If you’re looking for ways to take stunning portraits, investing in proper lenses is essential. Nikon lenses for portraits are highly sought after by photography enthusiasts worldwide, and for good reasons. These lenses offer exceptional image quality and sharpness to help capture the perfect portrait.
Before choosing the right Nikon lens for portraits, you need to determine what type of portraits you want to shoot. Factors such as focal length, aperture, and zoom capabilities can greatly impact the final image quality. Knowing your shooting style and the subject's desired look can also help you select the right lens.
Are you looking for a lens that can capture intimate portraits with excellent bokeh? Or do you want a lens that can handle varied lighting situations? Nikon lenses for portraits offer different features to cater to your needs. It's crucial to take the time to research and compare lenses to find the one that will work best for you.
Are you ready to step up your portrait photography game? With Nikon lenses for portraits, you can achieve stunning results. Explore your options and invest in a lens that meets your needs. Remember to keep in mind your shooting style and the type of portraits you want to capture. With the right equipment, you can up your photography game and take your portraits to the next level.
10 Best Nikon Lenses For Portraits
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Ideal for portrait photography with full frame Nikon DSLR cameras, offering a medium telephoto focal length and fast aperture.
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Ideal for capturing high-quality photos with a shallow depth of field on Nikon DSLR cameras.
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Ideal for capturing sharp images with a shallow depth of field on Nikon DSLR cameras.
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The product is ideal for capturing sharp, low-light images with a shallow depth of field.
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The product is ideal for capturing sharp, high-quality images with a wide aperture and autofocus feature on Nikon cameras.
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The product is ideal for capturing stunning portrait photos using Nikon Z mirrorless cameras with a fast aperture.
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Ideal for portrait photography with Nikon DSLR cameras, delivering sharp images and beautiful bokeh with a wide f/1.4 aperture.
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The product is ideal for Nikon DSLR cameras to capture a range of distances with auto-focus and vibration reduction.
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The product is an ideal fixed lens with auto focus for Nikon DSLR cameras, perfect for wide-angle photography.
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This lens is ideal for Nikon DSLR cameras and provides vibration reduction and auto focus capabilities.
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1. Nikon Lens For Stunning Full Frame Portraits
The Manual Lens for Nikon Cameras is a great choice for photographers who are looking for a high-quality lens that offers a full manual focus operation. This lens is compatible with a wide range of Nikon cameras, including the D850, D810, D800, D750, and many more.
One of the key features of this lens is its 8 pieces of circular aperture, which allows for a smooth and pleasing bokeh quality in shallow depth of field images. Additionally, the lens features large focus rings and internal focusing (IF) hybrid aspherical lenses (H-ASP), which provide excellent image quality.
It's important to note that this is a manual lens, which means that there are no electronic contacts. This means that the camera will not detect the lens when mounted, and users will need to switch to MF mode in order to use the lens correctly. Additionally, this lens requires complete manual focus operation on DSLR cameras, so it may not be suitable for SLR beginners. It's recommended for photographers with excellent experience in equipment.
To use the lens correctly, users should set the mode dial to Manual (M), enable the Release w/o Lens option in the camera menu, and set the Shutter lock option in the camera menu to Off: no lens.
- 8 pieces of circular aperture, smooth and large focus rings internal focusing(IF) hybrid aspherical lenses (H-ASP), ultra multi coating(UMC).
- Compatible with a wide range of Nikon cameras, including the D850, D810, D800, D750, and many more.
- Large Aperture with a pleasing bokeh quality to further enhance shallow depth of field images.
- – Manual focus operation may not be suitable for SLR beginners.
2. Nikon Af-S Dx Nikkor 35mm F/1.8g Lens With Auto Focus For Nikon Dslr Cameras, 2183, Black
The F mount lens/DX format is a high-quality lens that is perfect for any Nikon DX format camera. With a picture angle of 44 degrees and a 52.5-millimeter (35-millimeter equivalent), this lens is great for capturing stunning photos. The lens features rear focusing and manual focus override, making it easy to use in any situation. The aperture range is F/1.8 to 22, giving you the ability to adjust the depth of field to your liking. The lens measures approximately 70 x 52.5 millimeters, making it compact and lightweight. The silent wave motor AF system ensures that your photos are in focus and sharp. The lens accepts screw-on filters, allowing you to further customize your shots. The lens construction consists of 8 elements in 6 groups, ensuring that your photos are of the highest quality. The lens is compatible with DX and FX in DX crop mode, making it versatile and adaptable to any situation. The maximum reproduction ratio is 0.16x, allowing you to capture even the smallest details. Please note that this lens is not zoomable, but its many other features more than make up for it.
- High-quality lens that is perfect for any Nikon DX format camera
- Rear focusing and manual focus override for easy use in any situation
- Aperture range of F/1.8 to 22 for adjusting the depth of field
- Compact and lightweight, measuring approximately 70 x 52.5 millimeters
- Silent wave motor AF system ensures that your photos are in focus and sharp
- Accepts screw-on filters, allowing you to further customize your shots
- Compatible with DX and FX in DX crop mode, making it versatile and adaptable
- Maximum reproduction ratio of 0.16x, allowing you to capture even the smallest details
- – Lens is not zoomable
3. Nikon Af Fx Nikkor 50mm F/1.8d Lens For Nikon Dslr Cameras
The Autofocus system of this lens is designed to be compatible with select Nikon DSLRs that support D-type lenses and have an autofocus motor. It is important to note that this lens will not autofocus with D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D3500, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600, D40, D40X, and D60. However, these cameras will still allow for manual focus with AF-D type lenses. With a focal length of 50mm (FX) and 75mm (DX), this lens is great for travel and shooting full-length portraits in available light.
This lens is a great option for photographers who want to take advantage of the autofocus system, as long as they have the compatible camera models. Additionally, the focal length is perfect for capturing stunning portraits and the compact size makes it easy to pack for travel.
Overall, this lens offers great value for its price point and is a reliable option for capturing high-quality photos.
- Compatible with select Nikon DSLRs that support D-type lenses and have an autofocus motor
- Great for travel and shooting full-length portraits in available light
- Compact size makes it easy to pack for travel
- Offers great value for its price point
- – Will not autofocus with certain Nikon DSLR models
- – Limited focal length options
4. Nikon Af-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8g Lens
Experience exceptional image quality with the fast and upgraded f/1.8 compact FX format prime lens. With a focal length of 50 millimeters and a picture angle of 47 degrees, this lens offers maximum reproduction ratio of 0.15X. Whether you're capturing portraits or landscapes, this lens delivers edge-to-edge sharpness on both FX and DX format DSLRs. The newly developed optical system with an aspherical lens element ensures excellent clarity and contrast in your shots.
Equipped with an exclusive Nikon silent wave motor (SWM), this lens provides ultra-quiet and accurate autofocus. The M/A focus mode switch allows quick switching between manual and autofocus modes, making it easier to capture the perfect shot. With a minimum focus distance of 1.48 feet (0.45 meter), you can get up close to your subject and capture fine details with ease. The lens is optimized for both FX and DX format DSLRs, ensuring exceptional performance in any situation.
This lens is not zoomable, but with its compact design and filter thread of 58 millimeters, it's easy to carry and use. The dimensions (approx.) (from the camera lens mounting flange) are approximately 2.83 inches in diameter and 2.01 inches in length. Whether you're a professional photographer or an amateur enthusiast, this lens is a must-have for capturing stunning photos.
- Fast and upgraded f/1.8 compact FX format prime lens
- Newly developed optical system with an aspherical lens element ensures excellent clarity and contrast in your shots
- Equipped with an exclusive Nikon silent wave motor (SWM), this lens provides ultra-quiet and accurate autofocus
- M/A focus mode switch allows quick switching between manual and autofocus modes
- Optimized for both FX and DX format DSLRs, ensuring exceptional performance in any situation
- Compact design and filter thread of 58 millimeters make it easy to carry and use
- – The lens is not zoomable
5. Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm F/1.8 S Portrait Fast Prime Lens For Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras
Capture lifelike and stunning images with the 85mm f/1.8 lens. The lens features a nine blade diaphragm that creates soft and rounded bokeh. It also has two ED glass elements and a Nano Crystal coating that provides accurate and clear images.
This lens is perfect for outdoor photography as it is dust and drip resistant. Its extensive sealing keeps the lens free of dust and moisture, making it ideal for use in any weather condition. The customizable control ring allows the photographer to adjust settings with ease.
Whether you're a professional photographer or an amateur, this lens is a must-have for your collection. It delivers stunning results and is easy to use, making it perfect for capturing life's precious moments.
- Nine blade diaphragm creates soft and rounded bokeh
- Two ED glass elements and Nano Crystal coating provide accurate and clear images
- Dust and drip resistant lens is extensively sealed to keep out dust and moisture
- Customizable control ring allows for easy adjustment of settings
6. Nikon Af-S Fx Nikkor 85mm F/1.4g Lens With Auto Focus For Nikon Dslr Cameras
The Ultra-fast f1.4 Classic Portrait Lens with Nano Crystal Coat is the perfect addition to any photographer's toolkit. With a focal length of 85mm and a minimum focus distance of 3.0ft (0.85m), it is compatible with both FX and DX formats, as well as FX in DX Crop Mode.
This lens has been optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness on both FX and DX cameras, and boasts a closest focusing distance of 0.85m. The M/A Focus Mode Switch allows for quick changes between manual and autofocus operation, while the Internal Focus (IF) system ensures fast and quiet autofocus.
Whether you're a professional photographer or a hobbyist, this lens is sure to impress. Its ultra-fast f1.4 aperture allows for stunning bokeh and shallow depth-of-field effects, making it the perfect choice for classic portraits and other creative applications. And with its high-quality construction and advanced coatings, you can be sure that your images will be sharp, clear, and free of distortion.
Overall, the Ultra-fast f1.4 Classic Portrait Lens with Nano Crystal Coat is a must-have for anyone who wants to take their photography to the next level. Its combination of speed, sharpness, and versatility make it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications, from portraits to landscapes to street photography and beyond.
- Ultra-fast f1.4 aperture allows for stunning bokeh and shallow depth-of-field effects
- Optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness on both FX and DX cameras
- M/A Focus Mode Switch enables quick changes between manual and autofocus operation
- Internal Focus (IF) system ensures fast and quiet autofocus
- High-quality construction and advanced coatings for sharp, clear, distortion-free images
- – May be expensive for some buyers
7. Renewed Nikon Zoom Lens With Vibration Reduction
The Nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens is a versatile all-in-one lens that is perfect for capturing great snapshots and videos in almost any situation. It is designed to deliver top-notch performance from Nikon's latest high-resolution image sensors. With its compact design, this lens is easy to carry around, making it ideal for travel and outdoor photography.
Equipped with Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, this lens ensures that your photos and videos remain sharp and steady even in low-light situations and when taking telephoto shots. You can also get as close as 1.48-feet from your subject and then zoom in for stunning macro-style close-ups.
The NIKKOR optics and Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass in this lens provide superior contrast and color accuracy, while Nikon's Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures ultra-fast and super-quiet autofocusing. Whether you are shooting landscapes, portraits, or action shots, this lens delivers exceptional image quality every time.
- Versatile all-in-one lens that is perfect for capturing great snapshots and videos in almost any situation
- Compact design makes it easy to carry around, making it ideal for travel and outdoor photography
- Equipped with Vibration Reduction (VR) technology that ensures sharp and steady photos and videos in low-light situations and when taking telephoto shots
- Allows you to get as close as 1.48-feet from your subject and then zoom in for stunning macro-style close-ups
- NIKKOR optics and Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass provide superior contrast and color accuracy
- Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures ultra-fast and super-quiet autofocusing
8. Nikon Af-S Fx Nikkor 24mm F/1.8g Ed Fixed Lens With Auto Focus For Nikon Dslr Cameras
The Nikon f/1.8 prime lens is a versatile wide-angle lens that is designed to draw peak performance from high-resolution DSLRs. With a fast f/1.8 aperture, this lens is ideal for capturing beautifully blurred backgrounds and great low-light performance. It is perfect for a wide variety of subjects, including landscapes, skyscrapers, environmental portraits, food, action, hobbies, and much more.
This lens is a part of Nikon's exceptional system of full-frame f/1.8 prime lenses, which are renowned for their exceptional image quality and versatility. With a minimum aperture of f/16, this lens is capable of delivering stunning results under a wide range of lighting conditions. To ensure that you have fully enabled functionality, it is recommended that you update your camera's firmware.
- Fast f/1.8 aperture for beautifully blurred backgrounds and great low-light performance
- Draws peak performance from high-resolution DSLRs
- Versatile wide-angle prime lens will widen your creativity
- Ideal for capturing landscapes, skyscrapers, environmental portraits, food, action, hobbies, and much more
- Part of Nikon's exceptional system of full-frame f/1.8 prime lenses
9. Nikon Zoom Lens With Vibration Reduction – New!
The Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II DX ED AF-S Nikkor-Zoom Lens is a versatile lens that is perfect for photography enthusiasts. It is a powerful all-in-one zoom lens that can be used for a wide range of shooting situations, from landscapes to portraits. The lens features Vibration Reduction technology that enables handheld shooting at up to 3 shutter speeds slower than normal, so you can capture sharp and steady images even in low light conditions.
This lens also comes with an LC-67 67mm snap-on front lens cap, an LF-1 rear lens cap, an HB-32 Bayonet lens hood, and a CL-1018 flexible lens pouch. These accessories help protect your lens from dust and scratches, and make it easy to carry and store.
The lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 1/5, which means you can capture stunning close-up shots with excellent clarity and detail. It also has an aspherical lens element that virtually eliminates coma and other types of lens aberration, further improving image integrity. The Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) enhances light transmission and offers superior color consistency and reduced flare, so you can capture vibrant and true-to-life colors in your photos.
With close focusing to 1.48 feet, creative close-up photography is possible throughout the entire zoom range. This feature allows you to capture stunning close-up shots with excellent clarity and detail, making it perfect for capturing intricate details of flowers, insects, and other small objects.
- Versatile lens for a wide range of shooting situations
- Vibration Reduction technology enables sharp and steady images even in low light conditions
- Comes with accessories to protect and carry the lens
- Maximum reproduction ratio of 1/5 for stunning close-up shots
- Aspherical lens element virtually eliminates coma and other types of lens aberration
- Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) enhances light transmission and offers superior color consistency and reduced flare
- Close focusing to 1.48 feet allows for creative close-up photography throughout the entire zoom range
- – May not be suitable for professional photographers who require more advanced features
Best Nikon Lenses For Portraits FAQs
Are prime or zoom lenses better for Nikon portrait photography?
When it comes to portrait photography with Nikon cameras, choosing between prime or zoom lenses can be a tough decision. Both types of lenses have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice ultimately depends on individual preferences and shooting conditions.
Prime lenses are fixed focal length lenses, which means they offer a fixed angle of view. They are generally faster and offer better image quality than zoom lenses due to their simpler optical design. Prime lenses also tend to have wider apertures, which means they can create a shallower depth of field, making the subject stand out more from the background. This makes them ideal for portrait photography, as they can produce sharp, focused images with beautiful bokeh.
On the other hand, zoom lenses offer more flexibility and convenience. They allow you to zoom in and out without changing lenses, making them ideal for shooting in a variety of situations. They also tend to be more versatile, as they can be used for a wider range of photography genres.
In conclusion, both prime and zoom lenses have their own advantages and disadvantages. For portrait photography with Nikon cameras, prime lenses are generally considered the best choice due to their superior image quality and ability to create beautiful bokeh. However, zoom lenses can also be a good choice if you need more flexibility and versatility in your photography. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your individual needs and preferences.
What are the best Nikon lenses for portrait photography?
When it comes to portrait photography, selecting the right lens can make all the difference. Nikon offers a range of lenses suitable for capturing stunning portraits, but the following lenses are considered the best for portrait photography.
Firstly, the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G is a prime lens that is highly recommended for portrait photography. It offers a wide aperture of f/1.8, which allows for great depth of field and bokeh. This lens is also fast and accurate, making it ideal for capturing sharp and detailed portraits.
Another great option is the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR. This lens is a bit pricier, but it offers excellent image quality and versatility. It allows you to zoom in and out, making it perfect for capturing portraits from a distance. It also has a wide aperture of f/2.8, which makes it ideal for low-light situations.
Lastly, the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G is a classic lens that is perfect for portrait photography. It offers a wide aperture of f/1.4, which creates a beautiful bokeh effect and allows for excellent low-light performance. This lens is also lightweight and compact, making it a great option for on-the-go portrait photography.
In conclusion, selecting the right lens is crucial for capturing stunning portraits. The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G, Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR, and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G are all excellent options for portrait photography.
What are the differences between Nikkor lenses for portraits and other types of photography?
Nikkor lenses are popular among photographers due to their high-quality optics and precision engineering. When it comes to portrait photography, there are certain characteristics that photographers look for in a lens to achieve the desired results.
One of the primary differences in Nikkor lenses for portraits is their focal length. Portrait lenses typically have a longer focal length, such as 85mm or 105mm, which allows the photographer to capture a subject's face without distortion or exaggeration. This creates a natural-looking image that is flattering to the subject.
Another difference is the aperture of the lens. Portrait lenses usually have a wider maximum aperture, such as f/1.8 or f/1.4, which allows for a shallower depth of field. This helps to isolate the subject from the background and create a pleasing bokeh effect.
In contrast, Nikkor lenses for other types of photography, such as landscape or sports, may have a wider angle of view or a faster autofocus system. These features allow for capturing a wider scene or quickly tracking moving subjects.
Overall, Nikkor lenses for portraits are designed to produce sharp, high-quality images with a focus on the subject's face and features. They are an essential tool for any portrait photographer looking to capture stunning portraits.
What focal length is recommended for Nikon lenses used for portrait photography?
When it comes to portrait photography, choosing the right focal length is critical in capturing stunning portraits that truly stand out. In general, Nikon lenses with focal lengths between 50mm and 85mm are recommended for portrait photography. This is because these lenses help to capture subjects at a flattering distance, while also offering a shallow depth of field that creates a beautiful bokeh effect in the background.
For those who prefer a wider angle, a 35mm lens can also be a great choice, especially for group portraits or environmental portraits. On the other hand, lenses with longer focal lengths, such as 105mm or 135mm, are ideal for headshots and close-up portraits, as they can compress facial features and create a more flattering look.
Ultimately, the ideal focal length for Nikon lenses used for portrait photography will depend on the photographer's personal preferences and the type of portrait they want to capture. It's always a good idea to experiment with different lenses to find the perfect match for your style and needs.
What is the maximum aperture for Nikon lenses used for portraits?
The maximum aperture for Nikon lenses used for portraits varies depending on the specific lens model. However, generally speaking, portrait photographers prefer lenses with a wide maximum aperture of f/1.4, f/1.8 or f/2.8 as it allows for a shallow depth of field and a blurred background, which helps to isolate the subject and make them stand out.
Nikon offers a range of portrait lenses that have maximum apertures of f/1.4 like the AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G or the AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G. Some lenses, like the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, have a maximum aperture of f/2.8 which is still wide enough to achieve a nice bokeh effect.
It's important to note that while a wide maximum aperture is desirable for portrait photography, it's not the only factor to consider when choosing a lens. Other factors such as focal length, sharpness, and distortion should also be taken into account when selecting a lens for portraits.