PHOTOGRAPHY

 The Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Lens for Portrait Photography

  When it comes to photographic equipment, the perfect lens is one of the best things you can spend your money on without a second thought.

  With the right lens, the selfies you add to your online photography portfolio will look amazing – which in turn will help you market and promote your photography business.

  Not sure where to start with a Portrait lens? This article will first help you to know the things to consider when buying the best lens for portrait photography, and also you will find a list of the best lenses to use for portrait regardless of your style or budget. It will become easier for you to choose and buy the perfect lens that suits your needs.

Things to consider when choosing the best lens for portrait photography

  To choose the camera lens that best suits your needs, it is necessary to consider a few elements that will greatly help you in your decision. Of course, you don't need to be a professional photographer to choose your lens.

  In general, there are nine key elements to understand to know how to choose the right camera lens for a portrait.

   9 key elements to know how to choose the right camera lens for a portrait.

   Zoom Lens or Prime Lens?

  Or something you have to decide on is whether you want a Prime lens or a Zoom lens.

  A prime lens has a fixed focal length. Meaning when using it you can't get close to your target, you have to get close to it by physically moving.

  They are generally lighter, faster and produce better quality images, and are often cheaper.

  These lenses are called according to their focal length, for example, a lens with a focal length of 50 mm is called a 50 mm lens as shown in the image below.

Canon 50mm lens has a focal length of 50mm

  Prime lenses are great for portrait photography because the apertures on this lens are wider than on zoom lenses. Do you understand what I mean?

  Well, if you have read our article about aperture and its relationship to depth of field, you know that wide apertures like f/1.4 or f/2 give a shallow depth of field i.e. the background is blurry and the person you are photographing is clear, as shown in the picture below.

Shallow Depth of Field - Blur Background

  Wide apertures are also useful when shooting in low light as they are fast when taking pictures, so they are also called fast lenses.

  While the zoom lens has a variable focal length. Meaning, by using it, you can get close to your target without physically moving around.

  A zoom lens is called according to the zoom range it reaches, for example, a 70-24 lens, with a focal length range of 24 to 70.

lens 70-24, aperture f/2.8. 

  Zoom lenses make it easy for you to take a variety of photos without having to switchgear. For example, the 70-200 lens will enable you to take pictures of a distant football player using 200mm, and you can also take pictures of people in the studio using 70mm and so on.

  Also, you don't need to move to be able to shoot a distant subject.

  It also produces high-quality images if you choose the right lens.

   What is a suitable Focal Length?

  After you have chosen one of the two types of lenses that we talked about in the previous paragraph, Prime or Zoom, now it's time to select the dimension or focal length that suits you.

  The best focal length for portrait photography depends on many things, including the number of subjects you want to include in the background, for example, if you want to photograph your friend on the street, if you use a 24mm lens, you will get a picture with your friend, people around, buildings, etc, meaning wide angle.

  Whereas, if you use a 105mm lens, for example, from the same place, you will take a picture with your friend only, meaning a narrow-angle ... and so on.

  Note the image of the girl in the photo below, the photographer used a 35mm wide-angle lens, so although he photographed the girl standing near her on the balcony of the house, the image contains the girl and a large part of the view behind her.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Lens 35mm f/2.8 1/400s ISO320

  note:

  As for the symbols written below the image, I will explain them briefly:

  Canon EOS 5D Mark IV: Camera Name and Model

  Lens 35mm: The focal length the photographer used to take the photo.

  The focal length does not have to be 35mm, meaning that the lens that the photographer took the photo with is a Prime lens with a fixed focal length of 35mm, i.e. a fixed lens that does not zoom. He might have used a 70-24 Zoom lens, for example, and in the middle of this range, he used a 35mm focal length to photograph the girl.

  f/2.8: The aperture number the photographer used to take the photo. In this case, I use a small number  f/2.8 so as you can see the background is blurry this is called bokeh.

  All about how to use aperture in photography you will find in this article.

  Shutter Speed: 1/400s.

  But in the photo below, where the photographer used the 50mm focal length, meaning a slightly narrow-angle, we got a picture of the girl and a little bit of the view behind her.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Lens 50mm f/2.8 1/400s ISO320

  And if the photographer used a longer focal length like 105 (narrow-angle) and took the picture from the same place, that is, without going back - we would get an image with only the girl's nose.

