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In this video I find out what is the best prime lens for portrait photography by shooting a bridal model with the Sony 35mm f1.8, Sony 50mm f1.2 GM, Sony 85mm f1.8 and the Sony 135mm f1.8 GM lenses.
All the photographs in this video were taken on my Sony A9II camera in natural light.
It is really interesting to do a direct comparison between the 4 lenses and I would love to know which lens was your favourite.
Finally, a huge thank you to my partner Helen Williams for filming this video!
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Comments
31 responses to “What is the best PRIME LENS for portrait photography? 35mm 50mm 85mm 135mm”
35 ❤
135 mm f1.8 and 50mm f1.2
Job done 😅
Awesome sir
I barely use my 35mm but you just gave me a reason to use it more! I love these practical videos that provide comparisons while showing your artistic approach! Thanks!
IMO the 135 is a can't-go-wrong lens as the background and composition become almost inconsequential. Therefore, for beginners I can see the attraction toward the 135mm lens. However, if your goal is to become a better photographer and to produce staged images that appear to be spontaneous "real life" snapshots that just happen to look spectacular, then the 35mm and 50mm lens will achieve that. But again, using 35mm especially is more challenging and you have to know what you are doing in order to produce great images. So expect to shoot lots of crappy 35mm images for a while.
Great video! As someone who uses the A9II for wildlife, I’m interested to know why you picked this camera for your type of photography?
almost 135.
i think 35mm in this location
Great video, Neil, thank you. I do have a 35 1.8 and a 85 1.8, however, they stay in the bag because of a Tamron 35-150 f3-2.8. Advantages of the Tamron are multi-focal lengths at fairly wide apertures and no lens changing to keep chances of dust on the sensor down. Disadvantage of the Tamron is the size and weight. For run and gun hybrid shooting, the Tamron is the one I reach for. Cheers Braden
Neil they're all lovely. I think I particularly like the effect with the 135mm lens, it really super imposes the subject out from the background with such softness. Actually liked the 50mm as well which I haven't used all that much myself.
Neil, you are clearly a very talented professional and you got amazing results from all of the lenses 👏🏻 I think on balance the 85mm is the best compromise if you could only have one.
I was most surprised by the 135mm, I need to start saving for my next lens now 😂
All the lenses have strengths – if you want to harness more of the environment with the 35mm, or more compression with a 135mm for example. Thanks for the comparison 👍🏻
This is one of those things that i have to feel in the moment about. My 100% go to is the 35 1.4 GM. But sometimes depending on the environment im in, i just can't pass up the compression of a good 85 or 135.
Best lens sigma 105mm f1. 2
I have 35 & 85 😎👍
They all were beautiful in there own right. But side by side as a portrait I would have to lean towards the 85mm or the 135mm
Sigma 105 f1.4 is the answer
135 hands down.
I thought it would be the 50 or 85 mm. But finally it'll be surprisingly the 135mm
Now i only have 35mm lens as a beginner i have to learn it more and more, Tbh its difficult for me😅😅
Fantastic video and photos on all lenses. You made it clear to use what you have with you for amazing results. Well done 👍🏼
85 or 135 for me!
135mm is my all time fav… however the 35 is so flexible and very, very good for snapshots (at weddings when it gas to go fast) in tighter spaces. TBH i feel the 35mm is overrated tho, as many sesaoned photographers love it for its more unconventional look and slight distortion (which in turn allows more creativity)…HOWEVER many, many clients really prefer the images i shoot with the 135mm or 50mm Range, as its just always a stunner with tight focus. Would i ever shoot a wedding without a 35mm? No, its too important for getting ready, inbetweens, fastpaced shooting… but for a pure portrait session i always like the 50mm and 135mm a LOT more (and yes, im aware that that also says something about my skill level with the 35…. :)…)
135mm is my favorite
135mm and 85mm
The shots you did with the 35mm that weren’t part of this portrait session look fantastic and I see why you love it. For this portrait session I love the buttery bokeh of the 135 in the way it melts the foreground and background.
All of them are nice hope in the future you can try with Sigma 105 f 1.4 .
I'm still an amateur, so take this with a grain of salt. The first set, I felt it was a toss up between 85 and 135. The Bokeh was good in all, but I felt the 35 and 50 had too much going on and distracted from the model. The second set (over and above), the 35 (and the 50) achieved the desired elevated composition. Whereas the 85 and 135 didn't. Needing to stand further back made the shot look as if it was taken at eye level. The last sets I felt 85 and 135 gave the desired results. The Bokeh was present in all the images, but, again, I felt the 35 and 50 shots had too much going on and took away from the model. Overall, I felt the 85 was the best overall in this situation. All were awesome in their own right. Keep making the videos, I'm learning something from all of them.
They were all good. It’s difficult to choose just one.
The 135mm, by far. It's a must have for portraits.
Without a question either the Nikon 105, or the Sigma 105.. If you can't afford the Nikon 200 2.0
85 but hadn’t considered the 135 previously. I’m staying with the 85.