If you want to become a professional portrait photographer and capture stunning close-ups, you’ll need to spend on the right equipment. One of the most important pieces of equipment is your lenses, and this article takes a look at some of the best lenses for portrait photography.
Choosing the right lens is extremely important to make sure you capture the perfect frame. There are many types of lenses for different purposes, but if you are looking for a lens that will help you take beautiful portraits, it is best to have one that offers a blurred background and zoom with autofocus. The best lens for portraits will make your photos look sharp and nice, with a cool blurry background. But if you pick the wrong lens, your pictures might turn out distorted and look weird.
So, whether you’re just starting or you’re a pro, I’ve got recommendations for you. It doesn’t matter if you own a Nikon, Canon, Sony, or Fujifilm camera there’s something here to help you capture stunning portraits. In this article, we will look at the best lenses for portrait photography so you can easily decide which lens suits your needs the most.
Best Lenses for Portrait Photography: Top List
With so many amazing portrait lenses on the market, the options can be a little confusing. Each lens differs in its focal length and unique usage to fit varied portrait photographic situations. When deciding on the best portrait photography lens for you, I suggest first figuring out what focal length you prefer. Other factors to consider include pricing, maximum aperture, weight, size, and AF features.
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1. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
The Nikon 50mm f/1.8G lens is a great choice for beginners interested in portrait photography and who don’t want to spend too much money. It is known for its sharpness, quick focus, and ability to create a smooth background effect, especially in low-light conditions. This lens has a 50mm focal length, which is perfect for close-ups, headshots, and even group shots.
One cool thing about this lens is its big f/1.8 aperture. This helps make the busy background of your photos look smooth and blurry. The lens’s optical system, featuring an aspherical lens element, ensures edge-to-edge sharpness, making it a reliable choice for both FX and DX-format DSLRs. Plus, it works well in low-light situations, so you can take great pictures even when it’s not very bright outside.
Nikon uses two special technologies in its lenses to improve image quality. The first is called Super Integrated Coating (SIC), which is a multilayer lens coating that enhances light transmission, reduces flare, and ensures superior color consistency.
The second technology is the Aspherical Lens Element (AS), which helps to correct aberrations and distortions in the image, even when shooting at a wide aperture like f/1.8. These technologies work together to improve the performance of Nikon lenses, allowing photographers to capture high-quality images with better clarity and color accuracy.
Although these lenses may lack advanced features, they are excellent for shooting portraits without being expensive. The Nikon 50mm f/1.8G has received positive reviews for its build quality and performance, making it a popular choice for photographers looking to capture high-quality portraits.
2. Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens is a great choice for people who are just starting with portrait photography or are at an intermediate level. It works especially well with Canon’s RF-mount mirrorless cameras. This lens has many advantages that can help improve your portrait pictures. This lens has a versatile 50mm focal length that allows you to capture a wide range of portrait styles, from half-body shots to full-body compositions. It also excels in capturing environmental portraits.
The lens has an impressive maximum aperture of f/1.8, which creates stunning background bokeh and performs well in low-light situations. This is great because it lets you create a beautiful background blur, giving your photos a professional look. If you’re taking pictures in places with not much light and don’t want to use a flash, the wide aperture helps you keep a fast shutter speed, so your portraits still look sharp and well-exposed.
The lens is compact, lightweight, and portable, making it ideal for photographers on the go. Whether you’re exploring the city or going on a trip, you can easily put the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM in your bag and have it ready for the perfect portrait moment. The best part is that it offers outstanding value for money, delivering exceptional performance and image quality at an affordable price. So, if you want a portrait lens that’s affordable, versatile, and delivers great results, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is an excellent choice.
3. Nikon AF-S FX 85mm f/1.4G
When it comes to portrait photography, an 85mm lens is hard to match, and the Nikon 85mm f/1.4G is one of the best Nikon lenses for portrait photography ever made. This is a professional lens designed for studio, portrait, and wedding photographers who require a fast, high-quality lens. It has a large aperture of f/1.4 for low-light conditions and a shallow depth of focus to keep subjects away from background noise without sacrificing image quality or clarity.
This Nikon 85mm f/1.4G lens is designed to be compatible with FX or DX sensors, producing sharp images in the center frame. It weighs 595 grams making it easy to carry and handle. It has an excellent autofocus performance. The Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology in the lens produces almost no noise when focusing. Thanks to its tough exterior and solid metal internals, the new Nikon 85mm f/1.4 lens is designed to last long. It is built to withstand intense weather and is protected from outside moisture and dust.
