Top 6 Best Canon Lens For Portraits 2024

By GirlBoss Team | February 24, 2024

Portrait photography is an art that requires skill, patience, and the right equipment. One of the most crucial pieces of gear for portrait photographers is a high-quality lens. With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to determine which one is the best choice for your needs. In this article, we’ll be discussing the best Canon lens for portraits.

When it comes to portrait photography, the lens you choose can make a significant difference in the quality of your images. A good portrait lens should have a wide aperture to create a shallow depth of field, allowing you to isolate your subject and create a beautiful bokeh effect. It should also be sharp and produce accurate colors.

When choosing a Canon lens for portraits, there are a few critical factors to consider. First, you’ll want to think about the focal length. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, many photographers prefer a focal length between 50mm and 85mm for portraits. This range allows you to capture your subject’s face without introducing distortion.

Another important consideration is the aperture. A wide aperture, such as f/1.4 or f/1.8, will give you the shallow depth of field you need for stunning portraits. However, lenses with wider apertures tend to be more expensive, so you’ll need to balance your budget with your desired results.

In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the best Canon lenses for portraits, considering factors such as focal length, aperture, and price point. Whether you’re a professional photographer or just starting, our guide will help you find the perfect lens to take your portrait photography to the next level.

Best Canon Lens for Portraits

When it comes to portrait photography, the right lens can make all the difference. We have researched and tested various Canon lenses to bring you our top picks for capturing stunning portraits. Whether you’re a professional photographer or an amateur enthusiast, these lenses are sure to elevate your portrait game. Check out our list below to find the perfect lens for your needs.

Lightdow 85mm F1.8 Medium Telephoto Manual Focus Full Frame Portrait Lens

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly portrait lens, the Lightdow 85mm F1.8 Medium Telephoto Manual Focus Full Frame Portrait Lens is worth considering.

Pros

The large aperture allows for a pleasing bokeh effect, enhancing shallow depth of field images.
The smooth and large focus rings provide a comfortable and easy manual focus operation.
The ultra multi-coating ensures high-quality, sharp images.

Cons

This is a manual focus lens, which may not be suitable for SLR beginners.
There are no electronic contacts, so the camera will not detect the lens when mounted. You’ll need to switch to MF mode to use the lens correctly.
The lens cap is made of plastic, which may not be as durable as other materials.

This lens is a great option for photographers who have experience with manual focus lenses and are looking for a budget-friendly option. The large aperture allows for stunning portrait images with a bokeh effect, and the smooth focus rings make it easy to achieve the perfect focus. However, beginners may find the manual focus operation challenging, and the lack of electronic contacts means that the lens won’t be detected by the camera automatically.

In terms of compatibility, the Lightdow 85mm F1.8 Medium Telephoto Manual Focus Full Frame Portrait Lens is compatible with Canon EOS Rebel T7, T7i, T6, T6i, T5, T5i, SL2, 80D, 77D, 700D, 70D, 60D, 50D, 5D, 6D, 7D, 600D, 550D, 200D, 150D, 100D, 1300D, 1400D, 1500D, and more.

Overall, if you’re an experienced photographer looking for a budget-friendly portrait lens, the Lightdow 85mm F1.8 Medium Telephoto Manual Focus Full Frame Portrait Lens is worth considering.

Canon Portrait and Travel Two Lens Kit

If you’re looking for a versatile and affordable lens kit for your Canon camera, the Canon Portrait and Travel Two Lens Kit is a great option to consider.

Pros

The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a compact, lightweight lens that’s perfect for everyday photos. The large f/1.8 aperture is ideal for low-light photography and creative background blur.
The EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM is an ultra-wide zoom lens that’s great for capturing expansive scenery, from tall buildings to inspiring mountain ranges. The wide angle of view helps you achieve vivid colors and details during your travels.
The stepping motor (STM) and newly-designed focus mechanism support the Canon EOS Movie Servo AF function, providing smooth and quiet continuous AF during video recording as well as when shooting photos.

Cons

The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens has a minimum focusing distance of 1.15 ft (0.35m), which may be too far for some close-up photography.
The EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM lens has a relatively narrow aperture range, which may limit its performance in low-light conditions.
The lenses in this kit are not weather-sealed, so you’ll need to take extra precautions when shooting in wet or dusty environments.

