Nikon portrait lens

Perhaps this article will help determine the portrait portrait for Nikon FX cameras.

Nikon Fixed Focus Lens

Nikon Fixed Focus Lens

Of course, a good portrait can be shot on almost any lens, but it is generally accepted that there are special lenses that can do this task with the highest quality. Typically, such lenses for full-length cameras include fast lenses with a focal length of 85mm. In this article you can find full list of all Nikon Nikkor native full-frame autofocus lenses with focal length from 85mm to 200mmthat counts or can be counted as portrait lenses.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm 1:1.2S (85/1.2S)

Lens for Nikon Z mirrorless cameras. One of the newest and fastest autofocus lenses of all time. So far, there is no exact data on the lens.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm 1:1.2S (85/1.2S)

Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm 1:1.2S (85/1.2S)

Announcement lens design here.

Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm 1: 1.8 S

Lens for Nikon Z mirrorless cameras. One of the most advanced Nikon Nikkor portrait lenses.

Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm 1: 1.8 S

Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm 1: 1.8 S

Lens announcement here.

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.8 AF Nikkor

Lens Non-d type. More represents collector's optionthan a working thing. This is the previous version of Nikon 85mm. 1: 1.8D AF Nikkor. In terms of price, the 1.8D AF Nikkor and 1.8 AF Nikkor are practically the same. The only difference is that you won't find the new 1.8 AF Nikkor, since the 1.8 AF Nikkor was discontinued back in 1994.

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.8 AF Nikkor

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.8 AF Nikkor

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.8D AF Nikkor

It differs from the previous version in the ability to transmit the focusing distance to the camera (D lens) and another release button on the aperture ring. Optically exactly the same as the 1.8 AF Nikkor. This is the cheapest 'real' Nikon AF portrait lens. This lens is produced to this day, the first versions were made in Japan, all the rest and modern ones including - in Thailand.

Nikon 85mm 1 review: 1.8D AF Nikkor.

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.8D AF Nikkor

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.8D AF Nikkor

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.8G AF-S Nikkor

The newest 85mm fast prime for SLR cameras. Produced in China. Gives a great picture. The best 85 in terms of price / quality ratio. Has M/A focus mode and built-in focus motor. I recommend this lens to anyone who wants to have an inexpensive lens with a high-quality picture. The price is slightly more expensive than 1.8D, but it surpasses the old 1.8D version in picture quality.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1: 1.8G IF review.

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.8G AF-S Nikkor

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.8G AF-S Nikkor

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.4D AF Nikkor

The legendary portrait lens. Has a prohibitively high aperturebeautiful drawing. Issued from 1995 to 2010. This is the most affordable 85-millimeter portrait of Nikon with aperture F1.4 and auto focus. True, 85 mm lenses with F / 1.4 and auto focus are only two pieces.

Nikon 85mm 1 review: 1.4D AF Nikkor

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.4D AF Nikkor

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.4D AF Nikkor

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.4GN AF-S Nikkor

The most expensive and optically the best Nikon 85 for SLR cameras. It has a special nanocrystalline lens coating. Among the shortcomings, I highlight the fact that auto focus is slightly slower than with versions 1.8 AF, 1.8D AF and 1.4D. Will work on all Nikon Central Control Units, has an M / AM mode.

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.4GN AF-S Nikkor review

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.4GN AF-S Nikkor

Nikon 85mm 1: 1.4GN AF-S Nikkor

Here is a general plate comparing all 85-current, which may help to understand the nuances.

Differences Autofocus 85-current Nikon

Differences Autofocus 85-current Nikon

It is typical that all 85 Nikons do not use special elements in their optical design, such as ED, A.S.P. etc. Next come the longer telephoto lenses:

Nikon 105mm 1: 2.8 AF Micro Nikkor

In fact, this is a macro lens, but can serve as a portrait lens. Non-D version. Same as the Nikon 105mm 1: 2.8D AF Micro Nikkor, manufactured in 1995. I would not include 105mm F / 2.8 AF in this list, but I couldn’t get around 105mm F / 2.8 AF-S, because here are two versions of 105mm F / 2.8 AF. Macro lenses are very sharp, this can be a hindrance for some types of portraiture. But the focal length of 100-105mm is considered by many to be traditionally portrait for full-frame cameras.

Nikon 105mm 1: 2.8 AF Micro Nikkor

Nikon 105mm 1: 2.8 AF Micro Nikkor

Nikon 105mm 1: 2.8D AF Micro Nikkor

This is an updated version of the previous lens. It was produced until 2006. Macro lenses boast excellent micro-contrast.

