Using Macro Lenses for Portraits

A lot of serious photography students ask me about using macro lenses for portrait photography which is a not-so-well-kept secret for getting beautiful sharp portraits.

The benefits of using a macro lens for portrait photography is their sharpness but there are other advantages. One related asset is the additional aperture range that many macro lenses have. From wide open stops such as f2 or f2.8 to tiny openings under f22 macro lenses give us a wider range of control. This added control helps us control our lighting better in the studio and outdoors.

Many macro lenses also come in great focal lengths for shooting portraits. Some of the best macro lenses for portraits are prime lenses in the 90 mm to 135 mm range. I've used an older Nikon 105 mm Macro and a 135 mm macro lens to create some amazing portraits over the years.

Even if you want to shoot unconventional portraits there are incredible macro lenses in the 35mm range. As I said earlier, these often have a big aperture range and a collection of smaller f-stops that can really help you to add additional layers of lighting control.

The Best Macro Lenses For Portraits

If you're serious about macro lens portraits here are the best available.

Nikon

The Nikon Z 105mm is the company's best macro lens, maybe ever. The only disadvantage of this lens is that it can't be used on a DSLR. That said, this lens is lightweight, sharp as a tack, and well admired. Using the Nikon Z 105 for portraits is a great choice. In fact you may find this lens a bit too sharp for some portraits. No matter how you look at it, the Nikon Z 105mm Macro lens, is a great portrait lens.

105mm is a perfect focal length for macro lens portraits. This is why if you're using a Nikon DSLR you'll want to check out the FX Nikkor 105mm f1.4. In addition to amazing sharpness you get a lens with a f1.4 aperture. That's a great bonus for shooting portraits. It allows you to completely throw the background out of focus.

Canon

If you're a Canon user the EF100mm 2.8 is your best option. And what a great option it is! Like a lot of Canon's modern lenses it uses their ultrasonic autofocus motor. Honestly, I'm really jealous that Nikon doesn't use that technology. The autofocus speed is unmatched. Of course, that won't mean much when doing macro work but wow does it ever with portraits.

Sony

Sony users will want to take a look at the Sigma 105mm 2.8. This lens looks and feels great. The sharpness is wonderful as well. Ultimately it's just a shame that Sony doesn't make one of their own.

Other Camera Manufacturers

Are you using another brand of camera for portraits? Sadly there are fewer choices of quality macro lenses. Too, the best portraits come from bigger sensors. Of course, if you're using the FujiFilm GFX 50s you're capturing better photos than most of these lenses can produce. Of course that's because the GFX 50s has a much larger sense.

If you're using an Olympus camera or any cropped-sensor format camera you're portraits are going to be more challenging to get sharp to begin with. By the way, that's true of cropped Nikon, Canon, and Sony cameras too.

If you're serious about being a portrait photographer you need to use a Nikon, Canon, or Sony. I'm sorry to tell you that, truly I believe competition results innovation. However, this is the world we live in. Therefore, unless you're shooting medium format (like the GFX 50x) it's the truth.

Used Macro Lenses

One big benefit of using macro lenses to capture portraits is that you can often find older used macro lenses for sale. Many can be had great shape from places like eBay that won't break the bank. Too, if you're like me and you love photographing people as well as nature having a macro that you can use for duel purposes is even more reason to buy a solid, sharp, versatile macro lens to use for portrait photography.

If you have any questions or comments please hit me up on my social media accounts [Facebook and Twitter] or contact me. Take a look at my family portrait and individual portrait work and my nature photography that I've extensively used my macro lenses to photograph.