By Tati Taylor 2 days ago, Cameras & Lenses
The best 85mm lenses at an affordable prices.
An 85mm lens is has a fixed focal length of 85mm, meaning that is cannot zoom. Such a lens provides a wide aperture and reduced depth of field, which are perfect for producing creamy and blurred background.
85mm is very popular for taking portrait photographs. This lens allows you to take photos from the close distance to the subject without producing any distortion.
Nowadays, the market is loaded with this type of optical accessories. To help you choose the best 85mm lens, I have created this review that will provide you with a detailed description of each model.
From affordable to more expensive options, here are eight 85mm lenses that are very popular on the market today.
Mount: Canon RF | Diaphragm blades: 9, Rounded | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 0.85 m | Max magnification: 0.12 x | Filter thread: 82 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 103.2 x 117.3 mm | Weight: 1195 g
⊕ Images of premium quality
⊕ Good aperture range
⊕ Quick autofocus
⊕ Great sharpness
⊖ Weighty
⊖ Without optical stabilization
The RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens features an 85mm focal length and has an aperture of f/1.2. This accessory is perfect for shooting portraits, taking wedding or fashion photos. The technical characteristics of this 85mm lens allow you to use it even in low-lighting conditions and for creating stunning blurring effects.
The lens can focus at a minimal distance of 2.79 ft./0.85m and has 12x magnifying power for producing clear, detailed images without any distortion. This accessory is perfect for shooting portraits, still-life or close-up photos.
This 85mm prime lens is fitted with a special Canon’s Air Sphere Coating (ASC) that eliminates flaring and ghosting no matter what the focal length and angle of light are. This innovative technology delivers images with almost no aberration and distraction.
Mount: Canon EF | Diaphragm blades: 9, Rounded | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 0.85 m | Max magnification: 0.12 x | Filter thread: 77 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 88.6 x 105.4 mm | Weight: 950 g
⊕ Optical stabilization
⊕ Bright and large aperture
⊕ ASC coatings
⊕ Compatible with many cameras
⊖ Pricey
This is the first Canon’s 85mm lens from L-series that has the image stabilization feature. The cutting-edge optical formula together with a maximum aperture of f/1.4 provide clear, detailed images for any usage.
Equipped with USM, this optical accessory has quick and precise autofocus. You can also perform manual control of the focus for greater performance.
Add to these features its dust and weatherproof design, and you will realize that this is the best 85mm lens for all your shooting needs. Its exposed elements are covered with a fluorine coating, which allows you to use this model even in the harsh weather conditions.
Mount: Nikon Z | Diaphragm blades: 9, Rounded | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 0.8 m | Max magnification: 0.12 x | Filter thread: 67 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 75 x 99 mm | Weight: 470 g
⊕ Nano Crystal coating
⊕ Fast and silent autofocus
⊕ Dust and waterproof
⊕ Affordable price
⊖ A very sensitive control ring
Featuring a precise focus, the Nikon Z 85mm F/1.8 S is the best 85mm lens for those who take portraits, fashion, weddings and other types of shots. This is a must-have accessory for producing stunning street photography.
This optical accessory has an advanced multi-focus system that together with a two-phase stepper motor helps achieve precise and silent focusing. The full-time override feature enables you to start focusing manually for producing stills and videos.
Mount: Sony E | Diaphragm blades: 9, Rounded | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 0.8 m | Max magnification: 0.13 x | Filter thread: 67 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 78 x 82 mm | Weight: 371 g
⊕ Corner sharpness is great
⊕ Silent and accurate focusing
⊕ Adjustable focus
⊕ Affordable price
⊖ Quite big
This compact and light 85mm prime lens is a perfect addition to full-frame and APS C cameras. It features a very fast F1.8 aperture that produces a stunning blurring effect. The construction is solid, dust and waterproof, ensuring smooth performance and long-lasting functioning.
Its intuitive interface integrates an adjustable focus hold button and a physical AF/MF switch. The Sony 85mm F/1.8-22 is equipped with a double linear AF motor that ensures silent, fast and precise focusing. It also allows quick manual focusing for perfect overall control.
Mount: Sony E | Diaphragm blades: 9, Rounded | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 0.9 m | Max magnification: 0.11 x | Filter thread: 77 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 88 x 99.5 mm | Weight: 568 g
⊕ Multiple-coated lens surface
⊕ Weather-resistant
⊕ Quick autofocus
⊕ E-mount camera lens
⊖ No optical stabilization
The Rokinon 85mm F1.4 is a great camera lens that reduces optical aberrations enhancing the quality of the resulting image. It features a bright maximum aperture that ensures excellent functioning even when you are taking photos indoors or in low-lighting conditions.
