Best portrait lens on Reddit

251 reviews from r/fujifilm, r/canon, r/M43 and 15 more subreddits

251 reviews from

and

By Brand

By Product

Sigma

4.5

(50)

"If I were choosing between the two, it would be the Sigma 56mm."

"The Sigma is unbelievable for the price if you can find it used."

"I use my Sigma 50mm ART about 99% of the time."

"Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 should be your way to go imo."

"18-35/1.8 is probably the best option. Not too expensive either."

"If you want a classic focal length for portraits: Sigma 56mm f/1.4."

"I use the Sigma 135/1.8, very pleased with it."

"If the first then 85/1.4L, 85/1.2L, Sigma 85/1.4."

"The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN is around $1000. I love the lens."

"There's not much better than the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 unfortunately in terms of bang for the buck."

Canon

4.5

(46)

"Get an L prime, either the 50 or the 85 1.2."

"I love my plastic fantastic canon 50mm f/1.8"

"RF 50mm f/1.8 or RF 85mm f/2. The 85mm is especially great at portraits."

"Rf 35mm f1.8 would be amazing for that!"

"RF35/1.8 is my favorite lens on crop sensor cameras."

"Canon RF 50mm 1.8."

"The ultimate budget lens for a variety of shooting, especially portraits. Easily the sharpest cheap lens you can buy."

"RF 85 1.2 ds is a banger."

"The RF 85 1.2 is a technically perfect lens. Its truly amazing."

"The RF 85 1.2 is my favorite lens I have ever owned."

Fujifilm

4.7

(41)

"50 f1, 90 f2."

"Xf 56mm 1.2 (85mm equivalent) ….it’s pure magic"

"50 f/1 makes me want to switch to Fuji X. Wonderfull lens."

"Third in my list is 90mm f2."

"56mm f/1.2 R WR is very good."

"For me it is the 50mm F1.0 that gives me the warm and fuzzies!"

"90mm F2 is my favourite."

"Fujifilm XF 56mm F/1.2 R WR."

"Fujifilm XF 50mm F/1.0."

"People swear by the XF 90MM F2 and the 56mm f/1.2 R WR."

Viltrox

4.4

(35)

"Viltrox 75mm 1.2 hands down. That lens is pretty well near perfect for Nikon APS-C cameras."

"Sigma or Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 (56mm on DX will have a similar field of view to 85mm on full frame)"

"I would recommend the viltrox 56mm 1.4 it's a super fast and low cost lens."

"Objectively, to my knowledge, the Viltrox 75mm F/1.2 is the current champion."

"Viltrox 75 1.2"

"Viltrox 75mm & XF90mm"

"Fanatic lens and less than half of any Fuji stuff I love it."

"The Viltrox RF 85mm f1.8, one of the few AF 3rd party lenses, is a great lenses for the money. Arguably a better portrait lens than the Canon RF 85mm f2."

"I bought the Viltrox 75 f1.2 and I am in awe of the quality it delivers for that price."

"I'd seen enough reviews... I was freaking blown away by what an amazing lens it was."

Nikon

4.5

(27)

"Definitely the 50mm."

"Nifty fifty should be every aspiring portrait photographers first lens."

"On that camera, the 50mm f/1.8g is a brilliant focal length for portraits."

"For a crop body a 1.8 50 mm or a 1.8 85 mm would work either."

"Is the best option of these 3."

"It's a fantastic lens, compact for travel."

"Is freakin’ excellent."

"The 85 1.8 is my favourite z lens."

"Z 85mm 1.8 S first. Upgrade your 50mm to the Z when finances allow."

"The 85mm is amazing in every way."

Olympus

4.4

(15)

"The olympus and it's a classic, always surprises me."

"Olympus 45. Compact, sharp. Excellent lens."

"I got my Olympus 45mm f/1.8 for 169 brand new with cashback. It is worth every penny."

"The Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f1.8 is on the cheaper side (used as low as $100-ish) and makes great portraits especially for the price."

"Olympus 45 1.8 is one of the pinnacle lenses in m4/3. Outstanding image quality, size and price."

"I love my M. Zuiko 45mm F/1.8—and you can get one for only like $160."

"It's a great lens for portraits and pretty cheap if I remember correctly."

"The 45mm f1.8 is also a good choice but less versatile."

"A used Olympus 45/1.8 is the way to go."

"The Olympus 45/1.8 or Panasonic 42.5/1.7 will do the trick."

N/A

4.7

(6)

"Best option for under $400"

"ITS THE ABSOLUTE BEST FOR ME"

"I agree with the other recommendations here for getting her an 85mm lens."

"85 is the go to length for portraits."

"Gives a 50mm look. Fast and lightweight."

"The 80mm is just about right."

Panasonic

4.4

(5)

"I'd always recommend the Panasonic 42.5 1.7 if you're on a Panasonic body."

"The Lumix 42.5mm f/1.7 is an easy recommendation."

"The Olympus 45/1.8 or Panasonic 42.5/1.7 will do the trick."

"The Lumix 42.5 1.7 and Olympus 45mm 1.8 are the typical standard portrait length."

"I love that lens it takes gorgeous shots."

unknown

4.5

(4)

"Seriously consider buying it as it’s a spectacular lens"

"Get the fastest and sexiest 35 you can afford"

"The telephoto compression and smooth bokeh balls make for lovely portraits."

"The 50 1.4 does not have either of these problems when used."

#10

Leica

4.3

(4)

"I shot portrait photos of a local during my last vacation with a Summicron 50mm."

"The Elmarit 135mm f/2.8 with goggles is pretty handy and relatively inexpensive to try out."

"However for travel and convenience, I would also highly recommend the 50 dual range with removable goggles."

"Might not get the compression you’re looking for, but the 50mm summicron DR can close focus to 0.5m that might be a good option for portraiture."

#11

Sigma 56mm f/1.4

4.0

(3)

"The special thing about the Sigma which makes it so sought after is that, even though its just f1.4, the FL is longer than the 42.5 and 45mm f1.2 lenses."

"Sigma will render more classically expected portraits with its longer focal length and faster aperture."

"Sigma always felt a bit long for my shooting style and it was clinically sharp in a way that I didn’t like."

#12

85mm F/1.4

5.0

(2)

"85 more than 50 but I could shoot a 50 almost all day."

"For portraits specifically? An 85mm 1.4."

#13

Samyang

4.5

4.0

(1)

"I like the 45 1.8 for its compact/lightweightness. Optically excellent."

#24

Mamiya

4.0

(1)

"My Mamiya 645 came with the 80mm f/2.8, which is an excellent lens."

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