Best Lenses under £400 for portrait

Best Pick

TTArtisan AF1435-X-B 14mm

68 Portrait Score
14mmf/2.8Canon RF
Why we recommend this

With a 114° full-frame field of view and a manual focus design featuring a clickable aperture ring, this 14mm f/2.8 lens delivers precise tactile control and a pronounced sun-star effect at narrow apertures. It accepts 77mm threaded filters directly—a practical advantage at this focal length—and focuses down to 7.9 inches for dramatic close-up perspectives. Landscape and astrophotography photographers who prioritize manual control and filter convenience will find it a capable, lightweight ultrawide prime.

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Canon RF 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM

61.8 Portrait Score
24-50mmf/6.3Canon RFIS
Why we recommend this ▼

At only 210g with 4.5-stop stabilization, the 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 provides an ultralight stabilized standard zoom for full-frame RF cameras. A collapsible form, Super Spectra Coating, and dual aspherical elements ensure sharp, low-distortion shots at a budget price, while the STM motor operates silently for video. It’s ideal for vloggers and casual EOS R-series shooters who value a featherweight, stabilized walkaround lens over maximum aperture speed.

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7Artisans INFINTE 65mm T2.9 2x Macro 65mm

59.9 Portrait Score
65mmCanon RF
Why we recommend this ▼

A 2x magnification ratio and a 330° focus throw on full-frame Nikon Z mount give filmmakers precise manual focus for extreme macro shots. The lens features cinema-standard 0.8 MOD gears for follow focus systems and ED/aspherical elements that minimize aberrations. It’s ideal for macro videographers and tabletop product shooters who demand critical sharpness at close range on Nikon Z cameras.

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Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO 33mm

42.9 Portrait Score
33mmf/11Canon RF
Why we recommend this ▼

An f/0.95 maximum aperture combined with apochromatic optics gives this 33mm prime exceptionally shallow depth of field and color-accurate rendering on Fujifilm X-mount cameras. Its 35cm minimum focus delivers a 1:2 half-life-size reproduction ratio, turning a manual-focus lens into a capable close-up tool for portraits and details. This lens suits portrait photographers who value extreme bokeh and precise manual focusing over autofocus.

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Canon L EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM

51.6 Portrait Score
24-105mmf/22Canon RFISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

The constant f/4 aperture across its 24-105mm range and a 5-stop Image Stabilizer make this a dependable workhorse for handheld shooting in varied light. Its Nano USM motor delivers fast, near-silent autofocus, complemented by a customizable control ring and weather-sealed L-series build quality. This lens is best for landscape and travel photographers who need a single, versatile zoom with strong 95.5/100-rated performance in the field.

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Canon RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual 7mm

42.1 Portrait Score
8mmf/16Canon RF
Why we recommend this ▼

A stereoscopic dual-lens design captures spatial video for Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3, using an STM autofocus motor and a 60° field of view on APS-C bodies like the EOS R7. Its compact 130g build and f/4 constant aperture make it an accessible entry point into the Canon EOS VR System without heavy rigs. This lens is best for content creators experimenting with 3D vlogging and immersive video, not for traditional landscape or macro work.

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Retropia M43 Mount Compatible 32mm

40.3 Portrait Score
32mmf/11Canon RFIS
Why we recommend this ▼

A repurposed disposable camera lens delivers a guaranteed soft, dreamy film aesthetic straight out of your Nikon Z-mount camera with its fixed 32mm f/11 optics. Its ultra-compact pancake build makes it effortlessly pocketable for spontaneous shooting, while the sustainable design repurposes materials to eliminate single-use plastics. This manual-focus lens is best for casual content creators who prioritize an instant, no-edit retro look over technical sharpness.

