5 Lesser-Known Lenses Bokeh Fanatics Won't Want to Miss

Every photographer has experienced that moment of envy scrolling through Instagram, wondering how certain portraits achieve that impossibly smooth, cinematic background blur that seems to wrap subjects in pure light. Here are five fantastic portrait lenses that will give you some of the smoothest and unique bokeh you've ever seen.

TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 Swirly Bokeh Lens

Expect to Pay: $289

The TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 Swirly Bokeh lens is an incredible entry point into the world of unique optical character without breaking the bank. This manual focus lens deliberately recreates the legendary rendering characteristics of vintage lenses like the Carl Zeiss Biotar, delivering the famous "swirly bokeh" effect that creates a dramatic vortex-like background blur that seems to spiral around your subject. The effect is most pronounced when shooting wide open at f/1.5, with out-of-focus highlights taking on an organic, painterly quality that draws the viewer's eye directly to the subject.

What makes this lens particularly compelling is its accessibility combined with genuine optical character. The swirly effect is created by the lens's 6-element, 4-group double-Gauss optical design, which produces distinctive spherical aberration that manifests as curved bokeh patterns. It's pure optical physics creating something that modern corrected lenses simply cannot achieve. The 75mm focal length hits the sweet spot for portrait work, providing natural perspective compression while allowing comfortable working distances from your subjects.

The manual focus operation might seem daunting to photographers accustomed to autofocus, but it quickly becomes intuitive, especially with modern mirrorless cameras offering focus peaking and magnification aids. The all-metal construction feels substantial and premium despite the modest price point, though the lens does exhibit some softness wide open, a characteristic that actually enhances its vintage aesthetic rather than detracting from it. For photographers seeking to add genuine character to their portraits without the lottery of hunting vintage glass, the TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 delivers authentic optical magic at an unbeatable price. Just be sure to get an adapter to fit it to your camera.

Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS

Expect to Pay: $1,498

The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS is Sony's attempt to give photographers bokeh that's as close to perfect as possible. STF stands for "Smooth Trans Focus," and this lens achieves its otherworldly background rendering through an apodization filter, a specialized optical element that creates a gradual light falloff from the center to the edges of the lens aperture. The result is bokeh so smooth and creamy that backgrounds seem to dissolve into pure, painterly abstractions that make subjects appear to float in space.

The apodization filter works like a variable neutral density filter built into the lens, becoming progressively darker toward the edges. This eliminates the harsh edges typically seen in out-of-focus highlights, instead creating perfectly graduated transitions from sharp focus to complete blur. Out-of-focus lights become soft, ethereal orbs rather than the distinct circles or polygons produced by conventional lenses. The effect is so pronounced that backgrounds with complex details are transformed into impressionistic washes of color and tone.

The technological sophistication comes with tradeoffs that potential buyers need to understand. The apodization filter reduces light transmission by approximately two stops, meaning while the aperture is physically f/2.8, the actual light-gathering capability is closer to f/5.6. This necessitates higher ISO values or slower shutter speeds, making the lens less suitable for low-light scenarios where every photon counts. However, the built-in optical stabilization helps mitigate camera shake, and modern cameras' excellent high-ISO performance makes this limitation manageable. Besides, this is a lens made to be used outside. For portrait photographers prioritizing background quality above all else, the Sony STF creates looks that are genuinely impossible to achieve with most other lenses, making it an essential tool for creating portfolio-defining images.

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS

Expect to Pay: $3,299

Canon's RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS represents the absolute pinnacle of portrait lens engineering, combining the legendary Canon 85mm focal length with revolutionary Defocus Smoothing (DS) technology. The DS coating applied to specific lens elements creates an unprecedented level of background smoothness that elevates portrait work into the realm of fine art. Unlike the Sony STF's apodization filter, Canon's DS approach maintains more light transmission while still delivering remarkably smooth bokeh that makes subjects appear to glow against impossibly soft backgrounds.

