I am wandering which would make the better lens for portraits the canon 50mm f1.4 or 100mm Macro.?

Question

I have heard either one would work great however I am looking for high end results for a $500 investments.

Answer 1

The 100mm Macro is the better lens for portraits, due to the focal length.

It carries a macro label, which means it can do close up shots (i.e. objects inches from the lens, with a near 1:1 reproduction ratio) in addition to regular shooting, like portrait shooting.  It's a common misconception among amateurs that a lens labeled "macro" can only shoot macro shots; of course, they are wrong.

The 50mm f/1.4 is only okay for portraits.  Despite the f/1.4 aperture, it has poor bokeh (out of focus highlights/smoothness) and is not as good a choice for portraits as the 100mm macro lens.

100mm is right in the perfect portrait range of focal lengths.  As noted by another poster, you will need a good amount of working distance from your subject, particularly if you want something more than a head/shoulders shot.  Full-length portraits will require you to stand a fair distance away from your subject.

Answer 2

The 50mm lens will work but will not register the image in the proper proportions. The 100mm lens is a much better portrait lens. The subject's proportions will be very near correct with it.

Answer 3

50mm f1. 4 for sure.

macro is for real close ups like if you were going to be taking a photo of a mole on their cheek, then yeah macro is good.

But for every day portraits 50mm is better

Answer 4

Both would work great ..   but to get the same size image with the 100mm as the 50mm you would have to stand twice as far away from your subject .. not always easy ..  I would go with the 50 mm as it can also be used for general photos as well