If you're looking for the perfect lenses to capture stunning portraits, you need to consider several factors before making a purchase. The type of lens you use is crucial in capturing sharp, detailed, and high-quality images that bring out the best in your subjects. Here's what you need to know about selecting the best lenses for portraits.
The first consideration you need to make is the focal length. The right focal length will help you capture the right angle and perspective of your subjects. Short telephoto lenses ranging from 85mm to 135mm are ideal for creating a shallow depth of field and capturing portraits with beautiful background bokeh.
Another important factor is aperture. Wide apertures produce a shallower depth of field, which allows the subject to stand out from the background. Look for lenses with a minimum aperture of f/2.8 for sharp portraits, even in low light conditions.
When shopping for lenses for portraits, consider factors such as image stabilization, autofocus, and build quality. High-quality lenses with advanced features will allow you to capture vibrant and stunning images guaranteed to impress your audience.
Are you tired of blurry and subpar portraits? Do you want to take your photography game to the next level? If so, keep reading to discover the best lenses for portraits that will take your photography to the next level. What's more, learn the secrets to capturing stunning portraits that will leave a lasting impression on those who view them.
10 Best Lenses For Portraits
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Ideal for capturing stunning portraits with a shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh in Canon SLR cameras.
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The product is ideal for portrait photography with Fuji X mount cameras, offering autofocus and fixed focus capabilities.
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3
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The product is ideal for portrait photography with full-frame Sony E-mount cameras, providing autofocus and a large aperture.
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4
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The product is ideal for capturing portrait photos with a fast and sharp lens on Nikon's Z mirrorless cameras.
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5
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It is an ideal lens for Nikon cameras and produces high-quality images with a shallow depth of field.
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6
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Ideal for portrait photography on Sony E-Mount cameras, with full frame compatibility and an f/1.8 aperture for exceptional bokeh.
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7
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This product is an affordable lens with a large aperture and autofocus, designed for Canon EOS Rebel digital cameras.
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8
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Ideal for portrait and travel photography, includes two lenses with a wide aperture and versatile zoom range.
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9
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The product is ideal for low light photography and achieving a shallow depth of field on Nikon DSLR cameras.
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10
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This lens is ideal for portrait photography on full frame Canon EOS EF mount digital SLR cameras.
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1. Canon Ef 85mm F/1.8 Usm Medium Telephoto Lens For Canon Slr Cameras – Fixed (Renewed)
The 85mm standard lens for Canon SLR cameras is a versatile and reliable option for capturing stunning images. With a maximum aperture of f/1.8, this lens allows for excellent control over depth of field and low-light shooting. Its telephoto zoom lens type and 85mm focal length make it perfect for capturing portraits and natural images with a natural angle of view and perspective.
One of the most notable features of this lens is its ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM), which enables quick and accurate autofocus, ensuring your subject is always in focus. Additionally, the closest focusing distance of just 2.8 feet allows for impressive close-up shots with stunning detail.
The lens is also designed to produce beautiful background blur, making your subject stand out and creating a professional look to your images. Despite its impressive capabilities, the lens is surprisingly lightweight at just 15 ounces, making it easy to carry around and use for extended periods of time.
2. Fujifilm Portrait Pro Lens By Viltrox
The lens being reviewed is a well-crafted piece of equipment made entirely of metal, providing a superior feel and build quality compared to most lenses. It weighs only 492 grams, making it an ideal choice for outdoor portrait shooting. Its faster and quieter stepping motor (STM) provides precise autofocus, resulting in a quick and effective performance on par with many native lenses.
This lens features an 85mm F1.8 aperture, delivering all-around solid performance and excellent center and edge-to-edge sharpness with superb resolving power. The F1.8 aperture and 85mm focal length create a soft and natural background blur, making it particularly suitable for portraits.
The lens is capable of providing precise focusing thanks to the textured metal focus ring. The ring is exceptionally smooth and offers a 145.9° throw, allowing for accurate focusing even at closer distances, where subtle nuances would be more noticeable. The neutral quality of this lens gives skin a subtle sheen right out of the camera, making it an excellent choice for portraiture and black and white photography.
The lens firmware is continuously updated, improving lens performance through the USB port. Furthermore, the lens is compatible with the newest Fuji X-mount cameras. Be sure to check the compatibility of your Fuji X-mount camera in the product description before purchasing.
