Since I like doing portrait photography, as well as studio photography and on location, I have put my experience into practice to create a comprehensive buying guide to help fellow photographers reach their goals.

Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 has an optical design of 17 elements in 12 groups, with nine rounded diaphragm blades. The angle of view is 84° 4′ to 34° 21′, with a minimum focus distance of 1,25 feet and a maximum magnification of 0,2x.

It comes with optical image stabilization and a fast aperture of f/2.8. The design offers a fluorine coating and moisture-resistant construction. Phenomenal visual image stabilization is why I put it on the best full-body portrait list.

I could capture great shots of fast-moving subjects under dim lighting conditions. The overall sharpness of the lens is another excellent point. Pictures came out of the box tack-sharp with perfect contrast and vibrant and lively colors.

Unfortunately, to use the lens to its total capacity, you first need to calibrate it. After the calibration, autofocus does a splendid job of capturing subjects and locking the focus point.

Furthermore:

The focus is responsive and accurate and it does a great job overall. As with most zooms, the lens in the matter has issues with corner softness at the widest opening. I did notice traces of vignetting, but those issues were manageable. The design is appealing, and it feels good to hold the lens in your hands due to its excellent finish. The weight is also effortless, and I wasn’t constrained by it.

Canon 50mm f/1.8 has an optical construction of six elements in five groups, with seven rounded diaphragm blades. The angle of view is 40º, 27º,46º, with a maximum magnification of 0,21x and the closest focus distance of 1,15 feet.

The reason I put it on the best lens for a complete body portrait list is a phenomenal small package offering outstanding performance for its price range. The image quality is excellent and stays sharp even at the maximum opening, with no distortion or chromatic aberration issues.

It does a splendid job of preserving details, and 50mm, combined with a fast aperture, creates a shallow depth of field, which all portrait photographers appreciate. I like 50mm for full-body portraits because it allows me to capture more in the frame, thus giving context to the image. Moreover, it is one of the most “classical” focal lengths used in general photography.

The next thing I like:

Is the STM focus? It is an entirely silent focus system that aims to provide a great video experience. It is also a solid choice for photos and does a good job overall. The Focus system is responsive and accurate, and I didn’t have problems with missed shots. Unfortunately, the lens doesn’t offer optical image stabilization, but a fast aperture makes a compromise, and it provides solid low-light performance. Design-wise, the lens is incredibly lightweight and compact.

Sony offers an optical solution of nine elements in eight groups with nine rounded diaphragm blades. The angle of view is 29 degrees, and the minimum focus distance is 2,62 feet. Maximum magnification is 0,13x,

The Sony 85mm f/1.8-22 lens doesn’t have optical image stabilization, but a fast aperture ensures a powerful low-lighting performance. The remarkable thing about the given Sony is a possible direct control with a programmable focus hold button and auto and manual focus switches.

Next, it is pretty light and compact, which is one of the reasons why it made the best lens for a complete body portrait list. The maximum aperture of an f/1.8 delivers stunningly sharp images and does an excellent job of retaining many details.

The focal length of 85mm is excellent for capturing both the bokeh effect and showing a broader background, and that is precisely what a full-body portrait is.

It is possible to shoot shoot street photography and frame more while the subject remains in focus. Color rendering is beautiful, with saturated and lively colors, while the contrast remains intensely black.

A Focus system is another selling point since it tends to be highly responsive and accurate. I tried capturing moving subjects and had no issues with tracking them. Another great perk is the overall design, quality finish, and compact weight.

The contender from Sigma has an optical construction of 19 elements in 14 groups, with nine rounded diaphragm blades. The angle of view is 84.1° to 34.3°, with a minimum focus distance of 1,21 feet and a maximum magnification of 0,21x. The macro reproduction ratio is 1:4.8, and the lens has optical image stabilization. The key reason it made the whole-body portrait lenses list is its incredible low-light performance.

I could capture artistic full-body shots under dim lighting with proper ISO control. The combination of a fast aperture and optical image stabilization delivers excellent results.

Zooming is another vital point, and the versatility of the focal length is incredible since it allows one to shoot subjects from different proximity or under other circumstances. The overall image quality is extraordinary, with deep blacks and mesmerizing color transmission. I am also yet to spot chromatic aberrations or fringing issues.

The distortion levels are negligible and easily fixed in post-production. The focus system is responsive, delivering exquisite performance, and locks on the subject quite well.

Design-wise, I noticed that zoom and focused rings come with much friction, but the general build quality is excellent. The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 lens has a nice finish, and although it is pretty heavy, right from the beginning, it is visible that only the finest materials have been used in the manufacture.

Nikon has an optical construction of 10 elements in nine groups, with an angle of view of 28° 30′ and a minimum focus distance of 2,79 feet. The maximum magnification is 0,12x, and the lens doesn’t have optical image stabilization. The main reason why I put it on the lens for a complete body portrait list is the incredible bokeh it can create. I photographed subjects from a distance of approximately 12 yards, and the image quality was stunning.

The subject’s sharpness is incredible, while the circular bokeh melts the background. The color transmission is excellent, with a vibrant palette and strong contrast.

I noticed chromatic aberrations, but they were not quite noticeable and were quickly taken care of. The maximum opening is incredible for shooting full-body portraits or even close-ups since it defocuses to a maximally professional level. Even at an f/1.4, the Nikon 85mm f/1.4 lens is incredibly sharp, and the edge softness is negligible.

Furthermore:

It can achieve even sharper results when stepped a few notches down. The low light performance is incredible, despite the lack of optical image stabilization, thanks to the aperture range. The Focus system is responsive and delivers results with high precision and accuracy. I didn’t have problems with the focus jam or hunting. Design-wise, the lens is relatively compact and light, although it is built of solid materials.

Verdict

Getting a solid grip on knowledge to help you get the best lens for full-body portraits is paramount if you want to achieve exquisite results. As the article outlines, there are many factors to consider when purchasing proper optics.

Luckily, the market offers many options, regardless of your preferred brand or manufacturer. Rest assured that your portfolio will never improve if you pick any of the lenses from the list.

If you need additional help choosing the right lenses for full-body portraits, we recommend this lens.

Check out our other popular articles: Best Canon 7D Mark II lenses and Best lenses for Canon M200.

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