Best 85mm Prime Lenses for Stunning Portrait Photography
The 85mm prime lens is a favorite among photographers for its excellent portrait capabilities, offering sharp focus and beautiful bokeh. This article reviews the top 85mm prime lenses available on Amazon, including options from Sony, Nikon, Canon, Meike, and Sirui. Below is a summary table showcasing their main features to help you quickly compare these lenses.
| Lens | Brand | Maximum Aperture | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8 | Sony | f/1.8 | 9-Blade circular aperture, ED glass element |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S | Nikon | f/1.8 | 2 ED glass elements, Nano Crystal coating, dust & drip resistant |
| Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro STM | Canon | f/2 | 0.5x magnification, Optical Image Stabilization |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S | Nikon | f/1.2 | 11 rounded blades, Eye-Detect AF, linear focusing |
| Meike 85mm F1.8 | Meike | f/1.8 | 9 diaphragm blades, sharp and clear, 9 elements in 6 groups |
Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens
The Sony SEL85F18 features a wide f/1.8 maximum aperture that allows for excellent subject isolation and beautiful defocusing effects. Its 9-Blade circular aperture creates round and pleasing bokeh, enhancing portrait aesthetics. The incorporation of an ED glass element ensures sharpness from corner to corner, reducing chromatic aberrations and distortion. Compatible with Sony mirrorless cameras, this lens is a solid choice for photographers seeking quality and affordability in an 85mm prime.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S Premium Portrait Prime Lens
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S combines a fast f/1.8 aperture with a 9-blade diaphragm to produce soft, rounded bokeh. It includes two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements and a Nano Crystal Coat to provide sharp, accurate pictures with minimal flare and ghosting. Engineered for durability, this lens is dust and drip resistant with extensive sealing, making it reliable for demanding environments. Perfect for Nikon Z-series mirrorless cameras, it balances high-speed performance and image quality.
Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro STM Compact Medium-Telephoto Lens
The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro STM stands out by combining a bright f/2 aperture with macro capabilities, enabling a maximum 0.5x magnification and close focusing at just 1.15 feet. It offers optical image stabilization that corrects up to 5 stops of shake, ideal for handheld shooting and low-light scenarios. This compact, lightweight lens delivers beautiful bokeh and is optimized for Canon’s RF mirrorless camera system, making it highly versatile for portrait and close-up photography.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S Professional Large Aperture Prime Lens
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S lens features an ultra-fast f/1.2 aperture with 11 rounded diaphragm blades, delivering extremely smooth and natural background blur. It supports linear focusing with compatible Nikon Z cameras for precise manual focus control or near-silent Eye-Detect autofocus. Designed for full-frame and APS-C formats, this professional-level lens excells in creating dramatic focus transitions and outstanding image quality with superior color rendition.
Meike 85mm F1.8 Full Frame Auto Focus Medium-Telephoto Portrait Lens
The Meike 85mm F1.8 is a standard full-frame lens with a wide f/1.8 aperture and 9 diaphragm blades designed to produce super smooth and round bokeh. Its optical construction includes 9 elements arranged in 6 groups, delivering sharp, clear images suited for portraits, subjects, architecture, and landscapes. With an angle of view at 28.5° diagonal, this lens balances performance and build quality for photographers seeking affordability and versatility.
SIRUI Aurora 85mm F1.4 Full Frame Auto Focus Telephoto Lens
The SIRUI Aurora 85mm F1.4 lens offers outstanding sharpness at its ultra-fast f/1.4 aperture, utilizing aspherical, ED, and HRI glass to minimize chromatic aberrations. Its 15-blade diaphragm facilitates a magnificent bokeh effect, while fast and precise autofocus with a step motor supports eye AF and object tracking. Ideal for Sony E-mount cameras, this lens excels in both low-light and fast-action portrait shooting scenarios.
Viltrox 85mm F1.8 Auto Focus Lens for Sony E Mount Cameras
The Viltrox 85mm F1.8 lens offers fast and smooth autofocus compatible with Sony full-frame and APS-C mirrorless cameras. The 85mm focal length is ideal for portraits, enabling close subject distance with high sharpness. Featuring metal electronic contacts for accurate EXIF data transmission and electronic aperture adjustment, this lens provides quality images at a competitive value, suitable for both enthusiasts and professionals.
Auto-Focus Viltrox 85mm F1.8 Mark II STM Full Frame Lens for Sony
The Viltrox 85mm F1.8 Mark II offers autofocus and a large f/1.8 aperture, perfect for portrait photography with Sony E-mount full-frame and APS-C cameras. This lens supports EXIF and electronic aperture control, enhancing workflow and image metadata accuracy. Designed for portraiture, it offers excellent background defocusing capabilities and solid optical performance in a compact, lightweight form factor.
Buying Guide: Choosing the Best 85mm Prime Lens
Selecting the right 85mm prime lens involves considering multiple key factors for your photography needs:
Maximum Aperture
A wider maximum aperture (f/1.2 to f/1.8) provides superior low-light performance and allows for more pronounced background blur (bokeh). The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S and Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 excel here, while f/2 lenses like the Canon RF macro also balance light and convenience.
Autofocus Performance
Fast and reliable autofocus is essential for capturing sharp images, especially in portrait or event photography. Lenses with step motors or linear motors (e.g., Sirui Aurora, Nikon Z lenses, Viltrox) offer smooth and quiet AF, beneficial for stills and video.
Lens Construction and Optical Elements
Extra-low dispersion (ED) glass and aspherical elements reduce aberrations and improve sharpness. Coatings like Nano Crystal reduce flare. Check for quality glass in higher-end lenses such as Nikon and Sony models for optimal image quality.
Build Quality and Weather Sealing
Dust and moisture resistance improve durability in challenging shooting conditions. Nikon’s Z 85mm f/1.8 S offers extensive sealing, suitable for outdoor use.
Special Features
- Image Stabilization: Especially helpful for handheld shots if available (e.g., Canon RF 85mm F2 macro).
- Macro Capability: Allows close focusing and creative versatility.
- Compatibility: Ensure the lens supports your camera mount and sensor size.
Price and Value
Premium lenses such as Nikon’s f/1.2 or Sony’s prime offer excellent quality but at a higher cost. Budget-friendly options like Meike and Viltrox provide good performance suitable for enthusiasts or as entry points to portrait photography.
Considering these aspects will help you make an informed decision to find the best 85mm prime lens tailored to your shooting style and camera system.