Photography 101
Among the categories that lenses can easily be grouped into, one of the least understood is the "tilt-shift" category. As such, we invite you to explore the latest installment in our Photography 101 series to find out what tilt-shift lens capabilities make them unique and alluring to photographers.
Photography 101: What is a Tilt-Shift Lens?
Check out our other posts in the Photography 101 series:
A macro lens is a lens that specifically allows you to focus extremely close to a subject so that it appears large in the viewfinder (and in the final image). "True" macro lenses are able to project subjects onto the camera's sensor life-sized at a 1:1 reproduction ratio resulting in a 1.0x MM (Maximum Magnification) at the lens' MFD (Minimum Focus Distance, measured from the subject to the sensor), meaning that a 0.6" (15mm) long subject would be projected 0.6" (15mm) long onto the sensor. While that doesn't sound like a big deal, keep in mind that a subject measuring only 1.4 x .9" (36.0 x 24.0mm) will completely fill the frame of a full frame DSLR. When viewed on a large display, tiny details in your subjects become conspicuous features while using true macro lenses.
A select few macro lenses actually exceed life-sized reproduction (the Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5x Macro is a notable example) for the ultimate in close-up DSLR photography. Besides true macros, lenses featuring a MM between 0.50x and 1.0x can also be considered macro lenses as they permit significantly closer focus than typical lenses provide.
Macro lenses come in a variety of focal lengths from wide-angle to telephoto. The important thing to keep in mind is that the lens' focal length will determine your field of view, working distance available and background blur capable when photographing your subject. For instance, the Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM features a 35mm focal length (as the name implies) and produces 1.0x magnification at its MFD of 5.1" (130mm). In contrast, the Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM produces the same magnification with a subject placed 18.9" (480mm) from the sensor. The extra working distance provided by longer focal length macro lenses can be very beneficial if photographing skittish subjects such as insects. Longer focal lengths also produce a more pronounced background blur which can be great for showcasing your subject through isolation.
On that note, let's consider the many common uses for macro lenses. Typical macro subjects include the aforementioned insects, flowers, jewelry (especially engagement and/or wedding rings), coins, and everyday small objects. If your subject isn't necessarily small, you can focus on the small details of a larger subject to create intriguing macro imagery.
Now that you know more about macro lenses, you may consider adding one to your kit. And on that note, checking out our Macro Lens Recommendations will help you find the right macro lens for you.
Now get out there and enjoy shooting our big world full of small things!
by Sean Setters
From a technical standpoint, any lens from 8mm to 800mm can be used to photograph people, meaning that every lens could be classified as a "portrait lens." But just because a lens can be used as a portrait lens does not necessarily mean that it should be utilized as such for general portraiture. There are two primary characteristics which make some lenses ideally suited for capturing flattering images of people. Let's explore those characteristics in more detail to determine why they're so beneficial to portraiture.
Medium Telephoto Focal Length (or Focal Length Range)
Typically speaking, lenses with a medium telephoto focal length (or focal length range) tend to work best for general portraiture. While the ideal range can vary with personal preference, generally speaking a lens featuring a focal length in the 85 - 135mm range on a full-frame camera (55 - 85mm on a 1.6x crop sensor camera) will provide a compressed view which mitigates or eliminates the foils of perspective distortion.
Why is perspective distortion a problem in portrait photography? Because when using a relatively wide focal length, combined with a close working distance, facial features nearest to the camera – typically noses – become enlarged in the frame.
Understandably, few subjects appreciate the look of a disproportionately large, prominent nose in their portraits. A longer focal length is the key to keeping facial features flatteringly proportional. Of course, shorter focal lengths (35 - 50mm, especially) can be used for more loosely framed subjects where the background becomes a more meaningful compositional element in the image, just as longer focal lengths can be employed for increased working distances, narrower angles of view and even flatter perspectives. However, it's tough to go wrong with a focal length in the 85 - 135mm range when general portraiture is your primary agenda.
Wide Aperture
Another key element prized by portrait photographers is a very wide aperture – in the f/1.2 to f/2.8 range – allowing for subject isolation via shallow depth of field (DOF). Of course, the wider the aperture, the shallower the DOF. With background elements unrecognizably blurred, distractions can be eliminated and viewers' eyes can be drawn precisely to the subject.
However, a shallow depth of field isn't the only benefit that a very wide aperture brings to the table as far portraiture is concerned. Another big benefit of wide aperture use is that faster shutter speeds can be utilized to freeze subject motion thereby allowing sharp details to be captured.
Portrait Lens Recommendations
I considered listing several lens recommendations in this section, but really there's no need. We already have that covered in our Portrait Lens Recommendations section (at least as far as Canon shooters are concerned). For Nikon shooters, check out the Portrait Recommendations and substitute a comparably-spec'd Nikon (or Nikon-mount) lens.
Wrap Up
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, any lens can be used to record photography's most important subjects, people. However, lenses with a medium telephoto focal length (or zoom lenses that encompass such focal lengths) coupled with a wide aperture can aid in capturing flattering imagery that can make your friends, family, or clients look their best.
Did I miss something important? What do you look for in a portrait lens that we didn't cover?
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