12 Best Nikon Portrait Lens

Best Nikon Portrait Lens

The best Nikon lens for portrait photography delivers images with a life of their own. To be specific, Nikon lenses made a notable impact on the camera industry and portraiture enthusiasts.

A portrait is all about capturing the magnificence of human emotions, and Nikon lenses are probably the most elegant choice to do it better.

With that said, let’s shed some light on the best Nikon lens for portrait photography.

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Best Nikon Lens for Portrait Photography – Top 12

Yes, portraiture photography is a skill, but you need the right gear, lights, condition, location, and passion for sure.

Choosing Nikon lenses would play a significant role in excelling in your creative skills.

Wondering which is the best Nikon lens for portrait photography?

12 Best Nikon Portrait Lens

1. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G

Want a powerful Nikon portrait lens on a low budget? Alright! Nikon’s AF-S NIKKOR 50mm is the right choice for you.

This one is a serious portraiture lens with professional features, including fast f/1.8 aperture, 50mm focal length (for DX cameras – 75mm equivalent), natural background blur, and much more.

From everyday use to standard portraits and street photography to professional, NIKKOR 50mm is an all-around lens. The minimum focal length allows the user to get closer to the subject for a stunning bokeh.

Even for low-light conditions and artistic shootings, most pros recommend this lens. This is the finest choice to advance your creativity skills on the go.

Tech Specs

• 50mm focal length for eye-catchy close-up portraits
• f/1.8 maximum aperture to capture bright photos in low-light conditions
• AF-S Silent Wave Motor for a quick, accurate, and near-silent autofocus
• Fast f/1.8 aperture for brilliant photos in any light
• Minimal focal length for beautiful background blur
• Super Integrated Coating (SIC) for reduced flare and ghosting
• Aspherical Lens Elements (AS) to eliminate aberrations
• Quick shifting from Manual to Automatic focusing mode

2. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G

NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G is the sharp and updated Nikon lens to make portrait photography more enhanced. It delivers breathtaking image quality with perfect brightness, contrast, colors, and sharpness.

The minimum focal length of 50mm and f/1.4 aperture make NIKKOR 50mm an astonishing choice for portrait photography.

From everyday use to brilliant portraitures, this high-performing lens produces natural bokeh, smooth colors, and a wide-angle view. All you need for that picture-perfect moment.

With such an amazing lens mounted on the Nikon camera, there’s nothing to worry about the image quality. You always get sharp, clear, and bright images as a result.

Tech Specs

• Edge-to-edge sharpness with perfect color image results
• 50mm focal length for brilliant close-up portraits
• f/1.8 aperture for brilliancy even in low-light conditions
• AF-S Silent Wave Motor for a quick, accurate, and near-silent autofocus
• 9-blade diaphragm and ultra-fast f/1.8 aperture for beautiful bokeh
• Super Integrated Coating (SIC) for reduced flare and ghosting
• Aspherical Lens Elements (AS) to eliminate aberrations
• Multiple focusing modes for quick shifting from Manual to Automatic

3. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G

Designed for brilliance, the NIKKOR 85mm is such a masterpiece that allows shooting portraits with exact sharpness, colors, bokeh, and more.

The fast and maximum f/1.8 aperture in this lens is excellent for shooting stills or HD videos in any light.

Also, the 85mm focal length is what makes this lens the most popular among pro portrait photographers. It creates sharp and clear images as a result of all apertures.

Nikon’s NIKKOR 85mm is people’s favorite due to its ideal focal length, the maximum aperture of f/1.8, and natural background blur.

What you get from this lens is flattering portraits- be it low-light, ideal lights, or other.

Tech Specs

• Medium telephoto portrait lens for stills, videos, portraits, and more
• 85mm focal length for exceptional portraits as a result
• f/1.8 aperture for brilliancy in low-light and ideal light conditions
• AF-S Silent Wave Motor for high-speed accurate autofocusing with near-silence
• Nikon’s Internal Focus (IF) system for quick and quiet AF
• Super Integrated Coating (SIC) – multiplayer – for reduced flare and ghosting
• The shift from Manual to Automatic focus mode in no lag time

4. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G

Nikon’s NIKKOR 85mm is the most admired and professional portrait camera lens with highly advanced features.

With the re-designed optical system, ultra-fast f/1.4 maximum aperture, 9-blade diaphragm, and more quality features, this lens produces superior natural background blur, as a result.

The AF-S NIKKOR 85mm is an advanced lens specially designed for portraits and everyday photography. This lens is the updated version of Nikon’s well-liked 85mm f/1.4 lens.

This is a versatile lens comprising Nikon’s most exceptional tech features to get the right color balance and contrast.

From Silent Wave Motor (SWM) to Super Integrated Coating (SIC), this Nikon lens is all you want for stunning portraits.

