Originally posted by Emacs Please, not again. It's macro, macro is not for portraits.
Simply because it is designated a macro lens doesn't mean it can't be used for portraits
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In fact, I've found that since it's designed with stopped-down bokeh in mind, and is as sharp as can be, it has a great combination of smooth bokeh and the detail retention attributed to macro lenses. Sure you won't get the dreamy look from, say, a Super-Tak 50 wide open, but not every portrait needs to have that. Plus it's nice to have the ability to have the detail if you want, and do some post on it if not, instead of wishing it weren't so soft.
EDIT: to the OP, I agree with paperbag - wide open and relatively budget friendly (compared to some other options), the FA43 is hard to beat for (center) sharpness wide open. Off-center is okay too, but once you get towards the edges it might not be as great until 2.5 or 2.8 (as the center). Other cheaper options are old manual/screwmount lenses, the Super-Tak 50/1.4 comes to mind (1.4 is soft unless exact-exact-exact-super-exact focus is nailed, also very sensitive to fringing I've found, whereas at f2 (still quite fast) is pretty sharp already). Or, maybe even the DA L 35mm f2.4, which if you're using wide open, has pretty nice bokeh (the fewer aperture blades don't come into play wide open), and is pretty damn sharp.