The lens performs well in all weather conditions, including snow, rain, and even sand. If you’re a professional or beginner photographer who owns a Nikon and looking for the best bokeh creating portrait lens, look no further than the Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.4G.
4. Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens
The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM lens is a small and compact lens for taking breathtaking portraits with an extraordinary bokeh effect, and the 35mm focal length of this lens is inherently versatile. It’s perfectly suited for portrait photography, and the fast f/1.4 maximum aperture helps when shooting in low light conditions and controlling the depth of field.
The rounded 11-blade diaphragm provides a nice bokeh effect when using selective focus techniques. This lens has two extreme aspherical (XA) elements that deliver stunning quality images with great contrast. Furthermore, chromatic aberration is reduced with an extra-low dispersion glass element, and Sony’s Nano AR coating II keeps excellent clarity in every situation. It provides fast, precise, and quiet autofocus and tracking equipped with Sony’s powerful, extremely dynamic linear motors.
With all these high-quality features, this lens weighs only about 524 grams. It fits perfectly in the palm of your hand, offering you excellent mobility and handheld in any shooting conditions. Overall, the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM can be the best lens for portrait photography for those who want an ideal blend of mobility and superb picture quality.
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5. Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR
The Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is a popular choice for portrait photographers because it is versatile and produces high-quality results. It has been significantly improved over the older version, offering benefits such as a lighter weight, the ability to focus much closer, and exceptional sharpness, clarity, and contrast. These improvements make it ideal for capturing compelling close-up portrait images that focus on the subject’s facial features.
This 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is a zoom lens, which means that it can be used to capture a variety of different shots, from headshots to full-body portraits to group photos. The f/2.8 aperture is very wide, which means that it lets in a lot of light, making it possible to take pictures in low-light conditions without using a flash. It features an updated Vibration Reduction (VR) mechanism, which provides up to four stops of image stabilization, allowing for sharp handheld shots at slower shutter speeds.
One of the reasons why portrait photographers love this lens is because it can create beautiful bokeh, which is the blurry background that you often see in portrait photos. The bokeh created by a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is smooth and pleasing to the eye, and it can help to make the subject of the photo stand out.
Another reason why this lens is so popular is because it is built to last. It is made with high-quality materials and is weather-sealed, so it can withstand even the harshest conditions. It also has a fast autofocus system, which is important for portrait photography, as it allows you to capture sharp images even when your subject is moving.
Overall, if you are a portrait photographer looking for a versatile and high-quality lens, the 70-200mm f/2.8 is a great option. While it may seem expensive, it could be the only portrait zoom lens you ever need, potentially saving you money in the long run.
6. Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM
The Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM lens is a great option for portrait photographers. It is part of Sony’s premium G Master lineup, known for its excellent build, features, and performance. It provides enough working distance from the subject to create a flattering, compressed look without making the final image feel too detached. This lens is excellent for isolating the subject and minimizing distortion, producing captivating, flattering portraits, headshots, and full-body images.
This Sony lens comes loaded with great features you’d expect, like super sharp images, blurry backgrounds, quick autofocus, and weatherproofing. But it also has a few extra features that some portrait photographers will love. First, it has a Focus Lock button that lets you lock the focus at any time, even if you’re pressing the shutter button to take a picture. This is handy if you want to focus on something specific, like your subject’s eyes, and make sure it stays sharp even if it moves a little.
Second, it has a ring on the lens itself that you can use to change the aperture, which is the opening that controls how much light gets into the camera. This is faster than using the dials on your camera, so you can adjust the blurriness of the background even while you’re shooting. And if you’re recording video, you can turn off the clicking sound the ring makes so it doesn’t ruin your audio.
So, if you’re a portrait photographer who wants a lens with all the bells and whistles, the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM is a great option. It’s a bit more expensive than other 85mm lenses, but the extra features might be worth it for you.
7. Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM Lens
The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is a lens that is highly regarded by professionals and serious enthusiasts in the world of portrait photography. It is known for its exceptional image quality and versatility, making it ideal for capturing headshots, half-body portraits, and environmental portraits. No matter what type of portrait you’re taking, this lens makes your photos look fantastic.
The coolest thing about the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is its wide maximum aperture of f/1.2. This lets you create a nice blurry background, making your subject stand out beautifully. Whether you’re taking pictures in a studio or outside, this lens gives your portraits a professional and dreamy look.
