The Best Lens for Engagement Photography
The best lens for engagement photography will depend on which type of camera you use. Here are our top picks for Nikon, Canon, and Sony cameras:
Nikon: Nikon 24-70mm F2.8G ED VR
Canon: Canon 24-70mm F2.8L II USM
Sony: Sony FE 24-70mm F/2.8 GM
Below is an in-depth list featuring the best lens for engagement photography reviews and recommendations. If you’re simply looking for the best lens for engagement photos overall, go ahead and purchase one of the 3 listed above. If you want to learn more and discover some other options, read on!
Table of Contents
Best Lens for Engagement Photos
The ideal focal lengths for engagement photography stretch from as wide as ~24mm to as tight as ~200mm. This means that you’ll either need to purchase and carry around several prime lenses, or opt for a zoom lens.
Although it’s true that prime lenses capture sharper images, that doesn’t mean zoom lenses aren’t extremely capable of producing breath taking photos. And when it comes to the best lens for engagement photography, the flexibility that zoom lenses offer will be very helpful.
Sometimes you’ll want to be up close and intimate with the couple and will need a wider focal length. Sometimes you’ll want to allow the couple lots of space to capture more private moments. Zoom lenses offer you both of these.
Additionally, the zoom lenses listed below are great for several different types of photography, including wedding and portrait photography. Purchasing one of them will help you get jobs across various genres.
With that in mind, here is the best lens for engagement photography from Nikon, Canon, and Sony.
Nikon - Best Lens for Engagement Photography
Nikon 24-70mm F2.8G ED VR
Easily one of Nikon’s best lenses available today. This lens is excellent for a lot of different types of photography, including engagement photography.
It produces very high quality images across the board and is one of those lenses that you can purchase once and use for the next decade, regardless of what genre you photograph.
Pros:
- Premier Nikon lens
- Excellent build quality
- Ideal focal lengths
- Superb image quality
Cons:
- Slightly expensive
Nikon 70-200mm F/2.8E FL VR
One of the best portrait photography zoom lenses that Nikon produces, this lens is beloved by engagement and wedding photographers.
It’s extremely sharp and gives you the ability to be further away from the couple, allowing a more intimate setting.
Pros:
- One of the best Nikon lenses on the market
- Ideal focal lengths
- Extremely sharp
- Excellent build quality
Cons:
- Heavy
Nikon 85mm F/1.4G
The Nikon 85mm f1.4 is an absolute favorite amongst portrait, engagement, and wedding photographers due to the extremely sharp images it produces and the world class bokeh.
It’s ideal for those more intimate settings and details shots. Prime lenses aren’t for everyone since they don’t let you zoom in and out, so take that into account.
Pros:
- Excellent image quality
- Very sharp
- Great bokeh
- Top build quality
Cons:
- Only one focal length
Canon - Best Lens For Engagement Photos
Canon 24-70mm F2.8L II USM
One of the best Canon lenses on the market regardless of what genre you photograph, although it’s especially great for engagement and portrait photography.
It produces very high quality images across the board and is one of those lenses that you can purchase once and use for the next decade, regardless of what genre you photograph.
Pros:
- Premier Canon lens
- Extremely sharp photos
- Very versatile across genres
- Ideal focal lengths
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM
This 70-200mm f2.8 lens from Canon is famous for being extremely sharp and is beloved by Canon photographers, especially those that photograph couples.
In addition to its superior image quality, it gives you the ability to be further away from the couple, allowing a more intimate setting.
Pros:
- Excellent build quality
- Extremely sharp
- Amazing image quality
- Great focal lengths
Cons:
- Heavy
- Somewhat expensive
Canon 85mm F1.2 II USM
A favorite amongst Canon shooters, especially those working in portrait and engagement photography. This 85mm f1.2 is possibly the sharpest lens that Canon produces.
If you don’t mind working with a prime lens, this is one of the sharpest lenses available and will be great for engagement shoots.
Pros:
- One of best lenses made
- Exceptional quality across the board image-wise
- Excellent build quality
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive
Sony - Best Lens For Engagement Photography
Sony FE 24-70mm F/2.8 GM
One of the best Sony lenses on the market. This 24-70mm f2.8 is extremely versatile, exceptionally sharp, and great for engagement photography.
It produces very high quality images across the board and is one of those lenses that you can purchase once and use for the next decade, regardless of what genre you photograph.
Pros:
- Premier Sony lens
- Great for multiple genres of photography
- Excellent value for quality provided
- Ideal focal lengths
Cons:
- Slightly expensive
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS
This 70-200mm f2.8 lens from Sony is truly an amazing piece of glass. It can be used for a number of different genres, but is especially great for engagement photography.
In addition to its incredible image quality, it gives you the ability to be further away from the couple, allowing a more intimate setting.
Pros:
- Excellent build quality
- Extremely sharp
- Incredible image quality
- Great focal lengths
Cons:
- Heavy
- Expensive
Sony FE 85mm F/1.4 GM
An exceptionally sharp portrait photography lens from Sony, this 85mm f1.4 produces truly amazing images.
If you like the idea of using a prime lens, then this is the best choice for anyone that shoots with a Sony. Engagement and portrait shoots will be ideal.
Pros:
- High quality images
- Great build quality
- Extremely sharp
Cons:
- Only one focal length
Recommendations on the Best Lens for Engagement Photos
In an ideal world, a combination of one of the 24-70mm f2.8 and 70-200mm f2.8 lenses above would be the best possible way to ensure that you have he best lens for engagement photography. Between the 2, they cover every focal length you could need.
If you just want to purchase one lens however, then one of the 24mm-70mm f2.8 lenses is the best lens for engagement photography since they are extremely reliable and produce outstanding portraits.
If you are comfortable using a prime lens and don’t mind needing to possibly purchase 2 or more lenses, then the 85mm f1.4 lenses above are some of the best and sharpest on the market.
Finally, check out our Gear page to read more articles just like this with up-to-date product reviews for gear across all photography genres.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best lens for wedding photography?
The best lens for wedding photography is likely to be a 70-200mm f2.8 that works great in low light and captures sharp images.
How do you take good engagement photos?
The keys to capturing good engagement photos are using the best lens for engagement photography and making sure the couple feels completely comfortable.
Is 85mm lens good for weddings?
Yes, an 85mm can produce good photos for wedding photography. However, it will likely need to be paired with a zoom lens to be able to capture all the moments during the ceremony.