 Scott D. Winkelman Jr |
Nikon 105mm macro lens a portrait lens? I was just wondering if anybodys tried the nikon 105mm micro lens for portraiture use?
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robert G. Fately |
Certainly the focal length is appropriate for portraits, Scott, but I (and others I've read comments from elsewhere) find that it's actually "too sharp" - bringing out every pore and flaw in the subject's skin, etc. This, coupled with it's relatively slow speed (and consequent deeper DOF), lead me to preferring the 85 1.4 (or 1.8) for portraits.
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Michael H. Cothran |
Yes I have. Unfortunately, you don't mention WHICH 105 Micro-Nikkor, or which camera body. Nikon has made several versions of the 105 micro since the early 1970's (f4 and f2.8, and manual and auto focus versions). The original Micro Nikkors were strict manual focus true macro lenses - ie, all the elements moved together when focusing, and the lenses were optically optimized @ 1:10 focusing range. Sharp as a tack in the macro modes, but not as good at infinity settings. 1:10 (by the way) is an ideal range for head & shoulder portraits. The newer models (including the AF versions) are made with floating elements - compensating micros, if you will. They offer better performance at infinity settings, but at the price of less performance in the macro modes (compared to the earlier non-floating element versions). However, and depending on which camera body you use, I would strongly recommend the manual focus 105/2.5 Ais Nikkor or any of the 85mm Nikkors (either MF or AF versions) over the 105 micros for portrait work - with one exception - if you plan to do a lot of tight head shots, then I'd lean towards one of the 105 micros.
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Michael H. Cothran |
Let me make one more statement - Bob made mention in his response, as I've also read in other readings, that some lenses may be "too sharp." This is a real pet peave with me, and is absolutely incorrect and untrue. NO LENS IS TOO SHARP. Bad lighting and/or make-up can make for bad portraits, but not a lens because it's "too sharp." Beautiful portraits are made everyday with medium and large format cameras - (I shoot with a Hasselblad quite a lot) can't get any sharper and more detailed than that. It's not about how sharp the lens is, it's about how well you light your subjects, and how well the make-up is applied (if using make-up). Use the sharpest lenses you can, and become proficient with your lighting skills. Michael H. Cothran
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Will Turner |
Some people use the AIS version of this micro lens (wide-open) as a portrait lens. Great for pictures of craggy fishermen and Sicilian grandmothers in outdoor light, but your younger female subjects will complain mightily at revealing every blemish and pore in the skin. As far as Michael's 'pet peeve', studio photography and compliant models aren't necessarily what you have to work with. Lighting can't always be tightly controlled, y'know. If someone applies more makeup (providing that is an option!), that will be readily apparent, as well. Best to use something softer, especially for loved ones.
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Scott D. Winkelman Jr |
Thanks For your inputs! The lens is a 2.8 105mm micro-nikkor. I won't need it for studio work but shots using natural light. I thought the depth of field I could get would be good being it a 2.8. I owne the Niklon D70 so I have the kit lens as well. I wish I had a 70-200 but the bank is not yet saying I can get it so I have the two options stated above. Maybe i'll just use both? Any more input?
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Bunny Snow |
If you are concerned with a lens being too sharp for a portrait because your lights are set up more for texture than diffused highly for softness...may I suggest a diffusion filter from FilterConnection.com I used a diffusion filter when capturing some images of my daughter's wedding. It softened the entire image, as I wanted, just enough so that any blemishes she may have had due to stress, would not have been seen. A 105 mm Micro-Nikkor lens makes a good portrait lens, but be certain you use either the right size softbox, window light, or the sun on an overcast day to light your subject. And, if those are not available, have a diffusion filter in your bag for such an occasion.
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Craig m. Zacarelli |
doesnt matter anyways if its too sharp... Photoshop can be your friend. just soften it up some, we spend our lives trying to sharpen, once in awhile we need to soften too! lol
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Bunny Snow |
However, if you are worried about sharpness, such as with bad make-up days, try a soft black filter, just enough to make one's eyes feel hazy. I did that with my daughter's wedding pictures, and the softening was just right!
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