6 Best Natural-looking Bokeh Lenses (You Should Check It Out) in 2022

Do you love the professional look of the perfectly focused foreground and the ’dreamy, creamy, blurred background?

Do you want to achieve the perfect bokeh effect in your photography, but you’re not sure how?

Bokeh is a ‘Japanese’ word describing the BEAUTYFUL out-of-focus background. Weird, right? How does it work? By having the right lenses, of course!

Actually, the subject in the foreground is in perfectly crisp focus, while the background is a creamy (not entirely blurry) mass of soft color and circular orbs of light.

To achieve the look, you need the right lens for your camera. Read on for the best bokeh-licious lens!

Comparison Table

Model	Focal Length	Max Aperture	Size (Diameter x Height) (inches)
Sigma 20mm F1.4 ART DG HSM Lens	20mm	f1.4	3.6 x 3.6 x 5.1”
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G Lens with Auto Focus	85m	f1.4	3.43 x 3.31 x 3.43”
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Standard Lens	50mm	f1.2	3.39 x 2.6 x 3.39”
Sony SEL28F20 FE 28mm f/2-22 Standard-Prime Lens	28mm	f2	2.52 x 2.36 x 2.52”
Opteka 85mm f/1.8 Aspherical lens	85mm	f1.8	2.48 x 2.48 x 1.54”
Canon EF IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens	70-200mm	f2.8	3.5 x 7.8 in.

Here are the list of 6 Lenses for Bokeh Photography in 2019

1. Opteka 85mm f/1.8 Aspherical Lens

This Opteka aspherical telephoto lens is suitable for a wide range of Nikon SLR and DSLR cameras. This could be one of the lower-priced contenders for best Nikon lens for bokeh.

This is a fully manual lens, with no motor-driven autofocus function. If you like to be entirely hands-on, this could be your lens. It works with “full frame” cameras and “APS-C” DSLR cameras.

The f1.8 aperture is capable of superb lineation and a beautiful bokeh effect, made possible by the ten internal lens elements, in 7 groups – all built from low-dispersion, high-index multi-coated HD optical glass. The HD super coating prevents light-flare and ghosting.

The diaphragm is constructed from six rounded blades, capable of capturing a high level of accuracy in both depth-of-field, and in the orbs of light that appear in the blurred background.

This Opteka lens is excellent for capturing perfectly focused portraits, and images that demand a natural depth-of-field.

The lens comes bundled along with a lens hood, a pouch, and a full 5-year warranty. The body is constructed of metal, with no plastic parts.

Some things we liked

Amazingly low price for a versatile lens

Fully manual lens – great for those that love to be in full control

No plastic parts – body is fully metal

HD super lens coating prevents ghosting and light flare

Minimum focusing distance is 0.85m

Some things we didn’t like –

No autofocus function. There are no motorized parts with this lens – however, this also means that there is less to go wrong.

2. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G Lens with Auto Focus

This could be the best Nikon lens for bokeh, with an ultra-fast f1.4 lens and a Nano Crystal coating for repelling dust, grime, water and oils that can affect the fast focus action of the lens.

The focal length of the Nikon AD-S FX Nikkor is 85mm, with a minimum focal distance of 3ft. The Internal Focus setting offers quick and quiet autofocus without requiring you to change the length of the lens. This is helpful when maintaining close proximity to the subject of your photo, which is necessary for a decent bokeh effect.

This mid-range telephoto lens provides super-sharp images. The fast f1.4 aperture delivers a bright viewfinder and beautiful bokeh.

The Nano Crystal lens coating reduces ghosting, as well as interior flare for perfect image clarity every time.

This beautiful lens is perfect for portraits, and the f1.4 collects plenty of light in low light conditions.

In DX-format D-SLR, the angle of view is the same as a focal depth of 127.5mm in 35mm format.

You can make a quick swap between Manual and Autofocus modes with the M/A Focus mode.

