Best mm for portraits
Best focal length for portraits (2022)
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›
Many photographers misunderstand the concept of focal length for portraits. Contrary to popular belief, the focal length of a lens isn’t practical. It, therefore, has little bearing on the size of the lens. So what’s it exactly? This guide will tell you everything you need to know about focal length and portrait photography.
What’s the best focal length for portraits?
85mm is the best focal length for portraits because it doesn’t distort facial features (sometimes it actually enhances them). With a full-frame camera, this means an 85 mm lens, while with a crop-factor camera, you need a 50 mm lens.
24mm
24 mm lenses aren’t very popular for portraits because you’ve to get quite close to the subject. It also distorts the facial features, resulting in an enormous nose and a small mouth and eyes.
28mm
28mm is generally too wide for portraits, like 24mm. It can be useful on cameras with crop sensors, but full-frame cameras require at least a 35mm lens.
35 mm
A 35mm lens is a good standard lens that can be used in most situations, including portraits. To use the 35mm lens for portraits, you need to get close to your subject. This requires you to get to the model’s height to capture the most flattering angle. If your subject is tall, you can also use the wide-angle lens to make them look slimmer. If your subject is short, you can use a wide-angle lens to make them look more mature.
Why is the 35mm format so popular?
35mm is very popular for portraits because of the versatility it offers. You can take group shots, individual portraits, and environmental portraits. But many professional photographers don’t like it because it distorts facial features.
50mm
A 50 mm lens is best for full-body portraits at waist level, both in the studio and on location.
But, if you want to take a head or shoulder portrait, getting too close to your model can cause distortion because the facial features become too small, the face is too thin, and the nose looks bigger than it actually is.
85mm
The 85mm lens is considered the best fixed focal length lens for portraits. The narrow angle of view helps isolate the subject better and allows you to shoot from a comfortable working distance. Portraits taken at 85mm look the most natural because facial features don’t get distorted.
But, its use is limited to single portraits. Unlike a 35mm lens, the 85mm lens isn’t a good general-purpose lens.
Is the 85 mm lens good for family portraits and group photos?
The 85mm lens isn’t suitable for family or group photos because you won’t get everyone in the picture because of the narrow field of view. Depending on the size of the group, a 35mm or 50mm lens is more suitable.
Is the 85mm lens good for full body portraits?
85 mm is too narrow for full-body portraits.
Consider using a 24 or 35mm lens so that you get the whole person in the picture without standing too far away.
135mm
If you want to take more detailed pictures of your subject, get a 135mm lens. Because this lens is longer than the 85mm lens, it compresses your subject even more than your current lens. Yet, it’s got a smaller field of view than the 85mm lens, so you may have to get closer to your subject and move around more to get the shot you want.
Learn how we increased photography earnings by over 1000%
Join 25,000+ others who learn from Photutorial every month and get insider photography tips!
By submitting this form I agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. By sharing your email, you also agree to receive occasional information related to services, events, and promotions from Photutorial. You're free to unsubscribe at any time.
Which lens is best for portraits (prime or zoom)?
A zoom lens has the advantage that you can change the focal length without changing lenses.
However, prime lenses are usually better for portraits. A fixed focal length lens with a large aperture produces much sharper images with fewer aberrations (e.g. purple colour fringing) than its zoom counterparts. In addition, fixed focal lengths with a large aperture are usually much cheaper than their zoom counterparts.
FAQ
Is 50mm or 85mm better for portraits?
An 85mm lens offers a wider telephoto range. Some photographers choose 50mm when shooting portraits up close, while others prefer to shoot subjects from a distance at 85mm.
Which focal length is most flattering?
The most flattering focal length for portraits is 85mm on a full-frame camera (50mm on an APS-C camera). 85mm is the best focal length for showing facial features without distortion.
What’s the best focal length for family portraits?
For family portraits, I recommend a 35mm lens (on a full-frame camera), which allows you to frame more people. For an even larger group, you may need to go further with a 24mm lens, or you can take a few steps back with a 35mm lens.
What’s the best focal length for portraits with the iPhone?