3. Full-Frame Portrait Lens With Rapid Autofocus Technology
Introducing the second generation of the 85mm F1.8 lens, a remarkable upgrade to its predecessor. The new lightweight design weighs in at merely 142g (0.3lb), making it 142g lighter than the original version. The lens boasts a rounded 9-blade diaphragm, 10 elements in 7 groups, including 1 ED lens and 4 shortwave-length and high-transparency lens, as well as HD Nano multilayer coating with a water-resistant coating, ensuring exceptional image quality.
The lens features an electronic auto aperture, internal auto focus, constant lens length, and supports Sony eye focus function and EXIF information transmission, providing better flexibility and convenience for shooting. The STM step mute motor enhances the eye focus performance, making it faster and more responsive, providing photographers with a new level of control.
The 85mm F1.8 II STM offers excellent close-up shooting ability, with the image ratio of small object distance reaching an impressive 1:8. This enables photographers to capture intricate details with ease, making it perfect for portraits, landscapes, and more.
The precision metal structure of the lens is sturdy and durable, with an all-metal mirror body structure and a new designed lotus-shaped lens hood that effectively prevents stray light from entering the lens. The lens' design is sleek and modern, making it a stylish addition to any photographer's kit.
4. Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm F/1.8 S Portrait Fast Prime Lens For Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras
The 85mm f/1.8 lens is the perfect addition to any photographer's arsenal. With a nine blade diaphragm, this lens produces soft, rounded bokeh that will make your subject pop.
One of the standout features of this lens is the use of two ED glass elements and Nano Crystal coating. This combination provides lifelike accuracy and a level of clarity that is unparalleled. Whether you're shooting portraits or landscapes, this lens will deliver stunning results every time.
Not only does this lens produce stunning images, but it is also built to withstand the elements. The lens is dust and drip resistant, and extensively sealed to keep out dust and moisture. This means you can take this lens with you on all of your outdoor adventures without having to worry about damage from the elements.
Another great feature of this lens is the customizable control ring. This allows you to adjust the focus, aperture, and exposure compensation with ease. This level of control makes it easy to fine-tune your shots and get the exact look you're going for.
5. Rokinon 85maf-N 85mm F1.4 Aspherical Lens For Nikon With Automatic Chip (Black)
The lens under review boasts impressive features that are sure to elevate the quality of your photography. With an aperture range of F/1.4 to F/21, this lens allows for a wide range of depth of field options, from shallow to deep. The lens is made up of 14 elements in 7 groups, which ensures that your photos are sharp and clear, with minimal distortion.
The angle of view for this lens is 28.3 degrees, which is perfect for capturing a wide range of subjects, from landscapes to portraits. Furthermore, the minimum focusing distance of 3.3 feet means that you can get up close and personal with your subject while still maintaining a sharp focus.
The filter size for this lens is 72mm, which is a standard size that makes it easy to find compatible filters. This feature also allows for the use of polarizing and neutral density filters, which can enhance your photography even further.
6. Viltrox 85mm Portrait Lens For Sony E-Mount
The AF 85/1.8 II FE auto-focus standard prime lens is designed specifically for Sony E-Mount Cameras such as the A7III, A7RIII, A7SII, A7RII, A7II, A9, A7, A7R, A6400, A6500, A6300, A6000, A5100, A5000, and NEX-7. With an 85mm focal length and F1.8 to F16 aperture range, this large aperture lens offers excellent versatility for portrait photography, delivering a wonderful background defocusing effect that helps the subject stand out effortlessly.
The lens supports full-frame, AF (auto focus), and electronic aperture, making it easy to capture sharp, detailed images with ease. It also supports EXIF information transmission and electronic automatic iris adjustment, allowing you to record image information and shooting data effortlessly.
The lens comes equipped with a noiseless STM focus motor and metal electronic contacts, ensuring accurate and precise autofocus functionality. With 10 elements in 7 groups, including 1 ED lens and 4 short wave length and high transparent lenses, this lens offers exceptional image quality and clarity.
This lens is crafted from high-quality materials, featuring a precise metal structure and HD Nano multilayer coating. It also includes a micro USB port for firmware upgrade, ensuring that the lens is always up-to-date with the latest features and functionality.