  Focal lengths from 35mm to 200mm are common in portrait photography, depending on the subject, style, and preferences of the photographer.

  You will find more information about lens types in this article.

  You will find more information about focal length in this article.

   What is your budget?

  More expensive lenses usually produce clearer images with less flare. Build quality is better, maybe weatherproof, and has better autofocus mechanisms. The only problem with these lenses is the extra weight and the high price.

  But that doesn't matter as long as you can get the amazing photos you want. As Henry Royce of Rolls-Royce said: "Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten."

  This does not mean that cameras Lower prices are not good for anything or the quality of the images they produce is degraded, on the contrary, you can get great photos with the simplest equipment.

   What kind of camera do you have Full Frame or Crop Senser APS-C?

    You will find more information about the Full Frame camera or the Crop Sensor camera in this article

  When thinking about buying a lens for portrait photography, you should also consider the type of camera you own.

  You may have heard of the Full Frame camera or the Crop Sensor camera (which also stands for APS-C camera).

  For example, the Nikon D850 is a Full Frame camera, while the Nikon D3500 is a Crop Sensor camera.

  These names are due to the size of the sensor inside the camera: a full-frame camera means it has a full-frame sensor (which is larger), while a Crop Sensor or APS-C camera has a smaller sensor. As shown in this picture:

  But wait! What does the size of the sensor inside the camera have to do with choosing the right lens for photographing people?

  OK! When you use a 50mm lens, for example, on a Full Frame camera, the image will be taken with a 50mm focal length and nothing changes, but if you stand in the same place and use the same 50mm lens on the Crop Sensor camera, the subject will look like you zoomed in with part of the scene cut out. Meaning the focal length of the lens has changed due to the size of the sensor. As can be seen in the picture below.

  So if you own an APS-C camera and want to buy a 50mm lens, remember that it will work as a 75mm lens on your camera. By multiplying 50mm by your camera's crop factor.

  For example, if you have a Nikon the crop factor of this camera is 1.5. (1.5×50 = 75mm). So a 50mm lens will work as a 75mm lens on your camera.

  But when I use the Full Frame camera, nothing changes.

  Our article about the difference between Full Frame and Crop Sensor and what effect each of them has on images will answer all your questions about it.

   The number of lenses you want to carry

  If you only want to carry one lens, I recommend zoom lenses.

  Zoom lenses will give you a lot of options when it comes to focal lengths. A 24-70 lens, for example, will allow you to capture different framing styles without switching lenses or even changing positions. So you will carry one lens with you.

  Whereas if you want to use prime lenses, you will have to carry multiple lenses. If you want to photograph a close person in a landscape, you will need a 35mm because it is a wide-angle lens. And if you want to photograph someone farther with a shallow depth of field, you'll need to switch to an 85mm lens, and so on.

  So if it's okay to carry several lenses with you at all times, you can buy Prime lenses with different focal lengths. But if you want to carry one lens and shoot different styles without having to switch or move around a lot, use the zoom lens.

  Don't forget that you can always use the prime lens, for example, 50mm, if you don't mind moving your feet a lot in the shooting location (you can get close to the subject if you want it to appear close in the picture, or move away if you want to include a lot of things in your photo. Meaning zoom with feet ).

   How many people are in the picture?

  If you plan to photograph larger groups of people, you will probably need a wider lens capable of capturing more people in a frame, such as a 35mm lens.

  It's important to remember, that wider lenses will cause image distortion if you get too close to a person - especially if you use a lens with a focal length less than 35mm in a Full Frame camera.

  If you're shooting with a medium focal length lens (50mm on a crop sensor camera or 85mm on a full-frame camera), don't forget that you can always go back to include more people in the photo.

   Space available in the shooting location?

  If you are going to be shooting outdoors in large areas, you have a lot of options for lenses but if your sessions will be taking place in a more cramped environment, you will need a wider angle lens.

  A focal length of 85mm and above would be great if you have a large area to work with but inside a home or small studio, you may need a shorter focal length.

  85mm on a full-frame camera and 50mm on a Crop Sensor camera is a good standard length for most environments.

