Here's a breakdown to help you decide which might be better for *your* needs:
50mm Lens for Portraits:
Pros:
* Versatility: 50mm lenses are often called the "nifty fifty" for a reason. They're incredibly versatile. You can use them for portraits, street photography, landscapes (to a degree), and general photography. This makes them a good all-around choice.
* Affordability: 50mm lenses, especially the f/1.8 versions, are generally very affordable. This makes them an excellent entry point into portrait photography or for photographers on a budget.
* Field of View: A 50mm lens has a field of view that's closer to human vision. This can create a more natural, "this is how I see them" perspective.
* Environmental Portraits: The wider field of view allows you to include more of the environment in your portrait, telling a story about the subject and their surroundings. You can capture more of their workspace, home, or a beautiful outdoor location.
* Closer to the Subject: You'll need to be physically closer to your subject. This can be good for building rapport and connection, but can also be intimidating for some subjects.
* Group Portraits: Easier to fit multiple subjects in the frame.
Cons:
* Less Background Blur (Bokeh): While you can still achieve background blur with a 50mm, it won't be as pronounced or creamy as with an 85mm, especially at equivalent apertures.
* Potential for Distortion (Slightly): If you're very close to the subject, a 50mm lens can slightly distort facial features, particularly the nose. This is generally less noticeable than with wider lenses, but it's something to be aware of.
* May Require More Cropping: To get a tighter headshot, you might need to crop in post-processing, potentially sacrificing some resolution.
85mm Lens for Portraits:
Pros:
* Ideal Portrait Focal Length: Many portrait photographers consider 85mm to be the sweet spot for portraits. It creates a flattering perspective that compresses features and avoids distortion.
* Beautiful Bokeh: 85mm lenses excel at creating smooth, creamy background blur (bokeh). This helps isolate the subject and draws the viewer's attention to them.
* Comfortable Working Distance: You can stand a bit further away from your subject than with a 50mm, which can make them feel more comfortable and relaxed, especially for those who are camera-shy.
* Excellent for Headshots and Tight Framing: The longer focal length is perfect for headshots, close-ups, and portraits where you want to fill the frame with the subject's face.
* Lens Compression: The longer focal length compresses the image, making the background appear closer to the subject. This can create a more intimate and focused feel.
Cons:
* Less Versatile: An 85mm lens is primarily a portrait lens. It's not as well-suited for general photography or landscapes as a 50mm.
* More Expensive: 85mm lenses, particularly those with wide apertures (e.g., f/1.4, f/1.8), tend to be more expensive than 50mm lenses.
* Requires More Space: You need more space to work with an 85mm lens. It's not ideal for shooting portraits in small, confined spaces.
* May Feel "Too Close" with Crop Sensors: On a crop sensor camera, an 85mm lens becomes even more zoomed in (equivalent to around 127.5mm on many APS-C sensors). This can make it challenging to compose full-body portraits.
* Less Environmental Context: Capturing the environment around your subject is more difficult, as the field of view is narrower.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm Lens | 85mm Lens |
|----------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Lower |
| Affordability | Generally Lower | Generally Higher |
| Bokeh | Good, but less creamy | Excellent, very creamy |
| Distortion | Minimal, but possible | Minimal |
| Working Distance| Closer | Further |
| Perspective | More natural | More compressed |
| Ideal For | Environmental portraits, general use | Headshots, isolating the subject |
| Space Required | Less | More |
Which is Right for YOU?
* Choose 50mm if:
* You're on a budget.
* You want a versatile lens for more than just portraits.
* You enjoy including the environment in your portraits.
* You often shoot in small spaces.
* You want to build a closer connection with your subject.
* You shoot group portraits often.
* Choose 85mm if:
* You primarily shoot portraits and want the best possible background blur and flattering perspective.
* You prefer a comfortable working distance.
* You have enough space to move around.
* You want to isolate your subject from the background.
* You are shooting on a full-frame camera.
Consider These Factors Too:
* Your Camera Sensor: On a crop sensor camera, the effective focal length of both lenses will be different. A 50mm becomes more like an 80mm (ish, depending on the crop factor), making it a good choice for a tighter view, while an 85mm will become significantly zoomed in, requiring even more space. Keep this in mind when choosing.
* Your Shooting Style: Think about how you typically compose your portraits. Do you prefer wide shots that show the environment, or tight close-ups?
* Your Subject's Comfort: Some subjects feel more comfortable when the photographer is further away.
* Aperture: Both lenses are often available with wide apertures (e.g., f/1.4, f/1.8, f/2). A wider aperture will allow more light into the camera, resulting in brighter images and shallower depth of field (more background blur).
The Best Approach: Try Both!
If possible, rent or borrow both a 50mm and an 85mm lens and experiment with them to see which one you prefer. Nothing beats hands-on experience. You might even find that you like having both in your kit!