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Best Lense For Portrait Photography (2024 Updated)

If you’re looking for a way to take stunning portraits, investing in a quality lens is essential. But with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to figure out which one is right for you. Before making a purchase, it’s important to consider factors like focal length, aperture, and image stabilization.

First, think about the focal length you need. A longer focal length will allow you to capture more detail, but at the cost of a smaller field of view. For portraits, it’s usually best to stick with something in the range of 50mm-85mm. Next, consider the aperture – a wider aperture will allow for a shallower depth of field, creating a beautiful bokeh effect in the background of your photo. Finally, think about whether you want a lens with image stabilization, which can be helpful when shooting in low light conditions.

Still not sure which lens is right for you? Ask yourself some questions to narrow down your options. Are you looking for something versatile that you can use for both portraits and other types of photography, or do you want something specifically designed for portraits? Are you willing to spend more for a higher-quality lens, or do you need to stick to a budget? By considering these factors, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect lens for your portrait photography needs.

10 Best Lense For Portrait Photography

# Product Image Product Name Product Notes Check Price
1
Ideal for portrait photography on Canon EOS cameras with manual focus and full frame capabilities.
2
It is ideal for creating a soft, dreamy, cinematic effect in portrait, vlog, photography, and video.
3
Ideal for portrait and travel photography, with a versatile 50mm lens for sharp portraits and a wide-angle lens for scenery.
4
Ideal for creating dreamy, soft-focus effects in video, vlogging, and portrait photography with a 67mm lens.
5
This product is ideal for adding a soft dreamy fog effect to portrait and video/vlog photography.
6
This product is ideal for creating a misty, cinematic effect in video, vlog, and portrait photography.
7
Ideal for capturing portrait photos with Canon EOS Rebel cameras using manual focus technology.
8
This product is ideal for achieving a dreamy, soft focus effect in video/vlog/portrait photography.
9
Ideal for portrait photography and creating a shallow depth of field effect.
10
This telephoto zoom lens is ideal for Canon SLR cameras, providing enhanced magnification and distance capabilities for photography.
Ideal for portrait photography on Canon EOS cameras with manual focus and full frame capabilities.
It is ideal for creating a soft, dreamy, cinematic effect in portrait, vlog, photography, and video.
Ideal for portrait and travel photography, with a versatile 50mm lens for sharp portraits and a wide-angle lens for scenery.
Ideal for creating dreamy, soft-focus effects in video, vlogging, and portrait photography with a 67mm lens.
This product is ideal for adding a soft dreamy fog effect to portrait and video/vlog photography.
This product is ideal for creating a misty, cinematic effect in video, vlog, and portrait photography.
Ideal for capturing portrait photos with Canon EOS Rebel cameras using manual focus technology.
This product is ideal for achieving a dreamy, soft focus effect in video/vlog/portrait photography.
Ideal for portrait photography and creating a shallow depth of field effect.
This telephoto zoom lens is ideal for Canon SLR cameras, providing enhanced magnification and distance capabilities for photography.

1. 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.

Pros

  • 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

Cons

  • – Requires complete manual focus operation, not suitable for SLR beginners
  • – No electronic contacts, which may be confusing for some users

2. Dreammist Pro Camera Filter For Cinematic Effects

The black diffusion filter is a special tool that can reduce highlight glare and lower contrast. It can be used to create a soft glow in bright lighting, and to diffuse colors and smooth the contrast in neutral lighting, resulting in a more natural and integrated picture or video. This filter is perfect for photographers and videographers who want to achieve a dreamy and cinematic effect in their work.

The black mist filter is another type of filter that helps to make the skin or pores of the subject more delicate and smooth. It adds a softer glow to the subject, creating a delicate and hazy cinematic effect that is perfect for portrait photography, video recording, and vlog videos.

This filter is made with high-quality aviation aluminum, making it lightweight and tough. It has an ultra-slim frame of only 3.2mm that avoids vignetting and dark corners. The CNC screw-in design makes it easy to install and remove.

The filter is made of AGC HD optical glass with 90% light transmission. It features double-sided multi-layer nano-coating that effectively reduces reflection and makes it waterproof, scratch-resistant, and oil-proof. This makes it easy to clean and carry around.

The 1/4 black diffusion filter is compatible with all 37mm lenses. However, it is important to verify your camera's lens thread size before ordering. There are three filter strengths available, from weakest to strongest: 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2. So, choose the one that suits your needs.

Pros

  • Reduces highlight glare and lowers contrast
  • Creates a soft glow in bright lighting
  • Diffuses colors and smooths contrast in neutral lighting for a more natural and integrated look
  • Ideal for achieving a dreamy and cinematic effect
  • Makes skin or pores of the subject more delicate and smooth
  • Lightweight and tough
  • Ultra-slim frame of only 3.2mm avoids vignetting and dark corners
  • CNC screw-in design makes it easy to install and remove
  • Made of high-quality AGC HD optical glass with 90% light transmission
  • Double-sided multi-layer nano-coating for reduced reflection, waterproofing, scratch resistance, and oil-proofing
  • Easy to clean and carry around
  • Compatible with all 37mm lenses
  • Three filter strengths available, from weakest to strongest: 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2

3. 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.

Pros

  • 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

Cons

  • – EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM has a limited zoom range

4. Light-Soft Dreamy Mist Filter For Portraits

The Dreamy Fog Effect filter is a perfect tool for photographers who want to create an ethereal and romantic atmosphere in their photos. It uses a special glass with evenly-spaced droplets texture to produce a realistic effect similar to thin haze. This filter can halate direct light sources, reduce the contrast, soften the picture, and make the overall image more integrated and natural.

The Special Light Diffusion filter softens and blooms the image highlights, adding a soft glow around light sources, creating a mysterious, charming, and cinematic effect. This effect is perfect for creating a unique and artistic look.

The Refine the Skin filter helps smooth and soften any blemishes, wrinkles, or imperfections in the subject's skin, as well as adding a dream-like glow. It is ideal for portrait photography and can make your subjects look more beautiful and flawless.

The high-quality aviation aluminium and HD optical glass used in the White Mist Filter ensure its durability and excellent performance. The ultra-slim frame, which is only 3.2mm, keeps it lightweight and avoids vignetting and dark corners. The filter's transmission is up to 90%, ensuring high-definition images and videos.

The White Mist Diffusion filter is comprehensive and compatible with all 67mm camera lenses. Before ordering, please verify your camera's lens thread size, which should be ø67mm.

Pros

  • Produces a realistic dreamy fog effect, halating direct light sources and reducing contrast
  • Softens and blooms image highlights, creating a mysterious, charming, and cinematic effect
  • Refines skin, making subjects look more beautiful and flawless
  • Made of high-quality aviation aluminium and HD optical glass, ensuring durability and excellent performance
  • Compatible with all 67mm camera lenses, making it a versatile tool for photographers

Cons

  • – May not be suitable for all types of photography
  • – Can be expensive compared to other filters in the market

5. Dreamy White Mist Camera Lens Filter

The Dreamy Fog Effect filter is designed to produce a thin haze that creates a hazy and romantic atmosphere in your photos. This filter features a special glass with evenly spaced droplets texture that halates direct light sources and reduces contrast, making the overall picture softer and more integrated. The result is a realistic effect similar to thin haze that adds a dream-like glow to your photos.

In addition, the white diffusion filter can soften and bloom the highlights in your images, adding a soft glow around light sources. This creates a mysterious, charming, and cinematic effect that enhances the overall mood of your photos.

The white mist diffuser also helps refine the skin of your subject by smoothing and softening any blemishes, wrinkles, or imperfections. This makes it ideal for portrait photography.

The white mist filter is made of high-quality aviation aluminum and HD optical glass, ensuring that it is lightweight and avoids vignetting and dark corners. Additionally, its ultra-slim frame of only 3.2mm ensures that it is compatible with all 82mm camera lenses, with a transmission rate of up to 90% for high-definition images and videos.

Pros

  • Produces a dreamy fog effect for a hazy and romantic atmosphere
  • Softens and blooms image highlights for a cinematic effect
  • Refines skin by smoothing and softening blemishes, wrinkles, and imperfections
  • Made of high-quality materials for compatibility and high-definition imagery

6. Cinematic Mist Filter For Stunning Photography

The K&F Concept Black Diffusion 1/4 Filter is an excellent addition to your camera gear. It is designed to soften facial skin's wrinkles, freckles, and pores, making it look more delicate, plump, and gorgeous. The filter has a soft highlight flare and lowered contrast that helps to realize the mist film effect dreamily. It is perfect for portrait and landscape photography.

This filter has 28 multi-layer coatings on both sides of the glass. These coatings are waterproof, scratch-resistant, and oil-proof, which protects the filter and lens from damage. The filter is made with Japanese AGC optical glass and double-side multi-coated to 84% transmittance. It ensures image quality and no color cast.

The filter has an ultra-slim frame made of aviation aluminum that measures only 3.3mm. The slim frame ensures there are no dark corners on the wide-angle and telephoto lens. The CNC-non slip design allows for efficient removing and installing of the filter.

Please note that this black diffusion 1/4 filter is compatible with all 55mm lenses. Before ordering, please verify your camera's lens thread size, which is always preceded by a 'ø' (diameter) symbol. Also, note that new and old packages are sent randomly.

Pros

  • Softens facial skin's wrinkles, freckles, and pores making it look more delicate, plump, and gorgeous
  • 28 multi-layer coatings that protect the filter and lens from damage
  • Made with Japanese AGC optical glass and double-side multi-coated to 84% transmittance
  • Ultra-slim frame ensures no dark corners on the wide-angle and telephoto lens
  • CNC-non slip design for efficient removing and installing of the filter

Cons

  • – May not be suitable for all types of photography

7. 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.

Pros

  • 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

Cons

  • – Manual focus only with no electronic contacts
  • – May show 'Lens not attached' on some cameras, requiring manual focus mode or camera settings adjustment

8. Dreamy Mist Camera Lens Filters (62mm)

The 2-piece white mist filter set is a high-quality product that is made of aviation aluminum and HD optical glass. The 3.2mm ultra-slim frame design ensures that it remains lightweight, prevents vignetting, and eliminates dark corners. The filter set has a transmission of up to 90%, which guarantees high-definition images and videos. The set includes two filters, Light-Soft 1 and the stronger Medium-Soft 2, and it is compatible with all 62mm camera lenses. Before ordering, it is recommended that you verify your camera's lens thread size.

The soft focus filter is designed to produce a dream fog effect. It has a unique glass with evenly-spaced droplet texture that creates a foggy effect. The filter can halate direct light sources, reduce contrast, soften the picture, and create a more integrated and natural look. It is ideal for creating a hazy and romantic atmosphere.

The white diffusion filter is designed to soften and bloom image highlights, add a soft glow around light sources, and create a mysterious, charming, and cinematic effect.

The white mist diffuser is perfect for refining skin. It helps to smooth and soften any blemishes, wrinkles, or imperfections in the subject's skin while adding a dream-like glow. It is ideal for portrait photography.

Pros

  • Made of high-quality aviation aluminum and HD optical glass.
  • 3.2mm ultra-slim frame design keeps it lightweight and eliminates vignetting and dark corners.
  • Transmission is up to 90%, ensuring high-definition images and videos.
  • Includes two filters, Light-Soft 1 and Medium-Soft 2.
  • Compatible with all 62mm camera lenses.
  • Soft focus filter creates a dream fog effect, ideal for creating a hazy and romantic atmosphere.
  • White diffusion filter adds a soft glow around light sources, creating a cinematic effect.
  • White mist diffuser helps smooth and soften skin imperfections, ideal for portrait photography.

Cons

  • – May not be compatible with lenses larger or smaller than 62mm.
  • – Some users may find the dream fog effect to be too soft or blurry for their liking.

9. Canon Ef 50mm F/1.8 Stm Lens

The 50 millimeter focal length and maximum aperture of f/1.8 makes this lens an excellent choice for capturing stunning portraits, fast-action shots, and low-light photography. With a horizontal, vertical, and diagonal angle of view of 40º, 27º, and 46º, respectively, this lens allows for versatile shooting options. It has a minimum focusing distance of 1.15 feet (0.35 meters) and a maximum magnification of 0.21x, making it possible to capture stunning close-up shots with great detail.

Equipped with a stepping motor (STM), this lens delivers near-silent, continuous move Servo AF for movies and smooth AF for stills. The 80 millimetre effective focal length on APS C cameras and 50 millimetre on full frame cameras make it versatile and suitable for a wide range of shooting styles. The lens construction features 6 elements in 5 groups, which ensures high-quality images with excellent contrast and sharpness.

Overall, this lens is an excellent choice for photographers who are looking for a high-quality, versatile lens that delivers outstanding performance in a wide range of shooting scenarios.

Pros

  • 50 millimeter focal length and maximum aperture of f/1.8 is perfect for portraits, action, and nighttime photography
  • Stepping motor (STM) delivers near-silent, continuous move Servo AF for movies and smooth AF for stills
  • 80 millimetre effective focal length on APS C cameras, 50 millimetre on full frame cameras
  • Lens construction features 6 elements in 5 groups, ensuring high-quality images with excellent contrast and sharpness

Best Lense For Portrait Photography FAQs

Can a wide-angle lens be used for portrait photography, and what are the benefits and drawbacks?

Yes, a wide-angle lens can be used for portrait photography. However, it is not the most ideal choice for capturing flattering portraits. Wide-angle lenses have a shorter focal length, which means they can capture a wider view of the scene. This can result in a distorted image, especially when used for close-up portraits. The closer the subject is to the lens, the more distorted their features can appear.

Despite this, there are some benefits to using a wide-angle lens for portrait photography. For example, it can be great for environmental portraits where the subject is photographed in their surroundings. Wide-angle lenses can also be useful for capturing group portraits where you need to fit multiple people into the frame.

Overall, it is important to consider the effect a wide-angle lens will have on the final image before deciding to use it for portrait photography. If you want to capture flattering and accurate portraits, it may be better to use a lens with a longer focal length.

How does aperture affect portrait photography when using a lens?

Aperture plays a crucial role in portrait photography as it determines the depth of field in the image. A wider aperture (lower f-stop number) will result in a shallower depth of field, which means that the subject will be in focus while the background will be blurred. This effect is commonly used in portrait photography as it helps to isolate the subject and create a more visually appealing image.

A wider aperture also allows more light to enter the lens, which is particularly useful in low-light conditions. This means that you can use a faster shutter speed, which will help to freeze the subject and reduce motion blur.

On the other hand, a narrower aperture (higher f-stop number) will result in a deeper depth of field, which means that both the subject and the background will be in focus. This effect is useful when you want to capture more of the environment in your portrait, for example, in environmental portraits.

In summary, aperture is an essential tool in portrait photography as it can help to create a more visually appealing image by controlling the depth of field and isolating the subject.

How does the focal length of a lens impact portrait photography, and what is the ideal range for different types of portraits?

The focal length of a lens plays a crucial role in portrait photography. It determines the field of view and the amount of compression or distortion in the image. A shorter focal length, such as 35mm, provides a wider field of view, which is suitable for environmental portraits or group shots. However, it can also cause distortion in the subject's features, especially when shooting up close.

On the other hand, a longer focal length, such as 85mm or 135mm, provides a narrower field of view and a more flattering compression of the subject's features. It is ideal for headshots and close-up portraits, as it produces a shallow depth of field and a blurred background that isolates the subject from the surroundings.

The ideal range of focal length for different types of portraits depends on the photographer's preference and the subject's context. For example, a fashion photographer may prefer a longer focal length to emphasize the model's features and create a dramatic effect. In contrast, a documentary photographer may opt for a wider focal length to capture the subject's environment and tell a story.

In conclusion, the focal length of a lens is a crucial aspect of portrait photography that can impact the final result significantly. The photographer's choice of focal length should depend on the intended style and context of the portrait.

What is the difference between a prime lens and a zoom lens for portrait photography?

A prime lens and a zoom lens are two types of lenses that photographers use for portrait photography. The primary difference between a prime and a zoom lens is their focal length. A prime lens has a fixed focal length, while a zoom lens has a variable focal length.

In portrait photography, a prime lens is preferred because it provides a wider aperture, which allows more light to enter the camera sensor. This helps create a shallow depth of field, which blurs the background and focuses attention on the subject. Prime lenses also produce sharper images with less distortion, making them ideal for capturing the fine details of a subject's face.

On the other hand, a zoom lens offers the convenience of being able to zoom in or out without changing lenses. This versatility makes it easier to adjust the framing of the shot without physically moving closer or farther away. However, zoom lenses generally have smaller maximum apertures than prime lenses, which means they may not be able to produce the same level of depth of field or sharpness in portraits.

In summary, while both prime and zoom lenses can be used for portrait photography, prime lenses are generally preferred because of their wider aperture, sharper images, and ability to create a shallow depth of field. Zoom lenses offer more versatility in terms of framing, but may sacrifice some image quality.

What type of lens is best for portrait photography?

When it comes to portrait photography, the type of lens you choose can make a significant difference in the final image. Generally, a prime lens with a wide aperture is the best choice for capturing portraits. Prime lenses have a fixed focal length, which means they don't zoom in or out. This allows for a sharper image and better control over depth of field. A wide aperture, such as f/1.8 or f/1.4, will create a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and drawing more attention to the subject's face.

The most popular prime lens for portrait photography is the 50mm lens, also known as the "nifty fifty." It's affordable, lightweight, and produces a flattering perspective. However, depending on the distance between you and your subject, you may need a longer or shorter focal length. For example, a 85mm or 105mm lens is ideal for headshots or close-up portraits, while a 35mm lens can capture more environment and context in the shot.

Ultimately, the best lens for portrait photography depends on your personal preference, shooting style, and the type of portraits you want to capture. It's always recommended to test out different lenses and see which one suits your needs the best.

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