After testing well over 800 different camera lenses across all different systems – here are 3 that stood out for me as my absolute favourite portrait optics.
Support me on Patreon!
…or on YouTube Memberships:
Full reviews and affiliate links (I earn a commission on purchases) (please don’t use browser extensions such as Honey):
3: Lomography Petzval 55mm 1.7 Bokeh Control
Full review:
Focus-coupled version review:
Find it here:
B&H (USA):
2: Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG ‘Art’
Full review:
B&H (USA):
Wex (UK):
Amazon (Worldwide):
1: Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 ‘L’ USM DS
Full review:
Find it here:
B&H (USA):
Wex (UK):
Amazon (Worldwide):
Equipment I use to make my videos (Amazon affiliate link – I earn a commission on purchases):
Canon EOS R5:
Canon EF-RF Adaptor:
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ‘Art’:
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM:
Marumi Fit and Slim CPL Filter:
AudioTechnica AT2020USB+ Microphone:
Rode Smartlav+ Microphone:
Rode SC3 adapter:
Zoom H1n Recorder:
DJI Mini 2 Drone:
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Music:
‘Opportunity Walks’, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Comments
20 responses to “My 3 favourite portrait lenses ever (for 2026)”
I am good with my Viltrox 85MM Pro ❤️❤️❤️
Haven't enjoyed any lens more than my Sony 85F1.8 for portraits. Why lug around the F1.4 version when you barely need more than 2.8
Hi Christopher, have you reviewed the canon ef 16-35mm f/2.8L iii USM in comparison to the RF 15-35mm f/2.8? Your reviews are the best!
I really enjoy your videos, but I have just one small suggestion. I believe there are many viewers like me whose native language isn't English who use translation plugins to watch your videos. The generated letters are always right at the bottom of the screen, overlapping with the yellow text in the video. Could you please consider adjusting the position of the yellow subtitles?
You are lucky to have a beautiful wife to photograph. I like the Fujifilm GF 45mm on their GFX bodies, using the 35mm FF equivalent to give more of an environmental shot and if close up, a more slightly-distorted view.
Summiluux 75 1.4
believe or not, I saw Chris Frost 🙂
all of these are ridiculously expensive, except the first one. Luckily many used canon ef and sigma lenses are available for cheap canon 135mm f/2 EF and sigma 135mm and 85mm f/1.4 ART are used bargains. Sigma 105mm 1.4 is also cool.
Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R APD
Hate 50mm while taking pics in closed space. Using Sony 50mm F1.8. At F1.8 and fitting whole person in the frame , depth of field is about 60 cm, sharp focus is about 60cm wide . That is useless for taking clear photo . So if you step more than 1 m behind your main focus your face is already blurred. You may change aperture to change depth of field but you will sacrifice light. And light is usually not sufficiency in closed spaces. Definitely not all around focal length. Good mostly for portraits and some artistic photography . 35 and 40 mm are much better, much more room for playing with bokeh or clear view, whatever you trying to accomplish.
ttartisan 75mm f2.. perfect.. the price..the bokeh… the carater… i love it..
the 110mm f2 is the best lens ever for me. i love it for everything.
Subjective based on distance. My favorite: 50mm on crop (Canon R7 or R10 + RF 50mm Lens) effectively giving you 80mm. Alternatively, 35mm lens also works wonders.
Cheers for the episode. All the lenses mentioned are superb — the 85mm f/1.2 DS, the 135mm f/1.8 Plena, and the Sigma 135mm f/1.4 are all fantastic. But my favourite at the moment is the RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM — mainly because it’s the lightest. It’s the one you can always take with you without breaking your back.
i was expecting the Sigma 105mm f1.4 DG Art (perhaps my favorite) but i guess the 135mm f1.4 took its place 😔…my second favorite is the Zeiss Otus 55mm f1.4 which captures and separates a subject like an 85mm but with a wider field
I'm an APS-C shooter, and I use a Viltrox 75mm f/1.2 for portraits.💘
Joined membership but the first month was free for some reason so adding it here 🙂 Thanks for the great video!
Finally a body with the voice😂
Sigma 35mm F1.2, there is just something magical about keeping so much in the frame that the landscape is not 'totally killed' yet at same time you blur like crazy with F1.2. This lens is a dream for me.
I added later the sony 50mm F1.2 and man the portraits are epic. Without question.
A very fun bokeh lens (cause it kinda almost doenst exist), is Sigma 14mm F1.4, even at F1.8 the blur is limited but at F1.4 you start having some nice ones.
Sigma 135mm F1.4 definitely in there but budget wise i have to keep a short leesh for now, and i wouldnt use much, like you i prefer 85mm, wich is why i wait for 85mm F1.2, the 'pre-announced' Sigma, is very tempting 😀
Team Canon EF 85mm f/1.4 Image Stabilization, and Canon EF 135mm 2.0 USM here! 😊