Sharpness across the entire image frame is hugely impressive, even when shooting wide-open, which is a real challenge for a ‘fast’ f/1.4 lens. Sigma’s Art lenses are immaculately well-built but, unlike some of them, this one adds the extra bonus of weather-seals.Īutofocus is both fast and accurate. Autofocus is based on a ring-type ultrasonic system. The complex optical path is based on 14 elements, including an aspherical element at the rear and two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) elements, placed at the centre and towards the front. Typical of Sigma’s Art series, it’s designed for premium image quality without any concessions to compactness. It's a weighty proposition for an 85mm f/1.4 lens, at 1,130g. This Sigma is available for a variety of mounts, including Canon EF. The aperture remains more well-rounded when stopping down a little, compared with Canon’s EF f/1.2 and f/1.8 lenses for DSLRs. The quality of bokeh is exceptional, with super-smooth blur and particularly minimal longitudinal or ‘bokeh’ fringing. Wide-aperture sharpness is marginally less magnificent than from the Sigma 85mm Art lens but still pretty extraordinary. It feels well-balanced on chunky full-frame DSLRs like the 6D Mark II and 5D Mark IV, with excellent handling characteristics. The optical path is based on 14 elements and features Canon’s high-tech Air Sphere Coating which further reduces ghosting and flare.Īt 950g, this lens is smaller and lighter than the competing Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A, which lacks stabilization. The ability to shoot portraits in the rain might seem superfluous but wedding photographers would disagree. Build quality is pretty epic, including a shock-absorbing front barrel, weather-seals and fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements. This is one of only two 85mm lenses for Canon cameras that features image stabilization, the other being a Tamron. A 45mm lens (doubling to 90mm) would be a better choice. However if you're on Micro Four Thirds, the focal length will double to 170mm, which is probably a little long. An 85mm lens is still good on APS-C as it will provide an equivalent focal length of 127.5mm, which works nicely for head-and-shoulders images. If you're using a smaller sensor than full-frame, remember that the effective focal length will increase. Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but the point stands: 85mm is the way to go. A 50mm requires you to get a little closer than a subject might be comfortable with, while anything too long (more than 135mm or so) will require you to stand weirdly far away and shout your instructions. The short telephoto length of an 85mm also enables an optimal working distance between photographer and subject. Wider lenses will tend to stretch them out horizontally, which can produce some fun perspectives, but isn't all that conducive to making someone look and feel beautiful. When mounted on a full-frame camera body (meaning it'll provide the focal length on the box), an 85mm produces a flattering perspective of facial features.

The main reason is the perspective provided by an 85mm. Best Panasonic lenses (opens in new tab).Best Fujifilm lenses (opens in new tab).The best camera lenses to buy (opens in new tab).

Best lens for portraits