Best Canon Lens For Bokeh Photography + Camera Settings
Visual techniques come and go as trends but bokeh is one technique that will enjoy everlasting appreciation from shutterbugs. Don’t you just love how dreamy bokeh backgrounds look against the contrasting subject?
It can take any composition to a whole different level. This technique was not popular until 1997 but since its inception, it has amassed immense popularity.
At present, bokeh is the trending photography technique that so many people try to master. But why is there such a craze for this? One hypothesis claims that the human eye is not gifted at seeing a bokeh like a fractal in real life. Therefore, the out-of-focus beauty in pictures feels like a unique experience for them.
However, it is not easy to achieve a good bokeh. You need an extremely fast lens for that. Finding such a niche category of lenses is not an easy task. So save your time and read this article about some of the best Canon bokeh lens!
What is Bokeh?
If you are a beginner, you might be confused about what bokeh is. Bokeh is the word translation for the Japanese term “ボケ” (boke) which means “blur”. However, bokeh is more than a mere blur effect.
It is a word that describes the aesthetic essence of a blur effect. Bokeh is used both as a subject or as a part of the subject. Regardless of the type of bokeh, you need to have best lenses for bokeh effect. So without further adieu, read on!
LIST OF BEST CANON LENSES FOR BOKEH EFFECT
IMAGE | NAME | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
BEST BOKEH LENS FOR DSLR  | CANON EF 35MM F/2 IS USM | ||
BEST BOKEH LENS FOR DSLR  | CANON EF 50MM F/1.8 STM | ||
BEST BOKEH LENS FOR DSLR  | CANON EF 24-70MM F/2.8L II USM | ||
BEST BOKEH LENS FOR MILC  | CANON RF 85MM F2 IS STM | ||
BEST BOKEH LENS FOR MILC  | CANON RF 35MM F/1.8 IS STM |
BEST CANON LENSES FOR BOKEH EFFECT
CHOOSE YOUR CAMERA TYPE
BEST BOKEH LENS FOR CANON FULL-FRAME DSLR CAMERAS
1. CANON EF 35MM F/2 IS USM LENS - BEST CANON LENS FOR BOKEH
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Features:
The Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM has an odd resemblance with the Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 and the Canon 24mm f/2.8 lenses. They share an identical appearance except that this lens is slightly larger in size than the other two.
It is marketed as a general lens but it has received fame in the world of street photography. It has a super-fast aperture of f/2, with 8-blades, making it one of the best lenses for bokeh effect. It is reasonably lightweight which is perfect for those who want their camera while they are outdoors.
Design:
The lens is small enough to fit in your bag. Street photography requires you to be as flexible and mobile so that you can get the best shots. The compact design of the lens makes it so easy to maneuver the device so that you never miss a moment worthy of capture!
The barrel is made of durable composite plastic and the focus ring is covered with rubber. The barrel also has markings for focus ranges. You will also find two toggle switches on the left side. One is for toggling image stabilization and another to change the focus mode. Sadly, it does not come with a hood.
Performance:
The sophisticated optical design of the Canon EF 35mm is why it receives a position for being one of the best Canon bokeh lens. The lens is gifted with near-silent autofocus because of its ultrasonic AF motor. Moreover, the image stabilization function works wonders while shooting in low-light.
There are some photography techniques where the subject needs to look defocused. This requires you to shoot at night. The IS technology combined with its shutter speed makes it an ideal match for these types of environments.
But what makes this the best Canon lens for bokeh? It is not only the IS feature but also the wide aperture that allows you to work with a shallow depth of field. You better be ready to click some beautiful bokeh!
Pros
Cons
2. CANON EF 50MM F/1.8 STM LENS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Features:
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, also nicknamed as "nifty fifty" is an affordable prime lens. It is one of the best Canon bokeh lens for beginners since it is extremely easy to handle. The high performance rendered by this lens along with its user-friendliness makes it an appealing offer for shutterbugs.
Thanks to the well-controlled distortion and fast aperture, it is now fun and easy to get the creamiest bokeh ever! Imagine capturing the daily charms of life and using the bokeh effect to bring them into the focus of attention. Finally, this lens creates bright images even in darkness, making it a match made in heaven for street photographers!
Design:
The lens comes in 6 elements in 5 groups with 7 aperture blades. The design consists of a sophisticated metal body, a metal mount with an upgraded focus ring. This adds a reasonable amount of durability.
