10 Affordable Portrait Lenses for Sony

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2 ай бұрын

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Hey everyone! I did a video like this a couple of years ago and with so many new lens releases since then, I thought it was finally time to do another one. Since I review so many lenses, these are 10 that stand out to me as good quality, affordable options for portrait photography. I have lenses from Sony, Samyang, Tamron and Sigma today. Let me know in the comments if you think I missed out on any! Maybe I should do a part 2 soon.
All photos edited with my Lightroom Presets: www.digitalfilmactions.com
Here are some of the completely review videos of the lenses I mentioned in this video:
Sigma 45mm f2.8: • Sigma 45mm f2.8, 35mm ...
Samyang 85mm f1.8 II: • Samyang 85mm f1.4 mkII...
Sony vs Sigma vs Samyang 135mm f1.8: • GM 135mm f1.8 vs Samya...
Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 G2: • Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 G2...
Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 G2: • Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 G...
Sony 85mm f1.8 (vs 85mm f1.4 GM): • Budget Alternative: So...
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Thank you for watching!

Пікірлер: 95

@grayrecord5463 2 ай бұрын

SONY FE 35mm F1.8 -------------- 0:57 SIGMA 35MM F1.4 DG DN ART 1:27 SIGMA 45MM F2.8 DG DN ------- 2:56 ZEISS 55MM F1.8 -------------------- 3:42 SIGMA 65MM F2 DG DN ---------- 4:36 SAMYANG 85MM F1.4 II ---------- 5:22 SONY FE 85MM F1.8 ---------------- 6:28 SAMYANG 135MM F1.8 ----------- 7:17 TAMRON 28-75 F2.8 G2 ----------- 8:22 TAMRON 70-180 F2.8 G2 --------- 8:53

@yvonnew3693 Ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏

@davidellis5141 2 ай бұрын

Thank You for another photography 📸 lesson Julia 😊 ! You help us ameteurs look like professionals & its much appreciated !

@petermcginty3636 2 ай бұрын

Thank you Julia, a great wrap of some awesome lens options. Importantly, terrific models and some terrific images. Nice work. Thank you.🎉🎉🎉

@juliatrotti Ай бұрын

Thank you, I appreciate it!

@hikertrashfilms 2 ай бұрын

I am so distraught that Sigma would not loan “The Queen” a pre-production copy of the new 50mm F1.2 for the review embargo yesterday... How dare they!!! Julia is a portrait photographer and that lens is a “glass slipper” for Cinderella and I want to see what Julia thinks about it once she gets a copy 🤞🏻👸🏻

@juliatrotti Ай бұрын

Aw man, I really want to review this lens!! I still haven't had the chance to borrow it, but I am working on trying to get a copy 🤞

@markheilman6873 2 ай бұрын

I’ve had surprising results with the Samyang 45 1.8. I bought the lens because it fit in my pocket and I could take it anywhere. Started using it as an option as a light walk around/street work lens….Surprising results for the cost.

@hazard3020 Ай бұрын

Me too. I don't use it a lot, but, i've taken a few Portraits using it and the Samyang 45mm lenses are great for Portraits, fast and excellent colour. On my A7R3 I'm definitely happy with it. Is it as super-sharp as my excellent Sony 90mm f2.8 ? NO. Is it good for Portraits? YES !!!

@juliatrotti Ай бұрын

Just after this video I uploaded a photoshoot I did on the Sony 50mm f1.8 which is about as similar as you can get to this 45mm and lots of people agree with you in the comments there! I have used the 45mm before and really liked it, but I never got any footage of it to be able to include in my videos :( I might have to borrow it again so I can do that!

@hazard3020 Ай бұрын

@@juliatrotti i know what you mean - 45, 50, 58 are very similar !! In the early days, the german 35mm optics were great at 40mm and 135mm and 58mm but perhaps they are not as popular now. Although Tamron brought out an excellent little 20-40mm f2.8 that covers the wide angle plus 35mm plus the old 40mm range too. Together with a 135mm you have a great combination if you can't carry or afford a top of the range GM prime or zoom. In 2024 a number of vintage 58mm lenses are still popular for Video work - the Helios and Jupiters being the most widely known. Carl Zeiss Jena too.

