Uploaded August 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this video, we test out three different portrait prime lens options from Sigma to find out which focal length may be the right one for you.
Read more: geni.us/LIZ6
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art: geni.us/sRDlzV
Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art: geni.us/RhEqgxF
Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art: geni.us/8Zy21vg
Shop: focuscamera.com
Picking a portrait prime lens can be a daunting task there really is no right answer but whatever you pick you have to own it literally. In this video we are taking a look at 3 portrait prime focal lengths to help you decide which one is right for you.
But before we begin this video I’d like to let you know here at Focus Camera, we carry thousands of items online with free two day shipping, and if you’re in the Brooklyn area stop by our showroom at 895 McDonald ave.
The 85mm is easiest the most popular of the 3 focal lengths but that definitely doesn’t mean it’s the best for everyone. The 85mm lens is an ideal focal length for most general portrait photography it gives you an approximate range of 28.6 degrees its perfect for full-body shots with a decent amount of bokeh and headshots when you want to get intimate with your subject without being too close. This lens is wildly popular with fashion and wedding photographers it was always my personal go-to lens for all portrait shoots. I prefer this even over the coveted 70-200mm for weight and low light performance.
This next lens isn’t the lightest in the toolbox the 105mm is for those who are either too lazy to take that extra step forward or if you enjoy beautiful swirly bokeh. This lens is so large it has a tripod collar and at almost 4 pounds it’s the best workout you can get on the go. The 105mm is that sweet middle spot of the portrait trio between the 135mm and 85mm with an even narrower angle of view of 23.3 degrees the 105mm is the ideal lens when the 85mm just isn’t cutting it. Perhaps you don’t want to be so close you invade your subjects personal space. It’s most popular with wedding photographers to give them extreme low light capabilities without getting too close and headshots. At f/1.4 the background seems to just melt away like a stick of butter on a hot summer day.
Last but not least the 135mm is one of those lenses you’re not quite sure why you need it until you use it. One of the great advantages of such a long focal length is the image compression allowing a flatter profile of your subjects face which is most realistic to real life. The 135 is a great lens for separating your subject from the background adding depth to your images, and with a narrow angle of view of just 18.2 degrees it’s hard to miss your shot when everything else is just swirls of bokeh.
So what do you think? Will you be picking up one of these portrait primes. If you’re having problems telling which one is right for you next time in lightroom check your metadata to see which focal length you use the most throughout a photoshoot and that may be the right one for you. Thank you for watching, see you next time.
In this video, we test out three different portrait prime lens options from Sigma to find out which focal length may be the right one for you.
Read more: geni.us/LIZ6
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art: geni.us/sRDlzV
Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art: geni.us/RhEqgxF
Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art: geni.us/8Zy21vg
Shop: focuscamera.com
Picking a portrait prime lens can be a daunting task there really is no right answer but whatever you pick you have to own it literally. In this video we are taking a look at 3 portrait prime focal lengths to help you decide which one is right for you.
But before we begin this video I’d like to let you know here at Focus Camera, we carry thousands of items online with free two day shipping, and if you’re in the Brooklyn area stop by our showroom at 895 McDonald ave.
The 85mm is easiest the most popular of the 3 focal lengths but that definitely doesn’t mean it’s the best for everyone. The 85mm lens is an ideal focal length for most general portrait photography it gives you an approximate range of 28.6 degrees its perfect for full-body shots with a decent amount of bokeh and headshots when you want to get intimate with your subject without being too close. This lens is wildly popular with fashion and wedding photographers it was always my personal go-to lens for all portrait shoots. I prefer this even over the coveted 70-200mm for weight and low light performance.
This next lens isn’t the lightest in the toolbox the 105mm is for those who are either too lazy to take that extra step forward or if you enjoy beautiful swirly bokeh. This lens is so large it has a tripod collar and at almost 4 pounds it’s the best workout you can get on the go. The 105mm is that sweet middle spot of the portrait trio between the 135mm and 85mm with an even narrower angle of view of 23.3 degrees the 105mm is the ideal lens when the 85mm just isn’t cutting it. Perhaps you don’t want to be so close you invade your subjects personal space. It’s most popular with wedding photographers to give them extreme low light capabilities without getting too close and headshots. At f/1.4 the background seems to just melt away like a stick of butter on a hot summer day.
Last but not least the 135mm is one of those lenses you’re not quite sure why you need it until you use it. One of the great advantages of such a long focal length is the image compression allowing a flatter profile of your subjects face which is most realistic to real life. The 135 is a great lens for separating your subject from the background adding depth to your images, and with a narrow angle of view of just 18.2 degrees it’s hard to miss your shot when everything else is just swirls of bokeh.
So what do you think? Will you be picking up one of these portrait primes. If you’re having problems telling which one is right for you next time in lightroom check your metadata to see which focal length you use the most throughout a photoshoot and that may be the right one for you. Thank you for watching, see you next time.