Some things we liked –

Ultra-fast f1.4 lens provides some excellent results in the bokeh field

Nano Crystal coating protects the lens surface from dust, grime, and liquids that can affect focus

Collects plenty of light in low light conditions

M/A Focus mode allows for quick swap between Manual and Autofocus modes

Provides sharp color and good contrast for raw footage

Some things we didn’t like –

Autofocus can be a little slow for some photographers

Tendency towards chromatic aberration in some lighting conditions

3. Sony SEL28F20 FE 28mm f/2-22 Lens

The Sony SEL28F20 FE is a standard-prime lens for mirrorless cameras, providing impressive optical performance through a wide focal length of 28mm. The maximum aperture of this lens is f2, which lets in plenty of light and creates a gorgeous bokeh effect. This could seriously be our favorite bokehlicious lens of the selection!

The focal length is 28mm, with a minimum focus distance of 0.96ft in Autofocus Mode and 0.82ft in Manual Focus mode. The maximum magnification in autofocus is 0.13x, and 0.16x in Manual Focus.

The SEL28F20 FE is compatible with ultra-wide and fish-eye converters and is perfect for both still and video capture, with a beautiful bokeh.

The lens is resistant to dust and moisture. The circular aperture is achieved with a 9-blade configuration, perfect for producing those rounded orbs of light in the background. The lens is made from Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass, and multi-coated with protective layers to reduce the risk of flare and ghosting.

The autofocus is quiet and uses a linear actuator mechanism for smooth transition from subject to subject.

The ED glass used in this lens can significantly reduce the chromatic aberration often experienced when shooting in telephoto ranges, and offers terrific contrast across the overall image, even when used at large aperture settings.

The compact size and shape of this unit is achieved via the aspherical lens which helps to reduce spherical aberration (where the misalignment of light rays create unsharp, blurred edges).

The Internal Focusing mechanism means that this lens does not change length to achieve focus – the middle groups of the optics move instead. This provides fast, quiet Autofocus, and a minimum distance short enough to deliver impressive bokeh.

Some things we liked –

Compatible with ultra-wide and fish-eye lens, making this a super-versatile lens

The f2 lens lets in plenty of light, while producing a pleasing bokeh

9-blade circular aperture for perfect rounded orbs of light

ED glass provides super-high definition and avoids chromatic aberration

Fast and quiet autofocus

Compact size with Internal Focusing mechanism

Some things we didn’t like –

Autofocus can be a little sluggish at f2

Can present some radial distortion for some ultra-wide shots

4. Sigma 20mm F1.4 ART DG HSM Lens

This lens fits a variety of Canon, Nikon and Sigma DSLRs and is particularly resistant to strong, incidental light sources, so is a good choice if shooting images with a powerful backlight.

The Sigma’s 20mm lens is designed to minimize chromatic aberration, focal distortion, and ghosting, producing beautifully bright images in low light when shot at f1.4. This combination of bright image and fast focus speed make this an excellent lens for bokeh backgrounds.

This wide-angle prime lens is designed to fit full frame, as well as APS-C sensor cameras. It provides stunning edge-to-edge focal performance, even when shot at its widest setting.

The advanced optics comprise of 5 inner lenses, in 15 elements, and 11 groups. The optics are a combination between FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) and SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass, providing minimal spherical- and axial chromatic aberration, as well as reduced field curvature at the widest angle, offering minimal distortion to wide-angle landscapes.

This high-quality lens is suitable for landscape photography at wide-angles with great edge-to-edge performance, videography, astro-photography, as well as indoor shooting, providing excellent light collection in low-light settings.

This lens can be updated and customized via USB, and is compatible with the Mount Conversion Service.

Some things we liked –

Compatible with a wide range of cameras

Good image differentiation, even when the subject is in front of a strong backlight

Minimizes chromatic aberration, focal distortion, and ghosting

Stunning edge-to-edge performance

Great for a variety of shooting environments, including in low light settings

Some things we didn’t like –

May require some micro-focus adjustments straight from the box

Has an extremely thin depth of field

5. Canon EF 50mm f1.2L USM Standard Lens

This lens is quite possibly the best Canon lens for bokeh, with a maximum aperture for excellent definition between a sharply focused foreground and a creamy, blurred background.

This weather-resistant lens has a maximum aperture and focal length of 50mm, f1.2. The closest focusing distance is 1.48ft, which isn’t the closest in this list, but the f1.2 setting creates a beautiful creamy blur.

The lens can be switched between Auto- and Manual Focus, using an ultrasonic motor.