   Bokeh

  Blur background, shallow depth of field, or bokeh, you can name it however you like. If you are interested in producing photos with great background blur, you will need Wide Aperture lenses. The larger the aperture, the greater the background blur. (The number in front of /f should be smaller like f/1.8).

  If this background blur is important to you, look for a lens that can shoot with a wider aperture like f/2.8, f/1.8, or even f/1.2. A larger aperture will give your photos a shallower depth of field and also allow for better low-light performance.

  The aperture number is often written on the lens itself, as shown in the image below. This number means the widest limit of the lens aperture.

The widest point that this lens can reach is f/2.8

   Stabilizer 

  This is another factor to recognize and understand when deciding on a camera lens.

Some lenses have a built-in stabilizer. Quite simply, its job is to reduce the possibility of motion blur when shooting in low light conditions (night photography for example). Because you will need a slow shutter speed.

  Also useful when using a long focal length (telephoto lens) eg 200mm - the longer the lens, the more likely it is to get blurry images. (Stabilizer reduces the possibility of motion blur, but does not reduce it permanently).

  Whether your lens has a Stabilizer or not, you can always use a tripod to shoot your photos in low light conditions.

  Letters that stand for Stabilizer in the lens:

  IS on Canon, on Nikon the icon for VR, on Tamron the icon for VC, and on Sigma the icon for OS.

   What are the appropriate lenses for portrait photography and what is the function of each one separately?

   35mm - the thickest prime popular in photographing people on the street

• When do you use a 35mm lens?

  The 35mm focal length allows us to include a lot of elements in the image because it is a wide lens. This is especially important if you are trying to shoot in a small space such as a room or a restaurant and you want the elements of the room to appear in your photo.

  With a 35mm lens you can also capture the person in their environment, so if you are a street photographer who takes portraits of city dwellers, or a storyteller who wants to capture as much of the environment around the main subject, the 35mm focal length is for you.

  In the picture below, you can see the man sitting enjoying the view of the beautiful Paris Tower, this is the true meaning of the picture telling a story. Where is the person? what's he doing? Is the view next to it beautiful, happy or sad? and so on.

Sony 34mm f/5.8 1/1250s ISO100

  It is also excellent for photographing people in nature because it captures a wide angle of the scene.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II 35mm f/2.5 1/640s ISO-100

  Also useful for taking pictures of large groups of people without having to travel too far to include people on the side.

Canon EOS 5D mark IV 35mm f/2 1/800s ISO400

  On an APS-C camera, the 35mm lens works approximately as 50mm (i.e. 35×1.5=52.5), making it ideal for APS-C and Full Frame cameras.

  When using this lens you should be careful because 35mm shooting can have the opposite effect when getting too close to a person's face.

  The closer the lens is to a person, the more distorted his features, especially the nose, get larger and can end up looking very exaggerated and cartoonish.

  Fashion editors sometimes use this distortion of their photos to emphasize an element of clothing, because anything close to the lens appears much larger than objects far away when a wide lens is used.

• Best 35mm lenses in different brands

  The Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Wide-Angle Lens is a small and light lens ($600). Don't underestimate the f/2 aperture because it produces just as great background blur as f/1.8.

  If you want to take your photos to another level of creativity I would recommend the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM Lens The price can be high, around $1700 but believe me, the quality of the images with this lens is fantastic.

  For Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G. At only $160! This lens provides great image quality. Tip: Don't underestimate the low price, the lens isn't perfect but the quality you'll get is well beyond $160.

  For Sony, the Sony FE 35mm F1.8 is the perfect choice for Sony camera users, with a price tag of $750.

  For Fujifilm, the Fujinon XF35mmF2 R WR lens. Priced at $400, this lens is sharp and sealed against dust and moisture. And the results you get are amazing, to say the least. It's a great lens for the price.

  As for Sigma, the Sigma 35mm DG HSM f/1.4 Art is one of the best-selling lenses, priced at $850.

  Finally, we will not forget the Tamron, with its durable body and high image quality, the Tamron 35mm f/1.8 lens is the number one competitor to other brands. Its price is 600 dollars.

   50mm - the ideal choice for portrait photography at a low price

• When is the 50mm lens used?

  The 50mm lens needs an entire article about it, due to its many features and low price. The Prime lens is the number one lens for many great photographers, why?

