– Model with a fixed focal length;

3 - Ultra wide-angle model for non-full frame cameras.

Initially, Nikon lenses were used on Canon cameras, so the brands coexisted quite peacefully. However, everything changed in the 1980s. And, as usual, amateur photographers suffered the most losses from the outbreak of the war, since all the periphery was no longer universal. At least the Canon lens mount was used exclusively for cameras of this brand.

It is worth noting that having bought a camera, you can find a fairly simple complete lens. Its main task is to give a beginner in photography to get the first experience, play around with the settings and fill his hand. However, after a certain time and with the achievement of a new level of professionalism, the photographer does not want to stop at the existing one and dreams of making more and more perfect photographs. And if he really wants to raise the level of his work, then interchangeable, better lenses will help him in this. One way or another, but thoughts begin to arise about which lens to choose.

So, you need to immediately prioritize for yourself. A prime lens is ideal for portraits, macro lenses for close-up shots of small subjects, and long focal length lenses for travel or sporting events. And each type has many models, from those that we can call inexpensive options (about three hundred dollars), to lenses of a high price segment, exceeding their cost of ten thousand dollars.

Each group has its leaders and outsiders. The range of lenses is updated periodically. In this comparative review, we will look at the most successful Canon lenses of the 2016 lineup, according to professionals. The starting points for evaluations will be the technical specifications and the opinion of the owners.

The best standard prime lenses for Canon

Fixed focal length models are an essential part of every photographer's arsenal. Photosensitive optics work without a flash in low light conditions, while giving a slight blur of the background. Lenses of such a plan do not distort the geometry of the area and are able to produce an image familiar to human vision. In fact, there is only one obvious disadvantage of this type of lens - this is the lack of zoom capability. Actually, if you need to approach or move away, you need to get closer or further relative to the object.

2

Score (2018): 4.6

Advantages: Excellent price. Best semi-professional model

Manufacturer country: Japan

Undoubtedly, the outstanding positive aspect here is the universality of the model. Initially looking at the specifications, photographers scratch their heads in bewilderment - “so-so”, however, if you are a beginner amateur photographer, then the Canon EF 40 mm f / 2.8 STM will be indispensable for you. This model is a good compromise between a fixed focal length lens and a wide-angle model. Of course, you can see a slight curvature of space, but it is so minimal that it is almost unnoticeable. It is worth noting that compared to the fifty-millimeter model, it has a shorter focal length, which makes it possible to feel at ease when shooting in small spaces. At the same time, you can get good outdoor shots of nature.

Professionals and amateurs distinguish a very good, high-quality assembly, which is surprising for this class and segment of devices. Bayonet, the ring of which is made of alloy, excellent plastic with the addition of rubber. The dimensions of the model are very compact, which will be indispensable when traveling. The image pleases due to not sharp transitions of the colors of the palette, the color scheme is closer to pastel colors. Autofocus works flawlessly.

The maximum aperture of 2.8, at this focal length, you can not expect amazing blur in the background, but what this model produces is quite enough to enjoy the picture. According to reviews, in this respect it can be compared with an inexpensive fifty-millimeter model with a sensitivity of 1.8. However, taking pictures in low light conditions is quite problematic. You need a flash to take, for example, a good photo when using light from a window in the back of the room. It can be noted quite noticeable motor noise.

What else can be noted? This is the focus promised by the manufacturer without jerks, an adaptation to the ability to shoot video. However, here it is worth returning to the rather noticeable noise of the motor, which violates the sound picture. This optics can hardly be recommended as a reportage.

Score (2018): 4.7

Advantages: The best ratio between cost and quality. Most popular model

Manufacturer country: Japan

This Canon model is the best-selling in the market due to two factors. So, let's figure out what contributes to the popularity of this lens. Undoubtedly it is:

• Wide functionality and quality of workmanship
• The perfect combination of the resulting functionality for quite adequate money.