You don’t need to worry about the best focal lengths for the iPhone. First, mobile phones are already optimised to take perfect portraits. Second, you can’t change the lens on your iPhone, so there’s nothing you can do.
What’s the best focal length for portraits with APS-C cameras?
The same principles apply to APS-C cameras as to full-frame cameras. You’ve to take care of the focal length conversion. To get the focal length you want, you need to divide it by your camera’s crop factor (usually 1.6x) to know which lens to use. For example, to get an 85mm focal length on an APS-C camera with a 1.6x crop factor, 85mm/1.6 = 53mm. Thus, for portraits on an APS-C camera, use a 50mm or 55mm lens.
What’s the best aperture and focal length for portraits?
The focal length of 85 mm is best for portraits and goes well with large apertures such as f/1.8, f/1.4 or even f/1.2. A wide open aperture blurs the background and creates a beautiful bokeh that’s very desirable for portraits.
Which lens is best for portraits and for the zoom 55 250mm or 50mm?
If you need a zoom lens for portraits, choose the 18–135mm or the 55–250mm. Zoom portrait lenses are better suited to beginners who want to experiment. Professional portrait photographers choose fixed focal lengths because they guarantee the best image quality.
What f stop should I use for family portraits and group photos?
Family portraits or group photos require a smaller aperture, starting at f/5.6. Some professional photographers use the smallest aperture of f/22 to maximise depth of field. This keeps everyone in focus, which is the primary goal of a group shot. An aperture of f/1.4 would give too shallow a depth of field.
What kind of lens do professional portrait photographers use?
Most professional portrait photographers swear by an 85mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.2 lens. It’s the best combination of focal length and wide aperture, producing beautiful bokeh. The f/1.2 option is much more expensive than the f/1.
4 option.
Is 150 mm good for portraits?
150 mm is too narrow for portraits because you’ve to go very far to get the whole person in the picture. So, 150 mm is best for extreme close-ups that focus on details and for head shots.
Is 55 mm better than 50 mm?
There’s only a minimal difference between 55 mm and 50 mm, so both options are fine.
Is a 24-70 lens good for portraits?
A 24-70mm lens is best for landscape and travel photography, but you can also use it for portraits and macro. As a pure portrait lens, an 85mm f/1.4 is better.
Final words
Whether you’re just starting out or want to become a professional photographer, you’ll need a lot of practice and a good dose of creativity. Understanding the effects of focal length on portraits is important for any portrait photographer.
You can take different portrait photos with different lenses. So choose a lens that suits your style of photography and what your client wants to express in the photo.
The technical knowledge of focal lengths in portrait photography can make your pictures the best if you understand it.
About your guide
Matic Broz
LinkedIN Email Instagram
Matic Broz is a photographer, graphic designer, and stock photographer. For over ten years he's been helping photographers improve their photos and graphic designers find the best images for their designs. His work has been featured by Lifewire, Skylum, and PetaPixel. In his free time, he enjoys photography, hiking, and petting random dogs. Read more
Information provided on Photutorial is for educational purposes only. Your situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, nor do we recommend or advise individuals to buy or sell particular stocks or services. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication.
Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Photutorial adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
Three prime lenses every portrait photographer needs to consider
When you first get started in photography, you’re most likely to begin with the lens that came with your camera (ie the kit lens) before moving up to a better-quality zoom that covers the focal lengths you need.
The most popular type of lens for portraits is an 85mm prime lens, so see our guide to the Best lens for portraits to see which ones we rate the best.
But to find out why this is, what to look for in a portrait lens and what the alternatives are, keep reading.
• Read more: What are the best camera lenses to buy
• Get more photoshoot ideas
The fact is, you can shoot great portraits with a zoom lens, but there’s no getting away from the fact that prime lenses are even better.
Not only do they have wider maximum apertures, which is ideal for isolating the subject, but they’re super sharp and offer generally better image quality than zooms.
• Portrait photography how to : essential portrait photography tips
Zoom lenses are more convenient in terms of being able to change focal length with a simple turn of the zoom ring. But for portraiture, it’s always better to select a prime lens for its characteristics and use your feet to change composition.
