Here's a breakdown to help you decide which might be better for you:
85mm Lens: The Portrait Specialist
* Pros:
* Excellent Subject Isolation: The longer focal length creates a shallower depth of field, beautifully blurring the background and drawing maximum attention to the subject. This is the lens's biggest advantage.
* Flattering Perspective: 85mm is often considered the "classic portrait focal length" because it compresses features slightly, making faces look more flattering. It tends to minimize distortion and roundness of facial features.
* Comfortable Working Distance: You can stand a comfortable distance from your subject, allowing them to feel more relaxed and less self-conscious. Good for candid moments and directing.
* Background Compression: The longer focal length compresses the background, making it appear closer and sometimes more dramatic. This can be useful for emphasizing interesting background elements.
* Cons:
* Requires More Space: You need more room to work with an 85mm. It's not ideal for small studios or tight spaces.
* Less Versatile (Outside of Portraits): While great for portraits, the 85mm is less versatile for other types of photography like landscapes, street photography, or general snapshots.
* Can Be More Expensive: Good 85mm lenses are generally more expensive than good 50mm lenses, especially if you're looking at those with wider apertures (f/1.8, f/1.4, f/1.2).
* May Require Faster Shutter Speeds: To avoid camera shake, you might need to use faster shutter speeds than you would with a 50mm, especially handheld.
50mm Lens: The Versatile All-Rounder
* Pros:
* Versatility: The 50mm is incredibly versatile. It can be used for portraits, street photography, landscapes, documentary work, and general everyday shooting. It mimics the approximate perspective of human vision.
* Wider Field of View: You can include more of the environment in your portraits, telling a story about the subject's context.
* Compact and Lightweight: 50mm lenses are typically smaller and lighter than 85mm lenses, making them easier to carry around.
* More Affordable: Excellent 50mm lenses are available at very affordable prices, especially the f/1.8 versions.
* Works Well in Tight Spaces: Perfect for indoor portraiture or when you don't have much space to move around.
* Cons:
* Less Subject Isolation: The shallower depth of field you get with an 85mm is harder to achieve with a 50mm, especially at smaller apertures. You'll have to work harder to create background blur.
* Potential for Distortion (Closer Up): When shooting portraits very close to the subject (e.g., tight headshots), a 50mm can introduce some minor distortion, making features appear slightly exaggerated.
* Requires You to Get Closer: You need to get physically closer to your subject, which can feel less comfortable for both you and the subject. Might not be the best for shy or nervous subjects.
Here's a Quick Summary Table:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|----------------------|------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Lower (Primarily for portraits) |
| Subject Isolation | Lower | Higher |
| Perspective | More "natural" | More flattering, compressed |
| Working Distance | Shorter | Longer |
| Space Required | Less | More |
| Price | Generally more affordable | Generally more expensive |
| Size/Weight | More compact and lightweight | Larger and heavier |
Key Questions to Consider When Choosing:
* What kind of portraits do you shoot? Are they environmental portraits, headshots, full-body shots?
* Where do you shoot most often? Indoors, outdoors, in a studio?
* What is your budget?
* What is your shooting style? Do you prefer to be closer to your subject or further away?
* How important is versatility to you? Do you only want a lens for portraits, or do you want something you can use for other types of photography as well?
Recommendation:
* If you're a beginner or on a budget: Start with a 50mm f/1.8. It's an excellent all-around lens that will teach you a lot about photography.
* If you primarily shoot portraits and have the budget and space: The 85mm is a fantastic choice for beautiful, flattering portraits with excellent subject isolation.
* If you want the best of both worlds: Consider owning both! They complement each other well.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both lenses out. Rent them, borrow them from a friend, or visit a camera store to see which one feels more comfortable and produces the results you're looking for. Good luck!