(Last Updated On: December 18, 2022)
Today’s lens market has a massive assortment of models with a wide variety of characteristics, and choosing the one that best suits your full-body portrait photography can be daunting. Further, the choice itself is enormously complicated by the subjective side of this issue because each person has his shooting style, goals, and budget. We have compiled some of the best lens for full body portraits Sony in the article. We invite you have a good look at them.
You cannot zoom in on the subject while standing in one place if necessary. At the same time, there are zoom optics that have a variable focal length. They can visually bring the subject closer by changing the focal length.
Their main advantage is that they have a wider maximum aperture than zoom lenses covering similar focal lengths. As a result, it positively affects the “bokeh,” which makes it more expressive, allowing you to give the photo an artistic effect.
In addition, a wider aperture has a positive effect on shooting in low light conditions, as you can take pictures with slower shutter speeds or lower ISO settings.
Another advantage of fixes is image quality. Fixed focal length optics generally have fewer optical elements than zooms, so the resulting images are sharper, more contrast, and less reflective.
If the cost of the lens is one of the deciding factors for you (more in the next paragraph), then an inexpensive prime will provide better results than an inexpensive zoom.
The choice of the focal length of your future optic directly depends on your preferred shooting style. If you are not into a particular style, it is best to go back to the first point and look towards zoom lenses, as they are more versatile. Therefore, rather than discussing specific focal lengths, we can better divide into four categories: wide-angle, standard, short telephotos, and telephotos.
Wide-angle optics have focal lengths ranging from 10 to 28 mm and are great for shooting portraits with their surroundings. The main idea of such pictures is that the person in the frame has an equally important role in his objects.
Thus, it allows you to accurately convey the atmosphere of the entire scene as a whole and maybe even tell the whole story in one shot. At the same time, classic close-up portraits will turn out badly since distortion will be too noticeable in the picture, which is far from always possible to entirely correct in Photoshop or Lightroom.
In addition, the short telephotos are known as portrait lenses because they have the ideal focal length (85mm to 135mm) for truly stunning portraits. You can take close-up shots without distortion, or you can step back a little and cover the whole body while remaining close enough to continue communicating with your model.
If your short telephoto has a constant focal length, then as a bonus, you again get a wide aperture, which, as we already found out, is a definite plus. Nevertheless, unfortunately, most of these, especially prime ones, often have a moderate price tag.
Professional model photographers most commonly use telephotos. For portraits, telephoto cameras with a focal length of up to 200 mm are suitable.
These optics have a high price for their tight perspective and the ability to isolate the subject from the background using bokeh. However, the disadvantage of these lenses is that they are expensive compared to their shorter throw counterparts, especially if you want a wide aperture.
Many people often forget to take into account the weight of the modern optics. Weight is a fundamental characteristic, especially if you intend to shoot more often while traveling. You should be aware that sometimes you would have to spend all day with the camera, so try to choose the one with the lightest weight.
Best Lens for Full Body Portraits Sony (Comparison)
| Name | Dimensions | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS | 6.89 x 3.15 x 3.15 inches | 29.6 Ounces | |
| Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM | 5.65 x 8.45 x 5.15 inches | 16 Ounces | Check Price |
| Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 | 4.49 x 3.82 x 4.49 inches | 10.4 Ounces | Check Price |
Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS
The Sony 70-2000mm f / 4 G OSS telephoto is not new; instead, it is on the market since 2013 but is still one of the essentials, mainly thanks to its focal range that is very popular for full body portrait photography. Further, it is compatible with the full-frame E-mount hybrids and is equivalent to 105-300mm when mounted on APS-C hybrids.
It is also consistent throughout the focal range, making it easier to shoot at full zoom and more difficult light conditions.
In addition to its constant aperture, it can boast of relatively light and compact size, incorporates optical stabilization, internal autofocus, and easy handling by control functions accessible directly on the side of the lens.
When you think of a telephoto, you immediately imagine a very long and rather imposing optic. However, it is not the case with this 70-200mm, which seems relatively short and light compared to most telephotos.
Another feature is its internal zoom, which allows it to have a regular size whatever the focal length used. Thus at 70 mm or 200 mm, it retains the same dimension.
It has a white design with metal construction. The black control rings stand out clearly for easier handling. It also comes with an imposing hood to limit flare and harmful reflections.
It offers several easily accessible control functions on the left side of the lens that provides access to auto or manual focus, a focus range limit button, optical stabilization, and a button fashion.
Additionally, you can limit the focusing range from 3 m to infinity. It is helpful in autofocus if you can anticipate the distance to your subject. Sports or wildlife photography are good examples for this use since being far enough away from the subject allows limiting the unnecessary back and forth of the autofocus and thus makes it possible always to be ready to photograph.
This limiter helps focus only on a distant subject without switching to manual focus, which is more precise but slower. Thus, any disturbing subjects that come to the foreground will not disturb the autofocus.
It has two mode buttons. Mode button 1 is for standard stabilization, while mode button 2 is for panoramic shots. On the front of the lens, there are two buttons to lock the focus. They have logical positions according to the shooting in portrait or landscape mode. It is a practical option to focus on the same shot and avoid the autofocus to search for the subject.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good sharpness | Can get scratches easily in rough use |
| Almost no image errors | |
| Reliable autofocus in daylight |
Conclusion:
This Sony 70-200mm f / 4 G OSS deliver beautiful picture quality with crisp details. Moreover, it comes with the beautiful definition of the A7 III sensor that allows you to zoom easily in the image to crop.
Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM Lens
It is Sony’s 31st native full-frame hybrid lens with 49th Sony Alpha E-mount compatibility. Thanks to an optical construction incorporating an extreme spherical glass (AX) in the front of the optics and a Super ED glass with very low dispersion to suppress chromatic aberrations.
It appeals to lovers of full-body portraits with a bokeh presented as superlative. In terms of bokeh, it comes with the 11-blade circular diaphragm with its extreme aspherical optic, which helps reduce spherical aberration and delivers smooth, flawless, flawless bokeh.
For the autofocus mechanism, this fixed focal length integrates four XD linear motors, divided into two groups, one at the front and the other at the rear, allow fast, precise, and silent focusing, especially in video and during shooting. This autofocus comes with the Eye AF function, which is essential for full aperture for taking portraits.
It is dust and moisture resistant with gaskets on the barrel and around the optics buttons. Speaking of buttons, it has several useful features.
First, a focal range limiter allows the choice between the entire range, 1.5m to infinity or even 0.70m to 2m for close-ups of the face or details, the minimum focus being of only 70cm thanks to a floating focus mechanism.
Moreover, the aperture ring can become silent thanks to a button on the opposite side. On the barrel – above and on the left side – there are also two customizable focus lock buttons.
The focus ring also has a linear point control, use in video or manual photography. It comes with a massive hood to reduce flare, although a Nano anti-reflective coating has been applied to the lenses to reduce flare and ghosting. With this 135mm f1/8 GM, Sony presents a focal length much appreciated by portrait painters.
Its technical and optical characteristics promise outstanding optical and autofocus performance, within particular homogeneity over the entire image and a soft bokeh and artistic, while offering a pebble that does not exceed the kilo which is essential to note.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High light intensity | Not cheap |
| Suitable for portrait photography | |
| Robust magnesium housing |
Conclusion:
With the FE 135mm F1.8 GM, Sony is expanding its range for the mirror less full format with a portrait optic for professional demands. As a light telephoto, it is undoubtedly also interesting for a sports photographer.
The high light intensity ensures the shortest possible shutter speeds and promises pronounced blurring effects and problem-free cropping. Additionally, with its maximum reproduction ratio of 1: 4, it is also suitable for detailed shots, for example, in product photography.
Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22
The Sony FE 85mm f / 1.8 uses a 9-lens formula, ED glass, divided into eight groups. Its circular diaphragm has nine blades. Its minimum focusing distance is 85 cm. On an APS-C hybrid, it is equivalent to 127.5mm.On the 42 Megapixels BSI CMOS sensor, the portrait remains perfectly circular at all apertures, thanks to the 9-blade diaphragm. No polygonal light points, therefore, will significantly soften your portraits.
It is very sober in its layout; nonetheless, it benefits from the excellent build quality. It fits perfectly in hand due to its ideal dimensions.
It will pair very well with an A7 (A7R or A7S, Mk I or II) but, on an APS-C such as the Alpha 6500, the hitch becomes a bit more disproportionate and tends to pitch forward. It has complete protection against dust and moisture due to its design.
Its functionality has a fluid focusing ring without a stopper, an AF/MF switch, and a configurable key. Its key is easily accessible with the left thumb and allows locking the focus.
However, it has the 42 million pixels of an Alpha 7R II that are very demanding on the market. Therefore, it will be necessary to close the focus between f/ 5.6 and f/11 to reach the maximum sharpness.
Furthermore, whatever the opening, the center always has a clear lead over the periphery and the edges. However, since it is a portrait lens, this lack of homogeneity is not an issue. It is always an excellent functionality for the correction of chromatic aberrations and the very low distortion.
The rendering shows a nice progressiveness in the background blur, with a subject that still stands out very well. The rendering is slightly warm, which is beneficial in portraiture and will make your subject look better.
This 85mm excels at tapping into and magnifying every small light source, resulting in vivid images. Working on an APS-C sensor eliminates the extreme edges and makes the periphery better. As with the 24 x 36 mm sensors, chromatic aberrations are very well contained, and distortion is minimal.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Protected against dust and humidity | No diaphragm ring |
| Programmable side button | |
| Silent focus |
Conclusion:
Whether you use it on a 24 x 36 mm body or an APS-C, it will form a 127 mm. It will be an excellent portrait optic, well stitched in the center with bokeh as soft as progressive. Sony has been offering a variation since the beginning of 2017 much more affordable and barely less bright, the FE 85mm f / 1.8. An optic that it points at lovers of full-body portraits.
Final Verdict:
The top tip is to try to find a lens that suits your shooting style and budget perfectly. Do not forget that whichever optic you choose is not the end of the world because the secret of a good shot is not in the quality of optics but your skills and desire for creativity.
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