macro vs. telephoto lenses for portrait photos

[creepingdeath08]

I had recently gotten into a debate with another photographer about the quality of portrait photos taken with a telephoto vs. a macro lens. I have heard that macro's can be and are widely used in portrait photos with good results. I was told that the images would be stretched if I used a macro for a protrait. Is this true? I am aware that either type lens can be used, but what are the positives and negatives to using either or and how do the photos done with both differ?

[Ibn]

You most definitely can take portrait shots with a macro lens. You'll actually get better results with the macro lenses than you will with quite a few other lenses out there, especially when compared to the zoomers. There are generally less distortion with macro lenses.

Negative with using such a sharp lens is the amount of details that you'll be capturing with the macro lens. The other negative would be that it's slow focusing versus the faster primes, such as the 50 f/1.4 or the 85 f/1.4. Both of these lenses are faster focusing and offer a creamier bokeh.

[hir0]

Agree. Those lenses are obviously winners when shooting in low available light only. The bokeh is superb also. Macro lenses are good alternatives to primes for portraits though IMO. Here's a few quick shots of my niece and sister with my 90mm Tamron.

http://www.pbase.com/michihir0/image/42713160.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/michihir0/image/42713166.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/michihir0/image/55525344.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/michihir0/image/55525345.jpg

[alanhill]

The traditional lens for portraits is a short telephoto, about 90mm on a 35mm camera (usually shorter on a digital camera). Macro lenses are available in a range of focal lengths, including these short telephotos. As hir0's shots show, these are excellent for portraits as well as for shooting smaller subjects.

Alan

[JerseyJay]

Tell that photographer to read up a little more. Nikon 105 f/2.8 1:1 macro is widely used for portrait photography. Its not as good as 85 f/1.4 but definitely can product great photographs.