Nikon 105mm 1: 2.8D AF Micro Nikkor review.

Nikon 105mm 1: 2.8D AF Micro Nikkor

Nikon 105mm 1: 2.8D AF Micro Nikkor

Nikon N AF-S Micro Nikkor 105mm 1: 2.8G ED VR SWM IF Micro 1: 1 Nano Crystal Coat

Modern professional macro lens. It is still being issued. Many photographers assure that this makrushnik can be a wonderful portrait painter. The lens itself is very unusual, here is the nanocrystalline coating of the lenses, and the image stabilization system (in the fixed lens!) And the focus mode M / A. But Nikon DX AF-S Micro Nikkor 85mm 1: 3.5G ED VR SWM IF Micro1: 1 I did not include in this list because of the DX factor and low aperture.

Nikon N AF-S Micro Nikkor 105mm 1: 2.8G ED VR SWM IF Micro 1: 1 Nano Crystal Coat Review.

Nikon 105mm 1: 2.8GN AF-S Micro Nikkor ED VR

Nikon 105mm 1: 2.8GN AF-S Micro Nikkor ED VR

Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105mm 1: 2.8 VR S

Modern professional macro lens. Announcement here.

Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105mm 1: 2.8 VR S

Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105mm 1: 2.8 VR S

Nikon 105mm 1: 2D AF DC-Nikkor

This is a unique 'super' portrait lens with a unique Defocus Image system. Considered one of the best Nikon portrait lenses. Some sneer at 105 DC as a cut from 135DC. The DC system allows you to control the level and nature of blurring of the foreground (F) and distant shots (R). Owners of Nikon cameras without a focus motor will not be able to use the legendary Nikon DC 105 and 135 cameras.

Review of Nikon AF DC-Nikkor 105mm 1: 2 D Defocus Image Control.

Nikon 105mm 1: 2D AF DC-Nikkor

Nikon 105mm 1: 2D AF DC-Nikkor

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 105mm 1: 1.4E ED N

New lens introduced on 27.07.2016/100.000.000/XNUMX. Not enough information. Should be a legendary portrait lens as it was released for Nikon's “XNUMX” lens event.

AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f / 1.4E ED

AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f / 1.4E ED

Nikon 135mm 1: 2 AF DC-Nikkor

The first version of the legendary Nikon 135/2 DC. Non-D type lens. Has been replaced with a new D-version.

Nikon 135mm 1: 2 AF DC-Nikkor

Nikon 135mm 1: 2 AF DC-Nikkor

Nikon 135mm 1: 2D AF DC-Nikkor

This is another unique true 'super' portrait lens with Defocus Image System. Considered an icon among Nikon's portrait lenses. Oddly enough, it is still available, and Nikon will not release an updated version with an integrated focus motor in any way. Many swear at this lens for scary HA, many extol his drawing. For example, Ken Rockwell considers him the best of its kind.

Nikon 135mm 1: 2D AF DC-Nikkor

Nikon 135mm 1: 2D AF DC-Nikkor

Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm 1:1.8 S Plena

A special lens from the Nikon Nikkor Z line.

Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm 1:1.8 S Plena

Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm 1:1.8 S Plena

Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKI

This is already a 'long' 180mm portrait lens. First autofocus version. This lens has undergone a number of changes from this very first MKI all the way to the MKIV.

Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKI

Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKI

Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKII

The second version. Another body, a nice focus ring.

Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKII

Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKII

Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKIII

The third version. Already in the classic design, but still without the possibility of transmitting the focusing distance to the camera.

Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKIII Review.

Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKII

Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKII

Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8D ED AF Nikkor MKIV

Latest version 4th version. It is produced and sold to this day. Nothing of the kind can be found for such money. True, 180mm needs to get used to shooting. A not-so-useful portrayer for Nikon DX cameras and just a chic lens for Nikon FX cameras. Strange, but Nikon is greedy and does not update the legendary 105, 135 and 180 fixes.

Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8D ED AF Nikkor MKIV review.

Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKIV

Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKIV

Nikon 200mm 1: 4D ED AF Micro Nikkor

This is a macro lens. One of the sharpest lenses of all time. It can only be considered portraiture very conditionally.

Nikon ED AF Micro Nikkor 200mm 1: 4D review

Nikon 200mm 1: 4D ED AF Micro Nikkor

Nikon 200mm 1: 4D ED AF Micro Nikkor

Nikon 200mm 1: 2G ED AF-S Nikkor VR MKI

Extremely high quality lens. A completely different price range and very different sizes compared to previous options. This lens will only fit the 'true' professional who knows how to handle 'jewelry'. The lens has been upgraded to version N GII.

