100mm macro for portraits !!

[Sendide]

Hi everybody,
I have a 100mm Macro USM and I'm interested in making more portraits beside macrophotographym (with 10D).
I'm actually happy with the result so far, but since I haven't experienced an L lens, I wonder if anyone has experienced both and could give me an advice abouit how worth it it iis to upgrade to an L lens , and which one could it be (about same aperture 2.8)
thanks a lot.

[CyberDyneSystems]

It does make an excelelnt long protrait lens.. perfectly sharp.. :)

[Stever]

I have used and do use a Sigma 105 Macro for portraiture. Very sharp and seems to offer warmer colour than the Canon 28-135. Some would not want this warmer tone, but I prefer it. Work with your macro and try soft focus filters for eliminating un wanted blemishes and wrinkles. Have fun. Stever

[Sendide]

thanks guys,
I like the idea of soft focus filters, but wouldn't that render the whole pict rater soft? jsut little comment if possible to let me undestand better (still beginner in the photography ocean)
thx
Kh

[playinhockey]

I used my 100mm to take a portrait of my wife. The shot was extreamly sharp! The detail was unbelieveable! The bokeh was perfect. I was so proud of my work. I showed it to my wife and she HATED it! She said it looked like her skin was under a magnifying glass. How do those soft filters work? Any recommendations on which one to get?

[Tapeman]

B+W makes soft focus filters in varying effect. They say women prefer the #3 (softest)

[kanwingshing]

Do it by Photoshop filter instead of physical filter. It's more flexible and you can get rid of it if you don't like the final effect.

[Sendide]

nice idea of psot shot softning :wink:

[cgratti]

I used my 100mm to take a portrait of my wife. The shot was extreamly sharp! The detail was unbelieveable! The bokeh was perfect. I was so proud of my work. I showed it to my wife and she HATED it! She said it looked like her skin was under a magnifying glass. How do those soft filters work? Any recommendations on which one to get?

Use the BLUR feature in Photoshop... to soften it up a bit....

[Sendide]

the "blur" thig is always a solution for women :wink: just kidding

[kraterz]

My 100/2.8 macro USM is one of the most superb lenses I have. It is better than both my L zooms. It's the sharpest lens in my bag, except for the 200/2.8L, and I'm not comparing the 100 with the longer or faster L primes.

My 100 doubles (triples?) as a macro lens, an awesome portrait lens and a general purpose walk around lens.