10 Best Third Party Portrait Lenses (From Least to Most Expensive)

Every photographer’s bag needs a good portrait lens. However, if you have budget restrictions or very specific specification needs, buying a lens directly from your camera’s manufacturer is often out of the question. In this roundup, we go over the best third party portrait lenses for every price range.

1. Rokinon 135mm f/2.0 Telephoto Lens

• Price: $499.00
• Focal length: 135mm
• Aperture: f/2.0 – f/22
• Mount: Canon EF, Sony E-mount
• Format: full-frame

2. Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC PZD Macro Zoom Lens

• Price: $629.00
• Focal length: 16-300mm
• Aperture: f/3.5 – f/6.3
• Mount: Canon EF, Nikon-F, Sony A-Mount
• Format: APS-C

3. Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 AF

• Price: $699.00
• Focal length: 85mm
• Aperture: f/1.4 – f/16
• Mount: Canon EF-M, Nikon F, Sony E-Mount
• Format: full-frame or APS-C as a 136mm equivalent

4. Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Lens

• Price: $898.00
• Focal length: 85mm
• Aperture range: f/1.8 – f/22
• Mount: Sony E Mount
• Format: full-frame and APS-C 

5. Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro Lens

• Price: $1,099.00
• Focal length: 150mm
• Aperture: f/2.8 – f/22
• Mount: Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma SA, Sony E-Mount
• Format: Macro

6. Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens

• Price: $1,199.00
• Focal length: 85mm
• Aperture: f/1.4 – f/16
• Mount: Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma SA, Sony E-mount
• Format: 35mm film / full-frame digital sensor format

7. Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Lens

• Price: $1,399.00
• Focal length: 135mm
• Aperture: f/1.8 – f/16
• Mount: Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma SA, Sony E-Mount
• Format: 35mm film / full-frame digital sensor format

8. Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sport Lens

• Price: $1,259.00
• Focal length: 70-200mm
• Aperture:  f/2.8 to f/22
• Mount: Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma SA
• Format: full-frame

See our full video review for this lens here.

9. Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 Lens

• Price: $1,529.00
• Focal length: 135mm
• Aperture: f/2.8
• Mount: Sony E-Mount
• Format: full frame

10. Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens

• Price: $1,599.00
• Focal length: 105mm
• Aperture: f/1.4 – f/16
• Mount: Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma SA, Sony E-Mount
• Format: 35mm film / full-frame digital sensor format

That concludes our list of the BEST third party portrait lenses. If you have any more suggestions (or think we’re crazy) feel free to leave a comment below.

• 
  Rokinon 135mm f/2.0 Telephoto Lens
  Regular price: $499.00
• 
  Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC PZD Macro Zoom Lens
  Regular price: $629.00
• 
  Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Lens
  Regular price: $898.00
• 
  Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens
  Regular price: $1,199.00
• 
  Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens
  Regular price: $1,599.00