Nikon 200mm 1: 2G ED AF-S Nikkor MKI

Nikon 200mm 1: 2G ED AF-S Nikkor MKI

Nikon 200mm 1: 2GII N ED AF-S Nikkor VR MKII

The second version of the lens. Optically the same as the previous one, but with the addition of a nanocrystalline coating and an improvement in the VR system. This lens (its two modifications) is the only copy from this list, which uses ED and SED elements in the optical scheme. Nikon only has 3 lenses with SED elements, two of which are these 200mm monsters, and the third is Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f / 4.5-5.6G ED VR

Nikon 200mm 1: 2GII N ED AF-S Nikkor MKII

Nikon 200mm 1: 2GII N ED AF-S Nikkor MKII

Lens selection. Personal experience

As with any other lens, choosing a portrait lens is primarily aimed at determining the focal length and aperture you need, and secondly at optical properties, including the lens bokeh pattern. I did not shoot with all these lenses, but I shot with so many similar fixes, which is why some of my recommendations were born.

Focal length is, in my opinion, the most important thing in choosing a fixed portrait lens. The focal length determines how far or close your camera will be from the person or group of people being portrayed. So it is convenient to shoot with an 85-piece in small rooms, because you don't need to go far. 135mm and 180mm will be much more convenient and effective in places where there is room to turn around. Portraits are different - shoulder, front, waist, generational, full-length, group, and a lot depends on the direction of portrait photography. For example, in nature, an 85mm lens turns out to be a fairly short lens for a shoulder portrait, while a face portrait at 85mm (and even at 105mm) is inconvenient to shoot. If it is difficult to tinker with a 135-fabric, but with an 85-fabric it is already 'short', that is, a weave option - 105mm. Many photographers shoot with lenses of the 300 / 2.8 and 400 / 2.8 classes. The longer the focal length, the more blurred the distant shot, the easier it is to convey the person in the picture. They say that the teleband makes the face look flat and unnatural, but in fact, the teleband has many other advantages. Many photographers replace the 85-200 range with a single 70-200 / 2.8 or 80-200 / 2.8 zoom and in addition take some exquisite portrait lens for the sake of a beautiful picture. For work, my main kit for a portrait consists of a fix 85 / 1.8 and a fix 180 / 2.8. But if I had my way, I would shoot everything at 300mm and higher.

Once I got into studio shooting with only a 105 mm lens, and the task was to shoot face and shoulder portraits, after that I once and for all hacked on my nose that for a shoulder and face portrait you need much more than 100 mm. In the studio I almost touched the model with the front lens for 2 hours - it was just crazy discomfort.

The difference in aperture between F / 1.4 and F / 2.0 is 2 times, between F / 2.0 and F / 2.8 is 2 times, and between F / 1.4 and F / 2.8 the difference is 4 times. Therefore, if you need aperture for short exposures or portraits in natural 'low' light (indoors, morning, evening, night), the 85mm 1.4D, 85mm F1.4G is the best option. F / 1.4 can provide the finest depth of field for the most unusual photo ideas.

I can’t say which of all these lenses will be the most-most, this is everyone’s choice. But in any case, all of these lenses deserve due attention and respect. For Nikon DX cameras, a fifty lens can often be a portrait lens, you can see thoughts on choosing a fifty here... Please do not litter this article with the slogans "fifty dollars is our everything!" You can also read interesting thoughts about 135 ok и confrontation between Nikon / Canon systems - discrete portrait photographers.

On the topic, you can see reviews of lenses from third-party manufacturers that fall under the parameters described in this article:

Conclusions

Choosing a portrait fix is ​​always difficult, but reasoning soberly, you can very quickly and simply decide on the right lens. Professionals usually do not bother at all, they know exactly what is best to choose, and for ordinary fans, Nikon has many pleasant options both in price and quality. You can share your impressions about these lenses in the comments.

Budget options of more or less tolerable portrait painters are discussed here.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.


Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 203, on the subject: Nikon portrait lens

  • Natalie

    Arkady!

    Please advise me on Nikon 5100 lenses for portraits and landscape photography (mostly on trips).
    I now have whale 18-105, I want to move forward and try something better.

    Thank you in advance!

    • gate

      the best of inexpensive portraits for crop cameras without a built-in motor, could serve as 50 1.8g,

  • igor

    I use 85 / 1,4D and 135 / 2DS - I completely agree that these are the best portrait photographers and they complement each other in focal lengths

  • Sergei

    Hello Arkady!
    If it's not a secret - what kind of illumination do you use in photographs of people (portraits) in lens reviews, and at what distance? Thanks.

