Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS (Canon RF)

Take an already superb lens and add another extra pinch of "fairy dust" and the result might very well be a Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS. This is applicable to all subject matter of course, but especially so for portraiture. Wedding photographers might well look very carefully at this lens and the gorgeous open aperture results that are possible. It is big and expensive, but that could well be a reasonable trade-off considering the quality of the results. 

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM (Canon RF)

The quality of the lenses arriving on the market has arguably never been better. There are some amazing optics and the only downside seems to be that the prices can be equally amazing. The more adventurous the specification of course, the higher that price will be. Thankfully there are still plenty of lower-cost alternatives around, the usual trade-off is that they have more restricted apertures and maybe lighter construction.

But this is a high spec and expensive lens, and, as always, if the photographer can afford it and it fits the need, then buy with confidence as the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM absolutely delivers the goods. The highest quality standards and ease of use add up to a very attractive proposition.

Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L MACRO IS USM (Canon RF)

The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L MACRO IS USM is an excellent lens with unique and potentially very useful features. With excellent sharpness, well-controlled CA, low distortion, minimal flare and many more pro points, the lens may well justify its cost and is duly awarded the accolade of 'Editor's Choice'.

Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly (DSLR)

There is no doubt that there will be many photographers who will be delighted by the arrival of the Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro lens. The greater reach of 150mm will be welcomed, and indeed is highly sought after already as photographers search for legendary long macro lenses from the days of film.

Manual focus can often be the method of choice for macro work, depending upon the techniques needed, but at least can be regarded as a little impediment. This is an excellent addition to the options available, especially perhaps for Pentax users who have had no option at all before this.

A specialised lens to some degree, but one that can be Highly Recommended.

Meike 85mm f/1.8 (DSLR)

The lens is no trouble to use, it does the job, maybe not with the smooth finesse of more expensive optics, but in a workmanlike and efficient way. At the price, who could complain. For anyone wanting an inexpensive 85mm f/1.8 lens this must be one of the strongest contenders.

Handling being fine, the real bonus is that the optical performance is excellent. Even the edge softness wide open can be seen as an advantage for dreamy portraits, although some may see it as a drawback. Creatively, the lens has lots of potential.

In summary, a fine lens that's very easy to like, at a price where there's little to lose.

Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (Nikon Z)

The Z series of lenses continues to offer extraordinary optics and in this case at least, with a reasonable price tag to go with it. The 105mm focal length is versatile and covers a multitude of subjects, including portrait and macro work. This Nikkor is a well-balanced lens with an outstanding performance, as well as smooth and effective handling. The Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is a real winner and an excellent Editor's Choice.

Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct (Nikon Z)

What a dilemma. Discounting the price, this is an amazing lens that reaches the very highest level of quality. However, there are many lenses not that far behind, almost as fast, even at f/1.4 where the choice widens considerably. These are a fraction of the price of the Nikkor Z.

The advantages are clear, exemplary performance, high-quality construction, sublime handling of light sources and beautiful bokeh. These all add up to a very desirable product, sensibly specified and offering unique qualities. There will be photographers who snap this up and there will be photographers, like me perhaps, who stand wistfully watching but unable to afford the huge price tag.

Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S (Nikon Z)

What a cracker of a lens the Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S has turned out to be. With outstanding performance, outstanding handling and its diminutive size and weight there is a lot to like, in fact, a lot to find that is highly desirable. The cost is at the higher end of such lenses, although nowhere near the cost that an f/1.4 version would result in. It might be an inspired decision by Nikon to keep their lens to be smaller, lighter but to ensure the highest level of quality.

Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 (L-mount)

The 85mm lens has often been considered the lens most likely to be the pinnacle of performance in any given manufacturer's range, and it certainly looks as though the Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 lens has aspirations to fulfil that position.

It has a remarkably high and even performance, no vices in terms of handling and an attractive price tag. The maximum aperture is of course not as fast as the f/1.4 lenses available, but the slightly slower speed may be well worth the more modest pricing level, and indeed a considerable reduction in size and weight. The difference between f/1.8 and f/1.4 in practical use is arguably very small.

In summary, a lovely lens to use and one capable of really excellent results, all at a very reasonable price.

