Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN | C £379/$404

Perfect for crop-sensor portraiture Lens mount s Canon M, MFT, Sony E

Available in various mount options for Canon EOS M, Micro Four Thirds and Sony E (APS-C) format bodies, this Sigma Contemporary lens is one of an f/1.4 series that also includes 16mm and 30mm primes. The 56mm is the most natural choice for bokeh, with a portrait-friendly effective focal length of about 85mm in full-frame terms.

Although small and light, the lens is beautifully turned out and has a really solid feel to it. The only external moving part is a comfortably wide manual focus ring, which is electronically coupled to the stepping motor autofocus system.

Performance

Levels of sharpness are very good across the whole frame, especially for such a fast lens. Bokeh is beautifully soft and dreamy, and the minimal axial chromatic aberration results in negligible bokeh fringing.