Although kit zooms are a good way to begin your photography journey due to their versatile focal range, it doesn’t take long to grow frustrated with their inferior optics and slow aperture range. A good companion for the kit zoom is the prime lens: not only do they provide better optical quality and a faster maximum aperture, but they can also be quite affordable.
lens comparison
Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 vs. 75mm f/1.8 – Apples vs. Oranges
Two portrait lenses that every Micro Four Thirds photographer has considered at some point are the M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 and M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8.
The 45mm has been in our collection for almost as long as we’ve been writing about mirrorless cameras. It was the second lens we bought after picking up the Olympus OM-D E-M5, and has proven a steadfast companion thanks to its quality and compactness. It was later joined by the 75mm, which proved a boon for Mathieu’s event photography as he often had to photograph actors and directors in poorly lit auditoriums and conference halls.
Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 vs. 56mm APD – Quick comparison
Since its release a few years ago, the Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 has been a popular and very logical choice for portraits thanks to its excellent sharpness and smooth bokeh rendering. Not too long after the first version was released, a second “APD” version hit the market which promised a superior bokeh rendering.
Some time ago in Turin, I had the chance to use these lenses side-by-side during two separate portrait sessions with a pair of young Italian actresses, Barbara and Lara. I had used the original 56mm several times before but this was the only time I had the chance to use the APD version and compare it to the normal version. Since I didn’t have enough time to test the 56mm APD in-depth, this article will focus on the main difference between these two lenses: the bokeh.
Sony 35mm f/1.8 vs. Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN vs. Sigma 30mm f/2.8 DN A – The complete comparison
As of today, there are three standard autofocus primes for the Sony E-mount APS-C system with an approximate 50mm field of view*: the Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS, Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary and Sigma 30mm f/2.8 DN Art.
The popularity of the a5000 and a6000/a6300/a6500 series coupled with the affordability and suitability of these three primes for a variety of genres means that they are amongst the most sought-after lenses for any camera system.
Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 vs. Olympus M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 – Apples vs. Oranges
If you like portraits, chances are that you like portrait lenses regardless of the brand or system. You might also be interested in seeing how one particular optic performs against another that has been designed for a different sensor. In this article, we’re giving you exactly that by comparing two interesting portrait lenses made for the Fujifilm APS-C and Micro Four Thirds systems respectively.