Unfortunately, it is not weather-sealed so be careful on rainy days. The manual focus ring is well built, with no wobble. The lens has a quiet and smooth functioning STM, which is a great upgrade from its predecessor's micromotor.
It is by far one of the lightest lenses, weighing around 160g. You get a minimum shooting distance of 0.35m and a maximum magnification of 0.21x.
Performance:
The camera might not give the sharpest images but that is not a matter of importance for those who want to find the best canon lens for bokeh.
The lens makes it very easy for you to defocus the background and make your subject the center of attention! The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM can easily create a rich and creamy bokeh in the foreground as well.
This sort of effect is difficult to achieve with a kit lens. The maximum aperture helps create a soft effect that can be sharpened by narrowing the aperture. The lens's closest focusing distance is impressive, making it easier to take closer shots of subjects.
Pros
Cons
3. CANON EF 85MM F/1.8 USM LENS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Features:
Are you looking for a lens that is both affordable and delivers an excellent performance? Look no further! The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is a versatile medium telephoto lens featuring excellent shutter speeds, a wide focal range, and a super affordable price tag!
Why am I talking about the price tag so much? Well, just imagine purchasing kit lenses with the same price as this one and then getting low-quality images.
The Canon EF 85mm gives you an amazing image quality at the same price as a kit lens. It comes with an excellent aperture of 1.8, allowing you to take pictures indoors and gives you the creamy blur that you're looking for.
Design:
The design cuts down costs by using a plastic build. This might be disappointing but most budget-friendly models use plastic builds. It's not as bad as you think though. The plastic used in this lens is solid which also reduces the weight of the lens.
However, the actual disappointment is the lack of weather sealing. But the lens has a great internal mechanism. It comes with an Ultrasonic Motor and an impressive 8-bladed aperture. You also get a Super Spectra coating which ensures a balanced contrast and saturation.
It also controls ghosting and flare. All in all, the build may not seem aesthetic but the internal mechanism makes up for it.
Performance:
The lens does an outstanding performance. At f/2.0, the lens delivers an extremely sharp image with a beautiful color and contrast balance. The background blur quality is optimal. It blurs out the background nicely while keeping the details intact.
The wide-open aperture at 85mm f/1.8 melts the background away into a creamy bokeh. The lens is also great for indoor sports since the fast focusing works well with it. The autofocus is great because you won't need to micro-adjust it much to get full focus.
All in all, it is a good professional lens for those who want a lens that is durable and practical without breaking the bank.
Pros
Cons
4. CANON EF 24-70MM F/2.8L II USM - BEST CANON LENS FOR BLURRED BACKGROUND
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Features:
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is a great general-purpose lens with full-frame compatibility. It offers high-end image quality along with impressive AF accuracy.
The images produced by the lens are very sharp and has good contrast across all focal range. The lens also has low distortion.
Despite being feature-rich, the EF 24-70mm weighs light and comes with weather-sealed protection. This is supposed to be a workhorse lens for professionals and lives up to its name by delivering the best results in different situations.
The optical design is impressive, coming with two low dispersion glass elements. The lens excels at background blur, thanks to its circular aperture diaphragm.
Design:
The lens comes in 18 elements in 13 groups, two UD glass elements and a super UD aspherical element. This greatly reduces aberrations. The design is light and compact, with weather protection.
The ring-type USM comes with an impressive internal focusing design and an optimized high CPU.
The lens is also covered with a fluorine coating which resists grease and moisture. With this, you can clean your lenses very easily.
But the design element which makes this a great lens for bokeh is its rounded 9-bladed diaphragm. This is useful for selective focus techniques and allows you to achieve a pleasing blur.
Performance:
The EF 24-70mm is a good lens for clicking sharp images. The sharpness in this lens is evenly spread out. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor photography and is not restricted to only landscapes. As for blur, the lens has a reasonably good blur quality. It is consistent and has a dreamy quality to it.
And if you like taking close-ups, this lens will come to your rescue. With a magnification of 0.29x and a minimum focus distance of 0.38mm, this lens does a great job at macro.
The only downside is that the lens does not come with image stabilization, which is a problem for handheld shooters.
Pros
Cons
5. CANON EF 70-200MM F/2.8L USM LENS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Features:
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM is a professional lens with a reasonable price tag. This was a popular choice back in 1995 and has remained in production even now. The focal length is ideal for landscapes and nature photography.