7. Canon Rebel Lens With Autofocus And Cleaning Cloth
The Yongnuo YN50mm F1.8 is a prime lens that boasts both Auto Focus and Manual Focus capabilities. It is the first prime lens manufactured by Yongnuo and is an excellent addition to any EOS 18-55mm lens kit. This lens provides a much faster aperture for low light usage and delivers superior edge-to-edge sharpness.
The Yongnuo YN50mm F1.8 is versatile and works well with a variety of cameras, including the 5D, 7D, 60D, 70D, T3, T3i, T5, T5i, and more. Whether you prefer Auto Focus or Manual Focus, this lens is perfect for all your shooting needs. It measures at 2 inches in length and has a 0.15 magnification and a maximum angle of view at 46 degrees. The lens also accepts 52mm filters.
The Yongnuo YN50mm F1.8 consists of 6 elements in 5 groups, making it a compact and lightweight lens. With a maximum focal length of 55.0 millimeters, it is capable of producing stunning images that are rich in detail and color. Additionally, this lens has a Canon EF mounting type, ensuring that it is compatible with a wide range of cameras.
8. Canon Portrait And Travel Two Lens Kit With 50mm F/1.8 And 10-18mm Lenses (Renewed)
The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a compact and lightweight fixed focal length lens that is highly suitable for everyday use, and with its large f/1.8 aperture, it is the perfect lens for low-light photography and creating a stunning background blur effect. This lens is designed to provide users with a high-quality image and is ideal for portrait photographers who want to capture their subjects in sharp focus while blurring the background for a beautiful aesthetic.
The EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM is an EF-S ultra-wide zoom lens that offers an impressive starting focal length of 16mm in 35mm equivalence. It is a must-have lens for photographers who want to capture expansive scenery, from tall buildings to inspiring mountain ranges. With its wide angle of view, this lens helps you achieve vivid colors and details during your travels, making it a great tool for landscape and architectural photography.
The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM and EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM are equipped with a stepping motor (Gear-type STM) that supports the Movie Servo AF function, which provides smooth and silent continuous AF during video recording, as well as when shooting photos. This feature ensures that users can capture high-quality footage without any distracting noise.
The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM has a minimum focusing distance of 1.15 ft. (0.35m) and a maximum magnification of 0.21x, which allows users to capture their subjects in stunning detail. The EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM, on the other hand, has a full-time manual focus feature that allows manual focus adjustment while in AF Mode. This feature is particularly useful when shooting in low light conditions or when capturing fast-moving subjects.
The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM has a circular aperture with seven blades that helps deliver beautiful, soft backgrounds, while the metal mount of both lenses provides stability and ruggedness, ensuring that the lenses are durable and long-lasting. Overall, the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM and EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM are excellent lenses that offer high-quality images and are suitable for a wide range of photographic applications.
9. Yongnuo 50mm F1.8n Lens – Nikon Dslr Compatible
Introducing the F1.8 large aperture prime lens – a fantastic addition to the Nikon 12-50mm kit lens. This lens boasts 6 blades in 5 groups and 7pcs aperture blades, allowing for a great level of control over depth of field and producing stunning bokeh. It's compatible with both full-frame and APS-C format cameras, making it a versatile choice for photographers of all levels.
The lens supports both auto focus and manual focus modes, providing users with complete control over their shots. With gold plated metal contacts, the lens offers excellent signal conductivity and corrosion resistance, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
Whether you're an amateur or professional photographer, this lens is designed to meet your needs. It supports M/AV/TV/P and other camera shooting modes, and parameters used to take pictures can be displayed in the EXIF Information, which is incredibly useful for post-processing and analyzing your shots.
This lens is compatible with a range of Nikon DSLR cameras, including the D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D80, D90, D7000, D7100, D7200, D7300, D300, D300S, D500, D700, D800, D800E, D810, D810A, D3X, D4, D4S, and D5.
10. Canon Portrait Master Lens By Meike
The 85mm full-frame lens is a must-have for portrait, subject, architecture, and landscape photography. With its wide aperture of f1.8 and 9 diaphragm blades, it is designed to produce a super smooth round blur effect, commonly known as bokeh. This lens has a construction of 9 elements in 6 groups, making it capable of delivering sharp and clear images with decent build quality.
The angle of view of this lens is Diagonal:28.5°, horizontal:16°, and vertical: 24°, making it perfect for capturing a wide range of subjects. Additionally, this lens is also compatible with Canon APS-C frame EF-Mount cameras, providing an equivalent focal length of 136mm.
