50mm Lens for Portraits:
Pros:
* Versatility: The 50mm is a very versatile lens. You can shoot full-body shots, environmental portraits, and tighter headshots (though less ideal for the tightest crops).
* Smaller and Lighter: Generally, 50mm lenses are more compact and lighter than 85mm lenses, making them easier to carry and handle for extended periods.
* Affordability: Typically, a good 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 lens is much more affordable than an equivalent 85mm lens.
* Environmental Portraits: The wider field of view allows you to include more of the background, telling a story about the subject and their surroundings. This is great for capturing context.
* Good in tight spaces: Easier to use indoors or in smaller studios.
Cons:
* Less Background Compression: The 50mm lens doesn't compress the background as much as an 85mm, which can make backgrounds appear less blurred (bokeh) and more distracting.
* May Require You to Get Closer: To achieve tighter headshots, you'll need to get closer to your subject, which some people find less comfortable or intimidating. Can feel less flattering for some face shapes up close.
* Can introduce distortion: At close range, a 50mm lens can introduce slight distortion, especially near the edges of the frame.
85mm Lens for Portraits:
Pros:
* Excellent Background Compression (Bokeh): The longer focal length creates beautiful background blur, isolating your subject and creating a dreamy, professional look.
* Flattering Perspective: The 85mm lens is widely considered to provide a very flattering perspective for portraits, minimizing distortion and creating pleasing proportions. It tends to smooth out features.
* Comfortable Distance: You can maintain a comfortable distance from your subject, which can help them feel more relaxed and natural.
* Easier to Isolate Subject: Due to the compression and background blur, it's easier to isolate your subject from distracting backgrounds.
* Better for Headshots and Upper Body Portraits: Ideal for tight crops and waist-up shots.
Cons:
* Less Versatile: The 85mm is primarily a portrait lens. It's not as well-suited for wider shots or general photography.
* Larger and Heavier: Typically, 85mm lenses are larger and heavier than 50mm lenses.
* More Expensive: An 85mm lens with a wide aperture (like f/1.8 or f/1.4) is often more expensive than a comparable 50mm lens.
* Requires More Space: The longer focal length requires more distance between you and your subject, making it challenging to use in small spaces or indoors.
* More Challenging to Shoot Full-Body: Requires significantly more space to get a full body shot.
Summary Table:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|---------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Low |
| Background Blur | Less | More |
| Perspective | Neutral/Slight Distortion | Flattering |
| Size & Weight | Smaller & Lighter | Larger & Heavier |
| Price | More Affordable | More Expensive |
| Distance to Subject| Closer | Further |
| Space Needed | Less | More |
| Best For | Environmental Portraits, Versatility | Headshots, Background Isolation, Flattering Look |
Which Should You Choose?
* Beginner or Limited Budget: Start with a 50mm f/1.8. It's affordable, versatile, and a great lens to learn the basics of portrait photography.
* Primarily Shooting Portraits: The 85mm is generally preferred for professional-looking portraits with beautiful background blur and a flattering perspective, if you have the space and budget.
* Environmental Portraits: If you want to capture your subject in their environment and tell a story about them, the 50mm is a better choice.
* Shooting in Small Spaces: The 50mm is more practical for indoor or small studio settings.
* Wedding Photography: Many wedding photographers carry both a 50mm and an 85mm (or a 24-70mm and an 85mm) to cover a range of shots.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both focal lengths and see which one you prefer and which one best suits your style and needs. Renting lenses before buying is a great option. Consider the type of portraits you enjoy shooting, the environments you typically work in, and your budget when making your decision. You might even find that having both lenses in your kit is the ideal solution.