@robinng Ай бұрын

Thanks for the nice video. I am happy onwer of tamron 70-180mm.

@sneakingelephant 2 ай бұрын

In terms of other budget lenses if folks don’t mind going used and don’t mind manual focus, the 50mm zeiss loxia lens is outstanding. It’s travel friendly with its tiny size(can fit in a pocket). It has a nice focus throw to really dial in focus and it can let it in a good amount of light with its f/2 aperture. It has some good sun stars and that signature zeiss micro contrast look. I was surprised at how much I love it and I always throw it in my travel kit now.

@JasonMacen 2 ай бұрын

I use the Tamron 35 - 150mm f2 - f2.8. It's not the lightest, but quite amazing.

@jamesbarron5590 2 ай бұрын

Same here. But it doesn’t fall in the affordable lens category. Although I think if this was a best bang for your buck lens video the Tamron would be up there.

@JoaoRodrigues-yc6yv 2 ай бұрын

All you need

@holdmyown32 2 ай бұрын

I have the FE 35 1.8, 55 1.8, 85 1.8, and Rokinon 135 1.8 love them all.

@KurtDeMeuterFilms 2 ай бұрын

I have 4 lenses from your list and it is true what you say, the ZEISS 55mm is fantastic, also for video. The lens I also use most often in combination with the 35mm 1.8. Furthermore, the 2 zooms from Tamron I use very often.

@juliatrotti Ай бұрын

That's really good to hear!

@BTEguitardude 2 ай бұрын

Samyang Gang! Was thinking about picking up both the 35 and 85 F1.4 II. I'm happy to see that the 85mm made it on your list! Although I have heard that the 35mm isn't as great (Also from one of your videos). I guess I'll have to keep a look out for the Sigma 35mm. Thanks for the video!

@juliatrotti Ай бұрын

I love their 85 f1.4 II, but yeah their 35 is a bit of a miss for me. I would rather recommend the Sigma DG DN version instead

@stephen. 2 ай бұрын

I have to say, the 85mm f1.8 is a really great portrait lens and I haven’t felt compelled (yet) to get the 1.4 version. I’d really like a review of the Sigma 50mm f1.2 for portrait, if possible.

@GuitarRJP 2 ай бұрын

Very helpful, I have the Sony A74 and am looking for one, I was thinking about the Sony 85mm f1.8 as I like lightweight lenses whenever I can get it.

@jamesbarron5590 2 ай бұрын

Get it. The 85mm f/1.8 feels like cheating. When I hear, “That’s a great camera” I don’t get upset because it was so easy to get a nice portrait with this lens. 😂

@marcs.7699 2 ай бұрын

Besides the Batis-Series ist superb.

@ck.standard 2 ай бұрын

absolutely love the 65mm f2

@juliatrotti Ай бұрын

Yep it's great!

@sneakingelephant 2 ай бұрын

The Sony 85mm 1.8 was my first lens I owned and it was really nice. It’s not overly sharp wide open (which I view as a positive fore portraits). It’s only major downside for me is the big minimum focus distance.

@TecnologiacreativaMario 2 ай бұрын

I use a lot Samyang 45 1.8 and 75 1.8, I like them all but to have a autofocus working well (specially when I started using the A7C II from the previous A7C) I needed a firmware update, after that I never missed a critical focus

@cdavey7654 2 ай бұрын

Another great video, thank you! Surprised the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art didn’t make the list. Maybe it’s not affordable enough.

@jbmedia8882 2 ай бұрын

I love mine.

@juliatrotti Ай бұрын

Thank you! I actually haven't tried this lens out yet, but I am working on seeing if I can get a copy soon.

