If you're looking for a lens to capture stunning portraits on your Canon camera, the options can feel overwhelming. There are many things to consider before buying a lens, and it's essential to choose one that's compatible with your camera's mount, offers the appropriate focal length, and meets your budget.
Before making a purchase, first, determine your budget and decide on the focal length you need. Generally, prime lenses with fixed focal lengths offer better image quality than zoom lenses, but they may be more expensive. You'll also need to decide on the aperture range you require, as a larger aperture (lower f-stop number) produces a shallow depth of field, while a smaller aperture (higher f-stop number) provides a greater depth of field.
When shopping for a lens, some questions to ask yourself include: What kind of portraits do I want to create? Are they environmental, where the subject is captured in a setting or indoors? Or are they headshots, where the subject's face and shoulders are the primary focus? What is my budget? How much am I willing to spend on a lens? Answering these questions can help you narrow down the options and make an informed choice.
In summary, choosing the right lens for portraits on your Canon camera requires careful consideration of various factors such as budget, focal length, and aperture range. With the right lens, you can create stunning, professional-looking portraits that capture the essence of your subject. So, before you make your next purchase, make sure that the lens you choose is the one that best fits your needs.
10 Best Lens For Portraits Canon
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The product is ideal for portrait photography, providing a medium telephoto focal length with a wide aperture.
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2
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Ideal for portrait and travel photography, with a versatile 50mm lens for sharp portraits and a wide-angle lens for scenery.
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3
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Ideal for portrait photography on Canon EOS cameras with manual focus and full frame capabilities.
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4
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Ideal for capturing portrait photos with Canon EOS Rebel cameras using manual focus technology.
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5
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The product is ideal for portrait and travel photography with its 50mm f/1.8 and 10-18mm lenses.
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6
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Ideal for portrait and travel photography, with a wide aperture lens and versatile zoom lens.
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7
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This product is ideal for capturing medium-telephoto portrait shots with Canon EOS EF Mount Digital SLR Cameras.
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8
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This product is ideal for capturing high-quality images with a telephoto lens on compatible Canon EOS EF mount cameras.
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9
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Ideal for capturing portraits, sports, and low light situations with sharp focus and creamy bokeh effect.
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10
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Ideal lens for Canon SLR cameras; great for portraits, landscapes, and general photography with image stabilization and quality optics.
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1. Canon Ef 85mm F/1.8 Usm Medium Telephoto Lens For Canon Slr Cameras – Fixed (Renewed)
The 85mm standard lens with f/1.8 maximum aperture is an excellent choice for Canon SLR cameras. It is a telephoto zoom lens with a natural angle of view and perspective, making it perfect for portraits and natural images. The lens has a ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM) that brings the subject quickly into focus, making it ideal for capturing fast-moving objects. The lens has a focal length of 85mm and a closest focusing distance of 2.8 feet, which allows you to take close-up shots with ease. The lens is designed to produce beautiful background blur, which adds depth and dimension to your photos. The lens weighs only 15 ounces, making it lightweight and easy to carry around. Overall, this lens is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, versatile lens for their Canon SLR camera.
- Ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM) brings subject quickly into focus
- Natural angle of view and perspective is ideal for portraits and natural images
- Designed to produce beautiful background blur
- Lightweight and easy to carry around
2. Canon Portrait And Travel Two Lens Kit With 50mm F/1.8 And 10-18mm Lenses (Renewed)
The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a compact and lightweight fixed focal length lens that is perfect for everyday photography. It features a large f/1.8 aperture, which makes it ideal for low-light photography and creative background blur. With a minimum focusing distance of 1.15 ft. (0.35m) and a maximum magnification of 0.21x, this lens is perfect for capturing close-up shots with great detail. The circular aperture (7 blades) helps to deliver beautiful, soft backgrounds, while the metal mount provides stability and ruggedness.
The EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM is an ultra-wide zoom lens that is perfect for capturing expansive scenery, from tall buildings to inspiring mountain ranges. With an impressive starting focal length of 16mm in 35mm equivalence, this lens helps you achieve vivid colors and details during your travels. The full-time manual focus allows manual focus adjustment while in AF Mode, and a stepping motor (Gear-type STM) supports the Movie Servo AF function in providing smooth and quiet continuous AF during video recording, as well as when shooting photos.
