How can a macro lens also be used for portraits? Confused!
Jul 12, 2012 11:47:14 #
The addition of extra glass (close up lenses) or distance from the lens to the sensor (extension tubes & macro lenses) changes the optical configuration & thus changes changes how a lens performs
twowindsbear wrote:
quote=Screamin Scott Because the lens optical pro... (show quote)
Jul 12, 2012 11:53:01 #
AnnieB
Loc: UK
Thank you to everyone who has responded - I think I am there with my understanding (notice I say THINK!)
I will try and digest all the explanations and advise and re post if I am still struggling with this.
Just thought, I need to actually try out a macro lens - that would set my mind straight, need to go to the shop for a demo!!!! Why didn't I think of that before?
I will try and digest all the explanations and advise and re post if I am still struggling with this.
Just thought, I need to actually try out a macro lens - that would set my mind straight, need to go to the shop for a demo!!!! Why didn't I think of that before?
Jul 12, 2012 12:11:27 #
AnnieB wrote:
Hello there, I am looking at possibly buying an af... (show quote)
I have the Canon EF-S 60 lens and can highly recommend it for macro use. It has a field of view similar to a 90mm lens on a full frame camera. It's better than 100mm macro lenses on a crop frame camera because they become essentially 150mm lenses and become very difficult to use off tripod. One reservation as a general use lens is that it does not have anti-shake, and that is why I very highly recommend my EF-S 17-55 f2.8 IS for general use.
Jul 12, 2012 12:22:32 #
The longer focal length is better IMHO. If you were to look at my Flickr stream, most of the images were taken with 90 & 105mm macro lenses, all handheld...No way a 60mm lens is going to get up close & personal with most insects...Might work OK with Butterflies, Dragonflies & other Large insects, but smaller than those, the insects are too skittish with the lens having to be so close. I've got two 55mm macro lenses & that has been my experience...
jackm1943 wrote:
quote=AnnieB Hello there, I am looking at possibl... (show quote)
Jul 12, 2012 13:08:36 #
The suitability of a lens for portraiture is based mostly on it's focal length. Historically, lenses in the 85 - 135mm focal length are traditionally portrait lenses. Shorter than 85mm is more to be avoided than longer than 135mm. The short focal length lenses will, if shot enough, produce very visible distortion of the subject's facial features. Try an 18mm on a friend, nmoving in close enough to properly frame the subject, and check out the size of the nose. This will truly be a matter of a picture being worth a 1000 words.
Jul 12, 2012 13:39:20 #
Nevada Chuck wrote:
The suitability of a lens for portraiture is based... (show quote)
That's correct, for full frame cameras, but to get the equivalent equivalent on a crop frame DSLR, the range needs to be more like 50-90mm.
Jul 12, 2012 13:49:18 #
jackm1943 wrote:
quote=Nevada Chuck The suitability of a lens for ... (show quote)
You're amendment to my submission is correct; perhaps I subconsciously assumed the questioner would know this, and so felt that the focal length adjustment went without saying, . . . which is why I didn't say it. :lol:
Jul 12, 2012 14:04:35 #
Jul 12, 2012 15:47:40 #
AnnieB wrote:
Hello there, I am looking at possibly buying an af... (show quote)
Actually macro lenses are often the perfect focal length for portraits.
Jul 12, 2012 16:20:11 #
Allow me to add to the confusion . ANY lens can be a PORTRAIT LENS . What you're talking about re 85 - 105 mm. is popular and appropriately so for 24 X 36 mm. sensors for use of head and or head and shoulders portraits . I suggest an example of many thousands in proving it to yourself that my claim is correct ; Google .....Henri Cartier Bresson ' s PORTRAIT of Matisse . Made with an M Leica and either a 35 or 50 mm. lens . Also , Arnold Newman's PORTRAIT of Igor Stravinsky .
Jul 12, 2012 18:22:52 #
Not At All. If you Want To Make A living at This Listen To The pros.Nose to Face Proportions Ate Really Important. If your Not Making $800.00 Per Session or Better Any Lens,Not! This Has NOTHING To Do With Technollogy.
Jul 12, 2012 19:39:53 #
I thought this thread was about MACRO not portrait - anyway - one other thing to consider is that the shorter focal length lenses ( 50-60mm ) have greater depth of field at a given aperture than longer focal lengths ( 90-105mm ). The greater DOF can be very welcome and cover up focusing problems.
Jul 12, 2012 20:53:07 #
glojo wrote:
This was taken with the Nikon 105mm Macro lens. The head is a crop off of that very same image.
What a way to go through life - the bird, not you. :D
Very nice shot.
Jul 12, 2012 21:26:46 #
Not quite . A 50 mm. lens at f 8 . 10 ft . from subject would have almost the same D.O.F. as a hundred mm. same aperture at 20 ft and subject in both instances would be the same size on camera sensor .
Jul 12, 2012 21:38:36 #
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