Is this lens good for taking portraits? Is there a difference between taking portraits with macro and a dedicated 105mm lens?
1891731
This is an excellent portrait lens. It has wonderful 'bokeh' and with the f/2.8 allows for a very narrow DOF if desired. The macro is good as it allows you to get very close without making any changes to the lens. I find the focussing to be quite smooth and quick, especially compared to my 18 - 300mm lens.
1891732
I have used it for taking portraits, as well as for macro shots. You have to stand back a bit for portraits, especially full body shots. It works great and it's my favorite lens!
1891733
I have this 105 and the 105DC both are great for portraits. I don't like the fact that this lens changes aperture when you get in closer but it does have VR.
1891734
i have a d5100 and a d600. i had a very hard time getting focus with the d5100 and this lens for portraits. i actually used liveview to make it work. however, once i got the d600, it became soooo much better. the improved af and field of view on the d600 makes it much more reliable to shoot at f2.8 - f/4. shooting head and shoulders shots with the d600 at f/4 is amazing!
1891735
I love this lens for portraits. The focus may be a little slower than a dedicated 105mm being that its macro but there's a switch you can hit to keep the lens from searching for focus in the macro regions. That allows it to focus a little faster for portraits and other non macro work.
1891736
I've used for portraits in a pinch. It does the job, but you have to stand back a bit. You're better off using your kit lens if you have it available. Much easier.
814300
The 85mm 1.8 would obviously have less depth of field when opened up, which may be useful to throw the background out of focus for portraits. The 3.5 is also macro, great for close focusing for small objects. I got it because it seemed to be a good compromise. I use it both ways. If the macro function were not important to me I probably would have gotten the 1.8 although it's also more money.
1549361
I use this lens mainly for taking macro pictures of flowers etc with both my Nikon D90 and D7000. I have taken pictures in low light situations and have had noproblem. If I were to take pictures in dance performances though I probably would choose say the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 lens where macro would not necessarily be the issue.Hope this is some help to you.
1652036
It will have no problem as a portrait lens. Though, the focus will be slow as it will hunt for focus sometimes through the entire distance range (due to lack of focus range lock). It can be annoying at times. However, it's relatively a small price to pay for a great macro lens that can also periodically serve as a decent portrait lens.
143449
This is a dedicated macro lens, but can certainly be used for indoor portraits with sufficient lighting. I have used it as a telephoto lens with excellent results since it's considered a 'prime' lens and is tack sharp. Tripod not necessary if your exposure is correct for shooting at a minimum shutter speed of 1/40.
48834
Why not get used to the camera with the zoom lens and after finding out what work bests for you buy another lens that fits your needs, I can't imasging using a 35 mm lens as my main portrait lens, I rarely get that cozy with my subjects. I'd look at the 85 mm 1.4 lens, the 105 lens as more desirable for portraits.
2120239
It will do well for portraits and close-up macro photography with enough light. I do like this lens for what it delivers for its price. It does hunt in low-light though, but if you know its application it is fine.
352996
85mm is amazing lens, crisp images. Great for portrait shoots. The problem is it is a manual focus lens. It takes time to get good using it but its worth the price.
220608
The extra stop is amazing... 70mm frames a head and shoulders from 10 feet or so... Works great with my lighting set up and excels in low light... If you want tighter shots from longer distances, the 105 would be the pick! Most portrait photographers prefer 85mm to 105mm- the f/4 just may not give you the background blur you may want... the 70mm-200M f/2.8 L IS II is another awesome choice...
676894
Hi I like mine a lot. Just be sure you not getting the most powerful one as its too much magnification( the 250) . It's no macro lens but I think it's worth the money
943576
It isn't really a macro lens but in the true sense but you can zoom from a distance to get a nice close-up say for portrait. It's a telephoto lens.
101689
I don't have enough information yet....what other lenses do you own, and what camera would you be shooting with? Are you the main photographer? Are you bringing lights or at least a high(er) powered flash unit? This is a great lens for macro use, but with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 this cannot be considered a fast lens at all. While a 50mm lens is fantastic for shooting in a more photojournalistic style, you will probably want something a little longer for portraits (especially if you're using a full-frame digital or film camera). Please respond with what camera(s) you'll be using and what other lenses you own and I'll give you more detail
918493
Decent is a very relative term. For an amateur photographer this lens will take some nice close up photos. I would not define them as true macro, but it will do a good job. The 19-55 dal lens is a very good all around "kit" lens.
2074148
macro photography is a "close-up" photo, to make it simplein Nikon's lenguage, lenses for macro photos are named "micro", but this is a lens for macro photos. A good one i'd say, for starters (i love photography but i don't put a lot of time to it, and this lens has taken awesome photos of ordinary situations due to its focus and all)if you are looking for more info i'd recommend those experts on-line forums and webpages thoughregards
143454
I would not recommend for portrait photography, I find it far too "long" for that, especially if you have a non full frame camera. I stick with my 85mm for portraits. It could however be used as "a telephoto lens in the day time" but there are other lenses that would be better choices for that as well. I only use a tripod if I am doing product photography, otherwise I use it handheld. Overall this is an absolutely fantastic lens, I just use it for more along what it was designed for, macro (and product) photography, but have used it as a telephoto lens once or twice in a pinch. I would not recommend for portrait photography, I find it far too "long" for that, especially if you have a non full frame camera. I stick with my 85mm for portraits. It could however be used as "a telephoto lens in the day time" but there are other lenses that would be better choices for that as well. I only use a tripod if I am doing product photography, otherwise I use it handheld. Overall this is an absolutely fantastic lens, I just use it for more along what it was designed for, macro (and product) photography, but have used it as a telephoto lens once or twice in a... » Read More I would not recommend for portrait photography, I find it far too "long" for that, especially if you have a non full frame camera. I stick with my 85mm for portraits. It could however be used as "a telephoto lens in the day time" but there are other lenses that would be better choices for that as well. I only use a tripod if I am doing product photography, otherwise I use it handheld. Overall this is an absolutely fantastic lens, I just use it for more along what it was designed for, macro (and product) photography, but have used it as a telephoto lens once or twice in a pinch. « Show Less
1356282
It doesn't get super close, but it's really damn sharp. If you want to get closer, I'd suggest Sigma's 28mm f1.8 macro (they also have a 24, a 50, etc.)The macros are reviewed well enough, may not be as optimal in the corners, but for center-frame macro shots, everything else will be bokeh-d out anyway. This is more of a perfect travel lens- sharp as anything corner to corner for the landscape shots, and wide f1.8 for the people shots, while still being practical and relatively distortion-free.
1233334
It is good for portraits! Because it's only a 35mm you can stay close to your subject; the width feels perfect to me. F/1.8 is really big too, I try to stay at F/2 to keep the whole face in focus. Excellent bokeh, and tack sharp. Good for product shoots too.