50mm Lens (Pros):
* Versatile: A 50mm lens is considered a "standard" focal length, meaning it's closer to how the human eye sees the world. This makes it more versatile for general photography beyond just portraits.
* Affordable: Generally, 50mm lenses are more affordable than 85mm lenses, especially the fast f/1.8 versions. This makes it a great entry point for portrait photography.
* Works well in tighter spaces: If you're shooting indoors or in smaller studios, the wider field of view of a 50mm lens is often more practical. You don't need as much distance between you and your subject.
* Environmental Portraits: 50mm is great for incorporating the environment into your portraits, telling a story about the subject and their surroundings. It gives a wider view, so more background is visible.
* Easier to work with in a crowd: Street photography often requires quickly capturing portraits in crowded situations. The 50mm allows you to be less conspicuous and move around more easily.
50mm Lens (Cons):
* Less Background Compression: It doesn't compress the background as much as an 85mm, meaning backgrounds may appear less blurred and potentially more distracting.
* Can require getting closer: To fill the frame with your subject, you'll need to get closer, which some subjects might find less comfortable.
* Potential for slight distortion at close range: At very close range, a 50mm lens can exhibit slight distortion, making facial features appear less flattering (though this is usually minimal).
85mm Lens (Pros):
* Flattering Perspective: 85mm is widely regarded as a classic portrait focal length because it offers a very flattering perspective on the face. It minimizes distortion and provides a more natural look.
* Background Compression: The longer focal length compresses the background, creating a more blurred, creamy bokeh that isolates the subject. This helps to eliminate distracting elements and draw attention to the face.
* Subject Comfort: You can maintain a comfortable distance from your subject while still filling the frame, which can help them feel more relaxed and natural.
* Excellent for Headshots and Close-ups: It's ideal for capturing detailed headshots and close-ups with beautiful bokeh.
85mm Lens (Cons):
* Less Versatile: Not as versatile as a 50mm for general photography. The narrow field of view limits its use in certain situations.
* Can be more expensive: High-quality 85mm lenses (especially those with fast apertures like f/1.4 or f/1.8) are often more expensive than 50mm equivalents.
* Requires more space: You need more distance between you and your subject, which can be challenging in small spaces.
* May lose some environmental context: The strong background compression can sometimes eliminate important contextual information from the environment.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|--------------------|-------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Lower |
| Price | Generally more affordable | Generally more expensive |
| Space Needed | Less | More |
| Background Blur | Less (wider depth of field) | More (shallower depth of field) |
| Perspective | More natural, slight potential for distortion| More flattering, less distortion |
| Subject Distance | Closer | More distant |
| Ideal For | Environmental portraits, tighter spaces, general use | Headshots, close-ups, flattering features |
| Story Telling | Can incorporate environment for context. | Isolates subject from distractions. |
Which one should you choose?
* Start with the 50mm if:
* You're on a budget.
* You shoot in small spaces.
* You want a more versatile lens.
* You want to capture environmental portraits.
* Go with the 85mm if:
* You prioritize flattering portraits with beautiful bokeh.
* You have enough space to work with.
* You want to isolate your subject and minimize distractions.
* You plan to specialize in portrait photography.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both lenses if possible. Rent them or borrow them from a friend and experiment with different shooting scenarios. Consider your shooting style, the type of portraits you want to create, and the environments you typically work in. You might even find that you prefer both, using the 50mm for certain situations and the 85mm for others. Good luck!