85mm Lens:
Pros:
* Subject Isolation & Background Compression: This is the 85mm's biggest strength. The longer focal length compresses the background, making it appear closer to the subject and blurring it more dramatically (shallower depth of field). This helps isolate your subject and create a creamy, bokeh-licious background that's very flattering.
* Flattering Perspective: The 85mm lens generally creates a more flattering perspective on the face, minimizing distortion and avoiding the potential "wide nose" effect you can sometimes get with wider lenses.
* Greater Working Distance: Allows you to stand further away from your subject, which can make them feel more comfortable and natural. Less intrusive than being right in their face with a shorter lens.
* Good for natural light: The compression of the lens and flattering depth of field help create a soft, natural look in most lighting scenarios.
Cons:
* Requires More Space: The longer focal length means you need more space to work. This can be a problem in small studios or tight indoor environments.
* Less Versatile for Full Body Shots: While great for headshots and upper body portraits, capturing full-body shots with an 85mm in small spaces can be challenging.
* Can Feel Disconnected: The longer distance can sometimes feel less engaging with your subject compared to a 50mm.
50mm Lens:
Pros:
* More Versatile: The 50mm is a very versatile lens that can be used for a wide variety of photography, including portraits, street photography, and general snapshots.
* Works Well in Tight Spaces: You don't need as much space to work with a 50mm, making it ideal for indoor portraits and smaller studios.
* More Affordable: Generally, a good quality 50mm lens is more affordable than a comparable 85mm.
* More Environmental Portraits: 50mm includes more of the environment, making it great for portraits that tell a story and show the subject in their surroundings. This is often called an environmental portrait.
* More Engaging: Being closer to your subject can help you connect with them more easily and direct them more effectively.
Cons:
* Less Background Compression: Doesn't blur the background as much as an 85mm. You need to be more mindful of your background and choose locations carefully.
* Can Distort Features Slightly: Can sometimes create a slight distortion, especially when shooting very close-up headshots.
* Less Subject Isolation: The wider field of view means the subject may not stand out as much from the background.
* May Require More Skill in Composition: Because you're capturing more of the scene, you need to be more deliberate in your composition to avoid distracting elements.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 85mm Lens | 50mm Lens |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| Subject Isolation | Excellent; creamy background blur | Good, but less pronounced |
| Background Compression | High | Moderate |
| Perspective | Flattering; minimizes distortion | Can distort slightly at close range |
| Working Distance | Longer; requires more space | Shorter; works well in tight spaces |
| Versatility | More specialized for portraits | More versatile; good for various photography |
| Price | Generally more expensive | Generally more affordable |
| Environmental Portraits| Less suited to environment. Requires careful composing. | More suited to capturing a person in their place |
When to Use Which Lens:
* Use 85mm if:
* You want maximum background blur and subject isolation.
* You have plenty of space to work.
* You're primarily shooting headshots and upper body portraits.
* You want the most flattering perspective.
* Use 50mm if:
* You're shooting in tight spaces.
* You want a versatile lens that can be used for more than just portraits.
* You want to capture environmental portraits.
* You're on a budget.
* You want to feel more engaged with your subject.
Consider Crop Sensor Cameras (APS-C):
If you're using a crop sensor camera, the effective focal length of both lenses will change. A 50mm lens on a crop sensor camera will have a similar field of view to an 85mm lens on a full-frame camera (approximately 75mm-80mm equivalent, depending on the crop factor). An 85mm lens will then have the field of view of 127.5mm (approx).
This means that a 50mm on a crop sensor is a good choice for a "portrait lens" equivalent, and the 85mm is a great choice for a tighter portrait.
Ultimately, the best lens for you depends on your personal preference and the specific shooting conditions. The best way to decide is to try both lenses out and see which one you prefer. Rent them, borrow them, or try them at a camera store. You can even use a zoom lens set at those focal lengths to experiment with the field of view.