  Simply because it is a versatile lens, it will enable you to take pictures of landscapes at sunrise. Or photograph children playing in the park because it is a fast lens. Or even take pictures of architecture.

  Perhaps best of all, the 50mm lens is an excellent teaching tool for novice photographers.

  Since it's a fixed focal length lens, you can't just zoom in on your subject without moving from where you are, instead, you have to use your feet and move around and work a little harder to frame the shot as you like.

  In other words, a prime lens like 50mm makes you think more purposefully about how you compose your images. This in turn helps you grow as a photographer because you have to work constantly to get the shot you want.

  Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, it is a versatile lens, so you can try out many types of photography without having to switch lenses.

  when photographing people; The 50mm is a flexible lens, it does not distort or compress contours. Thus, it is a great lens for shooting portraits.

Nikon D700 50mm f/4.5 1/2500 ISO800

  When it comes to adding accessories to your camera bag, it's hard to beat a 50mm lens.

• The best 50mm lenses in different brands

  The Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM lens is one of the cheapest options out there. It has surprisingly high image quality. It is the perfect choice for many beginner and professional photographers. It is estimated at $120.

  For Nikon, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G is a very nice option too. Its price is 160 dollars. This lens is a top seller when it comes to Nikon portrait lenses, thanks to its incredibly cheap price, ligh+tweight, and great optics.

  Sony introduces the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 for portrait photographers. It's around the sharp lens with a durable design. It also comes at a low price of $211.

  If you like a 50mm lens, you can also invest in more and get a better quality 50mm lens.

  On the Canon side, there is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4USM, which is a great lens for studio photography. High price ($400). But the images you get from them are legendary.

  Canon's new mirrorless system also includes the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 lens. It's a great lens, with breathtaking clarity, and a very fast Autofocus system. Priced at $2300.

  if u are a Nikon user, you might consider getting the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G. It's not the sharpest in the Nikon lineup. But it has the most distinct look we've seen from a modern lens. Your subject is almost outside the image as if it were a 3D image. Its price is $500.

  Nikon's new Mirrorless Z System features the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8. It's a convenient, sharp, mid-range option for System Z users. Its price is $650.

  If you want clarity above all else, the Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 can't be beaten. This lens is famous for the extremely sharp images it produces. It's $840, and you can get it for all kinds of cameras, from Canon to Nikon to Sony.

  85mm - classic portrait lens

• When do you use the 85mm lens?

  The 85mm lens is known as the best prime lens for portraits. Imagine you have a lens that has sharp focus – especially on a person's eyes and offers the best bokeh and perfect focal length. You will be able to create amazing photo art.

  The great thing about using this lens is that it allows you to get creative and use your feet! You can take those close-up shots while keeping your distance from the person as well as get those wider shots (if you go back a few steps)!

  If you get too close to the person, the 35mm lens may distort the face a little, but the 85mm will allow you to photograph the person as close as you want without the slightest distortion of his features.

Nikon D800 85mm f/6.3 1/160s ISO 160

  For this reason, the 85mm is often seen as the ideal lens for capturing head and shoulders photos. And of course, you can capture the whole body if you take a few steps back.

Canon 85mm f/7.1 1/100s ISO100

  The problem with this lens is that due to its longer focal length, it often needs a little more space to photograph a standing person, for example.

  So if you're in a small studio and want to photograph a bride in her long white dress, an 85mm lens would be difficult.

  Photographers who specialize in portraits use 85mm mostly where the focus is on the individual. They provide great compression to the facial and body features resulting in attractive selfies.

• Best 85mm lenses in different brands

  Canon users are undoubtedly familiar with the old and reliable Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 lens. It's been the go-to choice for people photographers for 30 years and still is today due to its good price tag ($330) and great results.

  The Canon f/1.4 IS USM 85mm is the first 85mm prime lens to include a Stabilizer (if you move around while you're shooting your photos won't contain blur). It's pricey ($1,600), but it's great in all respects.

  If you need not stabilization but additional background blur, the Canon 85mm f/1.2 USM II is a great choice if you're OK with spending more money ($1,700).

  For Nikon, the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G is a great and affordable one for $426, comparable to its f/1.8 Canon counterpart in most attributes.

  Nikon doesn't offer an f/1.2 aperture option, but the Nikon 85mm f/1.4G is legendary at $1,550.

