What Makes a Good Portrait Lens?
When it comes to portrait photography the right lens can make a world of difference. A good portrait lens should have a fast maximum aperture, high image quality & good bokeh (the aesthetic quality of the out of focus areas in an image). Additionally, a good portrait lens should have the ability to produce sharp, detailed images with excellent colour accuracy & provide adequate compression and perspective control to ensure that your subject stands out from the background.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Lens for Portrait Photography
When choosing a lens for portrait photography, there are several key factors to consider including:
Focal Length: Focal length is the distance between the lens and the camera's sensor & it determines the field of view and magnification of an image. When it comes to portrait photography, a moderate focal length of around 85mm is considered ideal. This allows you to capture portraits that are not too tight and not too wide, while still providing adequate compression and perspective control.
Maximum Aperture: Maximum aperture refers to the widest opening of a lens and is expressed in f-stops. The wider the maximum aperture, the more light the lens can let in & the more shallow the depth of field. This makes a fast maximum aperture (such as f/1.4 or f/1.8) essential for capturing beautiful, soft & dreamy bokeh in portrait photography.
Image Quality: Image quality is a critical factor to consider when choosing a lens for portrait photography. Look for lenses that produce sharp, detailed images with excellent color accuracy & low levels of distortion, chromatic aberration & vignetting.
The Best Lenses for Portrait Photography
With so many lenses available, it can be difficult to choose the right one for portrait photography. Here are some of the best lenses for portrait photography based on their focal length maximum aperture & image quality:
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM: This is a classic portrait lens that provides excellent image quality & bokeh while also being lightweight and affordable.
Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8G: This is a fast and sharp portrait lens that provides excellent image quality & bokeh making it a popular choice among Nikon photographers.
Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM: This is a top-of-the-line portrait lens for Sony photographers, offering excellent image quality and bokeh & a fast maximum aperture for low-light shooting.
Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM: This is a versatile portrait lens that offers excellent image quality, bokeh, and fast maximum aperture, making it a great choice for Canon, Nikon & Sony photographers alike.
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD: This is a versatile zoom lens that provides excellent image quality and fast maximum aperture, making it a great choice for portrait photography as well as other types of photography.
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is a highly popular lens for portrait photographers due to its combination of affordability and exceptional image quality. This lens provides a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture making it an excellent choice for low light situations & shallow depth of field photography. Additionally, the USM motor provides fast, silent autofocus making it easy to quickly lock onto your subject:
Pros:
- Affordable
- Excellent image quality
- Bright f/1.8 aperture
- Fast, silent autofocus
Cons:
- No image stabilisation
- No weather sealing
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G
Suitable for portraiture, the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G is a versatile lens. This lens which has a 35mm focal length and offers a little broader perspective than a normal portrait lens is a fantastic option for taking environmental photos. Shallow depth of field and low light performance are made possible by the f/1.8 maximum aperture & a quick and precise autofocus mechanism makes it easy to lock onto your subject.
Pros:
- Versatile focal length
- Bright f/1.8 aperture
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Affordable
Cons:
- No image stabilisation
- No weather sealing
Sony FE 85mm f/1.8
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 is a versatile lens that is ideal for portrait photographers using Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras. This lens provides a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture making it an excellent choice for shallow depth of field photography and low light situations. Additionally the fast autofocus system & lightweight design make it a great choice for handheld shooting.
Pros:
- Bright f/1.8 aperture
- Fast autofocus
- Lightweight and compact design
Cons:
- No image stabilisation
- Limited compatibility with Sony's APS-C format cameras
Sigma Art 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro
The Sigma Art 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro is a unique lens that provides exceptional image quality and versatility. With a 70mm focal length this lens is perfect for portrait photography while its macro capabilities allow you to capture detailed close-up shots as well. The f/2.8 maximum aperture provides bright & sharp images while the fast autofocus system helps you quickly lock onto your subject.
Pros:
- Unique combination of portrait and macro capabilities
- Exceptional image quality
- Bright f/2.8 aperture
- Fast autofocus
Cons:
- Slightly higher price point
- No image stabilizationization
