Heard maybe they have great detail and sharpness, in my sights is the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens , shooting with 80D, yes I realize focal length is different on crop sensor, FF next investment, opinions please and thank you

I would not hesitate to use a "macro" lens for male portraiture, if you are looking for a rugged appearance. However, for the female you generally want a softer look. The lens that is too sharp can be unflattering.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

One other factor that doesn't get much press here is to use a much less expensive, lower IQ lens for more flattering portraits that don't show every embarrassing detail and flaw of a normal portrait subject. I have an inexpensive 70-300 which works well for an individual portrait.

jackinkc Loc: Kansas City

Metpin777 wrote:

Anybody use a macro lens for Portraits? Heard maybe they have great detail and sharpness, in my sights is the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens , shooting with 80D, yes I realize focal length is different on crop sensor, FF next investment, opinions please and thank you

I know some pros who like to use a macro for portraits of men - but not for women. They especially like a macro for senior portraits of boys.

Neilhunt

The Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS is a wonderful portrait lens - it's the right length, and it's great (or not so great) because of its incredible sharpness - it's scored as 41 on DxOMark lens database, ranked second of all lenses tested. (First is Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM, too long for a portrait lens). As others have noted, a super-sharp lens is great for craggy men's faces, perhaps not so flattering in all cases.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

I think that's the macro I have and it takes good portraits.

Metpin777 wrote:

Anybody use a macro lens for Portraits? Heard maybe they have great detail and sharpness, in my sights is the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens , shooting with 80D, yes I realize focal length is different on crop sensor, FF next investment, opinions please and thank you

ken glanzer

If a macro lens is too sharp at its optimum F-stop just stop it down further & it will lose sharpness.

broncomaniac Loc: Lynchburg, VA

I use filtration to hide flaws. Wouldn't want to intensify them on purpose, only to go back and soften them pp. But hey, what do I know?

therwol Loc: USA

ken glanzer wrote:

If a macro lens is too sharp at its optimum F-stop just stop it down further & it will lose sharpness.

Stopping down to reduce sharpness probably wouldn't help until something like f/11 or greater, and the increase in depth of field might be undesirable and throw the background into clear focus.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

Metpin777 wrote:

Anybody use a macro lens for Portraits? Heard maybe they have great detail and sharpness, in my sights is the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens , shooting with 80D, yes I realize focal length is different on crop sensor, FF next investment, opinions please and thank you

the 60mm micro nikkor on a full frame body is an excellent focal length and being a "flat field" optic can produce stunning results - good luck!

ken glanzer

therwol: If the background in focus is too much at smaller F-Stops to reduce sharpness, move the center of focus point further in front of them or move further from the background what ever it is. The sharpness tapers off the further you are off from the center of focus front or rear--quicker in front by a third!