The spectacular and unique design of the lens sets it apart from the rest. The design is super robust and is designed for heavy service. However, this is not a lightweight lens so don't ditch your tripod just yet.
However, the lens does a great job at clicking smooth bokeh with almost no distortion. It is very ergonomic as well since the physical mechanisms are very smooth to use.
Design:
The design is very unique and comes with an aperture of f/2.8. The outer body of the lens is solid and feels high-grade. The lens is equipped with 4 ultra-low dispersion elements which are used for reducing chromatic aberrations.
The Super Spectra coating minimizes ghosting and flare along with improving color and contrast balance. You will also get a focus limiter which lets you get more control over which part of the image you will focus upon.
It also comes with a removable tripod collar, making it easy for you to work with the lens on either a monopod or a tripod.
Performance:
The lens has a beautiful color rendition, making the details vibrant and lifelike. The sharpness is wonderfully crisp, making each element of the lens stand out. Ghosting and flaring is not present under normal use. The bokeh is impressive and reaches maximum quality at 200mm and becomes neutral when stopped down. At 70mm, the bokeh looks mediocre.
The EF 70-200mm delivers a fixed focal length performance but in a more versatile manner. Versatile in this context refers to zooming versatility.
Its 8-blade circular aperture creates a distinction between the background and foreground, creating a blur quality that is unmatchable. All in all, this lens is great for those looking for some serious capturing.
Pros
Cons
6. CANON EF 100MM F/2.8L IS USM LENS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Features:
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens is a good lens that combines excellent image quality and a fun lens to use. It comes with a very fast and accurate focus. The manual focus ring is well-damped and functions smoothly.
You get a great color contrast and sharp image. It is very easy to use and has weather sealing, which is a quality you should look for if you are a street photographer.
It is a great lens for shooting close-ups and the 8-aperture blades help to create a good blur. This is a good lens who wants a durable and affordable lens for everyday use.
Design:
The lens comes with a minimum focus distance of 30cm. It is a well-built lens, equipped with a metal mount. It has a high-quality plastic-bodied barrel with a ridged rubber coating, making it comfortable to handle.
It has image stabilization and a high amount of optical elements. Other than that, weather protection is useful when using this lens in rainy or humid conditions. The rubberized focus ring is smooth and rotates up to 160 degrees.
At the front is a 67mm filter thread which is surrounded by a bayonet mount. A hood is present which is flocked in the interior. It also comes with an inner focusing system that does not extend unnecessarily.
Performance:
The lens performs really well which is expected since this is a lens from the L series. The internal focusing motor allows your lens to focus really quickly and quietly. However the speed reduces due to such a large focal range.
However, Canon included a focus limiter with three options: 0.5m, 0.3m and 0.5-infinity. This significantly increases focal speed.
The image quality is very sharp even at the corners. The bokeh is absolutely breathtaking in this lens. Optic technology creates a great foreground and background blur, which looks best at max aperture. The out of focus highlights are prominent even at f/5.6.
Pros
Cons
BEST BOKEH LENS FOR CANON APS-C CAMERAS
7. CANON EF-S 24MM F/2.8 STM LENS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Features:
Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is a wide-angle pancake type lens for APS-C DSLR cameras. It features an impressive focal length of 38mm. It also has a micro-stepping system which allows for a smooth and continuous quiet autofocus.
The minimum flaring and ghosting combined with its close focus ability make it one of the best lens for bokeh canon. The image output has a very good color rendition. Moreover, the field of view of this lens is wide, making it a pretty versatile lens.
Aside from being good for bokeh, it is a great lens for everyday photography.
Design:
The lens is very easy to use since it just weighs 125g and is 23cm in length. It is the lightest and the most compact lens for APS-C cameras. The build quality is reasonably good. It feels solid in your hand. Even though it has plastic construction, the mount is made of metal, which adds another percentage of durability to the body.
The focus ring is pretty small and narrow but has a ridged rubberized band around it for comfort. However, those with big hands might have a problem with manual focusing due to the small focus ring. There is nothing out of ordinary in terms of function buttons. You will find the usual control switch to toggle between AF/MF on the barrel.
Performance:
Despite certain design flaws, the lens can still be labeled as one of the best lens for bokeh canon. The 24mm utilizes the STM focus motor which gives a smooth focus. STM is also quieter than micro-motors. The lens focuses accurately, resulting in vivid image quality.