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7Artisans Photoelectric 10mm f/2.8 Mark II 10mm

39.9 Portrait Score
10mmf/16Canon RF
Why we recommend this ▼

Its 185° full-frame fisheye perspective and f/2.8 aperture deliver an extreme, immersive field of view unavailable from rectilinear lenses. The all-metal build and glow-in-the-dark depth of field markings add practical, tactile value for precise manual focus adjustments in low light. This lens is best for astrophotographers and architectural shooters on Nikon Z systems who need an affordable, specialized ultra-wide perspective.

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Rokinon Cine DSX14-RF 14mm

32.8 Portrait Score
14mmT22Canon RFWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

A 14mm full-frame cine lens with a T3.1 aperture and a 115.7° rectilinear view, its 14-element design uses two aspherical and two ED elements for minimal distortion, plus weather sealing and a built-in petal hood. The Canon RF mount uniquely offers a rear gel filter holder that avoids vignetting. It suits filmmakers needing precise manual focus control for ultra-wide establishing shots on mirrorless cinema rigs.

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7Artisans Hope Series 25mm T2.1 25mm

30.3 Portrait Score
25mmf/22Canon RFIS
Why we recommend this ▼

A 260° focus throw and well-suppressed breathing effect provide precise manual focus control for S35 cine capture, while the T2.1 aperture ensures ample light intake. Multi-layer nano-coating and a 15-element design deliver vivid, flare-resistant images, supported by a 700g all-metal build that accepts 82mm filters for budget-conscious rigs. It’s ideal for indie filmmakers using Canon RF-S cameras like the C70 or R7 who need tactile focus pulling and a cinematic look.

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Best Lenses under £800 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 12mm f/1.4 DC

90.3 Portrait Score
12mmf/1.4Canon RFWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Combining an ultra-bright f/1.4 aperture with a compact 225g build, this 12mm prime delivers a 19.2mm full-frame equivalent view ideal for low-light landscapes and vlogging. Its stepping motor provides fast, quiet autofocus with minimal focus breathing, while the dust- and splash-resistant construction ensures reliability outdoors. This lens is best for street photographers and vloggers needing a lightweight, weather-sealed wide-angle with strong subject separation.

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Laowa Zero-D 9mm f/2.8

73.5 Portrait Score
9mmf/2.8Canon RFWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Its near-zero distortion rectilinear design at a 9mm focal length delivers straight architectural lines and expansive landscapes without the fisheye effect, aided by 3 ED and 2 aspherical elements. The compact 215g build, weather sealing, and built-in petal hood make it a discreet, durable choice for gimbal-mounted video work. This lens is best for APS-C landscape and architecture photographers who prioritize optical precision and portability over autofocus.

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Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM 35mm

43.5 Portrait Score
35mmf/22Canon RFIS
Why we recommend this ▼

Combining a bright f/1.8 aperture with 1:2 macro capability and 5-stop image stabilization, this 304g lens delivers sharp close-ups at a 170mm minimum focus distance. Its compact build and configurable control ring make it a discreet, versatile walk-around prime for the RF system. This lens is best for hybrid shooters who need a single, lightweight optic for both environmental portraits and detailed close-up work.

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Sirui Saturn RF50B-A 50mm

42 Portrait Score
50mmT16Canon RFIS
Why we recommend this ▼

At just 465g, the carbon fiber build makes this the lightest full-frame 1.6x anamorphic, delivering a 2.4:1 or wider 2.8:1 aspect ratio with a T2.9 aperture and 10-blade diaphragm for oval bokeh. Its compact size mounts on gimbals and FPV drones for unique overhead perspectives, and optional blue or natural flare coatings add stylistic control. This manual-focus lens suits solo filmmakers and drone operators prioritizing a portable, cinematic look without heavy rigging.

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Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 35mm

38.6 Portrait Score
35mmf/16Canon RF
Why we recommend this ▼

The f/1.4 aperture and 14-blade diaphragm create exceptionally smooth, cinema-style bokeh, while an aspherical element and multi-layer coating suppress flare and preserve sharpness. Its 352g all-metal body and fluid manual focus ring deliver durable, tactile control across Canon RF, Nikon Z, and other mirrorless mounts. It’s best for portrait photographers who prioritize dreamy background blur and deliberate manual focusing for artistic expression.

