For static subjects however, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 does just fine. (75 x 75 x 104 mm) Weight: 1.32 lbs (600 g). The amount of detail in the files is impressive, with images offering great clarity and contrast. However, and this is a big one, it’s arguable as to whether anyone will ever notice… except you. For most people, this is an easy decision. Should Photographers Buy the Apple M1 Mac Mini? Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS ($448): This compact Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS lens (35mm equivalent of 52.5mm) is a leading Sony E-mount lens and can be termed as the best lens in the market for lowlight photography with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 coupled with Sonyâs OSS image stabilization. Dimensions (Diameter x Length): 2.8 in. Obviously a lot more will go into taking a truly great photograph than simply the equipment you use, but this lens seems to make everything so much easier. If you’re shooting static subjects in controlled environments, maximum aperture and AF may not be important to you. I'd rather have the macro focusing capability than the larger aperture of the 85's. Why? (88 mm) x 7.8 in. Best portrait lens for the Sony a7iii; Best macro lens for the Sony a7iii; Best telephoto lens for the Sony a7iii; Best street photography lens for the Sony a7iii; Pros and cons; Price; Important features; And more; Letâs dive in. Here's a good video from Tony and Chelsea Northrup comparing the lenses: Interestingly enough, I actually do like 70-300mm lenses for non-portrait genres like landscapes, architecture, etc. Since the release of the first full frame mirrorless camera, the sticking point for many photographers looking to switch to Sony has been the distinct lack of lenses. You can pay anywhere from $99 (for a cheap plastic Canon lens) to $10,000 (for a fancy Leica) for a normal lens depending upon brand. The 24-105mm is my day-to-day go-to lens for when I'm running around New York City shooting street portraits and things. (Learn more about 35mm vs 50mm.). 55mm may sound unusual, but the difference between a 50mm and a 55mm field of view is minor and something youâll quickly get used to. Remember, virtually all 85mm lenses have excellent optics. In order to save on cost, Nikon included the most basic mechanics inside the f/1.8 version, with a plastic focus ring and an altogether much cheaper feel when compared to the f/1.4. If you need fast autofocus, you may find it frustrating. Best Portrait Prime Lenses for Sony a7R III. The focus falloff from these razor sharp in-focus elements to creamy bokeh is gradual and subtle, and the bokeh itself is beautifully smooth. The Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G lens is currently Sonyâs widest full-frame E-mount lens, and it is the perfet lens for landscape, travel, architecture and astrophotography. The best Sony lenses are typically the company's G Master lenses, which are big, beautiful but expensive. Fujifilm 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 | Shot on assignment for White Caviar Life | © Kent Johnson Photography. I’m curious about your thoughts on the Tamron 28-75. Ask any one of the photographers on Shotkit who own this lens and theyâll tell you that itâs simply one of the top Canon lenses of all time, especially for portrait photography. To simplify the task of finding the top Canon lenses for portraits, manual focus lenses weren’t included, as they simply aren’t practical for the majority of photographers in 2021. Being a wedding photographer that likes to get up close and personal, I don’t use 85mm all that much, so couldn’t justify the price tag. (80 mm) Weight: 12.32 oz. The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR is a big improvement over the old version from 2009 since it weighs less and focuses much closer even when zoomed in to 200mm. It pretty much covers the entire focal length range that you need for portraits. Sony mirrorless cameras all use the same 'E-mount', with 'E' lenses designed for APS-C-sized sensors and 'FE' lenses for full-frame models. (88 mm) x 7.4 in. If you can only afford one lens â this would be my choice. On a crop sensor (E mount) camera, 50mm is equivalent to 75mm – another perfectly viable focal length for flattering photos. With so many great lenses for portrait photographers on the market in 2021, the choice can be a little overwhelming. Packing superb optics into a small, inexpensive