Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR Z 2164 24-70mm

87.7 Portrait Score
24-70mm f/2.8 Nikon F IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The constant f/2.8 aperture, with 3 ED and 3 aspherical elements and Nano Crystal Coat, ensures edge-to-edge sharpness and flare resistance for demanding low-light scenes. A Silent Wave Motor drives fast, quiet autofocus, and the 0.38-meter minimum focus distance enables crisp close-up compositions. It suits event and portrait photographers who need a versatile zoom for dim venues and tightly framed detail work.

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Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Zeiss Classic Planar Classic Planar ZF.2 T* 50mm f/1.4 50mm

76.8 Portrait Score
50mm f/1.4 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Its 10-element optical design with 1 aspherical and 4 ED elements, plus ZEISS T* coating, delivers exceptionally sharp images with minimal chromatic aberration and flare. The full-metal, 699g build provides a precise manual focus experience, and the user-declickable 10-blade aperture enables seamless iris adjustments for video. Best for portrait photographers seeking the signature “3D pop” and smooth bokeh, and for cinematographers who need stepless aperture control on Canon RF cameras.

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IRIX Dragonfly 45mm f/1.4 45mm

72.9 Portrait Score
45mm f/1.4 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A fast f/1.4 aperture combined with one aspherical and four HR elements delivers sharp, low-light imagery with controlled aberrations on full-frame Nikon F bodies. Its Dragonfly weather-sealed construction and focus lock mechanism provide a robust, tactile shooting experience in harsh conditions. This lens is best for portrait photographers who prioritize deliberate manual focus and shallow depth of field over autofocus speed.

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Sigma Art 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM 50-100mm

61.9 Portrait Score
50-100mm 16 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

A constant f/1.8 aperture across a 50-100mm zoom range on APS-C delivers a bright telephoto equivalent of 80-160mm, with four ED elements and HSM autofocus. Its professional-grade resolution and robust build make it a standout for crop-sensor systems, though it lacks stabilization and weather sealing. Best for sports and portrait photographers on APS-C bodies who need fast aperture in a telephoto zoom without switching to full frame.

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Nikon NIKKOR 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF 24-85mm

83.4 Portrait Score
24-85mm f/2.8 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

The fast f/2.8 maximum aperture at 24mm, combined with two aspherical elements and Super Integrated Coating, delivers sharp, contrasty images with smooth bokeh from a 9-blade diaphragm. Its 1:2 macro reproduction ratio at 85mm and lightweight 139g build make it a versatile, portable option for close-up detail work. This lens is best for Nikon DSLR photographers prioritizing portrait and macro shots on a budget.

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Nikon Micro-NIKKOR 2177 60mm

81.5 Portrait Score
60mm f/2.8 Nikon F (FX) IS
Why we recommend this

A 1:1 magnification ratio and close focusing to 22cm make this 60mm f/2.8 macro lens a sharp tool for life-size reproduction. Its compact 440g build and 9-blade aperture also suit it for portraits, while Nikon's Super Integrated Coating controls flare. This lens is best for macro photographers who need a lightweight, all-purpose prime for detailed close-ups and flattering headshots.

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Zeiss Otus ML Otus ML 50mm f/1.4 50mm

56.1 Portrait Score
50mm 16 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Combining one aspherical and four ED elements with ZEISS T* coating, this 50mm f/1.4 renders images with high micro-contrast and the distinctive three-dimensional "3D pop." Its full-metal, weather-sealed barrel and de-clickable aperture ring extend usability to video work, while the nine-blade diaphragm yields smooth, harmonious bokeh. Portrait photographers seeking a tactile manual-focus experience and classic image character will find it ideal, though its 676g weight and manual-only operation make it less suited for travel.

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Tamron SP SP 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD 45mm

54.3 Portrait Score
45mm 16 Nikon F IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

VC image stabilization, weather sealing, and an f/1.8 aperture in a compact 115g prime lens make it a standout for Nikon F full-frame systems. Its optical formula, with two aspherical and one ED element plus eBAND and BBAR coatings, ensures sharpness and supports close-focusing to 1:3.4 magnification. Best for portrait and street photographers who need a stabilized, lightweight normal prime for detail-rich environmental shots.