One of the unique features of this lens is its micro USB firmware upgrade interface. This enables you to upgrade the lens online, ensuring that you always have the latest firmware for optimal performance.
Best Lenses For Portraits FAQs
What are the advantages of using a zoom lens for portraits?
Using a zoom lens for portraits has several advantages. Firstly, it provides a range of focal lengths, making it easier to compose shots without having to constantly switch lenses. This can be particularly useful when shooting portraits in outdoor locations where the available light and background may change quickly.
Secondly, a zoom lens allows photographers to adjust the framing of the shot without having to physically move closer or further away from the subject. This can be especially useful when working with models who may be uncomfortable with physical proximity or when capturing candid moments.
Finally, zoom lenses often have a wider maximum aperture than prime lenses, allowing for greater control over depth of field and better bokeh. This can help to isolate the subject from the background and create a more professional-looking portrait.
Overall, a zoom lens can be a versatile and convenient tool for portrait photography, providing greater flexibility and creative control over the final image.
What are the benefits of using a prime lens for portraits?
Using a prime lens for portraits has several benefits. Firstly, prime lenses have a wider aperture compared to zoom lenses which allows more light to enter the camera sensor resulting in a shallower depth of field and a beautiful, creamy bokeh effect. This means that the subject will be in sharp focus while the background is blurred, drawing attention to the subject and creating a more visually appealing portrait.
Secondly, prime lenses are typically sharper than zoom lenses, which means that the details in the subject's face will be more defined and vivid. This is particularly important in portrait photography where capturing facial expressions and emotions is crucial.
Thirdly, prime lenses tend to be lighter and more compact than zoom lenses, making them easier to handle and carry around. They are also often less expensive than zoom lenses, which is a great advantage for beginner photographers or those on a budget.
Overall, using a prime lens for portraits can help create stunning, high-quality images that capture the essence of the subject in a beautiful and artistic way.
What are the best lenses for portrait photography in low light?
When it comes to portrait photography in low light, having the right lenses can make a huge difference in the outcome of your photos. Two popular options for low light portrait photography are prime lenses with wide apertures and zoom lenses with image stabilization.
Prime lenses with wide apertures, such as the 50mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8, are great options for low light portrait photography because they allow more light to enter the camera, resulting in brighter photos with a shallow depth of field. This can create a beautiful bokeh effect that highlights your subject's face, while blurring out the background.
Zoom lenses with image stabilization, such as the 24-70mm f/2.8 or 70-200mm f/2.8, are also great for low light portrait photography as they allow you to adjust the focal length and zoom in on your subject without worrying about camera shake. The image stabilization feature helps to reduce blur and produce sharper images.
Ultimately, the best lens for your low light portrait photography depends on your personal preferences and shooting style. Consider factors such as focal length, aperture, and image stabilization when choosing a lens that works best for you.
What are the best lenses for portrait photography with a crop sensor camera?
When it comes to portrait photography with a crop sensor camera, there are a few lenses that are ideal for capturing the perfect shot. One of the best lenses for this type of photography is the 50mm f/1.8 lens. This lens is affordable, lightweight, and offers a wide aperture which allows for a shallow depth of field, making your subject stand out from the background. Another great option is the 85mm f/1.8 lens, which is a bit more expensive but provides even better bokeh and sharper details. Additionally, the 35mm f/1.8 lens is a versatile option that can be used for both full-body and close-up shots, making it a great choice for portrait photography. Ultimately, the best lens for you will depend on your personal style and the specific needs of your shoot, but these lenses are a great starting point for capturing stunning portrait photos with a crop sensor camera.
What are the best lenses for portrait photography with a full-frame camera?
When it comes to portrait photography with a full-frame camera, there are several lenses that can give you the best results. One of the most popular choices is a prime lens with a focal length of 85mm or 135mm. These lenses are known for their ability to produce beautiful bokeh and shallow depth of field, making your subject stand out from the background.
Another great option is a zoom lens with a range of 70-200mm. This lens allows you to zoom in and out to get the perfect framing for your portrait without having to move around too much. It also gives you the flexibility to shoot from different distances, which can be useful in various shooting situations.
In addition to these lenses, a fast aperture is also crucial for portrait photography. Look for lenses with an aperture of f/1.4, f/1.8, or f/2. These wide apertures allow for more light to enter the lens, which is essential for shooting in low-light conditions or creating a shallow depth of field.
