If you’re all about great bokeh, these lenses are going to do a great job giving you beautiful photos.
Photographers start out typically loving and adoring the bokeh fast aperture lenses provide. But, that wears away quickly when you’re trying to become a better photographer. Then, after a while, sometimes it comes back again. Depth of field is an effective tool for storytelling, but it also helps develop a specific look in a photographer’s images: if you’re using a full-frame camera, some would say that it’s a medium format look. But otherwise, it’s overall just a special dash of magic dust that makes your images sparkle. When combined with effective lighting and color usage in the scene, the photos can look special. In the hands of a skilled photographer, these lenses can deliver unique photos. So, we went into our reviews index to find some of our favorite fast aperture lenses.
Canon RF 50mm F1.2 L USM
In our review, we state:
“The reason why you’re most likely considering reading this review of the the Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L USM is either because you’re interested in a purchase/switch over or you just want to find a reason why your current gear is superior. If I’m going to be very honest, the Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L USM is the best 50mm lens that I’ve tested. I loathe the 50mm focal length. LOATHE IT! But with this lens, I feel like I’m shooting with a medium format 80mm f2 lens in the 645 format. It’s beautiful and in every single way, Canon is leading the way when it comes to 50mm focal lengths.”
Buy Now ($2,299): Adorama
Pro Tip: With fast-aperture lenses, look for the shadows. Move your model there and then you’ll have more consistent lighting coverage.
Fujifilm 56mm F1.2 R
In our review, we state:
“But there’s a lot more to this lens’s character than sharpness: it’s got great bokeh and absolutely no color fringing that we were able to find. But the color rendition of other lenses like the 35mm f1.4 is a tad superior to that of the 56mm f1.2.”
Buy Now ($999): Adorama
Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN Art
In our review, we state:
“Canon’s f1.2 lenses for EF mount had fringing issues, and it never stopped photographers from creating beautiful images. It was part of a look. They just fixed it in post. Personally, I hate working in post-production unless I really have to. The Sigma 35mm f1.2 Art DG DN is a lens that delivers something akin to the look that you’re going for. There isn’t anything else on the market like it. So you’re going to get beautiful colors, punch, sharpness, etc.”
Buy Now ($1,499): Adorama
Pro Tip: Use key lighting in-camera to make a lens shine. Certain things can only be done in-camera and just aren’t the same in post-production.
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7Artisans 50mm F1.1
In our review, we state:
“Yup, there’s tons of bokeh here. The best bokeh from this lens obviously comes at f1.1 and when you’re focused closely to the subject. But given that this is a rangefinder lens, the closest focusing is around 3 feet. The bokeh is creamy, dreamy, gorgeous, there is so much to say about it that simply can’t be put into words. But in addition to that it’s also unlike any bokeh that I’ve seen before. Some say that this lens is a copy of a Voigtlander, but I’m not sure that I see that. Portrait photographers will surely be pleased here.”
Buy Now ($369.90): Adorama