Tech Specs

• Great 85mm focal length for startling close-up portraits
• Ultra-fast f/1.4 maximum aperture perfect for low-light conditions
• AF-S Silent Wave Motor for a quick, accurate, and near-silent autofocus
• Rounded 9-blade diaphragm for beautiful background blur (bokeh)
• Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating (SIC) & Nano Crystal Coat (N) for reduced flare and ghosting
• Uniform color balance and contrast throughout the focal range
• Switch from Manual to Automatic focusing mode with no lag time

5. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E

For those who love wildlife, landscape, weddings, portraits, and everyday street shooting, the NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E is all you need to perk up your photography skills.

It is one of the most versatile and fast telephoto zoom lenses ever made by Nikon. Known for its legendary all-around performance, this lens is the people’s favorite for years.

Also, you need to push your budget a bit to buy this masterpiece, as it is an expensive lens from the list. The astonishing features in this lens make the price justifiable.

The focal length ranges from 70-200mm, and the f/2.8 aperture delivers mesmerizing image quality in any light condition.

Simply put, it is a powerhouse that delivers legendary performance and takes portrait photography to the next level.

Tech Specs

• Next-gen cutting-edge optics offering attention to detail
• Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quick and silent Internal Focusing (IF)
• A-M Auto Manual Mode for smooth focusing operations
• Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) optical glass to eliminate chromatic aberrations
• High Refractive Index (HRI) lens to achieve premium optical performance
• Nano Crystal Coat (N) to reduce flare and ghost effects
• Fluorite (FL) lightweight lens element to improve balance and handling
• f/2.8 aperture for brilliant results in low-light conditions
• Multiple focusing modes for quick shifting from Manual to Automatic

6. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G

For portrait photography beginners who wish to start well, the NIKKOR 24-85mm is for you. It’s not a prime category lens but a standard zoom lens perfect for portraiture.

The price of this lens is reasonable and fits well in the budget, which is why most people go for it. Also, the piece produces better-quality portraits, even in low light conditions.

The 4.0 stops image stabilization by Nikon VR (Vibration Reduction) allows capturing blur-free handheld shooting for sharp still images.

The lens inherits a Silent Wave Motor (SWM), Super Integrated Coating (SIC), Extra-low Dispersion Glass Elements (ED), and other highly advanced tech traits to deliver optimum performance.

Tech Specs

• 0 stops image stabilizer for sharp and clear still images & videos
• 24-85mm focal length range to capture stunning portraits
• f/3.5-4.5 maximum aperture for clear images in low-light conditions
• Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements to eliminate chromatic aberrations
• High Refractive Index (HRI) lens for fine optical performance
• Nano Crystal Coat (N) to eliminate flare and ghost effects
• Fluorite (FL) lightweight lens element for excellent balance and handling
• Super Integrated Coating (SIC) to avoid flare and ghosting
• Switch from Automatic to Manual focus with the focusing ring on the lens

7. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G

A lens with all-around capabilities, the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G is an absolute must to create striking blurred backgrounds for portraits.

Ideal for DX-format DSLR shooters, this lens has a focal length of 35mm, which delivers a beautiful natural angle of view.

Also, the fast maximum aperture of f/1.8 creates a sharp focus even in low light conditions.

It is one of the compact and lightweight prime lenses made by Nikon that delivers outstanding portraiture performance.

For photography enthusiasts with DX-format DSLRs, this particular lens would be a remarkable choice to treat your portraits with the utmost quality.

Tech Specs

• Fast f/1.8 aperture for sharp focus on the subject in low-lights
• Great maximum aperture to create a beautifully blurred background
• Isolate your subject to create stunning depth-of-field for portraits
• Tech advanced Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quick and silent focus
• M/A focusing for switching between focusing modes with a ring easily
• Rear Focusing System (RF) for better focusing
• Aspherical lens elements to eliminate lens aberrations

8. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G

The first choice of professional and serious portrait photographers, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm is a versatile lens with advanced tech traits.

From everyday street photography to portraits, this lens captures beautiful images with nice natural background blur.

The 35mm focal length delivers breathtaking clarity when shooting portraits. Also, the outstandingly fast f/1.4 aperture captures dazzling images with a shallow-depth-of field, no matter what be the light conditions.

It is a high-performing lens with an ultra-fast aperture to capture photos with the right sharpness, contrast, and colors.

You need not worry about the image quality and background blur when shooting with this lens.

