can a macro lens replace a prime?

P

pjd88

Suspended / Banned
Messages
148
Edit My Images
No
Hi all, I've been wanting a 85mm f1.8 prime for a while now but havent been able to part with the cash.

now I've borrowed a 90mm macro lens and quite enjoyed the world of macro.

In term of portraiture is there a place for a 90mm macro f2.8 and a 85mm f1.8 prime in my bag or will they both produce similar results? Disregarding the obvious difference in f stops.

Many thanks :)
 
I've an 85/1.2 and a 100/2.8 macro. Unless I really want the ultra thin dof look of the 1.2 I use the macro. It has image stabilisation but I most value the ability to get in ultra tight. The 85's long minimum focus distance is a limit. Have a look at Damien Lovegrove's blog for a top portraitist that uses a macro.
 
My 55mm 2.8 macro has replaced my 50mm 1.8, it's as sharp at f/2.8 as it is at f/8
 
Just a point of note in case anyone reading this is new and gets the wrong idea, a 90mm macro (or any other non zoom lens) is a prime.

Generally macro lenses are very sharp so can be used well for portraiture and other shooting needs, it is only if you need to go to lower light situations where you might benefit from faster glass. Oh, there can be bokeh differences too which might be worth considering, but you can't just say a macro is going to be better or worse than any other lens, each lens will perform differently.
 
Ok, thanks for all your inputs. I'm kinda stuck in deciding now. If I were to buy a macro over a 85mm prime, what would you all reccomend and how much would it be used price?
 
I use my 100L as a portrait lens on my 7D a lot of the time, very sharp throughout 2.8 to 8.0 and since I've just got a 5D2 to play with I'll be seeing what it can do with all my lenses as soon as I can get out and use it. It's absolutely brilliant as a macro though as you'd expect.
 
Would anyone be so kind to show some portrait images they have taken with a macro lens? Listing the lens type and lighting they have used? :)
 
This was taken with a sigma 150mm OS and a single flebay flash / softbox when i was testing the flash - clicking the image should take you to the full size image (BIG)

 
Last edited:
Am I wrong in thinking that the only difference between a macro and a normal prime is the minimum focusing distance? If so, surely there is no difference in depth of field between the two?
 
BazEP said:
Am I wrong in thinking that the only difference between a macro and a normal prime is the minimum focusing distance? If so, surely there is no difference in depth of field between the two?
Click to expand...

That's pretty much my understanding too and I think (and this is just my understanding from kit I have used so far) the reason primes are more often used as a macro as opposed to zoom lenses is that the minimum focussing distance is fixed on a prime but will vary on a zoom (online with the focal range)
 
Last edited:
BazEP said:
Am I wrong in thinking that the only difference between a macro and a normal prime is the minimum focusing distance? If so, surely there is no difference in depth of field between the two?
Click to expand...

The design of a macro lens if different from a normal prime to allow for 1:1 focusing and you will find that the focal length and effective aperture change as you focus down to 1:1 - but at normal focusing distances you wont see any difference.

A macro lens will usually be sharper and the focal plane is flatter than a std prime.
 
Physics is physics, 100mm and f2.8 will give the same dof no matter what the lens is as long as no other variable is changed. There will be differences in bokeh for example based on the blade formation and also there might be differences in sharpness, distortion and things like CA and vignetting but that's about it.
 
mark1616 said:
I would suggest popping over to http://www.pixel-peeper.com and choosing the lens you are interested in and see what people have shot with it :)
Click to expand...

Thankyou mark. I have had a look at the site. Some fantastic images but unfortunately only a few portrait style images of people.

Thanks to those who have contributed a picture to the discussion and keep them coming! Really helping me to chose between a 85mm 1.8 prime and a sigma 105 macro! :)
 
pjd88 said:
Thankyou mark. I have had a look at the site. Some fantastic images but unfortunately only a few portrait style images of people.

Thanks to those who have contributed a picture to the discussion and keep them coming! Really helping me to chose between a 85mm 1.8 prime and a sigma 105 macro! :)
Click to expand...

I have used the Sigma 105 macro and tried some portrait shots with it, the results were very good but... The AF is dog slow and switching between AF and MF is a real pain. Personally I would not want to use one for portraits, especially if your subject is fast moving (kids or animals).
 
I replaced my 50mm prime with a 60mm macro and was getting much sharper results. macro lens are always sharper as they are designed for close up detailed images. One thing though, for portraits they show up every little detail, and some people don't like this. Every wrinkle in sharp, incredible detail :D

I love them as a 2-in-1 prime/close up lens.

I had to sell my 60mm to fund a 70-200 recently, but I have my eye on the new Nikon 40mm micro as a cheap alternative. All the reviews I've read about it were positive.

Unless you really need f/1.4 - 1.8, a short macro is a wise choice for general, portrait, close up photography. They're not much more expensive, considering what they can do.
 
strumstrum said:
well this is what is said, but how much slower? I ask because I got a Sigma 50mm 2.8 macro last week and TBH (especially with the limit switch on) I cannot say its letting me down AF wise.
Click to expand...

my 100m f2.8 isn't slow either, the 50mm can be a bit slow sometimes and the lack of USM makes it sound so loud but it's worth it :)
 
postcardcv said:
I have used the Sigma 105 macro and tried some portrait shots with it, the results were very good but... The AF is dog slow and switching between AF and MF is a real pain. Personally I would not want to use one for portraits, especially if your subject is fast moving (kids or animals).
Click to expand...

The new sigggy 105mm OS is HSM, with full time MF
 
strumstrum said:
well this is what is said, but how much slower? I ask because I got a Sigma 50mm 2.8 macro last week and TBH (especially with the limit switch on) I cannot say its letting me down AF wise.
Click to expand...

because macro lenses tend to have more accurate manual focusing the gearing is longer so to move the focus elements takes more motor movement I that makes sense.
 
All the macro lenses I've used have had a tendency to hunt in poor - and sometimes not so poor - light.
 
daugirdas said:
Nothing wrong with using macro lens all round - except they are harder to focus precisely at longer distances, both manually or auto
Click to expand...

Thats interesting, when you say longer distances is out over a certain distance our does it vary? The reason I ask is I am just starting to use mine as a walk about lens and now you have put a doubt in my mind a to if it is a good idea or not a it will be for getting shots of the kids when we are out in the forest.
 
andyturner said:
I use the Sigma 70mm f2.8 and it is probably the sharpest lens I own. Really good portrait lens, in fact I probably use it more for portraits than I do macro!
Click to expand...

It is one of the sharpest lenses out there not just Sigma but across the board.
 
Davec223 said:
Thats interesting, when you say longer distances is out over a certain distance our does it vary? The reason I ask is I am just starting to use mine as a walk about lens and now you have put a doubt in my mind a to if it is a good idea or not a it will be for getting shots of the kids when we are out in the forest.
Click to expand...

have a look at the focus scale distance window - there is hardly any difference between 3m and infinity settings (compare it to your regular tele)! That makes it much harder to nail the focus. A simple solution is to stop down slightly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top