Group Test

Been missing people recently? Shoot the ones you love and keep them close, with a portrait prime…

Eight prime lenses for perfect portraits, for DSLR and mirrorless camera systems

We’ve all been missing friends and family, on and off over the last year. But with lockdown restrictions easing up, we can look forward to getting reacquainted, and even capturing some quality portrait images as a keepsake. With that in mind, this month’s group test focuses on lenses that are perfect for portraiture.

For full-frame shooters, an 85mm prime with a fast aperture is generally the best choice. The focal length gives a flattering perspective and enables a comfortable working distance, so you’re not crowding your subject and invading their personal space, but are still close enough to engage and give direction. A shorter focal length is preferable for APS-C-format or Micro Four Thirds systems, due to their crop factors. Either way, a ‘fast’ aperture rating on a portrait lens enables a tight depth of field for blurring the background, literally focusing all the attention on the main subject.

We’ve picked out some of the most desirable portrait lenses on the market today, while keeping an eye on affordability – not least because many of us are feeling the pinch right now. Let’s dive in…