Last Updated on 08/16/2017 by Chris Gampat
There was a time when shooting with a crop sensor meant being looked down on, and in many cases that is still the case. But many of the myths about shooting a crop body are not as true as they once were for everything from high ISO low light performance to Bokeh. These days you can get some really great bokeh from crop sensor cameras and most aren't going to break your bank either.
Here are five of our favorite crop sensor lenses with bokeh that you could spread on toast like butter. Enjoy…
Sigma 18-35mm f1.8
In our review of the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8, we had the following to say:
"See that gorgeous bokeh? It’s pretty, huh?
Indeed, this lens has some really, really nice bokeh and that is only added to with its fast f1.8 aperture throughout the zoom range. As is typical with Sigma’s bokeh, it isn’t distracting–but instead super creamy. The reason for this is the nine aperture blades.
So in real life use, this will mean your portraits will have a sharp subject and a blurry haze in the background."
Buy Now: Amazon
Sony 50mm f1.8 OSS
In our review of the Sony 50mm F1.8 OSS, we had the following to say:
"I was extremely impressed with the NEX 50mm f1.8. Of all the lenses I’ve tested so far, it by far has the best image quality for the system. The fact that I was able to use it for a professional product shoot also blew my mind away. Generally, I leave all of that to my 5D Mk II but the fact that I did it with this little camera makes me thrilled for the mirrorless future. Additionally, it also makes me wonder how many people may already be shooting professionally with mirrorless cameras."
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Fujifilm 56mm f1.2
In our review of the Fujifilm 56mm F1.2, we had the following to say:
"If you’re looking for a gloriously bokehlicious lens for the X series, this is the best that you’re going to get your hands on. For starters, it renders a telephoto field of view at an equivalent of f2 on a full frame camera when shot wide open. When you import those images into Lightroom, you’ll realize a lot will still be in focus for an f1.2 lens–and that’s when it’ll hit you that you’re dealing with an APS-C sensor design.
To get the most of the bokeh, we recommend getting a bit cosy with your subject and being up close. Because the lens is a 56mm focal length, the distortion will also naturally be kept down."
Buy Now: Amazon
Samyang 50mm f1.2
In our review of the Samyang 50mm F1.2, we had the following to say:
"This lens is razor sharp, has a decent build quality, a very smooth focusing ring, gorgeous bokeh and has a fantastic price attached to it. If you’re an APS-C camera user, then you’ll be hard pressed to find something better for portraits; but get ready to scale back a bit on post-production."
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Panasonic 42.5mm f1.2
In our review of the Panasonic 42.5mm F1.2, we had the following to say:
"When it comes to bokeh, then you’ll want to know that this lens also has the best bokeh of any Micro Four Thirds lens we’ve tested. The bokeh from this lens can’t be described as hazy but indeed very creamy. In fact, we’re smitten with it and the way that it seems to surround the subject when shot wide open."
Buy Now: Amazon
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So there you have it, some of our favorite lenses for crop sensor cameras that will give you bokeh worth drooling over!