As for the cost, it is definitely not so high and affordable for many beginners, but the functionality is enough for quite professional work in portrait mode. If we take into account competitors with a more affordable price, then our hero of today's comparative review does not leave them the slightest chance. The mass of the model is almost 300 grams, but, taking it in hand, you understand that this is a thing “with a capital letter”.

The lens captures a very sharp image and very exciting background blur. Stunning bokeh is created with an 8-blade diaphragm. The model is very photosensitive, so shooting without a flash in low light conditions is not a problem for the owner. However, the owners highlight the fact that opening aperture 1.4 is of little use for work. There is a decrease in clarity, the appearance of artifacts, which undoubtedly leads to image deterioration. The model will be a good choice for both full-frame cameras and models with a crop factor. However, when used in tandem with cheap devices, the full potential of this lens will not be used, at most waist-length portraiture. Portrait shooting in full growth and landscapes will not be able to bring a particularly impressive effect, but you can squeeze out a bold "four" shot.

The autofocus motor operates quickly and at a minimum volume level, but it does not have good tenacity. As disadvantages, constructive fragility can be noted: the manual adjustment ring is made of plastic and you need to be very careful with it.

The best standard zoom lenses for Canon

If you're just getting started with photography, then zoom lenses are the best option for you. On the spot, you can zoom in or out of your subject by simply adjusting the zoom ring. This feature is available in most digital "soap dishes", which makes it familiar. However, genre optical equipment with equal settings is able to create a better picture, versatility in this case is not beneficial. It should be noted that by zooming in or out of objects, you not only change the fill of the frame, but also change the viewing angle. A complete lens with a focal length of 18-55mm at a minimum of focus values ​​will turn into a wide-angle, and at a maximum - into a portrait lens. The capabilities of the starter lens included in the kit are not great, so when going on a trip and planning to create detailed photo reports, take a closer look at lenses with an extended focal length range and with the use of enlightenment.

Score (2018): 4.6

Advantages: Best kit lens alternative for non-full frame cameras

Manufacturer country: Japan

In all the variety of models with the APS-C frame format (used mainly in entry-level devices), the hero of our review is quite expensive. This is due to the fact that much attention was paid here to the technical process in production. The owners note that the lens is worth the money.

The narrowed range made it possible to increase the efficiency during the operation of this lens. The output images have a sufficient level of sharpness in almost the entire range of the FR. The main difference from many competitors with a more affordable price is a three-stage stabilizer. Thanks to him, it is very pleasant to take pictures using a short shutter speed “by hand”. This model has good light sensitivity, which guarantees the possibility of operation in low light conditions.

Since this lens works in the APS-C format, of course, there were some problems. There is a certain decrease in brightness at the edges and geometric distortions are possible. However, all this is not very pronounced and it is quite possible to put up with it or try to beat it. It should also be unequivocally written down as a minus flimsy case, which, during long-term operation, backlash and can even fall out of the device under the pressure of its mass. However, nevertheless, this lens will leave far behind the complete one in terms of the totality of technical characteristics.

Score (2018): 4.8

Advantages: The best ratio between cost and quality. Big features for a small price

Manufacturer country: Japan

The model has a democratic price tag, a presentable appearance, and its weight is a little less than half a kilogram. If you look at its technical parameters, you might think that it is similar to the kit included in the delivery of the camera, however, its main strong point is a higher FR coverage, from wide-angle matrices to matrices with increased focus. The owners highly praise the focusing of the model in automatic mode. The stabilizer, of course, there are not enough stars from the sky, nevertheless, its abilities are quite acceptable.

Also, definitely, as a plus, a low noise level during operation can be noted, which allows you to shoot videos of sufficient quality. The engine without jerks and instantly takes into focus, eliminating extraneous noise and subsidence in clarity.

And finally, as a negative side, we can single out an extremely low photosensitivity, but do not forget that this model is positioned as very affordable.

In summary, we can say that the EF-S 18–135 mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM is an excellent solution for a beginner taking their first steps in photography, combining low cost and optimal technical parameters.