  Users of Nikon's new Z System can now purchase the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8S for $950. (System Z means mirrorless camera system).

  The Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 lens has been a rising star for the past few years. Its accuracy in photography makes it one of the best lenses for portrait photography. At a relatively low price compared to an f/1.4 lens, it is $1,100.

  For Sony, many people are confused between two lenses of this brand: the Sony 85mm f/1.4 lens and the Sony 85mm f/1.8 lens.

  OK! The difference between f/1.4 and f/1.8 is in the ability to capture light. This means that f/1.4 will allow you to shoot in less light than f/1.8. In addition to being f/1.4, it will provide you with a much more blurred background than f/1.8.

  However, this does not make much difference to the photos.

  Weighing less than half the weight of its sibling Sony 85mm f/1.4, and also priced three times less than the f/1.4 version, the Sony 85mm f/1.8 is a real bargain for a Sony portrait lens. It weighs only 371 grams and costs only $600.

  For photographers looking for a durable, high-quality lens, the Tamron 85mm f/1.8 is a great choice. Because it's an amazing lens at an affordable price ($600).

  This lens poses a threat to competitors from Canon and Nikon. The design of this lens makes it durable without being too heavy, ideal for capturing full and half-body shots without distortion, and the f/1.8 aperture ensures some gorgeous creamy background bokeh.

   24-70mm Versatile Portrait Lens

• When do you use the 24-70 lens?

  My favorite lens! The 24-70 lens, popularly known as a "walking lens" is a staple in any photography kit!

  With a range of 24 to 70, this lens is a great companion for a wide range of photoshoots. From wide shots like nature photography to people close-ups. This range includes focal lengths that are important in the world of photography, such as 35mm, 50mm, and 70mm.

  So this lens allows you to capture a wide variety of shots without having to change the lens constantly.

  When you're cruising around the world on vacation you can only pack this one lens, because you won't need another. If you are a wedding photographer, this lens is ideal for this type of photography.

  When it comes to an event like weddings, flexibility in capturing the moment is crucial. No one wants to lose precious, priceless shots of the newlyweds, just to switch between your lenses or cameras. You need one perfect lens to capture every moment and get results Sharp, bright, and beautiful. That's why the 24-70mm f/2.8 fixed lens is the one magic lens every wedding photographer needs.

Canon EOS 47mm f/5.8 1/1000s ISO200

  Tip: If you intend to become a professional wedding photographer, it is recommended that you buy a 24-70 lens and a 70-200 lens to have a range of 24 to 200. Also, a fast 85mm wide aperture lens for photographing the details of the newlyweds.

Canon EOS 5D Mark3 85mm f/5.6 1/320s ISO100

  Camera brands such as Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Sigma, and Tamron know the importance of the 24-70 range in photography, so an impressive selection of lenses have offered this range to choose from. And with a fixed aperture, meaning you can shoot at 24mm with f/2.8, and at 70mm with 2.8.

  As the wandering lens and companion of most photographers, most brands have proven that your faithful companion can withstand most of your adventures.

  From the weather protection offered by some manufacturers, to rugged, durable bodies, the 24-70mm is ready for most situations. This lens is also comfortable to hold.

• Best 24-70mm Lenses in Different Brands

  The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, at $1,630, is one of the most professionally used lenses thanks to its impressive high performance and outstanding image quality. If you are looking for the best 24-70mm lens for your Canon camera, look no further.

  If you are on a tight budget, I would recommend the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM, it's really cool and at a low price of $580.

  For Nikon, if you are looking for the best 24-70mm lens that has fast autofocus and produces sharp images in a challenging environment, then the NIKON AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8 can be your perfect choice. This lens is known for its reliability. Priced at 1193 dollars.

  The best Sony 24-70 lens is Sony 24-70mm f/4 This is a great lens. It offers great image quality, performs well, and has a fast Autofocus that makes many professional photographers very happy. Its price is 890 dollars.

  The Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG OS HSM Art is a high-quality lens too. It has beautiful image quality, very good focusing capabilities, weather resistance, and works reliably. Priced at $1,280, it is available for canon, sony, and Nikon.

  And finally, the lens that I prefer, the coolest, the cheapest, and the fantastic quality is the Tamron 24-70mm f / 2.8. Priced at $1140.

