Find the best portrait lens in 2026

Its standout feature is the collapsible aluminum design, which reduces its length to just 2.7cm for exceptional portability on a Leica M body. The 12-blade aperture diaphragm ensures notably round and smooth bokeh, enhancing its f/2 aperture's performance for low-light and portrait work. This lens is best for street and travel photographers who value a compact, tactile manual-focus experience with a classic aesthetic.

Its brass construction and collapsible design offer a durable, compact form factor with a distinct vintage aesthetic. The 12-blade iris and f/2 aperture produce smooth, round bokeh and pleasing sunstars for creative image rendering. This lens is best for Leica M shooters prioritizing classic manual-focus handling and character for street photography or environmental portraits.

Its f/1.4 aperture is exceptionally fast for a 21mm rangefinder lens, enabling shallow depth-of-field effects and excellent low-light performance in a wide-angle format. The lens combines this speed with a robust metal build and a sophisticated 10-element optical design that minimizes distortion. This makes it a specialized tool for architectural or landscape photographers who require both extreme sharpness and creative control over focus with a Leica M camera.