Overall, we recommend the Canon Portrait and Travel Two Lens Kit for photographers who want to expand their creative options without breaking the bank. The kit’s compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry around, while the high-quality optics deliver sharp and vibrant images.

In terms of image quality, the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens is a standout performer, with a fast maximum aperture that allows you to create beautiful bokeh and isolate your subject from the background. The EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM lens is also a solid performer, with a wide angle of view that’s perfect for landscape and architectural photography.

If you’re looking for a versatile and affordable lens kit that can handle a wide range of shooting situations, the Canon Portrait and Travel Two Lens Kit is definitely worth considering.

Meike 85mm F1.8 Full Frame Auto Focus Medium-Telephone Portrait Lens

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly Canon lens for portraits, the Meike 85mm F1.8 Full Frame Auto Focus Medium-Telephone Portrait Lens is a solid option.

Pros

The wide aperture of f1.8 with 9 diaphragm blades produces a super smooth round blur effect (bokeh).
The lens construction is 9 elements in 6 groups with decent build quality, capable of delivering sharp and clear images.
Also compatible with Canon APS-C frame EF-Mount cameras, the equivalent focal length is 136mm.

Cons

The autofocus is slow and loud, which may not be ideal for video recording.
The lens may be a little dark around the edges when shooting wide open.
Some users have reported issues with the focusing motor after a few months of use.

We found that the Meike 85mm F1.8 lens produced sharp and clear images with a beautiful bokeh effect. However, the autofocus was a bit slow and loud, which may not be ideal for video recordings. Additionally, the lens may be a little dark around the edges when shooting wide open, but this is a minor issue that can be easily corrected in post-processing. Overall, we think this lens is a great budget-friendly option for portrait photography.

If you’re looking for a high-quality Canon lens for portraits but don’t want to break the bank, the Meike 85mm F1.8 Full Frame Auto Focus Medium-Telephone Portrait Lens is definitely worth considering.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens

If you’re looking for a reliable lens that can capture stunning portraits, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens is an excellent choice.

Pros

The fast f/1.8 maximum aperture is perfect for low light conditions and allows for beautiful background blur.
The ultrasonic autofocus motor (USM) provides fast, smooth, and quiet autofocus.
The lens is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around.

Cons

The lens is not zoomable, meaning you’ll have to move around to adjust your framing.
The minimum focusing distance of 2.8 feet can be limiting in certain situations.
The lens does not come with a hood, which can be an additional expense.

We were impressed with the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens’s ability to capture stunning portraits with ease. The fast aperture allowed us to capture beautiful, creamy bokeh in the background, while the USM motor ensured that our subjects were always in focus.

One thing to note is that the lens is not zoomable, which means that you’ll have to move around to adjust your framing. However, we found that this wasn’t a major issue, as the lens’s natural angle of view and perspective were perfect for capturing natural-looking portraits.

Overall, if you’re in the market for a reliable lens that can capture stunning portraits, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens is definitely worth considering.

BENOISON 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens

If you’re looking for a manual portrait lens, the BENOISON 85mm f1.8 is a great option.

Pros

The large f1.8 aperture delivers fantastic background bokeh, enhancing shallow depth-of-field images.
As a versatile portrait lens, the 85mm lens makes it easy to take half- and full-body shots. It can also take close-ups of faces, making it ideal for street photography.
The lens is compatible with a wide range of Canon EOS cameras.

Cons

The lens is fully manual, meaning that your camera will not detect the lens when mounted, and you will need to set the “Release w/o Lens” option in the camera menu to “Enable.”
Manual camera lenses cannot display the aperture value in the camera, so you will need to adjust the shutter speed and ISO to take a beautiful photo.
The lens is not recommended for beginners, as it requires some shooting experience.