This 85mm prime lens incorporates four refractive index elements that minimize spherical aberrations and eliminate distortion for achieving great pictures. It also incorporates an ultra-low dispersion element for reducing color fringing, which is also known as chromatic aberration.
Mount: Canon EF | Diaphragm blades: 9, Rounded | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 0.85 m | Max magnification: 0.12 x | Filter thread: 86 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 94.7 x 126.2 mm | Weight: 1113 g
⊕ Refractive index is high
⊕ Impressive out-of-focus quality
⊕ Long lasting
⊕ Flexible
⊖ Pricey
⊖ Heavy
The Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM features an extra quick f/1.4 aperture, which allows you to take impressive images with shallow DOF and stunning bokeh effect.
The Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM integrates 14 lens elements that are grouped in 12 categories. Such a structure ensures the ultra-high resolution of every image. Hence, many photographers consider this model as the best 85mm lens for full-frame DSLRs featuring 50MP resolution, or higher.
With great resolving power and minimal chromatic aberration, the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM is a must-have accessory for every portrait photographer.
Mount: Canon EF | Diaphragm blades: 9, Rounded | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 0.8 m | Max magnification: 0.14 x | Filter thread: 67 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 84.8 x 91.3 mm | Weight: 700 g
⊕ Fluorine-coated
⊕ Creates a beautiful bokeh effect
⊕ Quick and precise focusing
⊕ State-of-the-art design
⊖ Average optical performance
The Tamron SP 85mm F/1.8 is the first 85mm lens with a fast aperture and optical stabilization. The brightness of EVF is quite high that is why it can deliver impressive pictures even in poorly lit rooms. A great balance of sharpness and blurring is achieved due to a fast F/1.8 aperture.
The lens integrates Low Dispersion and Extra-Low Dispersion elements that decrease chromatic aberrations and color fringing. As a result, you get sharp, clear, colorful, high-resolution images.
Mount: Sony E | Diaphragm blades: 9, Rounded | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 0.9 m | Max magnification: 0.11 x | Filter thread: 77 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 88 x 99.5 mm | Weight: 568 g
⊕ Digital lens
⊕ Multi-coated surface
⊕ Weather-resistant
⊕ Suitable for many cameras
⊖ No image stabilization
The AF 85mm F1.4 FE is a great optical accessory similar to the MF 85mm F1.4 AS IF UMC that is known for its ability to produce stunning out-of-focus images. However, the Samyang 85mm F1.4 is more powerful and has many advanced features.
It incorporates four high refractive index elements that decrease spherical aberration and eliminate distortion for clearer and more detailed images. This 85mm prime lens integrates one extra-low dispersion element for controlling chromatic aberrations to achieve high-quality photos.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Canon RF 85/1.2L
High image quality |
CHECK PRICE→ | |
 |
Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L
DSLR Lens |
CHECK PRICE → | |
 |
Nikon Z 85mm F/1.8 S
High Resolution |
CHECK PRICE → |
Many photographers regard the quality construction as the greatest feature of the best 85mm lens. Choose the accessory that is made of qualitative material and is produced by a reliable brand. If you purchase such a model, you can be sure that the lens will serve you for a long time without any problems.
This is another important factor you should pay attention to while choosing the best 85mm lens. Decide on the model that is moisture-resistant and can be safely used even in bad weather conditions. This feature will increase the durability of the lens.
For beginning photographers, this feature is very important. Opt for those models that do not require manual configuration. The automatic settings will allow you to take great pictures fast and easily.
Not everyone can purchase an expensive lens, so this feature is quite important if you cannot afford pricey models. Purchase a budget-friendly lens with a great range of useful features that can be found on the market today.
An 85mm lens requires a minimum focusing distance of 2.8ft to produce great pictures.
An 85mm lens provides a perfect focal length for producing great portrait photos. With this accessory, you can shoot close-up pictures and also take photos of the distant subjects.
Before deciding on the type of lenses you will buy, analyze your needs. This accessory greatly affects the characteristics of the shot. So think about what type of photography you want to specialize in and only then look for an appropriate lens. For example, for portraits, opt for a prime lens and for nature shooting decide on a wide-angle lens.
It depends. An 85mm lens allows you to take a closely framed image of the subject. When taking pictures with a 50mm lens, you can capture more of the background.
