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My next prime portrait lens should be ... ?

Started 7 months ago | Questions thread
ffabrici Senior Member • Posts: 1,352
Canon EF 85L f/1.4 IS
2

atolk wrote:

I don't strictly speaking NEED a portrait lens because I don't shoot all that many portraits, and my EF 70-200mm f/2.8 and EF 85mm f/1.8 are adequate, but I have the bokeh envy from all the FB posts and YouTube reviews, and I know that I am supposed to want a prime lens for sharpness (I think my old 85mm 1.8 has issues), so I am thinking about getting a lens that I don't need but will love and use a lot. And just in time for a requested senior shoot. Make the customer's friends and family ooh and aah and start knocking my door down for more sessions.

Let's say the RF 85mm f/1.2 at $2,699 sets the upper limit of desirability and budget.

Let's say that something like Samyang/Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 AF at around $499 is an acceptable low end alternative. (Oh, and I just found out than an RF version exists, except it seems that it does not.)

Not to mention the $349 manual focus version with RF mount. An option? Why not?

And the three famous Sigma ART lenses comfortable occupying the middle tier and running between $1,049 and $1,499, commanding a cult following of sorts.

In your own humble professional opinion, what lens delivers the greatest wow/price ratio? Make your recommendation as succinct or verbose as you please.

I will buy the lens YOU recommend. And if I don't, we can have a nice gear chat.

Samples are always welcome! Especially if you do senior shoots.

I have had or have used all the 85-135mm lenses from Canon and Sigma. I ended up with Canon 85L 1.4 and Sigma 135ART 1.8 where I feel I’ve got the biggest value for money, while not compromising sharpness and bokeh.

RF 85L f/1.2 is the best 85mm lens and the 135ART is the best 135mm lenses I have used. I also use 200L f/2 for portraits but that is different set-up.

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