If the Contax 120mm Apo Macro good enough for portrait?

[ricardo_montoya]

I just bought a 645 system, and I wanna buy a second lens, I I cannot

decide between the 120mm Macro or the 140mm. I usually work with the

150mm on my Hasselblad system as portrait lens, and also have the 120

Macro but I use this for product work. I want to do portrait work

with the 645 system but if the 120 Apo Macro comprisses sufficient

the possibility of a macro is welcome. Someone of you works with the

120 as portrait lens? Anyone think that is a bad idea to use this

lens for portrait?

[william_carter1]

See the following threads for answers to your question:

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=001Ban

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=0012qZ

[jim_bright2]

Ricardo,

It's hard to pass up the 120/4. The lens is sharp and a joy to use. That being said I miss not having the 140/2.8 for portraiture.

I've rented the 140/2.8 and it handles nice. It's smaller than the 120. It has internal focusing. It's a stop faster than the 120. And the focusing is the fastest of the Contax 645 lenses. If I was to get my lens of choice for portraiture on my Contax 645 it would either be the Contax 140/2.8 (with extension ring - A/F is retained)or the Hassy 180/4 cfi with adaptor. In your case I wouldn't get the 120 since you already have the Hassy equivalent.

Just one man's opinion.

Enjoy the Contax, Jim

[madhatter]

The Contax 120 Apo is perfect for portraiture. You can use the Hassy Macro lens on the Contax, but it gets fiddly. I prefer using the Contax 120 Apo Macro over the 140 for portrait work, wrinkles and pores become tack sharp, so you might want to soften the effect. Adjusting the diopter knob when changing to another lens is a must on the Contax 645. Stop the 120 down to f8 for really sharp results and get close to blur the background.

[ted_roberts]

Ricardo:Unless you need AF or want a Contax lens...have you considered buying the adapter for the Contax that allows you to use your Hasselblad lens on the Contax? I have both systems also and it comes in very handy at times.