@VishwasRavindran92 2 ай бұрын

You should do a lens review of tamron 17-50 f4

@AFR0MAMBA 2 ай бұрын

I was sad to sell my zeiss 55 but I had to do it to get the 35 GM

@jorgealvarado8254 2 ай бұрын

Thank you Julia, great video as always! I would love to see you review the Sigma 85mm f1.4 dg dn lens. It's like half the price of the Sony and I hear it's better and lighter.

@jliang70 2 ай бұрын

85mm F1.4 DG DN is regard as one of the best 85mm for Sony E mount. It has faster and quieter auto focus than Sony's version 85mm F1.4. The price of Samyang is cheaper than Sigma by about $100 in Australia, but Sigma has better build quality and better QC on their products than Samyang.

@jorgealvarado8254 2 ай бұрын

@@jliang70 Thank you, that's what I have heard before. I would love to see Julia do a video where we compares the Sony 85mm to the Sigma just to see and hear what see thinks about it.

@djestar 2 ай бұрын

No need to compare the Sigma DG DN 85mm F1.4 is better in every way possible (except for 30fps) compared to the Sony equivalent since it was one of the first releases. Sony needs a mk ii. Having said that I'm looking to sell my Sigma DG DN 85mm since I'm looking to buy the Samyang 135mm F1.8.

@juliatrotti Ай бұрын

Thank you and yess I really need to try out that Sigma and their new 50mm f1.2 as well! I really loved the 35mm f1.4 DG DN so I am excited to try these other 2, I have high hopes for them.

@jorgealvarado8254 Ай бұрын

@@juliatrotti Gracias Julia, I appreciate that very much, I'm looking forward to your reviews on those lenses.

@esam_soliman_music 2 ай бұрын

What about tamron 35-150? Is it the best zoom lens ever for portrait

@paololarocca7684 2 ай бұрын

I had some of my best shot of last summer (animal portraits) with the samyang 75mm 1.8, I'll definitely always carry with me on future travels, also the Sony 20-70 g, is only an f4 but it's sharp at 70mm and good for portraits too, Mark Galer has a nice gallery with portraits made with this lens (I have got it too but only used for landscapes and street so far)...

@DDHDTV 2 ай бұрын

looking at the Samyang 75 1.8 as well for travel!

@paololarocca7684 2 ай бұрын

@@DDHDTV go for it....

@lamiafarjana1990 2 ай бұрын

I'm so much in trouble trying to choose samyang 35mm f1.8 to pair with a7c because it has some AF issue on AF-C mode and none of my local shops here has the lens update station. I just don't get why do we need to pay $55 for firmware/bugfix update???

@bigrobotnewstoday1436 2 ай бұрын

The Minolta 135mm f2.8 is a very nice lens. But you need the Sony adapter to have A-Mount lens work on E-Mount cameras.

@petrofeliciotti874 2 ай бұрын

The ultra cheap sony 50mm f1.8 ... I love that lens

@kamitGameplays 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for the video. What's your opinion on the Viltrox Pro 75mm f 1.2, please let me know if that lens is worth buying.

@jamesbarron5590 2 ай бұрын

I have this lens for Fujifilm and it is fantastic. Especially for the price. The only drawback for some is the size of the lens. I don’t have an issue with the size and would easily pay double the price for it. The 27mm f/1.2 is amazing as well. I really hope Viltrox makes a full frame version for Sony in addition to the aps-c one.

@kamitGameplays 2 ай бұрын

@@jamesbarron5590 Awesome, thank you for replying. I have A6000 and i just want great bokeh for portraits at reasonable price. Size is not a issue, because i will only carry his for portraits.

@kamitGameplays 2 ай бұрын

@@jamesbarron5590 Thank you for replying. I just want great bokeh for portraits with A6000 at reasonable price. Size is not an issue because i will only carry this for portrait shoots. For landscape and street i have a Viltrox 20mm f 2.8 and a Telephoto zoom lens.

@jamesbarron5590 2 ай бұрын

@@kamitGameplays Then you will love the Viltrox. 75mm. It is also super sharp and the bokeh is fantastic.

