Mike, that is as definitive a description of what a good
portrait lens is as I have ever read.
--Tom
Mike Johnston wrote:
>
> Shel wrote:
>
> > What is a "portrait lens?" Can someone define it for me? What
> > are the characteristics of a good portrait lens?
>
> I suppose by definition it's a lens you use to make portraits with. More
> typically, it's a medium telephoto of 85mm to 105mm focal length, since
> those are frequently preferred to make portraits with.
>
> At the turn of the century a good portrait lens was a highly prized tool,
> and various portrait photographers were highly possessive about their
> carefully selected lenses. Even until recently, some of these lenses were
> sought after and sold for far more than their more pedestrian brethren. They
> have names few photographers recognize today.
>
> A good portrait lens back then (of course, they were all view camera lenses)
> was a lens that looked sharp without obvious softness, but that didn't
> resolve too much. The reason for this is that the human eye and mind, when
> "recognizing" a human face, typically is highly sensitive of identifiers in
> shape, form, expression, and so forth--permanent features of the face being
> recognized; but tends to ignore what we know to be transient, insignificant
> surface details--blemishes, stubble, bad skin, lines, etc. We're aware that
> these things are not identifiers, so the mind tends to give them less
> emphasis in the recognition process.
>
> Some feel that a good portrait lens should do the same. Too much resolution
> of surface detail is a distraction from the way a person looks. Surely, all
> of us have seen photographs of ourselves or our loved ones that "don't look
> right" because of excessive resolution--every pore pronounced, every crease
> and line emphasized. It's like a caricature.
>
> Most of the early portrait masters used relatively simple lenses that had
> decent contrast but not very good correction. Further control was afforded
> through choice of apertures.
>
> These days, what I would look for in a portrait lens is a lens that has high
> contrast for large structures (say, 5 lp/mm), but not very good resolution
> of small structures (30-40 lp/mm) and good soft blur or "bokeh."
>
> I don't mind if a lens only has these properties at a certain restricted
> range of apertures.
>
> I have a number of old portraits in my collection that are absolutely
> stunning--gorgeous, flattering yet clear. In my opinion the high point of
> portrait photography passed many years ago.
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