
That said, I have used versions from other brands and tend to prefer the Nikon, but perhaps that’s just my own personal bias all of them do a great job with portraits and other photography situations, too. You can also find similar inexpensive lenses from Sony, Canon, and other manufacturers, so if you don’t shoot with Nikon cameras, you can still pick up a 50mm f/1.8 lens for your camera at a great price. I have been shooting with this lens for nearly a decade and still bring it with me to portrait sessions because it just works so well. The large f/1.8 aperture turns busy backgrounds into buttery smooth bokeh, and it works great in low-light situations, too. The lens is tack sharp and focuses quickly, and the 50mm focal length is great for headshots, medium shots, and even wider shots with groups.


The Nikon 50mm f/1.8G is far and away my top pick for beginners who want to get into portrait photography without spending a lot of money.