Whatever you’re doing in life, having the right tools for the job will always make things easier and the end result more successful. So, if you’re a portrait photographer a prime lens is the obvious answer – and there are three classic portrait focal lengths that you really should seriously consider.
50mm lenses
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8Once photographers find their kit lens no longer fulfils their creative requirements, the first lens many find themselves drawn to is the humble 50mm.
• Read more: The best 50mm lenses right now
One of the greatest attractions of this lens is that the f/1.8 version from many manufacturers is relatively inexpensive. Furthermore, it provides a field of view comparable to that of the human eye, and the wide maximum aperture makes shallow depth-of-field photography across a range of subjects possible.
There are two main flavours of 50mm commonly available: f/1.8 or f/1.4. The latter allows more light to enter the lens at a given shutter speed, and a shallower depth-of-field too. If you shoot with an APS-C camera, a 35mm lens will provide the closest equivalent focal length at 52.5mm. Micro Four Thirds users, meanwhile, will achieve a 50mm-equivalent focal length with a 25mm lens.
For portrait photography, 50mm lenses are great for full-length and waist-level portraits, both on location and in the studio. This is thanks to the wide field of view compared to an 85mm or 135mm lens, and you don’t need to be too far away from the model to achieve these crops.
On the other hand, if your aim is to shoot a headshot or a head-and-shoulders portrait, getting in too close will actually distort the model’s features, with the face ending up too thin and the nose too big. So, a 50mm certainly isn’t the best choice for this type of shot.
In the example images (both shot with the 50mm at different distances) you’ll see that the 50mm has performed well with the waist-level crop, but with the tighter shot you can already see distortion creeping in into the face. If you were to move in closer for an even tighter crop the distortion would be too strong.
Lenses to consider:
Today's best 50mm lens (and equivalents) deals
Tamron SP 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD for Canon
$599
View
See all prices
Reduced Price
Sigma 50mm F1.
4 DG HSM Art Lens for
$949
$814.99
View
See all prices
Sony FE 50mm f/1.8
View
See all prices
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
$199
View
See all prices
Reduced Price
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G
$446.95
$406.95
View
See all prices
Reduced Price
Olympus M.
ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:1.8
$399.99
View
See all prices
Fuji XF 35mm f/2 R WR
$399
View
See all prices
85mm lenses
Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 APD - offers equivalent focal length of 85mmIf you’re looking for a lens that provides a reasonable working distance from the model, with a narrower field of view than a 50mm lens, the 85mm is the most popular focal length for portraiture.
• Read more: the best 85mm portrait lenses
These short telephoto lenses are typically available with f/1.8 or f/1.4 apertures. The latter type is significantly more expensive, so budget will often play a part in the purchasing decision.
For APS-C users, a 50mm lens provides an equivalent focal length of around 75-80mm, while Micro Four Thirds users need a 45mm lens to give an equivalent focal length of 90mm.
APS-C owners are perhaps the luckiest group here because 50mm lenses are generally the most affordable lens type of the three. Full-frame and Micro Four Thirds camera shooters will have to spend a little more cash, but it's definitely worth it for this focal length.
85mm lenses are highly versatile as they are suitable for full-length, waist-level and head-and-shoulders crops. You can shoot tighter head shots but this has to be done with care because distortion of facial features can occur here.
When shooting in the studio, an 85mm lens is ideal for shooting above-the-knee crops and head-and-shoulders shots and everything in between, but for tighter headshots the 135mm would be the superior option.
The 85mm has performed exceptionally well in the two shooting distances – and these are ideal crops for the 85mm lens so it comes as little surprise.
The tighter crop doesn’t display the isolation and apparent bokeh effect of a longer 135mm, but the subject’s face appears slimmer. Lenses to consider
Today's best 85mm (and equivalents) lens deals
Reduced Price
Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8G
$479.95
$426.95
View
See all prices
Reduced Price
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
$857.50
$370.07
View
See all prices
Reduced Price
Sony FE 85mm f/1.8
$598
$559.