As for the overall quality of the image, one may underestimate the lens because of its size. But it will come off as a pleasant surprise when you see the sharpness of the pictures.
The crispness remains consistent even at the corners. Chromatic aberrations are well controlled with the lens, even though there is some green fringing under bright sunlight.
As for the bokeh, it does a marvelous job. They are distinct and clear so if you like keeping bokeh as the subject matter, this is the best canon lens for blurred background.
Pros
Cons
8. CANON EF-S 35MM F/2.8 IS STM LENS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Features:
The Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM comes across as your average lens. But you will be surprised to know that this lens is one of the first EF-S lenses to exist.
It features a unique Macro Lite technology so that you can take close-up macro shots. It has a Hybrid Optical Image Stabilizer along with a 7-blade aperture.
Moreover, the Super Spectra Coating is present to reduce several chromatic aberrations. But the feature that makes this the best canon lens for blurred background is the maximum aperture.
This helps you to handle the shallow depth of field easily. Moreover, since this is an STM lens, it has been designed to give you smooth and quick autofocus. This is a feature that videographers will love.
Design:
The Canon EF-S 35mm has a small build, making it an ideal lens for street photography. Moreover, even though it is meant for macro photography, you can still use it for daily use, thanks to its optimal 56mm focal length.
It supports 49mm front filters. Overall, the appearance of the lens is average. The lens has the usual polycarbonate barrel and a plastic mount. I found this disappointing since other budget-friendly lenses in this price range offer metal mounts.
On the upside, there is a toggle switch for manual and autofocus. The motor response however is a little too sensitive for making small adjustments at a close distance. However, the unique part of the design is the macro lights.
There is a button that you can press to switch the lights on with maximum intensity. If you press it again, it lowers the intensity, and on the third press, it switches the light off. This is useful for giving some brightness when your camera casts a shadow.
Performance:
Since this is a macro lens, let's first address the Canon EF-S 35mm's performance in this area. The maximum magnification of 1.0x and a close focusing distance of 13cm allows you to get very close to the subject.
This makes it very easy to take pictures of small subjects. And since you require a good focusing distance for clicking bokeh, this lens is some of the best Canon lens for blurred background.
Moreover, the built-in macro lights illuminate the ambiance and add a dreamy quality to the background. Now coming to the quality of the bokeh, I would say that the lens succeeds in creating a very strong background blur. The foreground looks crisp and distinct, contoured by the consistent blur in the background.
As for the sharpness, it is great between f/4 and f/8. However, at f/11, it grows a bit softer. With a combination of great bokeh and sharp output, you can use this lens to click stunning portraits as well.
Moreover, if you are interested in product and food photography, this lens is a great choice. So consider this lens if want to add a Macro lens to your kit.
Pros
Cons
BEST BOKEH LENS FOR CANON MIRRORLESS CAMERAS
9. CANON RF 85MM F2 IS STM LENS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Features:
Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is a pocket-friendly prime lens. It boasts of a smooth performance while shooting both portraits and macro shots. Moreover, the quiet STM focusing along with the noiseless control ring makes it a great medium for videographers.
Compared to its bulky predecessor, the f/1.2 L, the f/2 is lightweight and has a 5-stop Image Stabilization. However, if you pair it with Canon EOS R6, you can also get an 8-stop stabilization. This is perfect for shooting portraits and close-ups.
The f/2 aperture might not be as fast as a lens from the L-series. But it works its magic by creating a pleasing bokeh. Finally, the lens is also good for achieving impressive sharpness.
Design:
The RF 85mm f/2 is a surprisingly compact lens. It measures around 78 x 91mm and weighs 500g. It is a compact lens that will fit in your bag. This is good for those who want to travel light. The design is sleek and looks expensive, despite being modestly priced.
It comes with a three-point focus limiter and a toggle switch for AF/MF. On the downside, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 does not come with weather sealing, as in the case of other inexpensive lenses.
The STM motor is not disruptive and comes with a smooth focus, ideal for both general and macro photography.
Performance:
The RF 85mm f/2 has been the best in the mirrorless lineup. It produces high-quality images, resembling that of premium-grade models. It gives your corner to corner sharpness and maintains this crispness even when shot at wide open in f/2. It achieves peak sharpness at f/4 and f/5.6. But the true mastery of this lens comes out when you capture bokeh.
The f/2 aperture succeeds in capturing a butter-smooth foreground and background blur. The blur does get a bit busy at f/1.8 but that is very negligible.
