Most highly regarded portrait lens?

I personally like prime lenses


Over all I need the best portrait lens I can get a hold of.

I am currently looking at the 50mm art lens and the 50mm 1.2

Everything I see says the sigma is better but yeah

Personally experiences?

Link to the best reviews of the best portrait lenses all vs each other?


I also hear great things about the 70-200m 2.8

Money is not an issue. I shoot a canon 6D

Like asking a golfer for the most highly regarded golf club. Depends on the type of shot.

Erm.

Agree to disagree.


There are always things that are used more than others, as a whole

Not just this community or each individual
I'm just wanting to see the best options out there

200 2.8L

Best options for what? What kind of portraits are you planning on? Studio? Outdoor? Travel? There are definitely lenses that are used more than others but the variables have to be considered.

Without sounding obvious, other than the golf club analogy, this is like asking what is the best tire?

What is your shooting style and type of portraits you do and like?

Close, medium or from afar?

That will drive the focal length of the lens you select, else you are going to get every suggestions from 50mm, 85mm, 100mm, 135mm, to 200mm.

Only then will you really be able to start looking at what offerings are available on the market today.

The OP did ask for the most highly regarded portrait, not our personal opinions on the best. Based on observed prevalence, I'll say it's draw between the 135L and the 85L.

I have neither.

Heya,

From Canon specifically:

35L
85L
135L
70-200L (all flavors)
200L

Very best,

Nick Aufiero wrote in post #17399274
Erm.

Agree to disagree.


There are always things that are used more than others, as a whole

Not just this community or each individual
I'm just wanting to see the best options out there

There are lenses people prefer, but those vary drastically depending on who you ask, there's no "one lens" for everyone or everything, this is far too broad a question.

For one thing, 50mm isn't seen as ideal for portraiture by most photographers because unless you're framing loosely for a whole body portrait you're going to get perspective distortion. 85mm or longer is better for portraiture, which is better for you depends entirely on you. Some people even prefer to take portraits at wide angle like 35mm or sometimes wider and can produce amazing shots, but most shooters wouldn't recommend doing that.

What are you shooting? Why do you need "the best" portrait lens? If money is "not an issue", sell your 6D and get a medium format body

Time and again the 135L on FF gets top mention. Since the advent of 85L, it's won over many. Sigma Art line-up is in the same ballpark.

From personal experience the 135L, hands down, get the best results of any I've ever tried. Well; a friend let me try their 50 f1.0 once and that was a unique experience. Since that was on a crop camera, the length was perfect.

If money is no object; get a 135L and see for yourself. You're sure to be able to get most of your money back if you disagree.

IMHO; of my 2 70-200L's, they're my most used lenses on FF and results are stupendous, but they still can't quite match that special magic of the 135L. But then; I'm just a layman.

PineBomb wrote in post #17399348
The OP did ask for the most highly regarded portrait, not our personal opinions on the best. Based on observed prevalence, I'll say it's draw between the 135L and the 85L.

I have neither.

The OP did not ask for the most prevalent portrait lens. He asked for the most highly regarded which is entirely subjective. I have an old M42 mount lens that has 15 aperture blades. Although it is not as prevalent I regard it much higher than I do my 85L or 135L.

Each lens has its own rendering style,
depending of focal length and aperture.

What's the best of all? It's really very subjective.

Mostly of pro the 85L II is the ultimative lens for the still standing portrait coz beautiful bokeh and smooth transition of bokeh rendering. I owned it and loved it but strong CAs in the backlight situation is one big con against this lens. And of course the AF isn't fast as usual. This is the lens for the head portrait.

Portrait of whole body, I would prefer 135/2, it's an amazing lens too. I owned it for short time because i don't like this focal length and my 70-200 can simulate the rendering style of 135mm at 200mm f/2.8.

The 50L can be used as portrait lens of course. It's great for half body portrait. It has its own unique rendering style. It's bot razor sharp at f/1.2 but it has its unique rendering character. The bokeh is totally awesome. It's not heavy lens, it has fast usable AF. It's built well. But in the near distance the focus shift can happen, I don't know why... But I loved this lens. I'd buy this one again...

But the best of all its Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 I must admit even if I don't have it in my home kit (hopefully soon )

nqjudo wrote in post #17399490
The OP did not ask for the most prevalent portrait lens. He asked for the most highly regarded which is entirely subjective. I have an old M42 mount lens that has 15 aperture blades. Although it is not as prevalent I regard it much higher than I do my 85L or 135L.

Look, it's all highly subjective however you read the question. 99.9% of the saber rattling on this site is based on subjectivity, and it's fatiguing. I didn't say it was an exhaustive list. I offered a couple of examples based in part on personal opinion and also on relevant anecdotal observations, and I can't tell you how pleased I am that you dismissed them. Enjoy your 15 blades.

200mm f1.8

gremlin75 wrote in post #17399541
200mm f1.8

My shoulder's sore just thinking about it.