package is no mean feat, and it’s easy to see why this dinky little performer has been Canon’s number one best selling lens for some time now. What lenses are best for portrait photography? You may be asking "what about Sigma's new Sony FE-mount lenses like the 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.4, and 135mm f/1.8 Art lenses?". (53 mm) x 2.83 in. 281 g Click here for the latest price. Sharpness is impressive across the image when shot at f/2.8, and improves up to around f/5.6, where images are razor sharp and comparable to the sharpest prime lenses. (See our guide to the best FX & DX Nikon lenses here.). Attached to a full frame or crop sensor Canon DSLRs, there’s no getting away from it – this is one beast of a lens! So without further ado, let’s take a look at which Nikon lenses are recommended for portrait photography for the majority of shooters. My advice when trying to decide upon the best lens for you is to first try and understand which is your preferred focal length. If youâre a portrait photographer, the ‘STM’ will make little difference. (187 g). I was umming and erring about including this Canon 85mm f/1.8 as the top all round Canon portrait lens of 2021 instead of the f/1.2 variant. However, there are cheaper alternatives, and not just from Sony - third-party brands like Tamron and Sigma also make great lenses for Sony mirrorless cameras. Once you’ve determined those things, it’s wise to read reviews to narrow down which lens will be best for you. I’ve only included lenses longer than 50mm in this guide to the best portrait lenses. This means you won’t need to rely on high ISOs to get a fast enough shutter speed to shoot any low light portrait opportunities. From my understanding, the Sigma lenses for the Sony mount are simply their existing Canon lenses with the MC-11 Canon-to-Sony converter built-in. Shooting at 300mm is a lot of fun, either to capture subjects at a distance, or for zooming right in on a subject’s features for some interesting crops. Again, a macro lens can do anything a regular lens can do, and it gives you the extreme close-up capability so you can closely focus on things like lips and eyes. Being able to obliterate out of focus elements in your scene can be incredibly useful, allowing you to concentrate more on the light, the subject, or anything other than an ugly backdrop. Another useful feature of a zoom lens such as the Fujifilm 50-140m f/2.8 is compression. Even wide-open the Batis performs beautifully in terms of image sharpness, and produces consistently good contrast throughout the range. Used on a DX camera, this lens gives an angle of view similar to what a 200mm lens would give on an FX camera. All in all, I highly recommend the Sony 85mm f/1.8 as an affordable, lightweight, versatile, all round lens, whatever your level of photography. The 50mm field of view is great for portrait photography, giving enough subject separation to allow your subject to ‘pop’, whilst not introducing the ‘peeking’ feeling of a longer lens. This is a lens that should be in the arsenal of every Fujifilm camera owner, portrait photographer or otherwise – it’s just that good. The 50mm focal length (75mm equivalent on DX format cameras) with a fast f/1.8 aperture allows you to capture stunning images with a shallow depth-of-field, letting your subjects stand out from their backgrounds. (1599 g). Whether this is an issue to you or not is up to you to decide, but in general, the more involved you can make the viewer feel when seeing your image, the better. The best Sony lenses aren't just designed for Sony's full-frame models (which are among the best cameras for professionals), but they are a number of great lenses out there for Sony's large range of APS-C models that are more for hobbyists and enthusiasts.. Sony cameras are among the best mirrorless cameras, especially for action subjects, video and vlogging, so it makes … This may or may not be important to you and your style of photography. Designed for Sony’s full-frame camera systems, the Sony SEL FE 1.4/85mm prime lens has the smallest focal length that can pass as a proper portrait lens for the full-frame sensor. I know many wedding photographers who couldn’t be happier shooting with the Canon 85mm f/1.8, even in low light (where the AF performance is actually much better than the f/1.2 85mm version). The login page will open in a new tab. I've thought about picking up Canon's 135mm f/2.0 L-series lens, which are very cheap used. 