  • Olya

    Hello, I have a Nikon D3100. Could you advise which portrait lens would be better to get? (Inexpensive, up to about 30 thousand rubles)
    Thank you in advance.

    • Lynx

      inexpensive - it's up to 10 thousand. )))
      up to 30 thousand (or about 35 thousand) you can try to find Nikon's 85 / 1,4G from your hands. dragging it here there is a review, this is the so-called. “Top-end portrait” lens.
      within the range of "from 8 to 16 thousand new" is his younger brother 85 / 1,8G (everyone is sitting and waiting for a review on it) and two fifty dollars (the dispute about whether they are portrait photographers or not is eternal, but the absence of distortion is still better in 85 mm) - 50 / 1,4G and 50 / 1,8G (there are reviews of them here).

      • Arkady Shapoval

        85 1.8G review coming soon

  • Raf

    Thanks for the interesting and accessible articles Arkady.
    I have been eating a question for a long time, regarding your mention of 300mm:
    “But if it were my will, I would shoot everything at 300 mm and higher.”

    Please explain why you would like more than 300mm?
    and how is this applicable in portraiture?
    (very interesting)
    Thank you.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      using 300-tki is the easiest way to shoot facial portraits, which is often in demand. Life-size portraits are really unusual, with a tight perspective, like in Hollywood movies. Yes, and the long-range plan takes away completely, + we get photos that differ from the standards 70-200 / 2.8. One of my colleagues did wonders for his 300 / 2,8, until he was stolen.

  • Raf

    I'm going to take the Nikon 80-400mm f / 4.5-5.6D in a week,
    you do not have it on reviews, will it be interesting to you?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes, this is an interesting lens for review :)

  • Maria

    Please tell me the lens on the Nikon 3100. I'm just starting to take pictures, I don’t really know anything yet. Tell me the portrait lens up to 12000 rubles. More preferably 50, from 85.

    • Lynx

      Nikon 85 / 1,8G or Jupiter 37A.

  • Bogdan

    Tell me, who knows Tamron 55-200 af macro, in terms of quality and picture?

    • anonym

      Bogdan has a tamron of 70-300 when shooting the barrels from a neighboring house (though the elbows were on the windowsill) on the barrel a paper tag with two matchboxes the text is read up to a barrel of 100 meters, it gives out only on a scale of 1: 2 but it’s cool with a nice blur ( macro photo is on facebook)

      • anonym

        yes on facebook Vladimir Mikhaylichenko (on the avatar on the background of a waterfall)

  • Christina

    Please tell me which lens can be taken on Nikon 3100 for shooting people, a child indoors, outdoors .. So that the background is blurry. Starting from the cheapest. I'm new, I don’t understand anything about this, so I want beautiful photos of my daughter for a low price

    • Lynx

      there are actually two lenses, slightly different in "distortion", and the width of the covered space:
      indoors - best of all Nikon 35 / 1,8g from the hands, it is often found for 5-6 thousand in good condition, in the store it seems under 8. for filming small cubs it is quite suitable, and allows you to deploy in a cramped room. "In growth" or various stories - also about him.

      If you want “half-length or face portraits, then it is better to look towards 50 / 1,8G, but indoors, in order to take, for example, a person waist-deep and below, you will have to move 4-5 meters away from him. .those. it will not be possible to rent many people in an ordinary apartment.

      If you have an 18-55 / 3,5-5,6 lens in the kit with the device, then you can choose which one will be preferable to you by comparing the “corner width” - setting “according to the mark” on the kit lens 50 and 35 mm. And see what width suits you.

      • Christina

        Nikon 50mm f / 1.8D AF Nikkor
        How will it be? It’s just for me that without troubles

        • anonym

          The D version will not have autofocus on the d3100.
          Shoot “without problems” with kit 18-55, + diffuser on the built-in flash. Everything else - this one way or another - will be troubles.

          • anonym

            And how then do you focus on it?

        • Lynx

          twist the handles.

  • Anna

    Good day! Help with the selection of my first portrait portrait on the nikon d7000.
    choose between 1) nikkor 50mm 1.8
    2) nikkor 85mm d 1.8
    1) nikkor 85mm G 1.8
    which one will be better? in the future I want to purchase 35mm.

    • Lynx

      85 / 1,8D - will probably be the optimum. It is available at flea markets, so you can not overpay for a store copy as from 85 / 1,8g.
      Fifty is not a portraitist, although you can shoot portraits with it.