- Large f/1.8 aperture for low-light photography and creative background blur
- Compact and lightweight design
- Circular aperture (7 blades) for beautiful, soft backgrounds
- Full-time manual focus for manual focus adjustment while in AF Mode
- Stepping motor (Gear-type STM) for smooth and quiet continuous AF during video recording
- – EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM has a limited zoom range
3. Portrait Pro Lens For Canon Rebel Series
The 8 pieces of circular aperture and large focus rings make this manual focus lens a great choice for photographers looking to enhance their skills. It features internal focusing (IF) hybrid aspherical lenses (H-ASP) and ultra multi coating (UMC). This lens is compatible with Canon EOS Rebel T7, T7i, T6, T6i, T5, T5i, SL2, 80D, 77D, 700D, 70D, 60D, 50D, 5D, 6D, 7D, 600D, 550D, 200D, 150D, 100D, 1300D, 1400D, and 1500D. However, it requires complete manual focus operation and is not recommended for SLR beginners. The lens is perfect for photographers with excellent experience in equipment looking to achieve a shallow depth of field and a pleasing bokeh quality.
To use this lens correctly, you need to switch to MF MODE because there are no electronic contacts. Your camera will not detect the lens when mounted, which is why it shows "NO LENS ATTACHED". Here are some tips for using our manual lens: 1) Set the mode dial to Manual (M). 2) Set the Release w/o Lens option in the camera menu to Enable. 3) Set the Shutter lock option in the camera menu to Off: no lens.
- 8 pieces of circular aperture for a pleasing bokeh quality
- Smooth and large focus rings for easy adjustments
- Internal focusing (IF) hybrid aspherical lenses (H-ASP) and ultra multi coating (UMC) for high-quality images
- Compatible with a wide range of Canon EOS cameras
- – Requires complete manual focus operation, not suitable for SLR beginners
- – No electronic contacts, which may be confusing for some users
4. Portrait Master: Jintu 85mm Canon Lens
The Prime Lenses 85mm is a great choice for those who love capturing portraits and natural pictures. Its large f/1.8 aperture and virtual background make taking photos more fun. The lens construction consists of 6 high-performance glass elements in 6 groups, out of which 1 is Hybrid Aspherical (ASP). All of its elements are Ultra Multi-Coated (UMC). The focal length of the lens is 85 millimeters, and the closest focusing distance is 3.2 feet. The lens is compatible with Canon Digital EOS Rebel T1i, T2i, T3, T3i, T4i, T5, T5i, T6, T6i, T6s, T7, T7i, T7s, T8i, SL1, SL2, SL3, EOS 90D, 80D, 77D, 70D, 60D, 6D Mark II, 6D, 5D Mark IV, 5D Mark III, 7D, 1300D, D, 1200D, 2000D, 200D, 250D, 4000D, 7D Mark II, 400D, 650D, 550D, 600D, 750D, 450D, etc. Please note that this is a manual focus lens with no electronic contacts, which is why it may show 'Lens not attached' on some cameras. However, this can easily be resolved by switching to MF MODE in order to use this lens work. If the shutter still does not work, please set the Release w/o Lens option in the camera menu to Enable.
The Prime Lenses 85mm has a large aperture, allowing for great depth of field and beautiful bokeh effect. Its focal length is perfect for portrait photography, as it creates a natural-looking perspective. The lens is also lightweight, making it easy to carry around for long periods of time. Its Ultra Multi-Coated (UMC) elements help to reduce ghosting and lens flare, resulting in sharper and clearer images.
The Prime Lenses 85mm is an excellent choice for those who want to experiment with manual focus lenses. Its large aperture and focal length make it perfect for portrait photography, and its Ultra Multi-Coated (UMC) elements reduce ghosting and lens flare. Its lightweight design makes it easy to carry around, and its compatibility with a wide range of Canon cameras makes it a versatile lens to have in your kit.
- Large f/1.8 aperture for great depth of field and beautiful bokeh effect
- Perfect focal length for portrait photography
- Lightweight and easy to carry around
- Ultra Multi-Coated (UMC) elements reduce ghosting and lens flare
- Compatible with a wide range of Canon cameras
- – Manual focus only with no electronic contacts
- – May show 'Lens not attached' on some cameras, requiring manual focus mode or camera settings adjustment
5. Canon Portrait And Travel Two Lens Kit With 50mm F/1.8 And 10-18mm Lenses
The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a must-have fixed focal length lens for capturing everyday photos. It is compact, lightweight, and ideal for low-light photography, thanks to its large f/1.8 aperture. With a minimum focusing distance of 1.15 ft. (0.35m) and a maximum magnification of 0.21x, this lens helps you capture stunning details even from a close distance. The circular aperture with 7 blades ensures that you get beautiful, soft backgrounds in your photos. The metal mount provides the lens with added durability and stability.
The EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM is a fantastic ultra-wide zoom lens that is perfect for capturing stunning landscapes, tall buildings, and mountain ranges. It has an impressive starting focal length of 16mm in 35mm equivalence. The wide angle of view from the EF-S 10–18mm f/4.5–5.6 IS STM helps you achieve vivid colors and details during your travels. The Gear-type STM stepping motor supports the Movie Servo AF function in providing smooth and quiet continuous AF during video recording and shooting photos. Additionally, the full-time manual focus allows you to make manual focus adjustments while in AF Mode.
- Large aperture for low-light photography
- Circular aperture with 7 blades for beautiful, soft backgrounds
- Minimum focusing distance of 1.15 ft. (0.35m) and maximum magnification of 0.21x for capturing stunning details
- Metal mount for added durability and stability
- Impressive starting focal length of 16mm in 35mm equivalence for capturing stunning landscapes
- – May not be suitable for those who prefer zoom lenses
- – The maximum aperture of f/4.5-5.6 may not be sufficient for some low-light situations
6. Canon Travel Essentials Lens Kit – Deal-Expo Bundle
If you are looking for a versatile lens bundle to enhance your photography skills, the Canon EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lenses Bundle is a great option. This bundle includes the EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM ultra-wide zoom lens and the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM compact fixed focal length lens, which are perfect for everyday photos and low-light photography with a large aperture. The bundle also comes with two lens pouches, two lens cap keepers, 49MM and 67MM UV filters, a camera flash bracket, a dust blower, and a brush pen to keep your lenses clean and protected.
The EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM lens is designed for EF-S mount DSLR cameras and has an impressive starting focal length of 16mm in 35mm equivalence. It features a stepping motor (Gear-type STM) that supports the Movie Servo AF function for smooth and quiet continuous AF during video recording and while shooting photos. The lens also has full-time manual focus that allows manual focus adjustment while in AF mode. With the 49MM UV filter included in the bundle, you can protect the lens from dust and scratches.
The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens is a lightweight and compact lens that is perfect for everyday photography. It has a large f/1.8 aperture that allows you to capture stunning photos in low-light conditions and create beautiful background blur. The lens also has a circular aperture with 7 blades that helps to deliver soft and beautiful backgrounds. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 1.15 ft. (0.35m) and a maximum magnification of 0.21x. With the 67MM UV filter included in the bundle, you can protect the lens from dust and scratches.
In summary, the Canon EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lenses Bundle is a great investment for photographers looking for versatility and quality. The bundle includes two lenses that are ideal for everyday photography and low-light conditions, and comes with additional accessories to protect and maintain your lenses.
- Includes two lenses that are ideal for everyday photography and low-light conditions
- Comes with additional accessories to protect and maintain lenses
- EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM has an impressive starting focal length of 16mm in 35mm equivalence
- EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM has a stepping motor (Gear-type STM) that supports the Movie Servo AF function for smooth and quiet continuous AF during video recording and while shooting photos
- EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM has full-time manual focus that allows manual focus adjustment while in AF mode
- EF 50mm f/1.8 STM has a large f/1.8 aperture that allows you to capture stunning photos in low-light conditions
- EF 50mm f/1.8 STM has a circular aperture with 7 blades that helps to deliver soft and beautiful backgrounds
- – May not be compatible with all camera models
7. Canon Portrait Perfection: Meike 85mm Lens
The Standard 85mm full frame lens is an ideal choice for portrait, subject, architecture, and landscape photography. It is designed to deliver sharp and clear images with its 9 elements in 6 groups lens construction. The lens has a wide aperture of f1.8 with 9 diaphragm blades, which helps in producing a super smooth round blur effect, also known as bokeh. The lens provides a diagonal angle of view of 28.5°, horizontal angle of view of 16°, and vertical angle of view of 24°.