Score (2018): 4.9

Advantages: The best reportage model for full-frame cameras

Manufacturer country: Japan

Masters of photography have long appreciated the leader of our comparative review. The rich FR range makes it possible to take pictures both at a short distance and at a distance. It can be called just a godsend for people who specialize in shooting nature, as well as various events. An extremely fast motor, fairly tenacious focusing in automatic mode - all this allows you to take amazing pictures in almost any situation.

However, there is one thing that is inherent in all the models considered in this review - a small photosensitivity. Accordingly, we can conclude that this lens is easier to work in open areas than in confined spaces. Shots at a distance boast a good bokeh effect, but sharpness raises a lot of questions from amateur photographers.

The disadvantages of this model include the functionality of the stabilizer, which, frankly, does not pull the L-series models. A small light sensitivity is leveled by the quality of the camera, so the purchase of this lens will be justified if you have a professional Canon camera. This symbiosis allows you to get a fairly sharp output image at cranked ISO without additional lighting.

The best telephoto lenses for a Canon camera

Undoubtedly, the size of this type of lens guarantees you genuine interest from the people present in the process. Focusing on objects at a great distance occurs due to the most complex mechanism hidden behind the spectacular appearance of the device. It's no joke, because individual specimens of representatives of this type of lens can be more than 100 centimeters.

It is worth noting the extremely difficult technology of their production, an expensive price tag, and at the same time a rather narrow range of use. Their presence is difficult to overestimate when working in open areas to capture landscapes or various events, but these are rather exceptional cases in the work of a photographer.

It is worth saying that much more versatile than the model with a variable FR, the models with a fixed FR, as we mentioned, are needed for an extremely narrow range of work. These lenses are acclaimed for delivering images with very good sharpness and stunning bokeh, while being able to work far enough away from the subject.

Score (2018): 4.8

Advantages: The best telephoto lens for non-full frame cameras

Manufacturer country: Japan

The lens has a very affordable cost and at the same time has a good, high-quality image. For devices that work with a partial frame, it is the most optimal solution, and if it is supplemented with the lens included in the package, then a beginner can work in the entire spectrum of FR.

The system functions without jerks, and looking at it for the first time, there is a feeling of good quality. Positioning on a budget niche can be detected just by looking at the plastic mount ring. The device has a fairly large mass, you should be careful during operation, otherwise, under the weight of the mass, the fasteners will most likely give up.

The stabilizer does not give the impression of being fast, but when it works, you can immediately see it. People who have been involved in photography for a long time will undoubtedly pay attention to geometric distortions, a certain sluggishness in automatic focusing mode, to the fact that sharpness could be better and low ISO. We do not argue, this is the place to be, but it is difficult to count on a device of a higher class at this price. In general, the model gives the impression of being reliable, of course, with a very attractive price, and thus takes an honorable third place in our comparative review. The lens is solid, definitely worth the money and deserves the title of the best budget telephoto lens.

Score (2018): 4.8

Advantages: The best prime lens

Manufacturer country: Japan

Masters of photography have long identified this model for themselves due to its amazing sharpness. Undoubtedly, as the advantages of the model, one can also note a solid and high-quality assembly, lightning-fast focusing, an image pleasing with a color palette, and excellent work with blurring the background. You can also notice that this glass will be a very good solution for creating portraits if you work in large, open spaces. And since the shooting will take place at a sufficiently large distance, there should be nothing and no one else in the working area.

Sufficiently high light sensitivity, in tandem with an expensive professional device, they can make excellent photo quality even in low light conditions. This technique will be ideal for working with complex lighting, such as at a concert.

With such amazing specifications, the model is sold at a very good price and can safely be called the optimal combination of price tag and functionality. Focusing on the opinion of the owners, we can conclude that this model is practically flawless. However, experienced photographers may reproach the lack of a stabilizer, as well as protection from external influences. As you understand, when buying a lens, these points are rather secondary.

