50mm Lens:
Pros:
* Versatility: 50mm is a very versatile focal length, suitable for a wide range of shots, including portraits, street photography, and general use. It's not exclusively a portrait lens, making it a great everyday lens.
* Field of View: Its wider field of view (compared to 85mm) allows you to include more of the background and surroundings in your portraits. This can be beneficial for environmental portraits, telling a story about the subject's environment.
* Price: Generally, 50mm lenses, especially "nifty fifties" with wide apertures like f/1.8, are very affordable.
* Compact and Lightweight: Often smaller and lighter than 85mm lenses, making them easier to carry around.
* Good in Tight Spaces: The wider field of view makes it more suitable for shooting portraits indoors in smaller rooms.
Cons:
* Perspective Distortion: Can sometimes exhibit slight perspective distortion, especially when shooting close-ups. The subject's features might appear slightly less flattering than with a longer focal length.
* Background Blur (Bokeh): While you can still achieve background blur, it won't be as pronounced or creamy as with an 85mm lens, especially at the same aperture.
* Requires Getting Closer: To fill the frame with the subject, you need to get physically closer, which can make some subjects feel uncomfortable.
85mm Lens:
Pros:
* Ideal Perspective: Widely considered a classic portrait focal length because it offers a flattering perspective, minimizing distortion and making facial features look more natural.
* Subject Isolation: The narrower field of view and longer focal length create excellent subject isolation, blurring the background beautifully (bokeh). This helps draw attention to the subject.
* Compression: The longer focal length compresses the background, making it appear closer to the subject. This can create visually appealing compositions.
* Distance from Subject: Allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject, which can be less intimidating and lead to more natural expressions.
Cons:
* Less Versatile: More specialized for portraits and may not be as useful for other types of photography.
* Price: Generally more expensive than 50mm lenses, especially those with wide apertures.
* Size and Weight: Often larger and heavier than 50mm lenses.
* Not Ideal for Tight Spaces: The narrower field of view can make it challenging to shoot portraits indoors in small rooms.
* Requires More Space: Needs more space to work, as you'll need to stand further back from your subject.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|-----------------|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Lower |
| Perspective | Slight distortion possible | Flattering, minimal distortion |
| Background Blur | Good, but less pronounced | Excellent, creamy bokeh |
| Compression | Less | More |
| Price | Generally more affordable | Generally more expensive |
| Size & Weight | Smaller and lighter | Larger and heavier |
| Space Required | Less | More |
| Ideal For | Environmental portraits, tighter spaces | Isolated portraits, flattering perspective |
When to Choose 50mm:
* You want a versatile lens for everyday use and portraits.
* You enjoy environmental portraits that show the subject in their surroundings.
* You're on a budget.
* You often shoot in tight spaces.
* You prefer to be closer to your subject.
When to Choose 85mm:
* You prioritize flattering portraits with excellent subject isolation.
* You want creamy background blur (bokeh).
* You prefer to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject.
* You have plenty of space to work.
* Budget isn't a major concern.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both lenses if possible. Rent them, borrow them, or visit a camera store and try them out with your own camera. Pay attention to the perspective, background blur, and overall feel of the images you create.
Other Considerations:
* Your Camera's Sensor Size: These focal lengths are typically discussed in terms of full-frame cameras. If you're using a crop sensor camera (APS-C or Micro Four Thirds), you'll need to consider the crop factor, which will effectively make the lens longer. For example, on an APS-C camera with a 1.5x crop factor, a 50mm lens will have a similar field of view to a 75mm lens on a full-frame camera.
* Aperture: Regardless of the focal length, consider the lens's maximum aperture (f-stop). A wider aperture (e.g., f/1.4, f/1.8) will allow more light into the camera, resulting in shallower depth of field and better background blur.
* Your Style: Do you prefer a more natural, documentary-style portrait, or a more posed, polished look? Your style will influence your lens choice.
In conclusion, there's no definitive "best" choice. Both 50mm and 85mm lenses are excellent for portrait photography, each offering unique advantages. Consider your shooting style, budget, and the type of portraits you want to create to make the best decision for your needs. Good luck!