This lens is also compatible with Canon APS-C frame EF-Mount cameras, which makes it an ideal choice for photography enthusiasts. With an equivalent focal length of 136mm, it is capable of capturing great portraits and other subjects with ease. The lens has a decent build quality, making it durable and long-lasting. Moreover, it features a micro USB firmware upgrade interface, which allows you to upgrade the lens online with ease.
- Wide aperture of f1.8 and 9 diaphragm blades produce a super smooth round blur effect (bokeh)
- Compatible with Canon APS-C frame EF-Mount cameras
- Micro USB firmware upgrade interface for easy online upgrades
- – N/A
8. Full Frame Telephoto Lens For Canon Eos
The lens has a 67mm filter size and a minimum focus distance of 0.85m. The aperture range is from F/1.8 to F/22, and the lens construction consists of 6 groups of 9 pieces. It provides a full-frame view with a level of 16 degrees, vertical of 24 degrees, and diagonal of 28.5 degrees. The lens also has electronic contacts and a USB connection for firmware upgrades. It is perfect for a variety of photography genres, including architecture, landscapes, portraits, sports, and theatre photography.
- Wide aperture range
- Full-frame view
- USB connection for firmware upgrades
- Suitable for a variety of photography genres
9. Canon Ef 85mm F/1.8 Usm Medium Telephoto Lens For Canon Slr Cameras – Fixed
The 85 millimetre standard lens with f 1.8 maximum aperture is specifically designed for Canon SLR cameras. This telephoto zoom lens is perfect for capturing natural images and portraits. The lens has a ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM) which brings the subject quickly into focus, making it an ideal choice for portrait photographers. The natural angle of view and perspective ensure that the pictures are true to life.
The lens has a closest focusing distance of 2.8 feet and weighs only 15 ounces. Its compact size makes it easy to carry around. The lens is not zoomable but is designed to produce beautiful background blur, giving your photos a professional look. With a diameter of 3 inches and a length of 2.8 inches, this lens is an excellent addition to your camera kit.
The lens comes with a 1-year warranty and the user manual has troubleshooting steps to help you with any issues you might face while using the lens.
- Compact and lightweight design
- Ideal for portrait and natural images
- Quick subject focusing with ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM)
- Produces beautiful background blur
- – Not zoomable
10. Canon Ef 24-105mm F/4 L Is Usm Lens For Canon Eos Slr Cameras – White Box (Bulk Packaging)
The 24-105 millimeter standard zoom lens with f/4 maximum aperture is a great option for Canon EOS SLR cameras. It is equipped with 1 Super UD glass element and 3 aspherical lenses which help in minimizing chromatic aberration and distortion. The ring type USM system ensures silent and quick autofocus (AF) and full-time manual focus. It helps in capturing clear and sharp images without any noise.
The Image Stabilizer technology is another amazing feature of this lens, which helps in steadying camera shake up to 3 stops. This feature is particularly useful when taking pictures in low light conditions or when using a slow shutter speed. The lens is dust and moisture resistant, which makes it durable and long-lasting. It measures 3.3 inches in diameter and 4.2 inches in length, and weighs only 23.6 ounces, making it easy to carry around.
With a 1-year warranty, this lens is a great addition to any photographer's collection. Overall, it is a reliable and efficient lens that produces high-quality images for both professional and amateur photographers.
- Silent and quick autofocus (AF) and full-time manual focus
- Image Stabilizer technology helps in steadying camera shake up to 3 stops
- Dust and moisture-resistant
- Reliable and efficient
Best Lens For Portraits Canon FAQs
Are prime or zoom lenses better for Canon portrait photography?
When it comes to portrait photography with a Canon camera, the choice between a prime or zoom lens ultimately depends on personal preference and the specific shooting conditions. Prime lenses have a fixed focal length, meaning they cannot zoom in or out. They are typically faster than zoom lenses, allowing for wider apertures and better low-light performance. This can result in sharper images with more bokeh (blurred background) and a shallower depth of field, which is ideal for isolating the subject and creating a more dramatic effect.