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Tokina SZ SZ 500mm f/8 Reflex MF 500mm

52 Portrait Score
500mm 8 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

A catadioptric design compresses 500mm of reach into a 310g lens that fits a coat pocket, using a fixed f/8 aperture for Micro Four Thirds. Its 1.7m close focus yields 1:2.86 magnification, adding near-macro versatility to the super-telephoto range. This manual-focus optic is ideal for budget-focused wildlife and travel photographers who value extreme portability over autofocus.

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Rokinon SP SP 85mm f/1.2 85mm

47 Portrait Score
85mm 16 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.2 maximum aperture on a full-frame Canon EF mount provides extreme depth-of-field control and strong low-light capability, supported by 9 optical elements including one aspherical and one ED element. The weather-sealed aluminum alloy housing offers durability without weight, while the 9-blade diaphragm creates smooth bokeh and Ultra Multi-Coating suppresses flare and ghosting for consistent contrast. This lens is best for portrait photographers who demand precise manual focus and maximum background blur on Canon DSLRs.

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Sigma EX DC OS HSM 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM 17-50mm

46.1 Portrait Score
17-50mm 22 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

A constant f/2.8 aperture and 4-stop optical stabilization anchor this zoom, with FLD glass delivering fluorite-level chromatic aberration correction for sharp, high-contrast images. Its 28cm minimum focus distance and 1:5 magnification enable near-macro versatility, and the EX-series build includes a petal hood and padded case. Best for APS-C Nikon DSLR shooters wanting a fast, stabilized standard zoom for event work and detail-rich portraits.

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Sigma EX DC HSM 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM 20mm

45.3 Portrait Score
10-20mm 22 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

A constant f/3.5 aperture and HSM autofocus with built-in Optical Stabilization ensure sharp, handheld ultra-wide shots across the 10–20mm zoom range. The Super Multi-Layer coating and four aspherical elements deliver edge-to-edge clarity, and the large 82mm filter thread simplifies using polarizers or ND filters. It’s best for Nikon APS-C shooters focusing on landscape and creative close-up work, thanks to a 24cm minimum focus distance that emphasizes foreground detail.

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IRIX Blackstone 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone 15mm

39.7 Portrait Score
15mm 22 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The 15mm f/2.4 prime uses 15 elements including two aspherical, two ED, and Neutrino coating to suppress aberrations and flare, all in a weather-sealed magnesium housing with damped manual focus. Luminous depth-of-field markings and a 1:2 maximum magnification enable low-light precision, while its 95mm front and rear gelatin filter support attachment flexibility. It’s best for Nikon F landscape and architectural photographers who need a durable, all-weather ultra-wide prime with critical manual focus control.

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Samyang AF MF 85mm f/1.4 WS Mk2 85mm

39.3 Portrait Score
85mm 22 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 F pairs a bright f/1.4 aperture with a lightweight 480g body, weather sealing, and one aspherical plus one ED element for sharpness. Its Ultrasonic Dual Linear AF motor and nine-blade diaphragm deliver quiet, smooth bokeh at a price significantly below first-party 85mm lenses, as reflected by its strong budget scores. This lens is ideal for Nikon F-mount portrait and event photographers who demand a fast, portable telephoto prime that can handle dusty or damp conditions.

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Lensbaby Burnside Burnside 35mm f/2.8 35mm

33.3 Portrait Score
35mm 16 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its dual-diaphragm system and effects slider provide direct control over the intensity of the signature swirly bokeh, setting it apart from standard 35mm f/2.8 primes. The all-metal barrel construction and multi-coated glass elements deliver solid build quality and controlled flare for a distinct, vintage rendering. This lens is best for portrait and close-up photographers on Nikon F-mount who prioritize in-camera creative effects over technical sharpness.

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Rokinon RK20MAF-N 20mm

33.2 Portrait Score
20mm 22 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

The bright f/1.8 aperture and 20mm focal length, combined with two aspherical and three ED elements, produce sharp, aberration-controlled images on full-frame Nikon F cameras. Its 485g manual focus design focuses down to 7.9 inches, and the 7-blade rounded diaphragm with Ultra Multi-Coating creates smooth bokeh while resisting flare. This lens suits astrophotographers and portrait shooters who prioritize a fast wide-angle perspective and hands-on control without needing autofocus.

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