Pentax-D FA* 85mm f/1.4 HD ED SDM AW (Pentax DSLR)

The lens delivers the highest quality, unfortunately at the highest price in its group as well. However, the quality cannot be denied, so if that is what is required the answer is clear. It is large and heavy, there is no escaping that, but there is a clear reason for it in the construction detail that has gone into the end product. To be as good as it is, it needs to be a big, heavy lens.

We are always looking for that "pixie dust" in a lens as well, that magical quality that cannot be measured but which we know when we see it. These lenses are the keepers, the ones that don't get swapped about, and once a Pentax user has the HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW lens in their hands I very much doubt that they will want to give it up.

Samyang AF 135mm F/1.8 FE (Sony FE)

The lens offers lovely, crisp images with smooth, pleasing bokeh as well. This is an indication that the lens is sharp but not so cruelly sharp as to make it uncomfortable as a portrait lens nor is it so over-sharp that the bokeh becomes relatively ragged. No, this one is as smooth as silk, a lovely performer. Add to this low distortion and CA, close focusing, superb flare control and hardly any vignetting and the result is a very well put together lens at a very attractive price. Some may find 135mm slightly long for some subjects, but the rest of this range also includes a 75mm, so there are other options if needed.

Samyang MF 85mm f/1.4 MK II (DSLR)

There is much to like about any 85mm f/1.4 lens and the new Samyang ticks almost all of the boxes. The only caveat is for those who might prefer an AF lens, and then Samyang have an offering for just a couple of hundred pounds more should it be preferred.

However, the new Samyang MF 85mm f/1.4 MK2 lens also delivers a splendid overall performance and it is basically just a lovely lens.

Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE (Sony FE)

The Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE is a lovely lens to use, from the moment we look at the images on the screen or through the viewfinder. Selective depth of field makes manual focusing a breeze, subjects sing out against a beautifully diffused background. The Samyang is also gloriously smooth in operation, totally unobtrusive and a real photographer's lens, where the camera becomes an extension of the photographer and does not intrude on the subject. The price is also very attractive, so Samyang fully deserves the accolade of Editor's Choice.

There's also the new version of this lens (Samyang AF 85mm F/1.4 FE II) that we are yet to review. 

Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 RF (Canon RF)

Samyang have clearly done it again, with the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 RF lens. They have produced a lens with superb performance at a very reasonable price level. It is well made, handles beautifully and combines high levels of sharpness with a beautiful, smooth bokeh effect. This is ideal for portraiture, and wide open the lens also offers a lovely, subtle vignetting effect that could be an ideal enhancement for portraits.

Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 FE (Sony FE)

Whether the photographer sees this as an unusually long standard lens or as a slightly shorter portrait lens, the 75mm length proves in use to be very equitable. We can approach our portrait subjects quite closely, but not so close as to cause distortion of the features. On the other hand, as a general-purpose lens there is some merit in having a longer focal length and having more space in which to work. In a similar way, 100mm macro lenses tend to be more popular than 50mm ones.

As for performance, this is just exemplary, the Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 FE is an outstanding lens indeed. Along with a moderate, realistic price tag, compact size and great handling, the only caveat is the lack of sealing against water and dust.

Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary (Sony FE)

All the things I concluded regarding the 35mm equally apply here: Leave the magnetic lens cap in the box, put in a depth of field scale, add a lock on the aperture A setting and put in a switch to de-click the aperture ring. Then equalise the filter size across the I range and we have one brilliant lens in every respect.

If anything, the 65mm is actually a whisker ahead of the 35mm in the quality stakes, but we are playing with just slight variations in the degree of excellence. Regardless of whatever improvements might be made in design terms, the lens is a shining example of the modern lens makers' art and in terms of performance will satisfy the most critical requirements.

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (Sony FE)

The 85mm lens has always been a firm favourite for portraits, close-range sports, night shooting and landscapes in particular. Lenses have been fast, with bright f/1.4 apertures, and optical performance is often the peak point for any given manufacturer's range. Sigma intends its Art range to be at the top of the tree and they undoubtedly succeed. Even where results dip, such as the amount of pincushion distortion and the slightly weaker sharpness at the edges at f/1.4, these things can be addressed in software or taken advantage of. For example, portraits at open aperture have delightful vignetting that is ready-made to enhance the sharpness of the central area by concentrating our eyes on the main subject.