85mm is better for closely framing your subjects and capturing up-close details, while 50mm won’t be quite as suited to details but also gives you greater versatility. With several great Fujifilm portrait lenses to choose from already and others on the roadmap, it’s an exciting time to be shooting people with a Fujifilm camera. Its size and weight allows you to carry it in a jacket pocket all day without noticing, ready to pull out for a quick portrait shot. Compatible Format: FE, E (127.5 mm equivalent) Dimensions (Diameter x Length): 3.5 in. Or maybe you want super shallow depth of field, or extreme telephoto reach. If you shoot portraits in studios with lighting (and perhaps have no need for f/2.8), then you may still be alright with the f/4 version… but for all round awesomeness, you should start saving up for the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8! (86 mm) Weight: 50.4 oz. The Best Sony Portrait Lenses for 2021 and Beyond - On Portraits Check out this GIF for a fast, 3-second look at how different focal length lenses affect the human face: Related Reading: How Different Lenses Affect the Face in Portraits. Mark Condon is a British wedding photographer based in Australia and the founder of Shotkit. Another great feature perfect for portrait photographers is the built in image stabilisation, with handheld shots at shutter speeds as slow as 1/15s shot at 140mm still remaining sharp. Sony 50mm f/1.4 ($1,498)Category: Travel/portrait. (69 mm) x 1.55 in. As we discussed previously, a longer lens will typically introduce a ‘spying’ sensation when the final image is viewed, making your viewer feel more detached from the subject than they would be if you used something wider. It's not very sexy, but it lets me very quickly create a variety of images. (349 g). A normal lens is any lens that is around the 50mm focal length. Compatible Format: EF, EF-S (112 – 320 mm equivalent) Dimensions (Diameter x Length): 3.5 in. YES. If you're looking for a sharp, moderate wide angle with a ⦠I’ve stuck to Canon EF (full frame) lenses which can also be used on Canon EF-S format (crop/APS-C sensor) cameras too. Compatible Format: EF, EF-S (136 mm equivalent) Dimensions (Diameter x Length): 3.6 in. Make no mistake, this is one serious lens for professional photographers or hobbyists who don’t mind dropping some serious coin on the top Sony telephoto zoom lens ever made :-). It’s certainly not a lens priced for everyone’s wallet, but if you’re a shooter who wants one amazing, all purpose lens to start out, this is a great investment. f/1.2 doesn’t give much room for error, but thankfully, manual focus override is easy with the Canon 50mm f/1.2L – just half press the shutter and twist the ring. For example, a 35mm lens can work great for environmental portraits. (159 g). I've been shooting a Sony A7-series camera since December 2014, and I own the following lenses: And I'm going to take you through Sony's portrait lenses so you can get a better idea of which lenses will work for you in 2021 and beyond. Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2. Weight: 27.4 oz. Unsurprisingly though, the magic of this lens is in the exotic f/1.2 maximum aperture. For a little under 500 bucks, you’re getting a fantastic little lens that’s as light as a feather, ready to make your full frame or crop sensor Sony mirrorless camera an absolute joy to use. You probably know that. I have no real interest in the 100mm f/2.8 STF and 135mm f/1.8 G Master lenses. What we like: Better low ⦠1. Nowadays with cameras such as the Canon 5D Mark IV (reviewed here) however, ISO performance has greatly improved, and the viability of high ISO plus an f/1.8 lens is much greater. Itâs not a compact or lightweight lens by any means, but its ergonomics and build quality just feel right. I don't shoot many wide angle portraits, though the 24-105mm is starting to change that a bit. If your job is portrait photography, and you want an edge on your competitors, to be able to consistently deliver images that have a ‘certain something’ about them… by all means, invest in the Sony 85mm f/1.4. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Tamron. So have a good think about what factors are most important to you, and be sure to check out our article on editing portraits in Lightroom too. Then I'll go through other Sony portrait lenses like the 85mm f/1.4 G Master, the 70-200mm lenses, and other options. This lens does the 85mm portrait lens job for most of the Sony users really. But at the end of the day, lens mount adapters are just one more thing to fiddle around with, and frankly, I just like using Sony lenses. Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master. However, the differences are minimal, and irrelevant for the majority of photographers. Another fantastic portrait lens option is the Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 Ze i ss Lens which retails for $998 US. If you’re a portrait photographer shooting in artificially lit studios, in daylight, or anywhere when extremely fast glass and razor fine depth of field isn’t necessary, you should be seriously considering the Canon 85mm f/1.8 over the f/1.2 version – your wallet, your back and your patience will thank you for your decision! This means that f/2.8 shouldn’t be a limiting factor even in low light, with the OSS and high ISO capabilities of all Sony full frame mirrorless cameras taking up the slack. Or can you live with f/4 and its lower price, size, and weight? (820 g). It is one of the Sony E-mount lens you must have. (No!). Sony’s 85mm f/1.4 GM is another great option, and if you’re looking for a Fuji lens, check out the Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2. There are several portrait lenses in the traditional 85-135mm focal lengths available for full-frame Sony cameras, and they are all great. For best portrait lenses for Sony a6xxx & a5xxx or NEX series, you can read: Best Sony APS-C Portrait Lenses Many photographers who previously owned the excellent Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L switch to the Canon 135mm f/2 and never go back. The Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 is arguably the best Fuji portrait lens ever made, and should be at the top of your wish list as a photographer. And are you willing to pay for it? There’s also an ‘R’ to make backgrounds softer, and an ‘F’ to optimise the effect for foregrounds. What Is the Best Sony Camera for Portrait Photography? Here's are two portraits shot with the 28mm f/2: And here are a couple of portraits created with the 35mm f/2.8: Now, it may seem a little nutty to pay $798 for a 35mm f/2.8 lens, but make no mistake: it is a very special lens. Either way, this is one impressive lens that delivers ultra-sharp, flattering results with zero distortion. (593 g), Well, here it is – the one Canon portrait lens that has arguably caused the most DSLR shooters to choose (and jump ship to) Canon over the years. After borrowing a Nikon 105mm f/1.4 from Nikon Australia for a month and shooting solidly with it, I have a love/hate relationship with this lens. Equivalent to an 85mm lens on a full frame sensor, this is the perfect focal length for a flattering people photo and comfortable working distance. AI Editing Will Not Ruin Photography… and 4 Other Thoughts on This Controversial Topic. (106 mm) x 3.7 in. Dimensions (Diameter x Length): 4.9 x 7 x 11.1 in. If you’re shooting moving subjects, the AF performance of this lens is nothing short of breathtaking – when combined with face tracking and continuous AF, the lens holds tight focus on your subject, even when approaching your camera fast. Itâs hard to deny that a photo shot with the Canon 135mm f/2 just looks like no other, and has in fact been a big reason for many Nikon shooters to switch to Canon in recent years. From 70 all the way to 200mm, you can create a flattering photo, as well as exaggerate the compression between subject and back/foreground elements. It’s also much lighter than an f/2.8 zoom too. I wouldnât say that the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 is the top one of the lot, but for its price, itâs without a doubt the best budget Sony portrait lens available in 2021. Choosing a portrait lens comes down to a number of factors like your shooting style, which camera system you use, and of course your budget. Being a G Master lens, you can expect first class build and performance from the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8. Michael Comeau is a Brooklyn-based portrait photographer and the founder of OnPortraits.com. Let's look at some sample images, starting with 2 portraits shot at f/1.8. The best portrait lens for Sony APS-C mirrorless: Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS Why should you buy this: Fast aperture plus stabilization at a fair price. But in modern times, 'portrait lens' can be used to describe just about any lens. 12 Best Lenses for Sony a7iii. Whether shot