In our experience, the BENOISON 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens is a solid choice for those looking for a manual portrait lens. The large f1.8 aperture delivers stunning background bokeh, making your subject stand out. The lens is versatile, allowing you to take half- and full-body shots, as well as close-ups of faces, making it ideal for street photography. The lens is compatible with a wide range of Canon EOS cameras, making it a great option for those who already own a Canon camera. However, the lens is fully manual, so you will need to set the “Release w/o Lens” option in the camera menu to “Enable.” Additionally, manual camera lenses cannot display the aperture value in the camera, so you will need to adjust the shutter speed and ISO to take a beautiful photo. Overall, the BENOISON 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens is a solid choice for those looking for a manual portrait lens with stunning bokeh.

Meike 85mm f1.8 Large Aperture Full Frame Auto Focus Telephoto Lens

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly lens for portraits, the Meike 85mm f1.8 is worth considering.

Pros

The large aperture of f1.8 produces beautiful bokeh and makes it easy to capture sharp portraits with a blurred background.
The lens is compatible with Canon EF mount digital SLR cameras and APS C bodies such as 1D, 5D3, 5D4, 6D, 7D, 70D, 550D, 80D, and EF-Mount.
The lens firmware can be upgraded via USB connection.

Cons

The autofocus can be loud and slow, making it difficult to capture fast-moving subjects.
The lens construction is not as robust as more expensive options.
The flare can be excessive in certain lighting conditions.

We were impressed with the Meike 85mm f1.8’s ability to produce sharp portraits with a blurred background. The large aperture of f1.8 is perfect for low-light situations and produces beautiful bokeh. However, the autofocus can be loud and slow, which can make it difficult to capture fast-moving subjects. Additionally, the lens construction is not as robust as more expensive options, which may be a concern for those who plan to use it frequently. Overall, the Meike 85mm f1.8 is a solid option for those looking for a budget-friendly lens for portraits.

Buying Guide

When selecting a Canon lens for portrait photography, it’s important to consider a few key factors to ensure that you get the best possible results. Here are some features to look for when choosing a lens:

Focal Length

The focal length of the lens is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a lens for portraits. A focal length between 50mm and 85mm is generally considered ideal for portrait photography. A longer focal length can help to create a shallower depth of field, which can result in a more attractive and artistic image.

Aperture

The aperture of the lens is another important consideration. A lens with a wider maximum aperture (such as f/1.8 or f/1.4) will allow more light into the camera, which can help to create a shallower depth of field and a more attractive bokeh effect. This can be particularly useful when shooting portraits in low light conditions.

Image Stabilization

Image stabilization can be a useful feature when shooting portraits, particularly if you’re using a longer focal length lens. This feature can help to reduce camera shake and ensure that your images are sharp and in focus.

Autofocus

Fast and accurate autofocus is essential when shooting portraits, particularly if you’re working with moving subjects. Look for a lens with a fast and accurate autofocus system to ensure that your images are sharp and in focus.

Build Quality

Finally, it’s important to consider the build quality of the lens. Look for a lens that is well-built and durable, with weather sealing if possible. This will ensure that your lens can withstand the rigors of professional use and will last for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top Canon lenses recommended for portrait photography?

When it comes to portrait photography, Canon offers a wide range of lenses that can produce stunning results. Some of the top Canon lenses recommended for portrait photography are the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM, Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM, and Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM.

Which Canon EF lens is preferred for professional family portraits?

For professional family portraits, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is a popular choice. It offers a versatile range of focal lengths and produces sharp and detailed images.

What is the ideal lens choice for Canon mirrorless cameras when shooting portraits?

If you’re shooting portraits with a Canon mirrorless camera, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is a great choice. It produces stunning bokeh and sharp images, making it ideal for portrait photography.

Can you recommend a Canon lens well-suited for wedding photography?

For wedding photography, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM are both excellent choices. They offer versatile focal lengths and produce sharp and detailed images.

What are the benefits of using a 50mm Canon lens for portrait shots?

A 50mm Canon lens, such as the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM, is a great choice for portrait shots because it produces a natural-looking perspective and is lightweight and compact. It also offers a wide aperture, which allows for beautiful bokeh and low-light performance.

For capturing sharp and detailed portraits, which Canon lens should I consider?

If you’re looking to capture sharp and detailed portraits, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM and Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM are both excellent choices. They produce stunning images with beautiful bokeh and are ideal for portrait photography.

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