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The best 85mm lenses provide great subject isolation, depth of field, and minimum image distortion. Although slightly larger and more expensive than other focal lengths, they're perfect for headshots, low-light, and street photography.
These lenses are essential to most photographers due to their pleasing bokeh and image clarity. However, these lenses are slightly less versatile compared to others due to their focal length. This article discusses the best 85mm lenses to buy in 2024.
A look into the best 85mm lenses to buy in 2024
1) Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM
The Sony FE 85 mm F1.4 GM is a premium telephoto prime lens from Sony's G Master series. Renowned for its exceptional image quality and pleasing bokeh, it ranks among the top 85mm lenses to invest in for 2024. Its versatility shines through in its ability to excel across various photography genres, including professional portraits, low-light photography, and event photography.
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The lens features a fixed focal length of 85mm, 11 diaphragm blades, an aperture ring, and weighs around 820g. It is compatible with a wide array of cameras, as it works with both E-Mount full-frame and APS-C cameras. Its ED glass elements significantly reduce chromatic aberration and retain the natural color of the scene captured. However, as one of the more expensive options, professionals typically favor these lenses.
Pros:
- The lens has exceptional image quality and vibrant colors
- Provides a gorgeous bokeh thanks to its 11 aperture blades
- Being a part of the G Master series, it is perfect for professional use
Cons:
- On the expensive side
You can buy the lens here.
2) Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS
The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS is a telephoto prime lens for professional photography. This model slightly improves from the standard L USM lens, featuring a DS or Defocus Smoothing. This allows for a smoother defocus effect that prevents the unnatural sharp lines around subjects in images. It is larger, heavier, and significantly more expensive than the Sony lens.
It features a fixed 85mm focal length and an aperture of f/1.2. It also has the DS (Defocus Smoothing) lens coating, which makes a significant difference in images, typically portraits. The lens also belongs to Canon's L series, a professional lens line providing superior optics and more advanced features than the standard lens.
Pros:
- Produces premium quality images and has great color science
- Provides unmatched low-light performance and bokeh
- Has a professional-grade build
Cons:
- Most expensive lens on the list
- Very large and bulky
You can buy the lens here.
3) Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art
The Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art is a telephoto prime lens that excels in portrait photography. It is a professional-grade lens compatible with in-camera aberration correction, thus significantly enhancing your images. The lens's 11-bladed rounded diaphragm creates a beautiful, smooth, rounded bokeh.
The lens features a fixed focal length of 85mm and an aperture of f/1.4. The lens belongs to the DG DN series and is designed for full-frame camera options. There are two variants sold, one for Sony's E-Mount and the other for Leica's L-Mount. From Sigma's Art line, these lenses are known for producing high-quality, relatively affordable images.
Pros:
- Provides a great balance between performance and price
- Produces sharp images with an incredible bokeh
Cons:
- The autofocus of the lens might not be as fast as Sony or Canon options
- Quite large and bulky, making it less portable for some
You can buy the lens here.
4) Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f1.8G
The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f1.8G is a telephoto prime lens suitable for portraits and everyday shooting. Compared to its competitors, this lens is significantly lighter and less expensive, making it an excellent choice for beginners and seasoned photographers. Its Silent Wave Motor allows high-speed autofocus that's extremely quiet and precise.
The lens features a fixed focal length of 85mm and an aperture of f/1.8. While it can still achieve decent low-light results and bokeh, it won't be as strong as the f/1.2 and f/1.4 options. It's a more budget-friendly choice for Nikon users, prioritizing portability and affordability over absolute low-light performance.
Pros:
- Very affordable and lightweight compared to competitors
- Is an excellent choice for beginners.
Cons:
- Has a very narrow aperture that limits low-light performance and bokeh compared to other options
- Its plastic construction might feel less robust
You can buy the lens here.
5) Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 EF
The Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 EF is a telephoto prime lens suitable for portraiture and low-light photography. This lens offers image quality similar to Sigma's but often at a slightly lower price. It maintains a wide f/1.4 aperture for good low-light performance. However, some Samyang lenses can have limitations in terms of autofocus speed and weather sealing compared to other options mentioned.
The lens features a fixed focal length of 85mm and an aperture of f/1.4. Samyang has options that are compatible with different mounts, making them compatible with a wide array of lenses. Its two Linear Ultrasonic Motors allow for fast and quiet autofocus. While not as fast as some premium lenses, this lens offers good value for photographers looking for a reliable 85mm option.
Pros:
- Offers reliable performance
- Has good value for money
Cons:
- Autofocus might be slower and less accurate compared to others
- The lens lacks weather sealing
You can buy the lens here.
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Check out other lens articles by Sportskeeda:
35mm vs 50mm vs 85mm: Which is the best focal length for portrait photography? || 5 best 35mm lenses in 2024 || 5 best 50mm lenses in 2024 || 5 best lenses for portraits || 5 best Canon lenses for portraits