Tech Specs

• Fast f/1.4 aperture offering depth-of-field for sharp & bright images
• Great 35mm focal length for a natural angle of view
• Ultra-fast aperture for natural bokeh in any light conditions
• Nano Crystal Coat (N) to eliminate flare and ghost effects
• Aspherical Lens Elements (AS) to reduce aberrations
• Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and rear Focusing System (RF) for fast focus
• M/A switch to shift from Manual to Automatic
• The most useful, quick, and high performing prime lens by Nikon

9. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E

Want a Nikon lens that creates attractive, clear, and sharp portraits? Well, the NIKKOR 105mm is a true masterpiece that performs exceptionally in any light condition.

Most portrait photographers recommend this full-frame lens for portraiture, wedding, street photography, everyday use, and more.

The 105mm focal length with a fast maximum f/1.4 aperture delivers portraits to perfection.

All you get when shooting with this lens is the ultimate image quality, better sharpness, right colors, and beautiful natural bokeh.

It is also the world’s first fastest and brightest 105mm full-frame lens by Nikon.

Tech Specs

• Fast f/1.4 maximum aperture that delivers exceptional image quality
• 105mm focal length for pro-grade close-up portraits
• Fluorine Coat (FLC) that repels dirt, dust, water drops, & other elements
• Nano Crystal Coat (N) to eliminate flare and ghost effects
• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Glass to get rid of chromatic aberrations
• Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for fast and accurate focus
• M/A focuses on switching between focusing modes
• Electromagnetic Diaphragm for consistent exposure during rapid shooting mode

10. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G

A good Nikon lens with premium features is a perfect choice for portrait photography. With qualities including f/2.8 fixed aperture, 24-70mm zoom range, high-speed auto-focus, and more, this lens is the favorite of portrait photography enthusiasts.

The fast maximum aperture delivers exceptional image results, even in the low lights.

It is one of the finest lens choices for beginners and avid professionals who admire portrait photography.

The lens also includes remarkable tech traits such as a Silent Wave Motor, three Extra-low Dispersion (ED), and precision Glass Mold (PGM) Aspherical lens elements to make it versatile and durable of all lenses.

Tech Specs

• f/2.8 maximum aperture that delivers exceptional low light performance
• 24-70mm zooming range for fine-resolution portraits
• Internal Focus (IF) system for fast and quiet autofocus
• Nano Crystal Coat (N) to eliminate flare and ghost effects
• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Glass to get rid of chromatic aberrations
• Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quick and quiet focusing
• M/A focusing that allows shifting between focus modes with no lag time

11. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G

A little expensive but worth the price, the Nikon’s NIKKOR 80-400mm is a versatile super-telephoto lens perfect for wildlife, landscape, wedding, portraiture, and everyday photography.

It is also referred to as the passionate professional’s lens due to its highly advanced tech features.

With a great focal length and zooming range, this lens made a remarkable impact on portraiture photography.

The lens has an 80-400mm focal length range and f/4.5-5.6 aperture, delivering magnificent results in any light conditions.

The lens creates beautiful close-up portraits with smoothly blurred backgrounds. You will be stunned by the results of this lens for sure.

Tech Specs

• Fast f/4.5-5.6 maximum aperture for incredible low light performance
• 80-400mm focal length range for amazing portraits
• Super-telephoto zoom line-up to get the best results
• Nikon’s second-gen Vibration Reduction technology for razor-sharp results
• 4-stop image stabilization that ensures blur-free shooting
• Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quick and quiet focusing
• Nano Crystal Coat (N) to eliminate flare and ghost effects
• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) & Super ED Glass to avoid chromatic aberrations
• M/A focuses on switching between focusing modes

12. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G

A fashionable Nikon lens that takes portrait photography to a whole new level, the NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G always delivers a power-packed performance.

Known as the powerhouse, this lens, with a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture, 9-blade diaphragm, edge-to-edge sharpness, and 58mm focal length, is a must-have in your camera kit.

The lens produces stunning low-light photos and videos with no sign of flare and ghosting at all.

Tech Specs

• Fast f/1.4 maximum aperture for better performance in low lights
• 58mm focal length range to capture attractive portraits
• Super-telephoto zoom line-up to get the best results
• 9-blade diaphragm for beautiful bokeh
• Nano Crystal Coat (N) to eliminate flare and ghost effects
• Super Integrated Coating (SIC) to get the optimum image quality

Best Nikon Lens Portrait Photography – Conclusion

Portraits, being the most popular among photography enthusiasts, are now everywhere. From social media to wedding photoshoots, portraits are well appreciated among today’s generation.

Nikon portraiture lenses offer high speed, maximum depth, artistically blurred background, ultra-wide-angle coverage, minimal distortion, and much more to capture those gorgeous moments worth sharing.

Nikon offers countless options when it comes to portrait lenses. Every Nikon lens carries exceptional tech features to work best for your portraits.

These lenses are a go-to choice to make those life-defining moments look exquisite later.

See Also

Best Canon lens for portrait

Best Nikon Landscape Lens

Best Nikon Lens for Wedding