Score (2018): 4.9

Advantages: Best zoom lens

Manufacturer country: Japan

This model of the Japanese manufacturer boasts a solid body, which hides the function of zooming and focusing, protecting the glass from external damage. Thanks to this, the master of photography does not have to worry about any climatic surprises of nature. Due to the low light sensitivity, the images have an excellent level of sharpness, covering the entire spectrum of the FR. This optics will show itself as well as possible when working with small objects, when shooting events, portrait shooting, regardless of the lighting conditions. When working in confined spaces, it will be difficult to change position with it, which, in principle, is hinted at by its specifications. The model is equipped with a focus switching function, which will undoubtedly be appreciated by fans of shooting various events.

Taking a look at all its undeniable advantages, it is worth noting that it has a fairly small mass, so you can do without a tripod in many cases. However, the lack of a stabilizer in the arsenal is very sad, the need for which in this type of lens can hardly be overestimated, since it eliminates all the shortcomings associated with working without a tripod.

The best wide-angle lenses for a Canon camera

Actually, you can even guess that this type of lens has a huge viewing angle, they are able to fit most of the area into the picture and perfectly add volume. This is the most successful solution for shooting narrow streets. However, the original viewing angle will, of course, produce distortion. This is most pronounced in the form of rounded corners of the image. It is for this reason that they are not suitable for the role of a portrait painter. However, when working in open spaces and shooting animals, it can be used to show imagination and creativity.

Score (2018): 4.5

Advantages: Ultra wide-angle model for sub-frame cameras

Manufacturer country: Japan

This model performs well when photographing global wildlife and compact spaces, due to the fact that a huge part of the volume is able to fit into the picture. Knowing full well that there will be geometric curvature, the masters of photography try to beat this negative moment and use a certain amount of creativity. It is worth considering that distortion is not a stumbling block for this type of lens. It shows itself quite well when using backlight. There is no escape from the distortions, however, with the right selection of the composition, they do not hurt the eyes. At the same time, the sharpness is quite good in any part of the image.

This model of the Japanese company is equipped with an excellent FR - 24 cm, which in turn allows you to focus on the details of the foreground. As a plus, you can also put lightning speed and the absence of noise when focusing in automatic mode. Also, this model is distinguished by a solid assembly, found only in expensive counterparts.

Despite the rather immodest price tag, the photosensitivity of this model does not cause great delight. If we are talking about non-full-frame cameras, this optics will be quite dark, but there is nothing better in this category on the market today.

Score (2018): 4.7

Advantages: Fixed focal length model

Manufacturer country: Japan

The main advantage of this wide-angle lens is its amazing light sensitivity. It belongs to a small group of models for working in small spaces in low light conditions. "Clutch" focusing in automatic mode, the absence of noise and low weight - and we have an indispensable tool in the work of a photo master. Adding on the amazing work with the bokeh effect, we can conclude that we have in our hands an excellent solution for working with frame enlargement. However, it is worth noting that this model will not look very good with devices operating in full frame mode.

Shooting wildlife, monumental structures, and even full-length portraits - for all this, the model is just perfect. The close-up is its Achilles heel, as hibernations will be noticeable.

It is worth noting that at the maximum opening of the aperture, a certain blur will appear, but in all other cases, the lens will satisfy its owner in terms of sharpness. If taken globally, then users respond more than well to the quality of the picture. There is another annoying oversight - chromatic aberrations, in this case it is a color inversion at the edges of the lines. However, this can be easily corrected with the help of various photographic editors.

Score (2018): 4.9

Advantages: Best value for money

Manufacturer country: Japan

The most versatile wide-angle manufactured by a Japanese company. In tandem with expensive technology in full frame mode on small FRs, it easily becomes ultra-wide-angle. At the same time, the opportunity to make the viewing angle narrower, up to 4 centimeters, does not disappear anywhere, and at the output to have an image as close as possible to what the human eye sees. On non-full frame cameras, the EF 17-40 mm f/4L USM is an excellent alternative to a kit lens.

Masters of photography emphasize the indestructibility of the model, all thanks to special design solutions, protection from external weather factors, as a result, you can work with it in extreme conditions without fear of harming equipment.

The indisputable advantages of the model are lightning-fast, with the absence of extraneous noise, focus operation in automatic mode, image saturation and sharpness for this type of lens. The main disadvantage that users highlight is that the lens is quite dark, however, if it works in tandem with expensive equipment that shoots in full frame mode, then this is leveled by ISO adjustment. But the specified minus played into the hands of the buyer, the price tag for this model is extremely affordable. The owners say that when working with small FRs, chromatic aberrations and distortions may appear. However, they can easily be leveled in a photographic editor.

For the 34th year in a row, the Association of European Audio and Video Magazines (EISA) European Imaging and Sound Association) defines the best products in the field of photography. This year, 10 cameras and 7 lenses for them got into the nomination. What exactly? Let's look under the cut.

EISA includes about 50 specialized publications on audio and photo equipment from 22 European countries. Independent experts choose the best representatives every year and present them with a prestigious award EISA Awards. The top ten cameras that won this award in 2015 are listed below:

Professional DSLR

A couple of DSLRs introduced earlier this year have a resolution of 50.6 megapixels - the highest in its class. The cameras differ only in the presence of an optical low-pass filter in the 5DS model, which effectively fights moiré. First of all, a couple is intended for professionals who need the highest detail of the frame. Price of cameras: $3700 for 5DS and $3900 for 5DS R.

Semi-professional DSLR

To date, the second version is rightfully considered the best among cropped cameras. And for good reason - the reporting abilities of the cropped flagship are really on top: both sporting events and shooting in the rain are not a problem for him. The approximate cost is $1500.

Consumer DSLR -

Not so long ago, we did a detailed review of the predecessor of this camera - the camera. The D5500 is not much different from it. In fact, it is only a slightly improved version of the entry-level DSLR, which can be bought for $750.

Professional mirrorless -

It is not entirely clear why the camera was given the palm. Probably because an even more advanced camera from the full-frame line of mirrorless cameras came out quite recently and no one really held it in their hands yet. Nevertheless, it is also a very cool camera, it is the first among full-frame cameras to have a 5-axis matrix image stabilization system on board. The price of the best full-frame mirrorless camera according to EISA is about $1700.

Semi-professional mirrorless

Like a good half of the nominees, it saw the light at the beginning of this year. He can do a lot - and shoot up to 10 fps, and shoot in 40-megapixel mode, and effectively stabilize the image. The only thing that still repels many people is the x2.0 crop factor. You can buy the flagship of Olympus for $1050.

Consumer Mirrorless -

A simplified version of the flagship camera inherited the main functions from its older brother. At the same time, it costs $300-400 cheaper - about $800.

Photo and video camera (2 in 1) –

It's no secret that Panasonic has made a serious bet on the promotion of technology. In this resolution, one of the last representatives of the line of mirrorless cameras G - . For shooting video at a professional level, there is everything here - and connectors for connecting an external microphone and headphones, and focus peaking, and other equally interesting things. And since this is still a camera, taking a photo is a priority for him. The price of the camera is $800.

Premium Compact -

The German company Leica knows how to surprise with its extraordinary approach. Well, who else would have thought of releasing a compact with non-replaceable optics, and even a full-frame sensor? But it would be fine just non-replaceable optics, but the complete lens is also a fix, its focal length is 28 mm, and aperture is f / 1.7. The price of the compact will allow only true connoisseurs to buy it - $ 4250 is not lying around anywhere.

Travel compact –

“The most compact ultrazoom in the world!” - this is how Sony itself calls its brainchild. Indeed, the 24-720mm focal length range was probably not easy to fit into such a compact design. Despite its miniature size, the camera is equipped with an electronic viewfinder, a rotary screen, and Wi-Fi, NFC and GPS modules. And its price is very affordable - $430.

Innovation in photography -

"to the masses!" Under this slogan, you need to sell a recently announced device in the form of a miniature box, into which they managed to shove a 1″ BSI CMOS sensor with a resolution of 20.2 MP. With it, your iPhone will be able to shoot real masterpieces, and the number of followers on Instagram will grow significantly. The issue price is $600.

7 lenses also made the list of the best:

professional DSLR lens

Canon's new wide-angle zoom is being praised by everyone: it draws a very sharp picture, is practically not subject to chromatic aberration and vignetting, and distortion will not interfere with the eye even at the widest angle. True, the lens costs accordingly - $ 3000.

Fix for DSLRs -

The representative of the Art line from Sigma has rightfully taken its place among the best. Sigma engineers have managed to develop a lens that boasts extreme image sharpness and excellent color reproduction. Plus, it is also available for the main mounts (Nikon F, Canon EF, Sigma and). The price is also pleasing - it’s not a pity to pay $ 850 for a fix of this quality.

Zoom for DSLRs

The high constant aperture of f/2.8 at wide angles, paired with the on-board stub, put it at the forefront of its class. Naturally, it draws a wonderful picture, and autofocus and stabilizer work quietly and clearly. That's just the size of the lens is too large. You can buy it for $1200.

Telezoom for DSLRs - Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sport

Remember our recent lens review? Translated into the classic 35 mm equivalent, the hero of the review could shoot in the range of 200-600 mm. But he also smokes on the sidelines compared to the “glass” from Sigma, sharpened specifically for shooting sports events and various animals. Yes, the lens is huge and heavy, but it is very inexpensive - $ 1100, which is mere pennies compared to professional telephoto lenses from Nikon and Canon.

Professional mirrorless lens -

An analogue of the 70-200mm SLR lenses with f/2.8 aperture over the entire zoom range boasts more compact dimensions and excellent image sharpness even at the longest end and when shooting handheld. Reporters shooting with format cameras will be delighted. The price of the lens is $1300.

Fix for mirrorless cameras -

During the tests of the lens by EISA experts, he managed to get the highest rating. The 90mm prime from Sony draws a very sharp picture even at the widest apertures, it is absolutely free of distortion and chromatic aberration, and the build quality, optical performance, fast autofocus and effective stub further confirmed its superiority over its closest competitors. You can buy this lens for $1100.

Zoom for mirrorless

Fujifilm's dustproof and waterproof zoom effectively complements the flagship camera. As befits the best, it draws a very sharp picture and has cool optical characteristics. The only thing missing is a stabilizer on board. The approximate cost of the lens is $1050.

Do you think that all the cameras and lenses took their rightful places, or was someone singled out undeservedly? Who would you like to see among the best? Answer in the comments - both readers and we will be interested in your opinion.

For portrait photography, a good lens is something you can and should splurge on. Even a beginner camera, when equipped with high-quality glass, will be able to take great pictures. But on the contrary (a cool camera with an average lens) - it will not work. So perhaps, instead of spending money on an expensive camera, it is better to invest in a quality lens.

Choosing a lens for portraits is not so easy, but now we will understand what you need from a portrait glass, and which lenses are suitable for portraits.

What to consider when choosing a portrait lens?

You need to start from the beginning: variable or fixed focal length? We have already talked about the difference between the two types of lenses. So, if you take zoom lenses, then the focal length in them can vary from 24mm to 70mm, from 70mm to 200mm, etc. The choice is huge and such lenses are convenient and extremely useful for a large number of shootings. Plus, they are much easier to transport (after all, you don’t need to take several glasses with you, one is enough).

A fixed focal length will provide the best image quality and clarity. If you know exactly what kind of shooting you are going to shoot, it is better to choose a prime lens.

For portrait photography, a prime lens is an ideal choice, as quality and clarity are very important in this type of shooting.

Focal length

When choosing a portrait lens, be sure to decide on the desired focal length. Consider where you are going to shoot, how much space there will be, how much surroundings you will need in the photo, how close to the model you plan to be. For standard portraits, lenses with a focal length of 35mm to 200mm are usually used. But in general, it all depends on preferences, style and model.

How many lenses are you willing to carry?

If you are most comfortable moving around with a single lens, you should look into zoom lenses. Glass with a focal length of 24-105mm is suitable for almost any shooting. But if you are a fan of prime glasses, but dream of shooting in different genres, you will have to stock up on a bag and additional lenses. Many professional photographers do just that, changing glass on the run or even using multiple cameras with different lenses.

How many people will be in the frame?

If you're planning on shooting with large groups of people, a wider-angle lens will suffice to capture all the characters. You need to remember that a wide angle leads to distortion: people at the edges of the frame will either be larger or stretched. So the width of the corner should also not be too large. Never forget that by taking a step back, you will capture more people in the frame without distorting the photo.

Available shooting space

If you shoot outdoors, there are more options, depending on your preferences. Inside you will have to take a more wide-angle glass. A 70-200mm zoom or 85mm prime lens is good for open spaces. The focal length is less suitable for shooting indoors.

bokeh

The larger the aperture (and the smaller the number of f-stops), the more bokeh you get. If you want to take photos with beautiful, blurry bokeh, you can look at special portrait lenses.

Matrix size

For the correct alignment of the exposure, it is important to consider the matrix. Remember that the size of the sensor (crop or full format) will be reflected in the focal length. That is, different distances will behave differently on different types of matrices. For example, 50mm will look longer on a cropped matrix.

Price

Of course, the size of the wallet plays a decisive role. We only recall that it is better not to save on high-quality glass.

Best Canon Portrait Lenses

Best Nikon Portrait Lenses

With so many to choose from, it's not easy to make a decision. So it all comes down to personal preference. We recommend that you always thoroughly familiarize yourself with the lens and try it in action before purchasing.

Now it's time to decide on a specific model. Choosing a Canon portrait lens is easy enough if you have a clear understanding of how many lenses differ from each other. This article discusses Canon lenses suitable specifically for use in portrait photography. The list is sorted in ascending order.

Canon 50mm f/1.8

This is the perfect choice for beginners in the portrait photography genre. Great for crop sensor cameras and becomes a real portrait lens on them (80mm equivalent focal length). At the same time, this lens is fast (f/1.8 - 8 times more light capture than the Canon EF 18-55), which provides good background blur in portrait shots. The lens belongs to the category of low-budget solutions and is usually bought to replace or in addition to the "whale" lens (18-55).

The average price of the lens is 6.500 rubles.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

Another ideal portrait lens for crop cameras. It is more expensive and this is due to the fact that there is a larger aperture (1.4 vs. 1.8), and it consists of more blades (8 vs. 5) - this provides a softer and more pleasant blur in the defocus area. The lens is sharper wide open, and it will also be more convenient for manual focus lovers to focus on the subject here. Also here you get an ultrasonic focusing system (faster and quieter than in the Canon EF 50 1.8) and better body materials.

This Canon portrait lens is classified as inexpensive and high quality. If the budget allows, then it is definitely worth overpaying for it.

The average price of a lens is 20,000 rubles.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

This is a classic portrait lens for cameras with a crop matrix, as well as with a 35mm format matrix. (full frame). A longer focal length allows you to be slightly further away from your subject (than with a 50mm lens) and also blurs the background. Aperture of 1.8 is sufficient for strong and effective background blur, and the USM ultrasonic focusing system is very fast and quiet. This is Canon's most affordable portrait lens with a large aperture and stunning image quality.

The average price of a lens is 23,000 rubles.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.0 USM

Great for portrait and sports photography, both outdoors and in large rooms. The lens is very similar to the Canon 85 f / 1.8, the difference between them is a slightly increased focal length and a slightly smaller aperture. Fast, accurate and quiet focusing is provided by the ultrasonic USM motor. The lens has, like the 85 1.8, 8 aperture blades for more pleasing bokeh. For a full frame, choosing it or 85mm is a matter of personal preference, because. lenses are direct brothers with only a slight difference. When used on a crop camera, the 85mm would be preferable due to its shorter and more convenient focal length.