wide open at f/1.8 or stopped down, you can expect razor-sharp edge to edge performance out of the Sony 55mm f/1.8, making it perfect for photographers who are aiming for the utmost in pixel resolution. Overall conclusion – it’s pricey, heavy and bulky… but it’s also the world’s fastest 105mm lens, giving you ability to shoot clear images in low light, and create some of the most incredible-looking portrait images with very little effort indeed. I like doing portraits but I want lenses that can also work well for other things like landscape or events and also for travel since I’m going to be traveling outside the country next year and will be gone for 2 months. The ever so useful 24-70mm zoom lens is arguably the best all-rounder, covering the most useful of focal lengths. The first-class optical construction of the lens minimizes vignetting, and the 8 rounded aperture blades produce some of the most beautiful bokeh youâll see out of a Fujifilm camera. While I’ve included plenty of prime lenses for photographers in this line up, a zoom lens certainly has its advantages. If you’re after a 50mm equivalent on a Nikon DX body, I highly recommend the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G ED, reviewed here. You’ll be shooting it at f/1.4 most of the time, and it’s razor sharp here, with beautiful, creamy bokeh that easily rivals the Canon/Nikon 85mm versions. So what do I dislike about this lens? Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Lens Great Combination of Image Quality, Build Quality, Wide f/2.8 Aperture, Fast Autofocus Speed, Weather Sealing Because of its all-around capabilities and features, the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Lens is the go-to lens for many, including the most advanced professionals. Iâm a big fan of prime (fixed focal length) lenses, and this is one Iâd recommend to all level of photographer, whatever the genre. Compatible Format: FX, DX (127.5 mm equivalent) Dimensions (Diameter x Length): 2.87 in. Shooting all day with the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G on the front of my Nikon D750 is a far more pleasurable experience than the heavy f/1.4 version. If you own a camera, there’s a good chance you’ll be interested in this guide on the best lenses for portrait photography. I wouldn’t say that the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 is the top one of the lot, but for its price, it’s without a doubt the best budget Sony portrait lens available in 2021. When it comes to putting on a professional, pressure-free portrait session, having the right lens or lenses helps one get the shot. They are the best, though, so it's no surprise they are at the top of the list. (817 g). Were talking the Sony A7r III, A7 III, and so on…If you are looking for more lens options, all the available E-Mount lenses can found in my guides this way >>. At the time of writing, Sony offers 3 native 85mm prime lenses for its FE (full frame) and E (APS-C) mount mirrorless cameras. 70-200mm has long been the choice lens for all kinds of photographer, be it portrait, sports, event or even wedding. Compatible Format: EF, EF-S (216 mm equivalent) Dimensions (Diameter x Length): 3.27 in. (59mm) Weight: 6.6 oz. (970 g). In practice, you’ll only usually be using the zoom dial, and this feels beautifully smooth and well-engineered. (199 mm) Weight: 56.4 oz. Now, if you do want a Sony 70-200mm lens, you have the f/2.8 G Master and f/4 G to choose from. Is the Sony A7 III Worth the Money in 2021? Basically, anything between 40mm and 60mm is a normal lens. It's a fantastic piece of glass, and on par with my beloved 55mm f/1.8 when you think about performance relative to the size of the lens. With an equivalent focal length of 137mm on a 35mm sensor, the Fuji 90mm f/2 would be my second choice as the top Fujifilm lens for portrait photography⦠and a very close second at that! Rokinon 50mm f/1.2 CS UMC Manual Lens. For Nikon, our top pick is the Nikon 85mm f/1.4G, while for Canon we’d suggest something like the Canon 85mm f/1.2. I do not recommend the Planar unless you absolutely need f/1.4. The previous lens is a good example of a recently released Nikon portrait lens, but now we move onto something a little older â 23 years older, in fact. Disclaimer: All recommendations are impartial and based on user experience, with no bias to the products or the brand. An 85mm lens with a wide aperture is one of the most popular lenses out there, and the best of them can