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ApertureDaily
Buying Guide

Best Portrait Lenses

By Marcus ReidUpdated September 12, 2026

[Demo data — development only. Specifications are illustrative; editorial copy is sample content.]

Classic portrait focal lengths are 50mm, 85mm and 135mm. A fast 85mm prime (f/1.4–f/1.8) is the gold standard for flattering compression and soft backgrounds.

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Written by

Marcus Reid

Staff Writer

Marcus writes about technique, education and the business of photography.

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