On the other hand, zoom lenses offer versatility and convenience, allowing the photographer to zoom in or out to adjust the composition without changing lenses. They are also generally more affordable than prime lenses, and some offer image stabilization to help prevent camera shake.
Ultimately, the choice between prime or zoom lenses for Canon portrait photography comes down to personal preference, shooting style, and the specific needs of the shoot. Both types of lenses can produce stunning results when used correctly, so it's important to consider your own shooting style and preferences before making a decision.
How important is aperture when selecting a Canon lens for portrait photography?
Aperture is a crucial factor to consider when selecting a Canon lens for portrait photography. Aperture refers to the size of the opening in the lens, which allows light to enter the camera. It is measured in f-stops, with lower f-stops indicating a larger aperture and higher f-stops indicating a smaller aperture.
A wide aperture (low f-stop) allows more light into the camera, resulting in a shallower depth of field. This means that the subject in focus will be sharp and the background will be blurred, creating a pleasing bokeh effect that is often desirable in portrait photography.
Canon lenses with wide apertures, such as the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM or the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, are popular choices among portrait photographers for their ability to produce stunning images with a shallow depth of field.
However, it is important to consider other factors such as focal length and image stabilization when selecting a Canon lens for portrait photography. Ultimately, the choice of lens will depend on the individual photographer's style and preferences.
Is image stabilization necessary for a Canon lens used for portrait photography?
Image stabilization can be helpful when using a Canon lens for portrait photography, but it's not always necessary. The primary purpose of image stabilization is to reduce camera shake and prevent blur in photos taken at slower shutter speeds or in low light situations. For portrait photography, however, you typically want to use a faster shutter speed to freeze the subject's motion and create a sharp image.
That being said, image stabilization can still be useful in certain situations, such as when shooting handheld in low light conditions or when using a telephoto lens with a longer focal length. It can also help to steady the camera when framing and composing the shot, which can be especially beneficial if you're using a heavier lens or camera body.
Ultimately, whether or not you need image stabilization for portrait photography will depend on your shooting style and the specific lens you're using. Some portrait photographers may find it essential, while others may not use it at all. It's always a good idea to experiment and see what works best for you and your gear.
What are the best Canon lenses for portrait photography?
When it comes to portrait photography, the lens you choose plays a crucial role in determining the quality of your shots. Canon, being one of the leading camera manufacturers, offers a wide range of lenses that are specially designed for portrait photography. Here are some of the best Canon lenses for portrait photography:
1. Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM: This lens is a top choice for portrait photographers, thanks to its ultra-fast f/1.2 aperture, which allows for stunning bokeh and shallow depth of field. It also has excellent image quality and is ideal for low-light conditions.
2. Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM: Another popular choice for portrait photographers, this lens offers a wider angle than the 85mm, making it great for capturing full-body shots. The f/1.2 aperture also allows for beautiful bokeh and shallow depth of field.
3. Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM: This lens is a versatile option for portrait photography, as it can be used for both full-body and close-up shots. It also has excellent image stabilization and is great for low-light conditions.
4. Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM: This lens is a great choice for portrait photographers who want a longer focal length. The f/2 aperture allows for shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh.
Overall, the best Canon lens for portrait photography will depend on your specific needs and shooting style. However, the above lenses are some of the top choices for capturing stunning portraits.
What is the ideal focal length for a Canon lens used for portrait photography?
The ideal focal length for a Canon lens used in portrait photography varies depending on the photographer's preference and the type of portrait being captured. However, most professional portrait photographers typically use prime lenses with a focal length of 85mm or 135mm. These lenses produce a shallow depth of field, which allows the subject to stand out from the background, creating a beautiful bokeh effect. Additionally, these lenses can capture the subject's features without distorting them, resulting in a natural-looking portrait. Zoom lenses can also be used for portrait photography, but they typically have a smaller maximum aperture, which can limit the ability to create a shallow depth of field. Ultimately, the ideal focal length for a Canon lens used in portrait photography depends on the photographer's style and the desired outcome of the portrait.