The price is not the lowest, but the overall package is very, very attractive and pitched at a very fair level. Sigma is clearly at the top of its game with its range of Art lenses.

Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art (DSLR)

Sigma has provided a well-made, solid macro lens that delivers very impressive image quality. It operates flawlessly, albeit it with slightly slower than average AF.

The 70mm focal length is a good compromise for full-frame bodies. For APS-C cameras the “35mm format equivalent” would be 112mm for Canon. This means that a 50mm macro might be a better choice for APS-C if the user wanted a similar field of view to the one this lens offers in full frame.

However, in summary, this Sigma lens offers all the right things in terms of handling and quality and is well worth considering as an alternative to the more common focal lengths.

Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 G Master (Sony FE)

The Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 G Master is indeed a very impressive lens. In terms of design, ergonomics and performance it cannot be faulted. It is expensive, and that is really the only downside to a lens that will produce the goods and offers the potential of a very long service life. A superb choice for Sony FE mount full frame users.

Voigtlander 110mm f/2.5 Macro APO Lanthar (Sony FE)

The Voigtlander 110mm f/2.5 Macro APO Lanthar is an excellent lens. It is fairly heavy and bulky, so maybe trying to use it with a crop sensor body would be a bit out of proportion, but it is absolutely fine on full-frame.

A nice touch is electronic compatibility and this ensures that focusing out in the field is a smooth and very easy process. On a tripod, the performance is impeccable and AF is not really necessary.

The verdict is a really classy lens that is a pleasure to use and delivers fantastic results

Zeiss Otus Apo-Sonnar 100mm f/1.4 T* (DSLR)

It is actually quite surprising how few fast 100mm lenses there are, especially considering the popularity of the 100mm macro lenses. For those who find 85mm too short and yet 135mm too long and unwieldy, the 100mm lens has always been an excellent focal length. There have been many 100mm lenses in the past, mostly f/2.8 designs that were light and compact.

The Zeiss lens is definitely not light or compact, but it is uncompromisingly excellent in performance. It is also most definitely not a cheap option, but then again if we want traditional metal and glass construction of the highest order, then that is what it costs.

This is also the sort of lens design that raises standards, as the difference between a shot that hits the spot and one that nearly does becomes very obvious. Zeiss claims the lens offers a “medium format look” and it does have a certain quality, a certain look that lifts it beyond the norm. It will not suit every photographer, but those whose way of working it does suit will love it.

Fujifilm Fujinon 50mm f/1 R WR (Fujifilm X)

Much of the decision revolves around cost, weighed against the alternatives and the features that are unique to the new lens. It performs really well, right in the top tier, it is designed specifically to offer something special for the portrait photographer, although not exclusively so by any means. It has weather resistance. It is fast for use in low light situations. Focusing is razor accurate. It is an absolute joy to use on the Fujifilm X-T4. It is an exciting lens to use and has the aforementioned “pixie dust” magic ingredient. The cost will mean it is not for everyone, but at least it is within the bounds of what might be seen as affordable, depending on our own priorities. 

Samyang MF 85mm f/1.8 ED UMC CS (APS-C & MFT)

There are so many excellent lenses, and the Samyang MF 85mm f/1.8 ED UMC CS is another one. Fantastic quality, very nicely made, excellent price, compact and light… the only thing not to like is that focusing can be a bit tricky. However, to be fair, this depends also on the actual camera used. If used on a tripod with careful, magnified focusing, then the results possible from this lens are exemplary.

Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary (APS-C & MFT)

The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN C offers a fantastic performance, superb sharpness in particular, and a reasonable price tag. All round, a very satisfactory and desirable lens. A slight downside is the fiddly nature of some of the mirrorless cameras, with many functions tucked away in menus as opposed to dedicated switches and dials. This is not the fault of the lens though, which handles totally smoothly.

But in terms of a fast, short telephoto that is unobtrusive, works efficiently and delivers superb results the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN C is absolutely an Editor's Choice.