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Samyang SYIO12AF-E

36.6 Portrait Score
12mmf/22Canon RF-SWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

With a 12mm focal length (18mm equivalent), f/2.0 aperture, and linear STM autofocus, this lens captures a 99.1° field of view with weather-sealed construction. Weighing just 213g and accepting 62mm screw-in filters, its optical design with 1 aspherical and 2 ED elements ensures sharp, coma-free images for astrophotography. It’s the ideal lightweight ultra-wide prime for Sony E-mount APS-C shooters who need low-light performance and weather resistance for landscape and night sky work.

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Best Lenses under £1,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM

44.9 Portrait Score
24-240mm22-36Canon RFIS
Why we recommend this

A 24-240mm 10x zoom with 5-stop stabilization and Nano USM autofocus delivers full-frame versatility in a travel-ready 750g package. Smooth, quiet AF handles both photo sequences and professional-looking video focus pulls, while the lockable zoom ring adds handling security across the range. This lens is best for travel photographers and hybrid EOS R shooters who need a single lightweight optic for wide landscapes, portraits, and distant action.

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Canon RF-S 3.9mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye 4mm

43.6 Portrait Score
4mmf/16Canon RF
Why we recommend this ▼

Its dual-lens design captures stereoscopic 3D 180° VR imagery onto a single sensor, streamlining post-production for the EOS R7 at up to 4K 30 fps. The 144° field of view and Air Sphere Coating deliver immersive footage with reduced ghosting in a compact 289g body. This lens is best for VR content creators who need a simplified, single-camera workflow for spatial video.

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Best Lenses under £2,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Canon L RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM 35mm

56.7 Portrait Score
35mmf/16Canon RFWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Combining a fast f/1.4 aperture with a Voice Coil Motor and Nano USM, this hybrid prime delivers silent, precise autofocus and minimal focus breathing for video. The 11-blade diaphragm produces soft, cinematic bokeh, while the weather-sealed, 555g build and full-time manual focus override add practical control. This lens is best for hybrid shooters and cinematographers needing a reliable wide-angle for gimbal work and run-and-gun documentary production.

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Canon RF14-35mm F4L IS USM 14-35mm

51.2 Portrait Score
14-35mmf/22Canon RFISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Combining an ultra-wide 14mm field of view with a constant f/4 aperture and 5.5-stop optical stabilization, this lens stands out for its compact 544g build and advanced optics with SWC and ASC coatings. Its 0.38x maximum magnification at 35mm enables dramatic close-focusing perspectives, while the Nano USM motor delivers silent, smooth autofocus for video. This lens is best for landscape and architecture photographers who need a weather-sealed, portable zoom for walkaround shooting.

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Premium Lenses for portrait

Best Pick

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM 70-28mm

44.5 Portrait Score
28-70mmf/22Canon RFWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Delivering a constant f/2 aperture across the entire 28-70mm zoom range, this lens effectively replaces multiple fast primes for low-light shooting and shallow depth of field control. Its robust, weather-sealed L-series build incorporates a customizable control ring and a ring-type USM motor for fast, silent autofocus. This lens is best for wedding and event photographers who need prime-like speed with the flexibility of a zoom in fast-paced environments.

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Canon L RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM 100-500mm

36.4 Portrait Score
100-500mmf/54Canon RFISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

The 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM pairs a versatile 100–500mm focal range with 7 ED elements, Air Sphere coating, and 5-stop optical stabilization in a weather-sealed, travel-sized build. Its Dual Nano USM autofocus drives swift, near-silent focusing, and three IS modes—standard, panning, and exposure-only—enable precise control for moving subjects. This lens suits wildlife and sports photographers who need a portable super-telephoto zoom for handheld shooting in the field.

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