Best Lens for Portraits??

[Ebeleedmund]

I’m looking for the best & most affordable lens I can start with, to master portraits ... thoughts ???? Thank you.

 

[Martinez61995]

So far i love the sony 85mm f1.8. I would recommend this. I use it all of the time

 

[Ebeleedmund]

That’s the way I’m leaning, currently in my basket to purchase. Thanks can you share some pictures with that lens?

 

[KCH]

Sigma 85mm f/1.4

 

[anandprabhu]

I would suggest you check the new Sigma 85mm f/1.4 lens as well. It competes with Sony GM lens but cheaper.

 

[Mtnmvr]

I love the Sigma 56mm 1.4. Awesome lens. Super sharp.

 

[Gchappel]

85mm is great for headshots. For me it is a little long for whole body or group shots. Depends on what you are going for.
The 85mm 1.8 is small, focus quick and is easy to work with. The sony 85mm 1.4 is nicer- but not worth the weight and price differences to me.
I have shot the sigma glass on nikon- beautiful glass- but also bigger and heavier than the sony 1.8.
What ever you get , you will be making compromises.
No bad choices with the glass you are looking at.
Gary

 

[Jskufca]

If you are APSC, Sigma 56mm

 

[KCH]

I would suggest you check the new Sigma 85mm f/1.4 lens as well. It competes with Sony GM lens but cheaper.

And lighter...

 

[Melodic_Hammond]

I would also agree that if you have APSC then the Sigma 56mm F1.4 is a great choice.

 

[Markjav.arw]

Full Frame i definitely recommend the 85mm 1.8

 

[Alisha Clarke]

The 90mm 2.8 macro is a very versatile lens and is excellent for portraits.

 

[dg88]

Thanks for the useful topic..
What I have researched, since we can shoot is low light 1.4 vs 1.8 doesn't make much diff..
Zeiss prime 50mm or 85mm prime lens should work great for portraits.

 

[MikeW]

I like the Sony 85mm 1.8, as well, with my A7III. I think it really depends on the kind of portrait you are going for. I've seen some wonderful portraits taken with 35mm and 200mm lenses. (85mm example below)


Alicia by UnderOpenWater, on Flickr

 

[Steveatesh]

I bought the 85 F1.4GM and it is very good, but my associate bought the 135 F1.8gm and it’s quicker to focus and a fantastic quality image. There’s lots to pick from out there!

 

[Donald]

I’m looking for the best & most affordable lens I can start with, to master portraits ... thoughts ???? Thank you.

Zeiss Batis 85mm is great to use, very sharp and compact. It compares very well to Sony GM 85mm 1.4

 

[Paul stuart]

if had the choice the new sigma 85mm f1.4 art designed for fe mirrorless its just perfect price weight size build and iq.

 

[Kalych]

Definitely 85 f1.8 for full frame. For apsc people mentioned Sigma 56 f1.4 good lens. I like the sony 50 f1.8 oss also, not as sharp as the Sigma, but often times you don't want that sharpness on people's faces anyway and soften in post, so Sony 50mm f1.8 works great for portraits for me.

 

[galatas]

I am in love with my Sony 90 f2.8

 

[garuda]

I’m looking for the best & most affordable lens I can start with, to master portraits ... thoughts ???? Thank you.

What camera are you using?

 

[Paul stuart]

Samyang 75mm f1.8 $400 be nice ,anything 2.8 will be enough tamron 70-180mm f2.8 would be nice ,but a little pricey

 

[Jason]

My vote also goes to the Sony 85mm 1.8. You said you are starting out and this lens is probably the best bang for buck Sony portrait lens. 85mm is useful on FF and APS-C. If you decide in the future that you want more or less reach then you can spend the big bucks when you are more sure of your needs.

 

[mallllias]

sony 85mm f1.8 and zeiss 55mm from me

 

[Exploridaho]

I would really love to see Sony produce a 12-600mm F1.4 but even of they could, I probably couldnt afford the $100,000 for it anyway.
I haven`t really delved into prime lenses yet, I use 16-35, 24-70, and 70-200 grand master lenses and have a 14mm F1.8 Sigma art for night photography.
Considering a macro lens but haven`t yet considered the option or lack thereof.

 

[Exploridaho]

Opps I meant to tag my above reply to a different thread, sorry

 

[UncleVanya]

I’m looking for the best & most affordable lens I can start with, to master portraits ... thoughts ???? Thank you.

Which camera and does it need to be autofocus or is manual focus ok?

 

[cjskyler]

I’m looking for the best & most affordable lens I can start with, to master portraits ... thoughts ???? Thank you.

i also have the fe85mm 1.8 for around $600 ish and think its a fantastic option for portraits and such