The average price of a lens is 29,000 rubles.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

This lens is only suitable for APS-C format cameras (because it has the EF-S marking in the name). On such cameras, its equivalent focal length is 27-88mm. Ideal for group and individual portraits. The aperture of f/2.8 is not as fast as on lenses with a fixed focal length, but it is enough to get a good blur of the background. There is an optical image stabilizer, which helps to avoid loss of sharpness and blurring when shooting at 55 millimeters. Great lens for wedding photographers with crop cameras. The lens is quite expensive, but its price is absolutely justified.

The average price of a lens is 55,000 rubles.

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

Very sharp and very fast lens for portraits with very blurred backgrounds. Requires appropriate training for work, tk. is long enough (135 mm) and not everyone will like it. But once you get used to this focal length, you will start to get amazing portraits. A large aperture for such a focal length will allow you to get beautiful sharp images in low light. It is one of the cheapest lenses in the L series, but it is one of the best, if not the best Canon portrait lens.

The average price of a lens is 58,000 rubles.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

50mm is a very popular focal length among photographers of all stripes and shooting levels. Beginners go for 50 f/1.8, hobbyists go for 50 f/1.4, and pros go for 50 f/1.2. This is a truly legendary lens found only in the Canon system. Precise precision in the production of optics made it possible to create a lens with a uniquely large aperture - 1.2. This allows you to take photos with a very blurred background in any situation. Every photo taken with this lens will look interesting. This focal length is interesting from the point of view of the perspective of the frame and it corresponds to the way the human eye sees (it is not without reason that you can find the vast majority of prize photos at various exhibitions taken with a 50 mm lens). This lens is used as a standard lens on a full frame, i.e. it is almost never taken off the camera unless there is a specific setting for the focal length. Like all L-series lenses, it is weatherproof, greatly expanding its applicability.

The average price of a lens is 95,000 rubles.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

A living legend in the world of portrait photography, the Canon 85 f/1.2 Portrait Lens, updated in March 2006 (Index II), is now even more interesting for creative portrait photographers. The unique aperture at this focal length ensures unsurpassed bokeh quality and minimal depth of field. The lens delivers stunning portrait photos in all shooting conditions. It has the only significant disadvantage besides the price - slow focusing on the object, which does not allow it to be used with full dedication for shooting dynamic scenes. And the rest, it's just a fairy tale, not a lens!

The average price of a lens is 110,000 rubles.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Canon's best professional full frame reportage lens. Thanks to its large constant aperture of f/2.8, it is very often used for portrait photography. The presence of a stabilizer allows you to forget about the blurring of frames due to "shake" (trembling of the photographer's hands). It has a very soft and pleasant bokeh at an open aperture. Autofocus is very fast (about 1.5-2 times faster than 85 f/1.2). Completely protected from moisture and dust ingress. There is support for extenders 1.4 and 2.0, allowing you to increase the focal length to 100-280 mm and 140-400 mm, respectively. The disadvantage of this lens is its heavy weight (1.5 kg) and the price, although it is fully justified.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM

This lens is almost always found in the equipment of professional portrait and wedding photographers. At the moment, it is more popular than ever, due to the release of an updated model with the II index in the title. About it and will now be discussed. The focal length of the lens is very convenient for full-length cameras and allows you to cover a wide angle for group photos, but also a narrow angle for personal portraits. Also, the lens feels great on cameras with a crop sensor in the event that a wide angle is not so important. Aperture 2.8 is not as large as on inexpensive portrait fixes, but still at 70 mm there should be no problems with blurring the background. The lens is very sharp, which is achieved using extremely high quality coated optics. Completely protected from moisture and dust ingress into the case. The disadvantages include a large diameter for installing filters (82 mm), as well as the lack of a built-in optical stabilizer for such a price (although Canon offers an option 24-70 with stabilizer, but it is already slower at f / 4.0, which is less suitable for portrait photography and shooting in low light). The lens belongs to the class of professional and expensive.

The average price of a lens is 130,000 rubles.