50mm Lens for Portraits:
Pros:
* Versatility: The 50mm is a very versatile lens, useful for more than just portraits. You can use it for street photography, landscapes, and general everyday shooting.
* Environmental Portraits: The wider field of view allows you to capture more of the environment around your subject, telling a story and providing context. It's great for showing your subject *in* a place.
* Affordable: 50mm lenses, especially the f/1.8 versions, are typically much more affordable than 85mm lenses with similar apertures. This makes them a great starting point for aspiring portrait photographers.
* Easier to Use Indoors: In smaller spaces, the 50mm is easier to use as you don't need as much room to step back and compose your shot.
* Faster focusing (typically): Many 50mm lenses focus faster than their 85mm counterparts, which can be helpful for capturing candid moments.
Cons:
* Less Subject Isolation: The wider field of view means less background blur (bokeh) at the same aperture and distance compared to an 85mm. You need a wider aperture (e.g., f/1.4) to achieve similar background blur.
* Perspective Distortion (Closer Subjects): When you move closer to the subject to fill the frame, the 50mm can introduce some perspective distortion, making features like the nose appear larger. This is less pronounced with an 85mm.
* Not as Flattering for Close-Ups: While versatile, the 50mm might not be as inherently flattering for very tight headshots as the 85mm.
85mm Lens for Portraits:
Pros:
* More Flattering Perspective: The 85mm lens compresses features, creating a more flattering perspective for faces. It minimizes distortion and makes the subject's features appear more balanced and proportionate.
* Greater Background Blur (Bokeh): The longer focal length creates a shallower depth of field, resulting in beautiful, creamy background blur (bokeh) that isolates the subject and makes them stand out. This is a major draw for portrait photographers.
* More Professional Look: Many photographers consider 85mm portraits to have a more "professional" and polished look due to the flattering perspective and beautiful background blur.
* Working Distance: The longer focal length allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject, which can help them feel more relaxed and natural.
* Stronger Subject Isolation: Easily isolates the subject, even at smaller apertures.
Cons:
* Less Versatile: The 85mm is primarily a portrait lens. It's not as well-suited for other types of photography like landscapes or street photography.
* More Expensive: 85mm lenses, especially those with wide apertures (e.g., f/1.4 or f/1.8), are typically more expensive than 50mm lenses.
* Requires More Space: You need more space to use an 85mm lens, making it less practical for indoor or cramped shooting environments.
* Slower Focusing (potentially): Some 85mm lenses, particularly older models, may have slightly slower autofocus compared to some 50mm lenses.
* Can Feel Isolating for the Photographer: Maintaining a greater distance from your subject could make communication slightly less personal than using a 50mm lens.
Here's a table summarizing the differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|-------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Low |
| Perspective | More Distortion (Close Up) | Less Distortion (Flattering) |
| Background Blur| Less (at same aperture) | More |
| Working Distance| Shorter | Longer |
| Price | Generally Lower | Generally Higher |
| Space Required | Less | More |
| Subject Isolation| Lower | Higher |
Which One Should You Choose?
* Beginner/Budget-Conscious: If you're just starting out and want an affordable lens that can do more than just portraits, the 50mm is a great choice.
* Environmental Portraits: If you want to capture your subject in their environment and tell a story, the 50mm is a good option.
* Focus on Flattering Portraits: If you prioritize flattering perspective and beautiful background blur, the 85mm is the better choice.
* Studio Work: If you primarily shoot portraits in a studio setting with ample space, the 85mm is a popular and effective option.
* Tight Headshots: The 85mm excels at creating stunning, isolated headshots with a soft, blurred background.
* A Mix of Both: Many portrait photographers own both lenses and use them depending on the specific requirements of the shoot.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both lenses if possible. Rent them for a weekend, borrow them from a friend, or visit a camera store that allows you to test them out. Consider the types of portraits you want to create and the environments you'll be shooting in. Your personal style and preferences will ultimately dictate which focal length is "best" for you.