Besides taking awesome pictures, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM has a great focal length. It’s just right for making your subjects look good, especially when you want to capture emotions and expressions with depth. It works well for photographing individuals or couples, creating portraits that tell a story.
However, it is important to note that this lens is large, heavy, and expensive, making it less ideal for casual or on-the-go shooting. But if you’re a professional or serious about photography and want top-notch quality, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is a fantastic choice that will make your portrait photos look amazing.
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8. Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM
The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM is a highly regarded portrait lens among photographers for its exceptional sharpness and versatility. This lens is perfect for headshots, medium shots, full-body photos, and group portraits. It is lightweight, easy to handle, and built to withstand various elements, making it a popular choice among professionals. The lens is well-built and has a special glass-molded aspherical element that improves the sharpness and clarity of the images.
One key feature of this lens is its built-in image stabilization, which is incredibly useful when handholding at slower shutter speeds. This lens also has a large f/1.4 maximum aperture, which is great for creating a blurry background and taking pictures in low light. The lens is also good for shooting videos, with a 9-blade circular aperture for soft backgrounds. The lens has a high-speed autofocus system and allows for manual focus.
In summary, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM is a versatile and high-quality lens that offers excellent performance in various portrait photography situations. Its built-in image stabilization is a significant advantage, making it easier to capture sharp images at slower shutter speeds. It is a bit expensive, but it is worth the investment for professional photographers.
9. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED lens, is a pro-grade portrait lens that’s perfect for shooting in all kinds of situations. It is one of the best lenses for wedding photography. This lens has the longest f/1.4 aperture among Nikon lenses, and taking pictures at this flattering focal length with such a wide aperture is fun.
This prime lens is designed for FX-format Nikon F-mount cameras where it can provide a maximum focal length of 105 mm. This enables the photographer to get close enough without intruding on the subject.
With an f/1.4 maximum aperture, it creates an excellent bokeh effect and also works well in low light conditions. Equipped with three extra-low dispersion glass elements, it successfully minimizes chromatic aberration for enhanced clarity and color neutrality. Besides, a nanocrystal coat on the lens eliminates internal reflections and ghosting.
Additionally, this lens features a Nikon silent wave motor to enable high-speed autofocusing with extreme accuracy without making any noise. Overall, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED lens combines all the necessary technologies to be the best lens for portrait photography.
10. Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM
The Canon 50mm f/1.2 lens, introduced in 2007, is highly regarded for portrait photography. It’s not exactly budget-friendly, but if you’re a photographer looking for the best portrait lens, it’s worth considering. The lens is weather-sealed, ensuring protection against moisture and dust, and it provides fast and reliable autofocus. The 50mm focal length is great for various purposes, and even if you’re using a crop sensor Canon camera, it acts like an 80mm lens—perfect for capturing flattering portraits.
But the real magic happens with its f/1.2 maximum aperture. Its wide aperture allows shooting in low light and achieving a beautiful, shallow depth of field. This feature allows the lens to create a dreamy background, turning out-of-focus elements into a creamy blur while keeping the main subject perfectly sharp. This effect gives your photos a distinctive and eye-catching quality.
The image quality is excellent, and the autofocus is much better than the previously mentioned 85mm f/1.2 lens. Despite being a bit heavy for its size, it’s still manageable. You can comfortably leave it on your camera all day without feeling weighed down. Using f/1.2 requires precision, but the Canon 50mm f/1.2L makes manual focus easy. Just half-press the shutter and twist the focus ring. If you’re using it with the new Canon mirrorless camera and its focus peaking feature, you can be confident in achieving sharp focus every time.
With its versatile 50mm focal length, ideal for portraits without distorting facial features, and an impressive f/1.2 aperture, this lens is a real treasure. It should be the top choice of any Canon photographer looking for the best lens for portrait photography.
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11. Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD
Next up, we have the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD lens, the only zoom lens in this listing providing you with a range of different focal lengths without missing any moment. With its bright f/2.8 maximum aperture, it provides consistent brightness throughout the zoom range and improves control over shallow depth of field.
The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens also has 6 low dispersion and 3 aspherical elements that minimize color fringing and chromatic aberrations throughout the zoom range for increased clarity and color accuracy.
There are also two voice call extreme torque driver linear motors that deliver quick, quiet, and precise focusing needed for both stills and video applications. This lens is moisture-resistant and has a flooring coating on the front to protect it against dust, dirt, and smearing.
Considering everything, the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD lens is perfect for those looking for a versatile yet affordable lens for wedding portrait photography.
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