@kamitGameplays 2 ай бұрын

@@jamesbarron5590 Awesome, will buy soon. Thank you very much!

@ZenStence 2 ай бұрын

Do you not use Sony 24-70ii very much?

@Danieltrotti 2 ай бұрын

Great video hija. Still deciding on one 28 mm for my Sony @6000

@BP-xe7dw 2 ай бұрын

I just purchased yesterday Sigma art 35mm. I have been using manual lenses for forever(yes I am ancient, went to school with Moses), I was a bit disappointed, not with the performance but with the weight. Just simply not used to. I also looked at Sigma 85. When the salesman brought it out, I realized I might as well buy a gun. It looked like a weapon and exercise equipment seamlessly blended into a lens. The gist of my rambling, you have to try the lens, see how it feels in your hand. The weight is a big factor as to how comfortable you are with a lens. Thank you for your video. Zeiss images look fantastic. Great info.

@megamastah 2 ай бұрын

Yes, Sigma lenses, especially the latest ones, are bulky and heavy. Quality is there though.

@DDHDTV 2 ай бұрын

Regarding the Zeiss 55: It's known to have quality variations. Back then, Sony wasn't so good with QA. Most people say, its ultra sharp, but there are quite a few soft copies out there. That said, pictures coming from the 55 look great

@cameraprepper7938 2 ай бұрын

I have never experienced any faults with the Sony Zeiss Sonnar 55mm 1.8 T* ZA (later version), I know many that have either the early version (Carl Zeiss) or the later version (Zeiss), none of them have had any problems.

@specialized41 2 ай бұрын

Hi Julia , you use a A7IV now, why not A7RV.? Disadvantage.? Why you prefer A7IV , even A7III over A7RV. Thanks 🙏🏻

@cameraprepper7938 2 ай бұрын

HI, I had the Sony A7RII (which right now are cheaper than the A7IV), it is a very good Camera ! Now I use A7RIV and A7RIA which are even better and can be found cheap used now when the A7RV are "the king". The best thing with having 61 megapixels are that you very fast can shift to APSC mode with 26 megapixel if needed, fx if you use the Soy Zeiss Sonnar 55mm 1.8 T* ZA and ned a more close up portrait, then punch in APSC mode and you have the equivalent of a 82mm full frame Lens.

@sohagad3285 2 ай бұрын

Sony zv e 1 vs sony a7iv review

@user-fb7jg4wd7p 2 ай бұрын

Этот голос… можно слушать бесконечно ❤

@Riskbreaker2009 2 ай бұрын

Samyang 135 is great

@artmaltman Ай бұрын

61mp vs 33mp for portraits? Too much detail to be flattering?

@SUPERSTARSSTYLE1YOUTUBE 2 ай бұрын

super

@gerardneedham 2 ай бұрын

The tamron 28-75 g2 is great but 28mm is just not wide enough for weddings 😢 24-70 all day

@KingAriston 2 ай бұрын

The Samyang 85mm is amazing. I am not a portrait photographer normally and I bought the lens for another purpose but I've taken amazing candid portraits with it at a couple events where I was the in-a-pinch photographer.

@2unknown1stranger 2 ай бұрын

What are your thoughts about the zeiss 85mm 1.8?

@cameraprepper7938 2 ай бұрын

Last year I bought the Zeiss Batis Sonnar 85mm 1.8 T* used for US $550 (taxes included) in excellent condition at my local store, the Zeiss 85mm is better in both image quality and in build quality than the Sony 85mm, I can recommend the Zeiss Batis Sonnar 85mm 1.8 T* !

@karyleianawildernesscapes 2 ай бұрын

Crazy to not have the Tamron 35-150/2-2.8 in the Zoom category. That lens is incredible! I own the Nikon Z version & it hasn't left my camera since I got it. I really wish Sigma would make DG DN Z-mounts already 😅!!

@adamadamis 2 ай бұрын

That's because this video is about affordable options.