95
View
See all prices
Sigma 85 mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Canon Mount
$1,298
View
See all prices
Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD for Canon
$1,802.62
View
See all prices
Fujifilm XF56MMF1.2 R f1.2 Lens
$1.50
View
See all prices
135mm lenses
Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM ArtThe jewel in any portrait photographer’s kit bag has to be the 135mm lens.
Available with f/1.8 or f/2.0 maximum apertures, this wide aperture works with the slightly longer focal length to provide a gorgeous background blur. These types of lenses have the bonus of allowing you to get close to the model without invading their space.
While superior to their shorter counterparts in several ways, they’re not perfect. Longer telephoto lenses create the opposite type of distortion to wider lenses; while wider lenses make the face appear narrower, with an unflattering enlargement of the nose, long telephotos make the face look slightly wider. This does occur with 135mm, but the effect isn’t as noticeable as with a 200mm lens. 70-200mm lenses are extremely versatile workhorse lenses, but for portraiture a 135mm with a faster maximum aperture will always provide better results.
On location, 135mm lenses can be as versatile as you like because you can stand as close or as far away from the model as necessary to compose at the desired crop. Not only that, but the lens produces absolutely stunning full-length shots, thanks to the narrow field of view and pronounced bokeh, although you will be more than a few metres away from the model.
In the studio, however, things are a little different. The long working distance required for a full-length shot means the 135mm is just too long, but for more intimate head-and-shoulders shots and headshots they're the best of the three options here. For APS-C cameras, an 85mm lens will provide a close equivalent focal length of 127.5mm, while 75mm will provide a 150mm-equivalent focal length on a Micro Four Thirds camera.
The 135mm lens has produced images with a noticeably narrower field of view than the previous two lenses, which in turn has emphasised the background bokeh blur.
Lenses to consider:
Today's best 135mm (and equivalent) deals
Sigma 135 mm F1.8 DG HSM Lens
$1,399
View
See all prices
Reduced Price
Olympus M.
Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f/1.8
$899
$699.99
View
See all prices
Fuji XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR
$799
View
See all prices
Nikon AF-S 105mm f/1.4E ED
$1,236.99
View
See all prices
Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Lens choice ultimately comes down to the individual, but in an ideal world, having all three lenses would be the best option because you would have all bases covered.
For a professional, having these three focal lengths alongside a 24mm or 35mm lens would also be beneficial. For enthusiasts, one or more of these classic portraiture focal lengths would suitably service your needs. There are overlaps, so think about what types of crops you shoot and make a decision about which lens or lenses are best for you; a combination of any two of these focal lengths would give you a fantastic portrait kit.
If money was no object buying all three would be a no-brainer. If you’re on a limited budget, however, the most versatile of the three lenses is the 85mm. Sitting between the 50mm and 135mm, this lens provides a comfortable working distance from the model without the need to stand too close or too far back. Furthermore, distortion is minimal, so it's ideal for both studio and location use.
For APS-C camera owners this would make a 50mm lens the best option because the equivalent focal length would be 75-80mm. For Micro Four Thirds, a 45mm lens would give you an equivalent focal length of 90mm.
Lens buyers' guides:
The best portrait lenses for Nikon DSLR users
The best portrait lenses for Canon DSLR users
The best Canon lenses in 2020
The best Nikon lenses in 2020
The best Fujifilm lenses in 2020
The best Sony lenses in 2020
The best Micro Four Thirds lenses for Olympus or Panasonic cameras
The best 50mm lenses
The best 70-200mm lenses
The best budget telephoto lenses
The best 150-600mm lenses
Lomography Petzval 55mm f/1.7 MKII review
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Already have an account ? Sign in here
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Already have an account ? Sign in here
James Abbott is a landscape and portrait photographer based in Cambridge.
He’s also an experienced photography journalist specializing in camera skills and Photoshop techniques. He is also a CAA-approved drone pilot and professional aerial photographer.
Top 10 Portrait Lenses from Canon and Nikon | Articles | Photo, video, optics
For portrait photography, a good lens is something you can and should spend money on. Even a beginner camera, when equipped with high-quality glass, will be able to take great pictures. But on the contrary (a cool camera with an average lens) - it will not work. So perhaps, instead of spending money on an expensive camera, it is better to invest in a quality lens.
