Because this lens creates alot of Bokeh, can't this lens be used for portraits too? Seems like a two in one lens... portrait and macro.
464335
Absolutely. It is a beautiful portrait lens. It's actually much more than even just 2 lenses in one. It's a beautiful general medium telephoto too.
464336
Yes! Tokina actually provides a setting so that the focus range is limited to portrait distances. Its a Bokeh master and just overall an impressive lens. I wouldn't trade this for anything. Took back my Nikkon 85 mm 1.8g because this out performs it!
464337
Sure! It's an excellent lens. Very sharp. Here's a review. http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/100mm-f28.htm
464338
Absolutely! It's a great focal length for portraits, and great Bokeh. Take a look at KenRockwell, dot com he has a review and a sample portrait shot, Bokeh and all...
464339
Absolutely!!! I use my lens for portraits also, It gives a nice flat perspective of features that you expect with a lens from about 85-200mm. Great for head shots as well as environmental shots.
464340
You could however if the blur parts have sharp edges than you will take away from the subject. You may be able to use your camera settings to help in this matter. I have this lens and use it to take candid photos of people and I am pleased with the results. I have taken some portraits with it also and have been pleased with the results.
1929058
No, not exactly. It is a fixed focus lens. For making portraits it's really fantastic!
1654586
That's a difficult question to answer because there are different kinds of portraits and it depends on what you want to do. Personally I'd say it can take decent portraits (used at 50mm), but a 50mm or 85mm prime would be better because of the faster aperture and because prime lenses generally have slightly better optics than zooms (because they're more "optimized"). If you want a one-lens solution and aren't super picky, it could do just fine. My two cents.
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!
1398789
It is a great portrait lens! The BEST lens for portraits? It depends on what "look" you like. For the price, this lens is spectacular. Would I buy it again? You know, honestly, I would probably invest the money in purchasing a 35mm 1.4g if I had to do it over again. But if you don't have the grand to throw down on a lens, then this puppy will still give you amazing and beautiful photos. :)
1358633
The macro ability is almost too good. I was disapointed, for a while there, that it would not focus, at times, with a Polaroid and UV filters. I later realized that it would focus on any dust on the filter (especially when the sun is not in your back).
1402681
It's not a good lens for portraits, it's a great lens for portraits! Just remember its a lens meant for a full frame camera so on an aps sensor it would be a 120 mm lens, which would require and large studio or outdoor shoots.
2110561
I have this problem But I don't understand your solution, Bruce. Could you or someone explain it again please? You appear to be saying that if the camera is at something like a standard focal length you can choose both Macro and MF. But you can't - not on mine anyway! In my experience, the camera will not focus below 1ft. The image stays blurred and often the yellow central focus frame will display a question mark. Auto-focus does not work in Macro either - so to all practical purposes the camera has no Macro mode. If someone has a fix for this I'd be very interested.
143457
It definitely can be used for both. It is an excellent telephoto lens, but may be too long for extensive portrait photography. Other lenses - f2 and f2.8 - will enable more background blurring and a softer focus.
1774788
I love the bokeh on this - however I very rarely use it - I use my 50-1.2 more and my 200mm - however it is a lovely lens that really I should pull out and use more often!!
1359667
I have this problem But I don't understand your solution, Bruce. Could you or someone explain it again please?You appear to be saying that if the camera is at something like a standard focal length you can choose both Macro and MF. But you can't - not on mine anyway!In my experience, the camera will not focus below 1ft. The image stays blurred and often the yellow central focus frame will display a question mark.Auto-focus does not work in Macro either - so to all practical purposes the camera has no Macro mode. If someone has a fix for this I'd be very interested.
48832
Actually, for portrait I really much prefer something like 85mm to have a really nice bokeh and isolation of your subject. A 35mm is awesome to have put not primarily for portrait because you will endup always being so close to your subject that it becomes almost embarassing!
2228567
Thanks Branden, I didn't think it was a "macro" lens, but wanted to ask. I'm planning on buying this lens when ever I decide I can afford a $1,000 lens. I've since purchased the Canon 60mm EF-S Macro lens and like it very much.
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.
372804
Yes, I would think it's the main reason to have this lens. Some say the lens gets too close to the subject when used for macro work, I have not found that to be a problem. I find the lens very useful especially all around, but would probably not own it if not for its macro capability.
160523
I wasn't aware Sigma made this same lens in a "macro" version? Becarefull believing the discriptions as some "used" products are misrepresented. Any how, macro will allow for a shorter minimum focus distance. Good luck
419325
It's optically great for portraits but it hunts annoyingly at portrait distances (as someone noted, not good "on the fly"). When convenient I prefer my 70 2.4 or my 50 1.4 SMC M (manual focus)..both are more conventional portrait lengths than the 35's.