50mm lens or macro lenses for portraiture?

Question

Macro lens make perfect background out of focus and also creates shallow depth of field. I want to but a 50mm f1.4/1.8 lens and then I found out that macro lens can also take portraiture. So I am not sure which type of lens should I buy.

Answer 1

Both macro lenses and normal lenses can be used to take portraits (whether they are 50mm of 100m, whether they are f1.8 or f2.8, etc.). Both can make a shallow depth of field.



I have heard that macro lenses, because of their sharpness and clarity or whatever, can be very unforgiving of skin imperfections (and depending on your subject, not very flattering). I cannot confirm this claim as I have never used a macro lens. I do plan on getting once I save up enough money and see for myself. But that's what I've read. However I've also read that some people use both types of lenses to take portraits. So go figure.



I'm sure whatever type of lens you choose will be fine. The benefit of getting a normal lens instead of a macro lens is that the normal lens (assuming it's a 50mm lens) will have 1 or 2 stops more of light (f1.8 or f1.4, respectively. The macro lenses I have seen are f2.8). But you will need to browse the specs for yourself, as I'm not an expert on the subject.

Answer 2

I use the "nifty fifty" f/1.4 and it does great for a shallow DOF. Out of all of my lenses, the 50mm f/1.4 and the 70-200 f/2.8L spend the majority of time on my camera.



I debated the $98 versus the $349 when I was looking for a 50mm. I researched it and read the reviews and bought the f/1.4 for several reasons:



1) The bokeh difference is amazing, the 1.4 blurs so much better (due in part to #2)

2) The 1.4 uses 8 blades for the aperture, and the 1.8 only uses 5. Highlights are more rounded with the 1.4. The 1.8 is more pentagon shaped.

3)Light fall off/vignetting is prevalent with the 1.8 at wider apertures

4)The color and contrast of the 1.4 is a step or two above the 1.8

5)The 1.4 has a wider focus ring. The 1.8 is thin, at the end, and hard to get at with a lens hood on.

6) the 1.4 uses a metal mount, the 1.8 is plastic (I've had a plastic mount ear snap off during a winter shoot. I later learned that frequent lens changes weakens the plastic mounts)



The main rule is to buy the best lenses that you can afford...properly cared for they will last forever.



My 50mm started its life on a Canon D30, and now is in the 1D gear bag (will follow onto the next camera in the future).

Answer 3

If you have a digital camera with a smaller sensor (like APS-C), then a 50mm macro will make an excellent lens for portraits (and macro shots). It will be closer to 75mm on one of these cameras.



Obviously, macro lenses are usually more expensive. The other way to do it on the cheap is to get a non-macro 50mm, and buy some extension tubes to do macro.

Answer 4

i'm assuming you have a crop physique as a results of fact the 85mm is a DX lens. you have a number of questions you will desire to ask your self. at first do you ever plan or perhaps think of approximately upgrading to complete physique? if so the 60 is probable a greater helpful wager. notice although that the 60 you precise does not autofocus at the cheap Nikon DSLRs i've got faith. the genuine distinction between the lenses would of direction be their focal lengths. The 60mm comes out to be ~ 80 5-ninety mm together as the 80 5 will become a a hundred thirty five equivalent. a hundred thirty five is powerful for faceshots, somewhat long for the rest together as 85ish is short adequate to get issues like shoulders. So it fairly relies upon on what form of portraiture lens you elect. As prevalent you will desire to probable decide for as little overlap as achievable with something of your lenses. evaluate examining what Ken Rockwell has to declare.

Answer 5

the 50mm is a bit on the short side, but useable. On an APS sized sensor, it will equate to only 75-80mm. the classic portrait length is 105; shorter lengths can distort facial features (big noses, etc) Macro lenses are great for portraits.