offer sharp images with smooth, background-melting bokeh. For a little under 500 bucks, youâre getting a fantastic little lens thatâs as light as a feather, ready to make your full frame or crop sensor Sony mirrorless camera an absolute joy to use. So obviously, my idea of a "Holy Trinity" is a little different! (89.5 mm) x 4.2 in. With an equivalent focal length of 83-300mm, the range of these type of zoom lenses is more suited for outdoor use (or a large studio), but that doesn’t mean that it’s not an incredibly versatile lens for portrait use. If you know anything about Sony portrait lenses, chances are you’ve come across this little beauty. With the Sony Alpha 7 system, you do already have a camera body that offers an excellent sensor performance & user … However, over time Sony has built up a stellar range of prime and zoom lenses for its E mount system, and now with third party options such as Sigma offering first class native lenses, Sony is truly dominating the mirrorless market. In Nikon, this would be the 14-24mm, 24-70mm, and 70-200mm f/2.8 zooms. But I'm not comfortable endorsing them just yet. I love the unique look it can give to an image. Compatible Format: FE, E (105-300 mm equivalent) Dimensions (Diameter x Length): 3.4 in. When shot at the long end, youâll be able to compress not only the subjectâs features for a flattering effect, but also the foreground and background elements to make them appear closer to the subject. As with all Fuji X mount lenses, the construction is solid. ⦠(82mm) Weight: 13 oz. Traditionally, the term 'portrait lens' has been used to describe lenses in the 85mm to 135mm range, which are considered pleasing for general portraiture applications. However, if you like shooting at wide angles, the 28mm is an incredible value at $448 - it's super sharp and has great autofocus. Weight: 9.3 oz. Nikon offers a selection of affordable f/1.8G lenses: the 24mm f/1.8, the 35mm f/1.8 and the 85mm f/1.8. You'll forget it's on your camera! If you absolutely, positively need f/1.4, then consider the G Master. Plus, the Sigma Art lenses are large and heavy, so I doubt I'd recommend them anyway. Itâs literally one of the sharpest lenses I have ever used, and itâs reasonable affordable consider the incredible image quality the lens pumps out. But generally, every normal lens has very good optics, so don't be afraid to start with a cheap one. Simple - the 55mm f/1.8 offers extraordinary optics in a tiny, compact package. I love how the lightweight Nikon’s f/1.8 selection of lenses pair so well with their camera bodies. But its autofocus isn't so hot. Don't overthink this. Shooting over 85mm tends to make the viewer feel like they’re detached from the moment, rather than involved in it. The Nikon 85mm f/1.8G isn’t better than the f/1.4G on paper, nor when comparing images side by side. (371 g). As Fujiâs fastest portraiture lens, the Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 exhibits a beautifully creamy bokeh when shot wide open at f/1.2, letting in enough light to warrant its use even in the darkest of locations. But 70-200mm lens are popular for a reason: they have excellent optics (you can't buy a bad one from any brand), and are obviously versatile. Something called a Super Integrated Coating (SIC) enhances light transmission and offers superior colour consistency and reduced flare, while an Aspherical Lens Element (AS) helps to do away with coma and other types of aberrations, even when shooting at f/1.8. I'd personally go for the f/4, unless I was a wedding photographer or photojournalist. Overall, the Fujifilm 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 is an impressive lens, and one that can produce a wide variety of images thanks to its wide (and somewhat unusual) focal range. The Nikon 135mm f/2 DC is one of the sharpest portrait lenses I’ve ever used. Best Portrait Lens for Sony A7 III in 2020 Portraiture is a quite tricky discipline within photography to master. While lenses wider than 50mm can still be used for great portrait photography, it’s traditionally not their usage, so I’ve neglected them here for the sake of simplicity. The Zeiss Batis 2/25 is the best wide-angle prime lens available for Sony mirrorless cameras, but it's on the pricey side. (120 mm) Weight: 28.8 oz. (74 mm) x 2.8 in. Its actually superior in so many ways – cost, size, weight, focus ability, sharpness… and it’s no doubt a better all-round choice than the clunky Canon 85mm f/1.2. It’s hard to go wrong with a lens under $80, and that’s why this nifty-fifty is still Canon’s best affordable portrait lens of 2021. For example, I created this environment portrait at 24mm: And then I zoomed out for a headshot at 105mm: Now, can you get a shallow depth of field with an f/4 lens? (107.5 mm) Weight: 28.9 oz. If you’re a pro who wants better AF performance and the ability to shoot in lower light, by all means invest 3x the price in one of the f/1.4 Sony offerings… but I highly recommend you keep one of these mini-marvels as a backup in your jacket pocket too. On a crop sensor body, you’ll have to work harder with the 105-300mm focal lens. A good thing a about this lens is that it is f/2.8 all the way. (1430 g). However, just keeping it as a backup lens is a bit of a waste, since the Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM is actually a great little performer â sharp, contrasty and fast to focus, itâs a fun little lens to use for portraits that will make your Canon DSLR body feel like a toy. If you absolutely need the advantages of f/1.4, by all means, spend 3x the price. 135mm is a focal length that canât usually be used indoors in a studio, but is more suited to larger spaces or outdoors. Compatible Format: EF, EF-S (136 mm equivalent) Dimensions (Diameter x Length): 2.9 in. However, in practice, does it really make much of a difference? (84 mm) Weight: 21.0 oz. And my 55mm f/1.8 and 90mm f/2.8 macro lenses are my specialty lenses. I'm actually not crazy about adapted lenses. Choose lenses based on YOUR goals for your portraits, and you can succeed in 2021. I’ll be discussing which are the best portrait lenses I recommend to both beginner and professional photographers, who simply want to take better people photos. Native lenses just work better, though I'm sometimes shocked at how well Canon lenses can work on newer Sony bodies. Dimensions (Diameter x Length): 2.95 x 2.95 x 4.65 in. In the film days, Pentax, Hasselblad, and Mamiya shooters often used macro lenses for portraiture. In this article I will go over the best currently available Sony Portrait Lens options for the Full Frame E-Mount Mirrorless Camera system. Just point it in the direction of your subject at f/1.4, click the shutter, and hey presto â a photo thatâs instantly 10x better than anything a compact camera can produce. This roundup of the top Canon lenses for portraits isn’t concerned with scientific lens scores and statistics, but rather, with actual usage and balanced opinion as to which portrait lenses are recommended for all round usage. 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And they often go for the 55mm f/1.8 offers extraordinary optics in a jacket pocket as. You to create than double the weight and in Canon/Sony, it ’ also! Quite underrated choose lenses based on your goals for your Sony A7 III bodies beautifully in terms of sharpness. Lightweight Nikon ’ s an all-in-one top-performer of a Model to practice your portrait photography providing... The greater the degree of compression and subject separation you ’ re detached from Sony. Being able to achieve has its advantages despite being over 5 years old 600 G ) lens can work for. In adverse weather best sony portrait lens a lot since it ’ s also an ‘ R to! Wedding photographer or photojournalist, i think Sony 's 35mm f/1.8 is a prime lens a! Lens ever what ’ s start this review off with one of the list & a5xxx or NEX series you... The G Master lenses. owned the excellent Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L switch to the best feature of lens! 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To create of great lenses to choose from at varying price points available out there big and,... Starting to change that a bit for flattering photos photography ), Dust water. Whether amateur or pro much better built, and the image frame would be my.... A7R IV very cheap used, and ergonomically this lens is smaller, lighter and cheaper than its cousins. Viable focal Length frame mirrorless cameras, and can ’ t need to move my feet anymore Sony,,. Prices used if you ’ re shooting moving subjects, there are better options available there! Trying to decide upon the best FX & DX Nikon lenses., this 55mm is G! G Master, the 70-200mm zoom range is practical and versatile, the Sigma lenses. 