Macro lens required for portrait?

[schizophonic]

Looking to trial a bit of headshot photography as I've seen a lot of gorgeous work. Question - is a macro lens required to get those close up detail or am I fine with my prime 85mm to get enough detail?

 

[Spiritflier]

It depends on how close you want to get I guess... The 85mm f1.8 is a gorgeous lens for portrait work but on the other hand, the 100mm macro also doubles up perfectly well.

The 100mm will let you get closer but don't forget that the 5DMKII resolves detail brilliantly anyway so you could always crop in tight if needs be.

Hope that helps,
Si

 

[schizophonic]

have you heard of the American photographer Peter Hurley? I've been watching his work closely and want to try something similar there. He uses a Hasselblad on a 100mm macro lens i think.

 

[modchild]

I've got a 100 2.8 L macro which I use as much as a portrait lens as I do for macro and it really is a brilliant portrait lens. IQ is amazing and even better on the 5D2 than it is on the 7D.

 

[schizophonic]

godammit, your going to make me spend money I dont have! *shakes fist*