Macro Vs Potraits

[mac]

Dear gurus,

can i use a macro lens to shoot potrait?
well i thought of saving money just get a macro so can double up for potraits shots.
advice and suggestion are most welcome

http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/micro/af_micro105mmf_28d/img/pic_001.jpg
AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D
http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/telephoto/af_dc105mmf_2d/img/pic_001.jpg
AF DC-Nikkor 105mm f/2D

:cheerleader:

[timothyc]

The 105mm focal length of the Micro-Nikkor is suitable for portraits.. however, from what I've read, the bokeh (out of focus area) rendition isn't as smooth and silky as many would like.

If budget is an issue, I'd go with the Micro-Nikkor. Otherwise, get the Micro-Nikkor and the Nikkor 85/1.4, apparently the lens with the best bokeh currently available in the Nikkor line-up.

[digitalartist]

I'm half thinking of getting the Canon EF180mm Macro lens. I've borrowed the lens from my friend to try it out for Macro shots but didnt try it for portraits alsthough I remember reading somewhere it is supposed to be excellent for portraits as well.

I have Canon's 85mm f/1.2 It is an excellent focal length for portraits and the bokeh is simply out of this world.

:D

[Matt]

A bit of a technical question... why can't all lenses be macro? What is different in terms of macro lens construction?

I would imagine with a macro lens you can shoot like normal, i.e. portraits or even sports??

[khoking]

The DC Nikkor lens is a completely different feel. I have the 135mm DC before, very very sharp and give very pleasant bokeh. The 105micro just feel a bit too harsh for me...and I don't like to use it for portrait/girls photo.

The DC effect works. It gives more bokeh and you can even give soft focus effect, different from using soft filter. :)

I don't like the 105micro lens, thus I go for the 60micro and the 135DC. However, on DSLR, 135mm becomes too long for portrait... :sadno: that's why I sold it away :(

[Brian]

Originally posted by Matt@Oct 25 2004, 10:30 AM
A bit of a technical question... why can't all lenses be macro? What is different in terms of macro lens construction?
Macro lenses are designed to be sharpest stopped all the way down and focused close whereas most lenses are designed to be sharpest at about 2 stops down focused to infinity.
I would imagine with a macro lens you can shoot like normal, i.e. portraits or even sports??
What this means is that macro images shot with a non-dedicated macro lens will be less sharp and have less detail while sports shot with a dedicated macro lens will be less sharp and have less detail.

[nelsonkhor]

I think girl not like us to use Macro lens to shots them, beause this lens will show their face, skin, face cream and fault into picture with "big & Highlight "

[Matt]

Thanks Brian for the very informative reply.

[Brian]

Originally posted by Matt@Oct 25 2004, 02:06 PM
Thanks Brian for the very informative reply.
no prob :)

I've got a Nikkor 105/2.8 AF-D and a Sigma 70-300, both of which can go to 1:1. I've used both lenses for just about everything.

In fact, I just got back from taking general photos outside with the Nikkor because it's the fastest lens I have at that focal length and I was shooting in the eye of the typhoon that is hitting Taipei right now so I needed the speed.

The edge sharpness of the Sigma isn't that great when focusing closeup, but the working distance is huge and so on occasion I'll ise it for macro & closeup shots.

[nabghani]

Part of the design of macro is to get a flat field from center to corner ie. repro work and copy esp. true for 60mm.

I've owned/shot the AF60Micro,AF85/1.4,AF105/Micro, AF135/DC, AF200/Micro ... for portraits I prefer the 85/1.4 and 135/2.0DC ... the rendering is more pleasing and the pictures looks more 3D (perhaps because of the way the OOF areas are rendered).

Using the Micros for portrait you'll get the sharpest results you are ever going to get with Nikon lenses (including pores, freckles, facial hairs and all) but the output just feels too harsh for a portrait. In this case ultra-sharpness and flat field doesn't actually work to your benefit (or the sitter's).

If you have a chance to play with it, take out for a test-drive. :D