85mm Lens: Pros
* Superior Subject Isolation: This is the 85mm's biggest strength. The longer focal length compresses the background, creating a shallower depth of field (when used at wider apertures like f/1.8 or f/1.4). This makes the subject stand out dramatically from the background, blurring distractions and creating a professional, polished look.
* Flattering Perspective: The 85mm generally produces more flattering facial features than a 50mm, especially for close-up portraits. It minimizes distortion and prevents features from appearing exaggerated.
* Comfortable Working Distance: Allows you to be far enough away from your subject that they feel more relaxed, leading to more natural and candid expressions. You're not "in their face."
* Ideal for Headshots and Tight Portraits: Excels at capturing the face and shoulders beautifully.
85mm Lens: Cons
* Requires More Space: The longer focal length means you need more room to move back to compose your shot. This can be a problem in small studios or cramped locations.
* Less Versatile for Environmental Portraits: While great for isolation, it's not as well-suited for including a lot of the environment in your portraits. You need more space to get the background elements in.
* More Expensive (Typically): High-quality 85mm lenses, especially those with wide apertures, tend to be more expensive than comparable 50mm lenses.
* More Pronounced Camera Shake: A longer focal length magnifies camera shake, so you might need a faster shutter speed or image stabilization (if your lens or camera body has it) to get sharp images.
50mm Lens: Pros
* Versatile: The 50mm is a very versatile focal length, suitable for a wider range of photography beyond just portraits. You can use it for street photography, landscapes, general snapshots, and even some product photography.
* Environmental Portraits: Excellent for capturing a subject within their environment. It allows you to tell a story about the person and their surroundings.
* Wider Field of View: Allows you to fit more into the frame, making it useful in smaller spaces.
* Affordable: 50mm lenses, especially the "nifty fifty" f/1.8 versions, are generally very affordable, making them a great entry point into prime lenses.
* Lighter and More Compact: Generally smaller and lighter than an 85mm, making them easier to carry around.
50mm Lens: Cons
* Less Subject Isolation: Doesn't blur the background as much as an 85mm, so you need to be more mindful of your background and composition to avoid distractions.
* Can Distort Facial Features (Slightly): When shooting very close to the subject, a 50mm can slightly distort facial features, making the nose appear larger or the forehead smaller. You need to be careful about your distance.
* Might Feel Too Close: Some subjects may feel uncomfortable having the photographer so close, especially for introverted individuals.
* Less Dramatic Background Blur: While you can still achieve a shallow depth of field with a 50mm, it won't be as pronounced as with an 85mm at the same aperture.
Here's a table summarizing the differences:
| Feature | 50mm Lens | 85mm Lens |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| Subject Isolation | Less | More |
| Flattering | Less (can distort close-up) | More |
| Working Distance | Closer | Further |
| Versatility | High | Moderate |
| Space Required | Less | More |
| Cost | Lower (generally) | Higher (generally) |
| Portability | Higher | Lower |
| Best For | Environmental portraits, full-body portraits | Headshots, tight portraits, isolated subjects |
So, which is best for *you*? Consider these questions:
* What is your budget?
* What style of portraits do you prefer? (Isolated subjects vs. environmental portraits)
* Where will you be shooting most often? (Studio, outdoors, cramped spaces)
* How comfortable are you with cropping in post-processing? (You can always crop a wider shot from the 50mm, but you can't un-compress a photo taken with the 85mm)
* What is your camera sensor size? On a crop sensor camera, a 50mm will behave more like an 80mm. An 85mm on a crop sensor becomes an even longer focal length.
Recommendation:
* If you're on a budget, just starting out, and want a versatile lens for a variety of shooting situations, the 50mm is a great choice. You can learn a lot about composition and lighting with it.
* If you prioritize beautiful background blur, subject isolation, and flattering portraits, and have the budget and space for it, the 85mm is an excellent investment.
The Ideal Solution:
Ideally, you'd have both! Many professional portrait photographers carry both a 50mm and an 85mm (and often other focal lengths) in their bag to be prepared for any situation. However, if you can only choose one, carefully consider your needs and preferences based on the factors discussed above.