The image stabilizer is a game-changer for videographers and macro photographers alike. Distortion is controlled and fringing is almost unnoticeable.
Note: If you do a lot of video or photography work who is looking for more options, then you should probably take a look at these best lenses for canon.
Pros
Cons
10. CANON RF 35MM F/1.8 IS STM LENS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Features:
It is one of the first non-L series lenses in the RF category and it is relatively cheaper than most of the lenses in this category. It is a prime lens and is lighter and more compact than those in the line. A 35mm f/1.8 lens is more or less versatile and practical.
It's wide range application makes it an appealing option for a host of photographers with varied interests. This lens is perfect for nature, landscape, street, and even portraits. The lens even comes with image stabilization which makes handheld photography way easier.
The best part about this lens is it's capability to reduce various amounts of chromatic aberrations.
Design:
The model comes in 11 elements in 9 groups. The design features an aspherical glass element. This ensures that the image quality remains intact throughout the focusing distance. The Digital Lens Optimizer takes care of the softening effects.
The diaphragm has 9 blades which work well with bokeh. The design itself is light enough for single handed operation. There are two switches that allow you to control the focus and to toggle image stabilization.
The metal mount and the matte grey finish around the barrel adds a sophisticated touch to the lens. You will find the control ring in the front of the lens, while the focus ring remains in the middle of the barrel.
Performance:
The RF 35mm f/1.8 stands out among the RF series because it delivers such smooth performance at such a low price. First of all, the f/1.8 aperture is super fast. It allows you to take vibrant and brightly lit pictures even in low light.
The lens manages sharp pictures even at lower ISOs. The image stabilization function is efficient and allows you to preserve the quality of sharpness in pictures. Moreover since this is a Macro lens, it allows you to get closer to the subject which enhances blur and Bokeh.
This is a nifty lens that packs a punch. Hence, if you want something economical yet efficient, this is the lens for you!
Pros
Cons
BOKEH CAMERA SETTINGS
Achieving a visually aesthetic bokeh seems like a lot of work but it’s actually not. You just need to keep certain things in mind while setting up your camera. Here are some tips to get the correct bokeh settings. With these bokeh tips, you will understand how to take bokeh photo perfectly each time.
This is one of the most important bokeh settings to consider. Blurring out the background requires keeping your aperture wide. Therefore, setting up your bokeh camera settings to AV mode will allow you to automatically set up the shutter speed.
Even if your camera has great bokeh camera settings, it won’t guarantee a good composition unless you select the right background. Plain backgrounds are not ideal for a pleasing bokeh, so select a variety of elements like patterns and textures. This is a fact you need to keep in mind to know how to take a bokeh photo.
You don’t always need to use your maximum aperture for bokeh. Take this as one of the important bokeh tips in order for you to learn how to shoot bokeh. At maximum aperture, the blurred elements become almost too mushy and indistinct. Instead of opening your aperture all the way to f/1.4, you can select f/1.8 or f/2.8 instead.
This tip might not be that important to know how to shoot bokeh, but it will enhance the quality of your blur. The farther the backdrop is from the subject, the better the bokeh.
BUYING GUIDE
A fast lens is ideal for shooting bokeh images since it enhances selective focus to give you a shallow depth of field. This is great for isolating subjects from the background. Moreover, you will be able to take pictures in low light.
With this function, you will be able to modify the focus instead of depending on the autofocus function. This gives you more control over the focus while taking pictures.
If you want to take good bokeh, get yourself a lens with a long focal length. This will allow you to separate the subject from the background easily.
For getting the best quality bokeh, you need to purchase a lens that has more than 8 circular diaphragm blades. If the lens has 11 blades, then your blur quality will be top-notch.
CONCLUSION
Bokeh is a beautiful technique that can turn any composition into a stunning masterpiece. The soft blur in the background can make any portrait or nature photo look like something out of a dreamscape.
This might look like a difficult technique to master but if you have the correct Bokeh lens, the process becomes easier. Moreover, by following the tips and hacks given in this article, you will get the hang of it in no time.
FAQ'S
Typically, most budget lenses have six blades. If it's a professional lens, then you get a nine blade diaphragm. Now it completely depends on your preference and budget. This list has lenses ranging from 6 to 9 blades.
Definitely. Telephoto lenses can make your background look closer than it is. This means that the Bokeh will look enlarged and exaggerated compared to short camera lenses.
