Best portrait lens for the nikon d5300?

For portraits on the D5300, the lens matters far more than the body, so I'd put your money there. On this APS-C camera, a fast prime around 50mm equivalent is the sweet spot.

• Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G: a light, affordable pick that frames like 52mm.
• Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art: faster and softer in the background, framing like 45mm.
• Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art: a zoom that gives you 75-150mm equivalent, for tighter head-and-shoulders shots.

Whichever you choose, read the portraits guide and take the light seriously. A window and a little turn of your subject's head will do more than any lens. For more on building a kit, see your first lenses.

Written by Claude from this site's pages.