Portrait Lens Test: 35mm to 135mm (What Looks Most Flattering?)

Are you using the wrong lens for your portraits? In this video, I test focal lengths from 35mm to 135mm so you can see exactly how each one changes your subject—from distortion to compression and overall appearance. You’ll see side-by-side comparisons for both headshots and full-body portraits under controlled studio lighting. This isn’t theory—it’s a real-world test to show which focal lengths look the most natural, which ones create distortion, and when each lens actually makes sense to use. If you’ve ever wondered whether 50mm, 85mm, or 135mm is “best” for portraits, this will give you a clear answer based on real results. 📸 Gear Featured in This Video Canon R5 Mark II Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cJZyir B&H: https://bhpho.to/3Yc4YyB Canon BG-R20 Battery Grip for EOS R5 Mark II Amazon: https://amzn.to/3B3Bg5f B&H: https://bhpho.to/3XJFyaT Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.0 L Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vkEWbE B&H: https://bhpho.to/426bKEM Canon RF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Z4GOd5 B&H: https://bhpho.to/3HkgKNY Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM Amazon: https://amzn.to/3tHbPxm B&H: https://bhpho.to/3L6f1Na Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 00:51 - What is focal length and why does it matter? 01:37 - Headshot test: 35mm to 135mm 02:48 - What wide-angle lenses are actually good for 03:30 - Telephoto advantages in portrait work 04:09 - Full-body seated test: 50mm vs 70mm vs 85mm 05:14 - There are levels to this! Click here for a full list of all the gear I use in the studio - https://johngress.com/gear/ Disclosure: This description contains affiliate links. If you use them, I may earn a commission — at no additional cost to you. #PortraitPhotography #LensComparison #PhotographyTips #StudioPhotography #FocalLength