What is the best portrait lens for Nikon Z6?

Question

What is the absolute best portrait lens for the Nikon Z6 right now if I actually want that creamy bokeh without spending a fortune on the Noct?

I have been shooting with Nikon for like 10 years mostly on my old D750 with the 85mm 1.8G and I finally switched to the Z6 mirrorless body a few months ago. While I am using the FTZ adapter for my old glass right now I feel like I am missing something. The autofocus is faster sure but the old 85mm feels a bit clinical or maybe just jittery on the new sensor? I dont know how to describe it but it just doesnt feel the same anymore.

I am doing a wedding shoot for my cousin in Seattle next month and I really want to upgrade to native Z glass before then. I looked at the 85mm f/1.8 S and people say its sharp but is it too sharp for portraits? Like will it show every single pore on the skin? I was also looking at the Viltrox 85mm because its way cheaper but I am worried about the color fringing and if the eye-af will actually stay locked on during the ceremony.

My budget is around $800 max so the f/1.2 is way out of the question sadly. Is there a sleeper lens I am missing or should I just stick with the S line 1.8 and call it a day? The 50mm 1.8 S also looks decent but maybe too wide for what I want...

CharlesSom · Accepted Answer

Saw this earlier... what kind of venue size are you dealing with? Seattle spots can get pretty cramped.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 105mm f/2.8 MC S: Total sleeper for portraits. The bokeh is buttery, but make sure you have enough room to back up.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S: Great for the reception, tho it might feel a bit wide imo. I would suggest checking your working distance.

Magnolia West · Answer

I would suggest staying safe with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S. The Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8 Z is cheaper, but be careful about missing focus during the ceremony. Good luck!

lily_Ra · Answer

I've been dealing with this exact same dilemma myself lately. Honestly the transition from the D750 to the Z series is way smoother on paper than it is in reality sometimes. I've spent hours trying to decide if I should ditch my F-mount 85mm or just keep struggling with the adapter because the native glass is just so expensive for what it is. My biggest worry, and something you really gotta be careful about for a wedding, is the reliability of those third-party lenses like Viltrox. In my experience, even if they're sharp, the firmware updates can be super finicky. You really dont want the lens to lose communication with the body right as the vows are happening. It's a massive risk when you're doing professional work for family. I've seen too many people get burned by focus hunting in low light when using non-native glass at events. I actually just started using PriceDropCatch to track the native S-line prices because I'm terrified of a lens failing me during a paid gig. Its just not worth the headache of saving a few hundred bucks if the eye-af hunting ruins your shots. Better to be safe than sorry when you only get one chance at those moments... just keep an eye on those firmware warnings if you do go off-brand.