Choosing a lens for portraits is not so easy, but now we will understand what you need from a portrait glass, and which lenses are suitable for portraits.
What to consider when choosing a portrait lens?
Start from the beginning: variable or fixed focal length? We have already talked about the difference between the two types of lenses.
So, if you take zoom lenses, then the focal length in them can vary from 24mm to 70mm, from 70mm to 200mm, etc. The choice is huge and such lenses are convenient and extremely useful for a large number of shootings. Plus, they are much easier to transport (after all, you don’t need to take several glasses with you, one is enough).
A fixed focal length will provide better image quality and clarity. If you know exactly what kind of shooting you are going to shoot, it is better to choose a prime lens.
For portrait photography, a prime lens is the ideal choice, as quality and clarity are essential for this type of shooting.
Focal length
When choosing a portrait lens, be sure to decide on the desired focal length. Consider where you are going to shoot, how much space there will be, how much surroundings you will need in the photo, how close to the model you plan to be. For standard portraits, lenses with a focal length of 35mm to 200mm are usually used.
But in general, it all depends on preferences, style and model.
How many lenses are you willing to carry?
If you're comfortable moving around with just one lens, zoom lenses are worth a look. Glass with a focal length of 24-105mm is suitable for almost any shooting. But if you are a fan of prime glasses, but dream of shooting in different genres, you will have to stock up on a bag and additional lenses. Many professional photographers do just that, changing glass on the run or even using multiple cameras with different lenses.
How many people will be in the frame?
If you plan to shoot with large groups of people, a wider-angle lens will suffice to capture all the characters. You need to remember that a wide angle leads to distortion: people at the edges of the frame will either be larger or stretched. So the width of the corner should also not be too large. Never forget that by taking a step back, you will capture more people in the frame without distorting the photo.
Available shooting space
If you shoot outdoors, there are more options, depending on your preferences. Inside you will have to take a more wide-angle glass. A 70-200mm zoom or 85mm prime lens is good for open spaces. The focal length is less suitable for shooting indoors.
Bokeh
The larger the aperture (and the smaller the number of f-stops), the more bokeh you get. If you want to take photos with beautiful, blurry bokeh, you can look at special portrait lenses.
Matrix size
It is important to consider the matrix for correct exposure alignment. Remember that the size of the sensor (crop or full format) will be reflected in the focal length. That is, different distances will behave differently on different types of matrices. For example, 50mm will look longer on a cropped matrix.
Price
Of course, the size of the wallet plays a decisive role. We only recall that it is better not to save on high-quality glass.
Best Canon Portrait Lenses
- Canon EF 85mm f/ 1.2L II USM
- Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM The
- Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM The
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
The L series is one of the best lens series. This prime lens is ideal for photographers who prefer a longer focal length for portraits. The lens produces beautiful bokeh and incredibly sharp photos.
The focal length of 70-200mm is very convenient for any photographer. This lens is one of the most popular of Canon's L series. For those who like to shoot from afar, this glass will be a great helper. It is especially suitable for shooting weddings, where you have to vary the shooting of groups and portraits. Beautiful blurry bokeh, built-in stabilizer and many options will help you shoot great shots.
50mm f/1.4 is one of the best lenses for those looking for a budget yet quality prime lens. Many photographers consider 50mm to be the ideal distance for portraits.
There is also a 50mm f/1.2L in Canon's lineup, it's slightly faster and gives better quality, but it's also much more expensive. And Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM quite harmoniously combines price and quality.
35mm is a very popular focal length for portraits, so it's no surprise that the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM lens is common among photographers. For outdoor portraits, weddings and other events, this glass is just perfect. On a crop factor camera, this lens behaves just like a 50mm lens on a full frame lens. For a more budget-friendly alternative, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art.
For those who shoot portraits a lot, in different conditions and under different lighting conditions, this is the ideal lens. The focal length of 24-70mm is very versatile: it is suitable for shooting portraits in nature, and gives a decent zoom. Many photographers choose this lens as their primary lens.
Well, the legendary L glass, clarity and fast autofocus only contribute to the popularity of the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM.