@cameraprepper7938 2 ай бұрын

I would not buy a "budget" Lens, I will rather buy a used quality Lens, last year I bought the Zeiss Batis Sonnar 85mm 1.8 T* used for US $550 (taxes included) in excellent condition at my local store, the store also had a bunch of used Sony Zeiss Carl Zeiss Sonnar 55mm 1.8 T* ZA Lenses, some of them in fine condition for US $ 362 (included taxes), one for US $ 180 that did not look good (good for anonymous street photography !), but it was in good working order. So my recommendation are that you look for very good used quality Lenses, although used, they will last longer than the "budget" Lenses ! Other Lenses that I use for portrait are the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM, Voigtländer Macro APO-Lanthar 65mm 2.0 Aspherical and Voigtländer Macro APO-Lanthar 110mm 2.5

@yaserhamim4146 2 ай бұрын

You should review viltrox 27mm f1.2 for sony e mount 😊

@jasont9863 2 ай бұрын

We need your Sigma 50mm F1.2 review!

@kamilszalewski4192 2 ай бұрын

Hi :) Is it worth spending more money for the Sigma 35mm Art? compared to sony 35

@DDHDTV 2 ай бұрын

Do you have an opinion on the Sigma 28-70 vs the Tamron 28-75?

@TVe200 2 ай бұрын

Sigma 28-70 is not great. Tamron 28-75 G2 is definitely better. Sigma 24-70 is very good, still bigger and more expensive.

@dannyli9424 Ай бұрын

Out of all the whole video, I kind of share the same view as you except for the Sony 85 1.8 and Zeiss 1.8, I found the Bokeh produces by the Sony 85 1.8 pretty " nervous" the high light is really distracting, and the Zeiss 55 1.8's Bokeh is even worse I will even call it ugly. very very distracting highlight in the background, yes I owned both of them at one point and got rid of both of them for the reason I described, the Samyang 85 1.4 II offer so much more beautiful bokeh than both of those at very low cost. Yes I am coming from the Nikon 105 1.4, Zeiss Mivus 85 1.4 and Sony 85GM kind of portrait lenses, so my comment may be a bit harsh on those low cost lenses, They may represent some " good value" but still doesn't make them good portrait lenses.

@thaojenson7910 2 ай бұрын

Can you please review sigma 70-200mm 2.8 ?

@jbmedia8882 2 ай бұрын

It’s fantastic!!

@atanuly 2 ай бұрын

Although I'm a GM fan, but right now I'm just focusing on having all the SIGMA lenses. It's soo similar on Half the Price, and yeah, i also waiting for SIGMA 135 DGDN. Although I'm getting that new SIGMA 50 1.2, still waiting to see your Review.. Also one thing YOU are Beautiful ;)🤍

@willisdesai7 2 ай бұрын

Sigma 105 macro

@shanedigby 2 ай бұрын

❤

@Robin_Polarstern 2 ай бұрын

Zeiss Batis 85mm ❤

@FathirNabil-xm4ke Ай бұрын

where is Sigma 85mm..? 😭

@SwapnilSolanki-ue9rb 2 ай бұрын

Hello ... 🙋🏻‍♂️ I Always watch Your Videos. ❤ From India🇮🇳

@theofficials3203 2 ай бұрын

What about samyang 35mm f1.8 & t1.9 ?

@stkuj 2 ай бұрын

I love the Sigma lenses for the money. Excellent build and less $ than GM especially the 35 1.4, 65 2.0, but the Sigma 85 1.4 is my fav (not on your list).

@matthiasreinhardt8148 2 ай бұрын

Try the Samyang 75mm F1.8 . Its sharper in the center, less CA's, lighter and cheaper than the Sony 85mm F 1.8

@Cadmeus 2 ай бұрын

The Sony FE 50mm 1.8 was the first lens I got for my A7C and I almost feel like I robbed Sony, for the price it goes for. There are some good reviews elsewhere on youtube of people using it for portrait photography, it punches well above its pricing.