Nikon has created some truly spectacular lenses since their early days. Models such as 70-200mm f2.8 VR FL, 50mm f1.4G AF-S, and 24-70mm f2.8 VR are quite exciting for photographers into architecture, portraits, and landscape. The company’s shift to mirrorless has only made things better. The company has exceptional lenses for portrait photographers, and here is a look at a few that can help people get the best shots.
Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S
The Nikon 50mm is an ideal portrait photography lens. It is designed with 17 elements in 15 groups, including two ED glass elements and three aspherical elements, as well as a 9-blade rounded diaphragm. The lens also has a dual STM autofocus system, a reproduction ratio of 0.15x, and a minimum focusing distance of 0.45m. Some of the things the lens excels at include bokeh, colors, sharpness, and weather sealing. Plus, the digital info on the lens makes it even more exciting to use. As we said in our review, “Images coming from this lens are gorgeous. But, you have to be willing to bring along the extra weight and work with an autofocus system that is behind the competition.”
Nikon Z 85mm F1.8
The 85mm is an exceptional focal length for portrait photography. The lens has been designed with 12 elements in 8 groups, with 9 diaphragm blades, and a minimum focusing distance of 0.8m. The lens also has a 67mm filter thread, a reproduction ratio of 0.12x, and a weight of 470 g. The size is great to carry around, while one gets sharp images at a wide open aperture, and the weather sealing is quite great too. The color rendition is great, and the bokeh is creamy. Plus, it is cost-effective.
Nikon Z 135mm f1.8 Plena
The Nikon 135mm is a powerful lens that many professionals will love. It has 11 aperture blades, a maximum magnification of 0.2x, and a minimum focusing distance of 2.7 feet. It is also designed using 16 elements arranged in 14 groups, including one aspherical element and four extra-low dispersion (ED) elements. Some of the things that it is good at include fast autofocus, beautiful bokeh, great colors, sharpness, and being easy to work with. As we said in our review, “This is a lens for a location portrait shooter that might probably end up reaching for a 70-200mm f2.8 lens instead, just for the convenience. And I can’t always imagine that a lens like this would be the go-to for any portrait photographer.”
Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 VR S
The 70-200mm features 21 elements in 18 groups, including 6 ED glass elements, 1 fluorite element, and 2 aspherical elements. The lens has a 9-blade diaphragm, which will produce soft bokeh, a must for portrait photography. In addition, you get a minimum focusing distance of 0.50m at 70mm and extending to 1.0m at 200mm. There is also a 77mm filter thread, a 0.2x magnification rate, and it weighs 1,360g. As we said in our review, “The Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S delivers superb bokeh, sharpness, and color all inside a lens that’s lighter and focuses closer than similar lenses.” There is plenty of control, and the weather sealing is great, too.