Best Nikon 9 Portrait Lenses0007
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S ED VR II Nikon's
- Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
For photographers who prefer the 85mm focal length, the NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G is an excellent portrait lens. It gives a shallow depth of field and spectacular bokeh. As a result, the model will be in sharp focus, and the background will be very blurred.
70-200mm is a response to a similar lens from Canon that is in no way inferior to its rival. For photographers who prefer to move away from the subject and shoot from far away, this glass is the best option Nikon has to offer. Well, all the functions that are required from a professional TV set are present: stabilization, weather protection and quality.
For beginner portraitists this is an ideal choice, especially the 50mm f/1.
8G is good for those who are just trying out fixed focal length. Of course, this lens is in many ways inferior to more expensive counterparts, but it takes its place quite worthy - a quiet motor, high-quality lenses and a favorable price attract its audience. By the way, the Nikon 50mm f / 1.8G AF-S is also lighter than many in terms of weight. But if you are looking for a faster glass, the Nikon 50mm f / 1.4G is perfect.
For wide-angle portraits, the 35mm f/1.4G is the best assistant. The fast and sharp NIKKOR lens works with both cropped and full-size sensors (on the latter, its focal length will be about 50mm). The width of the angle is enough for natural portraits, just enough so as not to cause significant distortion.
One of the most popular lenses for Nikon portrait and wedding photographers. This reliable lens is useful in a variety of situations and lighting conditions.
Among its advantages are the quality of glasses, and variable focal length, and much more. This lens also has an analogue with a shock absorber - Nikon 24-70mm f / 2.8E AF-S ED VR.
With so many to choose from, it's not easy to make a decision. So it all comes down to personal preference. We recommend that you always thoroughly familiarize yourself with the lens and try it in action before purchasing.
Which lens to choose for portraits in 2022 | Articles | Photo, video, optics
Source: pexels.com
What is the best lens for a portrait? Each photographer can present his own requirements, depending on his style and the specifics of the work. But one requirement is common to all, it is set by the genre itself. Portrait photography is demanding on the quality of the optics, and any photographer who wants to shoot portraits should invest in a good lens.
In this article we will analyze what you can choose, take into account different types of mounts and choose the optics that will serve you well and for a long time:
How to choose a portrait lens?
The main goal of a good portrait lens is not to distort perspective.
The closer an object is to us, the larger it appears. If you shoot portraits very close to the model, then the proportions of the face and body will be distorted.
In second place is the degree and quality of blurring the background in order to separate the subject from the background. To do this, portrait optics must be fast.
Although strictly speaking, a portrait can be made with absolutely any lens: from fisheye to ultra-telephoto. Another thing is how long you have to mess around during shooting and post-production.
In portrait photography, focus is important. Source: pexels.com
It is best to shoot portraits at a distance of 3-5 meters. At these distances, portrait lenses will take pictures in which the person is cropped to the waist. Therefore, portrait lenses have a narrow field of view, which depends on the focal length of the lens and the size of the camera's sensor.
The focal length range for full-frame sensors is 70-135mm.
Less - get ugly distortion of proportions. More - you have to move too far from the model. When shooting a large facial portrait on a 50mm lens, you will get noticeable distortions in proportions and perspective for an attentive viewer. Therefore, such lenses are best used for bust, half-length and full-length portraits.
If you are using a cropped camera, these values must be multiplied by the crop factor. The classic range of focal lengths for such matrices is 50-85 mm.
So what kind of lens do you need for a portrait? Usually lenses with a fixed focal length are chosen. Their main advantage is the presence of a wider maximum aperture. This allows such lenses to beautifully blur the background. In addition, lenses with a fixed focal length provide better image quality than zoom lenses in the same price range.
Top portrait lenses for portraits for different mounts
And now let's look at what portraits are obtained with different lenses:
1. Sigma 50mm F1.
4 DG HSM Art
The lens is made mainly of blackened metal. Source: cameraegg.org
Available for EF mount on Canon cameras. Weight - 417 grams. The filter diameter is 77 mm. 9 aperture blades. The lens focuses quickly thanks to the HSM motor, even when shooting in difficult lighting conditions. Opening the aperture produces sharp shots across the entire field of the frame, making the lens an excellent solution for shooting in low light. Aperture gives an increase in detail, but it is achieved to a greater extent by increasing the depth of field. The level of chromatic aberration is low. Vignetting is noticeable only at f / 1.4 and f / 2, and the level of blackout is small. Bokeh is correct and soft.
2. Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
Produced for the RF mount of Canon cameras. The lens weighs 500 grams, has 9 rounded aperture blades, which gives a nice background blur pattern. Despite the Macro in the name, the maximum zoom ratio of the lens is 1:2 (classic and more expensive macro lenses shoot in 1:1 scale).
The autofocus drive lasts longer than the ultrasonic ones and is a little noisy during operation.
The lens has two adjustment rings. One of them adjusts the sharpness, the other is programmable and allows you to independently assign an adjustable parameter: for example, the aperture value, shutter speed or ISO.
The focal length range of portrait lenses for full-frame sensors is 70-135 mm. Source: unsplash.com
The lens is equipped with an optical stabilization system that compensates for 5 stops of exposure.
The lens captures small details perfectly, some too well, which can highlight facial imperfections. In general, sharpness in the center of the frame is good already at full aperture. At f / 5.6-f / 13, it reaches a maximum. Background blur quality is excellent up to f/11.3. Viltrox AF 85/1.8 Z
Viltrox AF 85/1.8 Z lenses with Nano HD multi-layer coating to reduce ghosting and flare, reduce aberrations and enhance color reproduction.
Source: https://nikonrumors.com/
A budget Chinese portrait lens that is available for the Z mount of Nikon cameras. Weighs 540 grams, has 9 rounded aperture blades. The filter diameter is 72 mm. Equipped with STM auto focus, it is not silent, but very quiet. The focusing lens unit does not move very fast, but rather smoothly. Minimum aperture - 1.8, maximum - 16.
The lens is sharp. There are some artifacts at full aperture, but the picture improves when you stop down. Bokeh is smooth and soft. Chromatic aberrations are minimal. Vignetting disappears at an aperture value of f/3.2.
4. Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S Nikkor
Suitable for almost all cameras, especially for SLR models.
Available for Nikon F-mount cameras. Weighs 350 grams, has 7 rounded aperture blades. The filter diameter is 67 mm. Equipped with auto focus using SWM-drive. Minimum aperture - 1.8, maximum - 16.
Even wide open, the lens delivers excellent image sharpness in the center of the frame.
It's lower at the edges of the image, but levels out at f/4. At the same time, vignetting is strong, which persists up to f / 5.6. Chromatic aberrations are barely noticeable and are present only at the edges of the frame. Bokeh is soft and even.
5. Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM
Produced for Sony E mount cameras. The lens weighs a lot - 820 grams. The optical design of the lens contains three extra-low dispersion lenses that minimize axial chromatic aberration. The lens has 11 rounded aperture blades, making the aperture very round and improving the softness of out-of-focus areas. The filter diameter is 77 mm. It has dust and moisture protection. Minimum aperture - 1.8, maximum - 16.
Lens autofocus is fast but noisy. The bokeh is very soft and high quality, thanks to the 11-blade aperture, round highlights are obtained without contrasting edges. The lens is sharp even wide open.
6. Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM
Portrait shot with Sony FE 135mm f/1.
8 GM. Source: https://fstoppers.com/
Available for Sony FE mount cameras. The lens weighs 950 grams. The diaphragm consists of 11 blades to ensure the correct shape of the flare in the bokeh. The lens is equipped with an autofocus drive that allows you to focus from a minimum focusing distance to infinity in no more than one second. The filter diameter is 82 mm. It has dust and moisture protection. Minimum aperture - 1.8, maximum - 22.
At almost all apertures, the lens gives the same high detail, contrast and does not allow aberrations. Further aperture does not increase detail. The depth of field will only increase, so visually individual details will become sharper. The lens gives good bokeh, separating the main subject from the background. However, the background can be left readable by closing down the aperture.
7. Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR
Fujifilm XF 9 compact lenses0mm f/2 R LM WR are great for mirrorless cameras.