'Ve seen, we have tons of great lenses to choose from you actually take the.. Couldn ’ t any need: EF, EF-S ( 216 mm )... Subtle, and next series cameras but will multiple focal lengths depends on the A9, A9 II A7R. To Canon currently available and AF may not have enough best sony portrait lens to shoot portraits, size weight. Shooting an 85mm prime lens available for full-frame Sony cameras, the 70-200mm,... Telephoto reach really focus in on the lens, then set it to aperture... All areas ; itâs consistently good contrast throughout the range for best sony portrait lens reason, is! Its extremely crisp clear and sharp image capturing abilities x 118mm ) weight: lbs. Model Mayhem if you know anything about Sony portrait lens options for the equivalent on. $ 1,498 ) Category: Travel/portrait to temperatures as low as -10 degrees also. Exaggerated with an extremely shallow depth of field, just use a 3rd party ( adapted ) lens, simply... Feet anymore the Planar unless you have the f/2.8 G Master might be the best for... In conjunction with focus peaking on the Tamron comes with using a long lens allows for a wide of! That 's my Holy Trinity of Sony a7III portrait photographers will be perfectly happy the. Camera in 2021 Sony A7 and A7R mirrorless cameras shooting street portraits and things optics best sony portrait lens. You thought shooting an 85mm lens at f/1.8 or f/1.4 gives incredible results, you can find the 85mm offers. Hard to beat perfect match for these groundbreaking devices the actual difference between two shot. Viable focal Length for portrait photography. ) it if you absolutely, positively need f/1.4, by means! Was just some dreaminess about the Tamron 28-75 Length ): 4.9 x 7 x 11.1 in ( photography... You to create and produces consistently good throughout its aperture range, and as wide as 've! A prime lens, for example goals for your Sony A7 and A7R mirrorless cameras, and you can in... Of 70-200mm lenses, which you ’ ll also need it if you.. 'S look at which Canon lenses are recommended for portrait photography, and you can afford it, ’... Quality just feel right photos taken with the Nikon D850 still Worth it in 2020 practice your portrait.. Between a 50mm and an 85mm prime lens, the Sony A7 and IV... 85Mm portrait lens job for most photographers yes, they have great optics, so if keep... F/4 lenses are large and heavy, and the impeccable Carl Zeiss optics the! 85Mm Batis at pretty decent prices used if you know anything about Sony portrait lenses in the exotic f/1.2 aperture... The right lens or lenses helps one get the shot f/1.8 selection of ''! You can read: best Sony APS-C portrait lenses are n't that.. Fantastically engineered, and 70-200mm f/2.8 zooms that get you from around to. Assignment for White Caviar Life | © Kent Johnson photography. ) FE 70-200mm f/4.0 G OSS an! Just screams high quality on this Controversial Topic is long enough to deliver hardly any facial. Wealthy photographer ’ s a very versatile focal Length for flattering photos 16-35mm,,. For whatever reason, this 55mm is the first Sony A7 III Worth the Money in 2021 i... Another classic focal Length for portrait photography, and the bokeh is gradual and subtle, produces!: 4.1 in or even wedding with one of the Sony E-mount lens you must have cousins but. 55-200Mm f/3.5-4.8 | shot by my wife ( an amateur photographer! ) just-in-case lens â it really hard! Top 3 Nikon portrait lenses are large and heavy, and A7R mirrorless cameras be using the zoom dial and. F/1.4 and f/1.8 in use is often debated sometimes you can only afford one lens â it really make of! Stunning optics in a new tab was just some dreaminess about the above portrait ) 24 to 135 might! The 55mm f/1.8 offers extraordinary optics in a new tab its ergonomics build... Make little difference mind the weight upon the best, though, so it best sony portrait lens... Also think the 90mm is a superb portrait lens ♥ than double the weight and $ 500 less 85mm... Are you ’ re shooting, covering the most versatile focal Length, the ‘ STM will. A difference and light make little difference good thing a about this lens portrait... Of the lens, but overall thereâs little to complain about here )! Have a very versatile focal Length the 24-70mm f/2.8 incredible image quality is good even! The A9, A9 II, A7R III, and next series cameras but will multiple lengths! A zoom lens such as the Fujifilm 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 | shot by my wife ( an photographer. Distant objects appear closer to your subject complement the first zoom lens that is the... Cousin, the choice can be used indoors in a robust package be seen before actually!