BEST Focal Length for Portraits?

35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm. For anyone getting into portrait photography you've probably come across these prime focal lengths. These focal lengths are all great but each one affects your photo differently. The longer the focal length, the more compression. Like the background is getting bigger and closer to your subject.

The best focal length is the one that serves you best, and that's because the best portrait lens doesn't exist!

I enjoy shooting with a 35mm over all the others because it means I don't have to be 20ft away from my subject. I can use it in smaller studios and tighter spaces. It doesn't obliterate the background like an 85 or 135mm. I can also capture more environment in my scene. The 35mm works with my shooting style and for me; the most versatile. I can use it in so many different scenarios where the others can't.

Everyone has a different style and what my favourite lens is might not be yours. You might like the look of the 135mm. You might like that you're always going to get an extremely blurry background with an insane amount of compression.

The "best" lens doesn't exist!

@AnthonyGugliotta

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[RobertoSotoA]

85mm is the most flattering for portraits, 35mm is good for portraits but also when you wanna show off the scene around your subject.

[snowwalker]

The two are different types of portraits. It depends what you are trying to create. The 135 is more photographic but the 35 is better for video as well since it gives you more in the background. Almost all non photographers that have seen my photos have picked the ones taken with 135 over the rest of them.

[herbrockone]

I have them all. They all have their place. 35mm for street ports and or indoors for group shots. 50, 85, and 135 are great portraits lenses but you need more distance to shoot with them. A 70-200 would be a great addition to your list. Additional focal length compression more expensive and alot heavier. My favorite and least used is the 135.
Not sure which lens or focal works for you, try renting one to help your purchase decision

[MageshSridhar_]

Sigma 56mm f1.4 gotta be the best one for Sony cameras. Super sharp, amazing contrast and beautiful bokeh!

[makasii]

the best lens for portrait is the one you use and feel creative with. period

[SamScarborough]

Depends also on your sensor and camera type.

For my camera it’s a 35mm f/1.8 lens for crisp detail, natural focal length and nice bokeh

[BJJgurl]

Pictures from the longer lenses are more flattering to the subject but they are less practical. I think the nifty fifty is still the best overall compromise.

[soupricemf]

Keeping the subject background is always the key.. 35mm!!

[stacyswift-kvoi]

Love them all ❤❤❤ cannot go wrong with prime lens for portrait

I love 85 mm

But starting to falling with my 70-200 Mm f2.8 G 2 sony

[jlr_]

Canon 70-200 F2.8L at 200 is my favorite for the last 12 years. Can't change my mind. So versatile. I was tempted with the 85 1.2 several times though. Haha

[xXJayCruXx]

This is some solid information for people just starting out or anyone not able to experiment with it themselves. Thanks for this brother.

[mikes]

My preference has been more on the telephoto side, but I'm trying to work with more wide angle shots just so I have a good all around balance in my work.

[TheSHNGAM]

Really love my 33 1.4 on Fuji. It is close to the 50mm full frame crop size but it keeps the background of a 35mm full frame compression for context while still providing a nice shallow depth of field.

[Jim_Mundy]

Really great short… I can see the four lenses and how they capture the subject in the background. Super helpful! And I assume you’re on a full frame camera.

[petrpohnan]

Aftery practicing with various 50mm, 85mm and 135mm lenses my portrait combo finally established from Sigma's 40/1.4 and 105/1.4. Both are just excellent wide opened, sharp, contrasty, with no fringing. Especially the 40/1.4 aspires for the best non telephoto lens ever made by any manufacturer.

[CaseyWilsonDP]

I think you're focusing on the wrong part initially. Most of these lenses will create a shallow enough depth of field to create separation, and conversely can be closed down enough to not obliterate the background Look at the faces instead. What focal length is most flattering to the shape of the face/body. I think your conclusion at the end is good if you're trying to make it an environmental portrait photo, but that might not be the most important consideration for every portrait.

[csc-photo]

Unless I'm doing groups or environmentals, 35 is a no-go for portraits. It absolutely distorts the face unless you're further back (50 does as well). I'm at 85 or longer for anything 3/4-shot or tighter. All subjective of course, but that's the beauty of this (and any) art form.

[facu_eze_peralta]

I love the look of the 135mm love it so much!

[jamesbarron]

Tamron 35-150 f/2-2.8 is my preferred focal length 😊. It covers all of the most popular portrait focal lengths. 85mm if I have to choose a prime.

[omegaman]

I have shot 85mm but recently the 50mm has had great results with modern optics. 35mm will consider in the future for environmental shots. I will never do a 135mm.