  Well, this lens is great and almost every photographer knows and recommends it.

   70-200mm - Does the portrait photographer need this lens?

• When do you use the 70-200mm lens?

  Do you really need a lens like this to get good photos?

It's hard for me to tell if any photographer needs one of these lenses for portrait photography, but I can say they're extremely useful in a wide variety of situations. It is a professional lens designed to meet many requirements, especially for portrait photographers.

If you find yourself in such situations, a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens might be just what you're looking for:

• Fast-moving targets. In other words, when you're shooting outdoor photos of kids.

• Full body photos where you want a very blurry background.

• Subjects that are far away and need to be brought closer to view them.

• Photographers who need a lot of variety in their lenses.

• Photographing wedding parties, for example, you want to photograph a beautiful but faraway shot, and you cannot run towards it so as not to lose it.

• Filming conferences and press events. Where you can't get close to your target.

A 70-200mm f/2.8 lens isn't always necessary, but it can make all the difference if your needs aren't met by the lenses we talked about above.

It's heavy and expensive, but the results can be worth it as long as you know why and what you plan to use it for.

You should also know that you may not need the absolute light-gathering power of f/2.8 aperture. In many cases, you'll be well served with an f/4 70-200 lens which will cost you much less and still produce good results.

• Best 70-200 lenses in different brands

  Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Price: $1,535

  If you are a professional portrait photographer and need to take selfies at big celebrations or sporting events, this Canon selfie lens will do wonders. By far one of Canon's most popular L Series lenses, it offers powerful zoom resolution and clarity. You will be able to isolate a subject from a distance while maintaining an incredible amount of clarity, thanks to image stabilization, as well as creating beautiful blurry bokeh.

  Just like the Canon variants, Nikon produces the f/4 version of its 70-200mm lens in the form of the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR. Lighter than the f/2.8 version, it produces stunning images for $790.

  This lens is extremely fast in focusing and produces crystal-clear images with great contrast and detail. Many Nikon owners buy this lens because it weighs nearly half the weight of the f/2.8 version, which means it's ideal for lightweight travel and excursions. A high-quality lens that justifies its price.

  The Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 G2 is a much less expensive $1300, but a comparable alternative. It was one of the first companies to achieve the same outstanding image quality as its Canon counterpart.

  The smallest member of the 70-200mm family is the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8S. It is primarily intended for sports photographers but is well suited for portraits as well. It features one of the most effective AF systems we've seen in a third-party lens. His images are sharp across the zoom range. Priced at $1500.

  The Sony 70-200mm f/4 lens is a rare sight at $1,500, but if you're deeply invested in Sony gear and want to buy the same brand of quality... Legendary, the Sony 70-200 f/2.8 lens is also a great option at $2300.

  On the cheaper side, we find some 70-200mm f/4 lenses, most notably the Canon 70-200mm f/4 USM you see everywhere all the time. It's a sharp and versatile zoom option but it's a cheap $600. It has not lost a bit of its popularity over the past fifteen years.

   Buy lenses for portrait photography on a budget

  For a photographer on a budget, don't go straight to Canon, Nikon, or Sony lenses, it's best to look into Tamron, Sigma, Pentax, Samyang, Rokinon, Tokina, or even Yongnuo lenses. They provide the same high-quality focal lengths, at a huge price difference 

  I bought a Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 lens because it is cheaper than the Nikon alternative. In fact, this lens is very impressive. It was also much cheaper, which allowed me to invest in another lens.

  You can start with 35mm or 50mm. These focal lengths will cover most of what you need. Since they are Prime lenses, they will not allow you to zoom in on the scene at all. But using it can teach you something about framing, transfer, and placement while you do it.

   Buying used lenses

  You may consider buying used lenses. Of course, going this route has its pros and cons. But if you have enough experience, you will find some great deals.

  On the one hand, you might get a lens for half the retail price. But it's best to get your hands on it before actually buying it. You need to pay attention to any hidden problems, such as dust, paint problems, loops, autofocus, etc.

   Conclusion

  When it comes to the best selfie lenses, we all have our preferences! No single lens is suitable for all photographers. It depends on what you do with your photos and what you want.

  Do your research and learn about all your options. Camera optics can be expensive. So think about which one you'll use the most, and invest in it.

  If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments.