10 Best Nikon Lenses For Portrait Photography 2025 in the United States

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S lens is a strong choice for portrait photography, offering a classic telephoto zoom range (70-200mm) that helps create flattering background blur and lets you capture portraits from a comfortable distance. Its wide f/2.8 aperture is great for shooting in low light and producing that creamy, soft background effect that makes portraits stand out. The lens features excellent image stabilization, which helps keep shots sharp even when shooting handheld, especially useful in dim conditions or at longer focal lengths.

Autofocus is fast, smooth, and quiet, so it won’t distract your subject or miss important expressions. The build quality is solid, with a tripod collar that rotates smoothly for easy switching between vertical and horizontal framing, and it is designed to handle outdoor use well. One small downside is the weight; at nearly 5 pounds, it’s on the heavier side, which may be tiring for long handheld sessions. Also, while it excels in controlling lens flare and color issues, some casual photographers might find its size and price more than they need if portraits are their only focus.

This lens is ideal for serious enthusiasts or professionals who want a versatile, high-quality telephoto zoom that performs beautifully for portraits and other types of photography alike.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S lens is a high-quality prime lens specifically designed for portrait photography, compatible with Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras. It offers an impressive f/1.2 aperture, which allows for beautiful background blur and striking separation of the subject from the background. This makes it ideal for portraits, where a smooth and natural blur is essential for highlighting the subject.

The lens features 11 rounded blades that enhance the quality of the bokeh, ensuring that out-of-focus areas appear soft and pleasing to the eye. Autofocus performance is robust, with near-silent Eye-Detect AF that works effectively with Nikon's Z 9, Z 7II, and Z 6II cameras, thus providing accurate and controlled focus transitions. Additionally, manual focus pulling is precise, thanks to linear focusing capability, which is crucial for achieving dramatic focus shifts in portrait shots.

The lens is also equipped with a customizable Control Ring and L-Fn button for adjusting settings like aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation, offering photographers greater control over their shooting parameters. Build quality is solid, and the lens is weather-sealed, ensuring reliability in various shooting conditions. However, it is a relatively heavy lens at 2.56 pounds, which might be cumbersome for extended handheld use. Also, it comes with a significant price tag, reflecting its professional-grade features, which may not be suitable for amateur or casual photographers. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S lens is highly recommended for professional photographers who demand top-notch image quality, exquisite background blur, and precise focus control in their portrait work.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens is a top-notch choice for portrait photography, offering several key strengths that make it stand out. With a focal length of 135mm, this telephoto lens captures subjects beautifully, creating a pleasant background blur (bokeh) that enhances the artistic quality of your portraits. The wide f/1.8 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and creates a shallow depth of field, making your subject stand out against a soft, creamy background. This is particularly useful in portrait photography where you want to emphasize the person you are photographing while minimizing distractions in the background.

The lens features advanced autofocus performance with Nikon’s Multi-Focus System, which uses dual stepping motors for precise, fast, and nearly silent focusing. This is great for capturing sharp images of moving subjects without any distracting noise. Its advanced anti-reflective coatings help reduce flare and ghosting, ensuring high-contrast, clear images even in challenging lighting conditions. Build quality is solid, and it includes weather sealing, making it durable and suitable for various shooting environments.

Users will appreciate the customizable control ring, which can be adjusted for smooth settings changes during shooting. Despite its strengths, this lens is relatively heavy at 2.19 pounds and large in size, which could be a drawback for photographers who prefer lighter gear for extended hand-held use. Additionally, it carries a premium price tag, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers. Essentially, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens is an excellent tool for serious portrait photographers looking for high-quality, artistically pleasing results.