The lens is constructed from 8 elements, in 6 groups, and has a filter size of 72mm, featuring a 46-degree diagonal angle of view.

The ultra-large aperture provides an excellent narrow depth of field so that you can get real precision on your focus subject surrounded by a soft, smooth blur.

The lens is coated to minimize ghosting and flare often experienced with DSLRs.

Some things we liked 

f1.2 lens is perfect for bokeh and capture in low light settings

Focusing mechanism powered by an ultrasonic motor

Closest focal distance is 1.48ft

Some things we didn’t like 

This lens may create some chromatic aberration in some light settings

Autofocus can be a little inconsistent

6. Canon EF IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Fast prime lenses are the ideal options to achieve a beautiful bokeh. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that you are limited to those choices, or zoom lenses are not great options. You can choose in zoom lenses as well if you need flexibility on your shooting.

Canon EF IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens is considered to be one of the camera zoom lenses that produce superb quality bokeh. Looking at it closely (specifications), you will then understand the reasons. Here are few of those specifications:

• Faster Lens

A fast lens is the main factor to consider in achieving excellent bokeh – the faster, the better. Canon EF IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens can certainly achieve that as it was designed with f2.8 aperture.

• High-speed Autofocus

Canon also equipped this Telephoto Zoom Lens with inner focusing ring USM (ultrasonic motor) system.  This is to ensure it will capture every single movement of the user’s subject. This is available in both automatic and full-time manual focus.

• Lens Controls
  In creating beautiful bokeh, not everything is about features. You also need to consider the handiness of the lens’ control buttons. Canon EF IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens has a zoom ring that you can rotate 60 degrees anti-clockwise within the lens’ range (70mm to 200mm).
  
  Next is the distance scale. The distance scale of Canon EF IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens is located on the middle of the lens exterior. It both has markings in both feet and meters and has infra-red correction marks included. The focus ring on the distance scale can travel somewhat pass the infinity mark. This is mainly to accept the ambient temperature variations’ to effect.
  
  Lastly, Canon EF IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens has four switches. These switches are designated for AF range, autofocus, image stabilization and the stabilizers mode (1 and 2). Familiarizing all the controls of this lens will give you a smoother and relax shooting experience.

Some things we liked –

• The lens is durable as it was constructed with metal, rubber seal for the mount’s exterior protection and rubber for the grip.
• Its body has a weather sealing (dust and water-resistant)
• It helps to lessen chromatic aberration
• The image stabilization is constantly delivering sharp images at any zoom length

Some things we didn’t like –

• Need more effort in mounting the camera to the tripod. You need to detach the lens before you can attach it.
• Vulnerable to flare (only in close or direct to the light source)

How to Achieve The Perfect Bokeh

You need a combination between the correct lens and the right composition.

You want a distinct contrast between the crisp focus of your photo’s subject and the soft blur of the background. Good bokeh is considered to have smooth, blending orbs of light, with no sharp edges.

You need a good distance between your subject and the background. You shoot as close to the subject as your camera (and the subject) will let you – with a good distance between the subject and the background.

To achieve perfect bokeh, you need a fast camera lens, with a wide aperture of at least f/1.8 or larger. To get those other-worldly, dream-like background orbs, you’ll definitely need a good-quality lens.

Sometimes bokeh is referred to as “narrow depth of field”. The depth of field is the “in-focus” element of the photo – so a narrow depth of field focuses on a small section of the overall image.

So What Is The Best Bokeh Lens?

You always get what you pay for, and a decent quality camera lens is undoubtedly one of those things. However, you could spend thousands of dollars for the top-of-the-range, and there will always be something that dissatisfies you – the chromatic- or radial aberration tolerance might not be exactly right for you.

So, we think that if you’re looking for a great-quality, standard lens for brilliant bokeh, then you can’t go too far wrong with the mid-priced Sony SEL28F20, 28mm lens. The aspherical lens reduces many of the distortions associated with DSLR cameras, and the compatibility with ultra-wide and fish-eye lenses make this a really versatile lens, that may turn out to be the only lens you’ll ever need for bokeh and general-purpose shooting.

If you want to achieve that desirable bokeh effect, we think that the best bokeh lens for the job is the Sony SEL28F20.