Ultimately, the best lens for portrait photography with a full-frame camera will depend on your personal preferences and shooting style. Consider factors such as focal length, aperture, and zoom capabilities when choosing the right lens for your needs.
What are the best lenses for portrait photography with a natural-looking bokeh?
When it comes to portrait photography, a natural-looking bokeh can add a beautiful visual element to your images. There are several lenses available in the market that can produce an excellent bokeh effect. The first and most popular option is the prime lenses. They have a wide aperture, which allows for a shallow depth of field, resulting in a beautiful bokeh. The 85mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/1.4 are both excellent prime lenses for portrait photography with a natural-looking bokeh.
Another option is the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, which is a popular choice among portrait photographers. It produces a creamy bokeh with a shallow depth of field, making it perfect for outdoor portrait sessions.
Lastly, the 35mm f/1.4 lens can also produce a natural-looking bokeh. It has a wide-angle view, making it a great option for environmental portrait photography.
In conclusion, the best lenses for portrait photography with a natural-looking bokeh are the prime lenses like the 85mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/1.4, the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, and the 35mm f/1.4 lens.
What are the best lenses for portrait photography with a shallow depth of field?
When it comes to portrait photography with a shallow depth of field, there are several lenses that are popular among photographers. One of the most popular options is a prime lens with a wide maximum aperture, such as a 50mm f/1.4 or an 85mm f/1.8. These lenses allow you to create a shallow depth of field, which can help to isolate your subject and create a pleasing bokeh effect in the background. Another popular option is a portrait-specific lens, such as a 70-200mm f/2.8. These lenses offer a longer focal length, which can help to compress the background and create a more dramatic effect. Ultimately, the best lens for portrait photography with a shallow depth of field will depend on your personal preferences and shooting style. It's a good idea to try out a few different lenses to see which one works best for you.
What are the best lenses for portraits on a budget?
If you're on a budget and looking for lenses that are great for portraits, there are a few options that you can consider.
One of the most popular lenses for portraits on a budget is the 50mm f/1.8 lens. This lens is often referred to as the "nifty fifty" and is known for its ability to produce sharp images with a shallow depth of field, which is great for isolating your subject and creating that nice blurry background. It's also lightweight and compact, making it a great option for travel or on-the-go shooting.
Another great option is the 85mm f/1.8 lens, which is known for producing beautiful, creamy bokeh and flattering portraits. While it's a bit more expensive than the 50mm lens, it's still relatively affordable and can be a great investment if you're serious about portrait photography.
If you're shooting on a crop sensor camera, you may also want to consider the 35mm f/1.8 lens. This lens is equivalent to a 50mm lens on a full-frame camera and can be a great option for portraits as well as general purpose photography.
Overall, there are plenty of great lenses for portraits on a budget. It's important to consider your specific needs and shooting style when choosing a lens, but any of the lenses mentioned above would be a great place to start.
What focal length is best for portrait photography?
When it comes to portrait photography, the best focal length is typically between 85mm to 135mm. These focal lengths help to create a natural-looking image with a shallow depth of field, allowing the subject to stand out from the background and creating a pleasing bokeh effect.
A 50mm lens can also be used for portraits, but it may require the photographer to get closer to the subject. A wider focal length, such as 35mm or below, can distort the subject's facial features and create unflattering images.
That being said, the best focal length for portrait photography ultimately depends on the photographer's style and the desired effect. Some photographers prefer wider angles or longer lenses for creative effect.
It's important to experiment with different focal lengths and see what works best for your individual needs and style.
What is the difference between a standard lens and a portrait lens?
The main difference between a standard lens and a portrait lens is their focal length. A standard lens typically has a focal length between 35mm and 50mm while a portrait lens has a longer focal length between 85mm and 135mm.
A standard lens is versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes. It is good for capturing images of landscapes, street photography, and general snapshots. It provides a normal perspective and doesn't distort the image too much.
On the other hand, a portrait lens is designed specifically for capturing portraits. It has a longer focal length which allows the photographer to get closer to the subject without distorting their features. The longer focal length also provides a shallower depth of field, which creates a pleasing background blur that isolates the subject from the background.
In summary, the main difference between a standard lens and a portrait lens is the focal length. Standard lenses are versatile and good for general photography, while portrait lenses are specifically designed for capturing portraits and provide a shallower depth of field.