The DS technology works by applying a special coating to lens elements that gradually reduces light transmission toward the periphery, similar in concept to apodization but with less dramatic light loss (1.3 stops versus 2). The result is bokeh with incredibly soft edges on out-of-focus highlights, creating backgrounds that seem to melt away rather than simply blur. The effect is most pronounced at wider apertures, where the f/1.2 maximum opening provides both exceptional low-light capability and the shallowest depth of field possible in this focal length class.

Beyond the DS magic, this lens represents Canon's cutting-edge RF mount technology at its finest. The massive f/1.2 aperture combined with advanced optical design delivers sharpness that borders on three-dimensional, with micro-contrast and resolution that makes every eyelash and skin texture pop with clarity. The 85mm focal length provides ideal perspective compression for portraiture, creating natural-looking proportions while allowing comfortable shooting distances. The weather-sealing and professional build quality ensure reliable performance in any conditions, while the customizable control ring provides immediate access to exposure settings. For photographers whose work demands absolute technical excellence combined with artistic expression, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L DS justifies its premium price through uncompromising image quality and unique optical character.

Laowa 105mm f/2 STF

Expect to Pay: $479-699

The Laowa 105mm f/2 STF offers a compelling alternative to the expensive Sony STF, delivering genuine smooth trans focus technology at a fraction of the cost and for many more lens mounts. Venus Optics has engineered this lens with an apodization element that creates beautifully graduated bokeh while maintaining the sharp, detailed rendering that modern portrait work demands. The 105mm focal length provides slightly more compression than the 85mm standard, creating even more dramatic background separation while keeping perspective natural and flattering.

The optical design incorporates high refractive elements and low dispersion glass to control chromatic aberration while preserving the distinctive STF character. Like other apodization lenses, the effective aperture is darker than the physical opening—while marked as f/2, the light transmission is equivalent to approximately f/3.2. However, this design choice allows for the creation of those impossibly smooth backgrounds that define the STF aesthetic. Out-of-focus highlights become perfect, soft-edged circles rather than the harsh geometric shapes produced by conventional lenses.

The manual focus operation requires more deliberate technique than autofocus lenses, but the generous focus throw and well-damped focusing ring make precise adjustments straightforward. The all-metal construction feels robust and professional, while the included lens hood provides adequate protection for the front element. For photographers seeking to explore the unique possibilities of STF technology without the premium price of the Sony option, the Laowa 105mm f/2 delivers authentic smooth trans focus character with excellent build quality and optical performance. The slight compromise in convenience and features is more than offset by the dramatic cost savings and the genuine optical magic this lens provides.

Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Trioplan 100mm f/2.8 II

Expect to Pay: $999

The Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Trioplan 100mm f/2.8 II represents the resurrection of one of photography's most legendary optical designs, bringing the famous "soap bubble bokeh" into the modern era with contemporary build quality and coatings. Based on the classic triplet design dating back to the early 20th century, this lens creates perhaps the most distinctive and recognizable bokeh signature in all of photography, where out-of-focus highlights literally appear as perfect soap bubbles floating in space around your subjects.

The soap bubble effect is achieved through the lens' simple yet ingenious three-element optical design combined with a 15-blade circular aperture. Out-of-focus highlights develop bright centers with soft, graduated edges that create an almost three-dimensional quality to the background blur. The effect is most pronounced when shooting at the maximum f/2.8 aperture with strong backlighting, where specular highlights transform into luminous orbs that seem to dance around the sharp subject. This isn't subtle background blur; it's dramatic, artistic effect that immediately identifies a Trioplan image.

The modern version II improves upon the vintage original with contemporary glass formulations, anti-reflective coatings, and precision mechanical construction while preserving the essential optical character that made the original legendary. The 100mm focal length provides ideal working distance for portraits while delivering natural perspective compression. The manual focus operation requires patience and skill, but the generous focus throw and tactile feedback make precise adjustments achievable. The minimum focusing distance of just under three feet allows for tighter compositions while maintaining the distinctive bubble bokeh effect. For photographers seeking to create truly unique images that stand apart from the clinical perfection of modern lenses, the Trioplan 100mm f/2.8 II offers an artistic tool that transforms ordinary backgrounds into extraordinary visual poetry.