This Canon fullframe lens, and despite its age - makes a great portrait lens on a Fujifilm GFX 50s II camera / or any other GFX model for that matter. At least so far in the photo studio, it seem to work very well as a portrait lens. And yes, I only used it with manual focus - to be on the sure side that the focus sits where it is supposed to be. I prefer that route rather than relying on AF via Finger adapter, and only contrast based AF - which is on the unreliable side (if you want the focus point exactly you want it to be - every single time).
Anyway, I is not about the autofocus / AF.
Studio Portrait lens
I am talking about the optical properties of a fullframe lens, covering a larger sensor - which see to work very well. You may get some darker corners if you stop down too much - but those are generally on the easy side to iron out in the post process (Photoshop etc).
This was one of the first studio portraits of Sal, by the way. Just to see how it turns out in general. Later, i enlarged the frame by widening each side with Photoshop AI, in order to give a "Hasselblad 6x6" impression. I think it worked very well in that regard. You may find small details need to be soften / blurred out, in order to look more natural. Which isn't a problem as long those areas are out of focus anyway.
The Ear Ring
It just occurred to me in the very moment, that Sal's earring was open, when we took the photo. As strange as it may seem, i never even thought about that. I never even saw it. Despite working with all the fine details and looking at many photos...
Strange, how small details can fall completely of sight. Like a psychological trick.
Ah wait ! Now i know, why !
I didn't take many shots of Sal with the ear ring side exposed. I focused mainly onto his other side. While the images i worked on later at the computer, showed only his other side (without ear ring). That explains it.
150 MP - Rotating Vertex Method for Portraits ?

It is pretty clear to me now, that the Vertex Method with its 150 Million pixels simply isn't needed for portrait work in the photo studio. It is far more fun and way sufficient with single 51 MP shots instead. Plenty of details. Far more than needed ! Additionally; it makes the image taking a lot easier (and my focus stays on the model, rather than on the Vertex technique). Additionally I can quickly show results to whomever I portrait - which is an inspiring feedback for them, too.
I would only use the Rotating Vertex method in order to achieve a certain look.
Only for a certain look
For example: Going close(r) with the Pentax 6x7 SMC Super-Takumar 105mm ƒ2.4 lens + adding the smallest Pentax extender ring (in order to get closer), giving the portrait an almost classic Largeformat look. (Think 4x5" film negative Portraits) It would result in an extra ordinary shallow depth of sharpness, where then the rest of the face dives into a soft blur (which that lens performs very well). The Vertex method then widens the view, compared to just take one single shot.
The Vertex method is very cool, for everything that stands still - and gives you extreme resolution - plus the WHOLE optical character of a lens. Otherwise 51 MP are more than plenty. Not to mention those who are on any Fujifilm GFX 100 model - where a single shot results into a whopping 102 Million pixels.
If i would use the Vertex method with a GFX 100 model, it would result into 300 Million pixel images (!!) Which, mildly said, is a total overkill.
Albeit; final RAW DNG's with a 300 MP Vertex Method could be saved smaller - so it ain't really a problem. |