  • Artem Zhuk

    Good day, I am pleased to read your reviews! Very interesting, thank you! I don’t do photography on a commercial basis, it’s just a small hobby and at the very beginning .. I wanted to ask for advice, I plan to buy a nikon d3100 in the future .. I’m thinking about a portrait lens! For me, this is a whale 7000-7100 from the glasses, and the tamron is 18-55 17 vr, so it may not make sense to buy a fifty dollars as the tamron gives 50mm at the long end! What portrait fix can you recommend? Or is it that fifty dollars will make you shoot portraits on him! ?? Thanks!

  • Alexey

    Good afternoon, Arkady and all readers of the site! It is generally accepted that lenses with a 85 mm FR are initially sharpened for portrait shooting and give a soft, plastic, natural picture with warm and reliable color reproduction. But all these lenses are designed for full frame. Therefore, I would like to know (especially from personal experience) that the cropped matrixes of DX cameras in tandem with 85mm 1.8 do not deprive portraits of the above properties and do not distort the picture? And is there any point in buying a 85 mm 1.8 camera for a DX camera (purely for portraiture) or is it possible to dispense with an existing arsenal with 35mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.8. Thanks!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      On crop, most of these characteristics remain. For a long time I was shooting on crop and 85 1.8, at the same time I had 35 1.8 and 50 1.4, 85 for a portrait wins in everything except convenience in some situations.

      • Alexey

        Thanks for the comment! In this case, another question, how is 85 1.8 doing with back / front focus? How stable is it compared to 35 1.8? (The lens will have to be ordered online without checking with the carcass)

        • Arkady Shapoval

          It all depends on the instance. For example, I sold 35 1.8 a couple of years ago because there were problems with focus (speed and accuracy), and 85tk still works.

  • Dmitriy

    Thanks so much for the article. My daughter is fond of photography and asked for a portrait lens. I do not understand anything in photography and found the information I need in the article.

  • Berserk

    Dear Arkady Shapoval, advise that it is better to take whale 610-24 or 85 / 85 on Nikon 1,8? Or better yet 135mm? (I will shoot everything - especially indoors)

  • Natalie

    Help me please!!!! What all the same, take on the crop (d300s) 85mm, 105 or 135. I really want a beautiful picture, with a very blurry background, for a full-length photo on the street. I will be very very grateful !!!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      For crop better 85t

  • Yana

    Good day! Tell me, please, which portrait to choose on Nikon d60 ?? I choose a lens not for work, but for a photo of a child!

  • Jury

    Goodnight! Help with choosing a lens on the nikon d7000 for indoor photography. They asked to shoot the work of the stylist mainly hairstyles

  • Elvira

    Thank you Arkady for useful information.!

  • Dmitriy

    I would like to add to the undoubtedly very competent article by Arkady that some lenses conceal hidden nuances - for example, macro 100s, due to the "shaved sharpness", are not very well suited for female portraits (unless you are a dermatologist), but they allow you to get brutal stylish mens. Although post-processing is able to smooth everything, nonetheless. This is valid, for example, for both native 105 Nikon and 100 Tokin.

  • Nikita

    Nikon 58mm f / 1.4G AF-S Nikkor
    And what about the aforementioned lens for cropped cameras - in recalculation, it turns out to be 87 mm focal length - an excellent portrait lens, it's a pity that until they released it with aperture 1.8 - it would be cheaper.
    Will there be an announcement on this lens that it is?

  • Vitali

    good afternoon, Arkady, thank you for your reviews, very useful to me, I’m interested in your opinion about such a bunch, a 180mm macro sigma lens with a stub as a portrait lens and a telephoto converter with 1.4 converter, of course, macro tests at the initial level, I’m grateful for earlier

  • Kurketti

    where you can buy a couple of lenses for Nikon d5300 quite cheaply ;-)

  • Irina

    Arkady, good time of day! Tell me, please, which lens to take for the Nikon D90 for portrait shooting? Native lens 18-105. I would be very grateful for the answer.

  • anonym

    I have Nikon D5000
    I would like you to advise some portrait lens with autofocus
    so that the background is beautifully blurred. 250 bucks limit (well 260)))
    thank you

  • Vladimir

    Dear, for this money, only Nikon 50mm f / 1.8G AF-S Nikkor for your carcass (if you want a new one). Its price is just from 7000r. And I bought Helios 40N for my child at d81 for 2850r and for 1150r I glued Lushnikov's dandelion to it - the kid is happy. The bokeh is nice. He zooms with his feet, focuses with his hands, while the process is pleasant.

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