50mm Lens:
Pros:
* Versatility: A 50mm is considered a "standard" focal length, making it useful for a wide range of photography, not just portraits. You can use it for street photography, landscapes, and even some product photography.
* Affordability: 50mm lenses are generally more affordable, especially the f/1.8 versions, making them a great entry-level option.
* Smaller and Lighter: Easier to carry around and use for extended periods.
* Wider Field of View: Allows you to include more of the environment in your portrait, which can be useful for environmental portraits. You can capture more of the story and context.
* Forces Interaction: Since you need to be closer to your subject, it can encourage more interaction and connection, resulting in more natural expressions.
* Easier in tight spaces: If you're shooting indoors or in cramped locations, a 50mm will be much easier to work with than an 85mm.
Cons:
* Can Distort Facial Features (Slightly): Being closer to the subject means there's a slight risk of distortion, particularly around the nose, especially if you're *too* close. Good posing and awareness can minimize this.
* Less Background Compression: Doesn't isolate the subject as much as an 85mm, meaning the background might be more distracting or less blurry. This can be mitigated by using a wider aperture (lower f-stop number) and positioning your subject further from the background.
* Might Feel Too Wide for Tight Headshots: While versatile, a 50mm might not be ideal for very close-up headshots, especially if you're aiming for a very flattering and compressed look.
85mm Lens:
Pros:
* Flattering Perspective: Known for creating very flattering portraits. The longer focal length compresses features slightly, making noses appear smaller and faces generally more balanced.
* Excellent Background Separation (Bokeh): Creates a shallow depth of field, blurring the background beautifully and isolating the subject.
* More Distance from Subject: Allows you to be further away from your subject, which can be helpful for candid shots or for subjects who are self-conscious.
* Professional Look: The images often have a more "professional" and polished look due to the pleasing perspective and creamy bokeh.
* Good for Environmental Portraits, but also tight headshots: Can get great separation and create a pleasing image, but has more reach to capture a wider environmental scene than a longer focal length like 135mm
Cons:
* Less Versatile: More specialized for portraiture. Not as useful for general photography.
* More Expensive: Generally more expensive than 50mm lenses, especially those with wider apertures.
* Larger and Heavier: Can be more cumbersome to carry around.
* Requires More Space: Need more distance between you and your subject, which can be challenging in small spaces.
* Can Feel Distant: The distance can sometimes hinder interaction and make it harder to direct your subject.
Here's a simple table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|-------------------|------------------------|------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Low |
| Affordability | High | Low |
| Size/Weight | Small/Light | Large/Heavy |
| Background Blur | Less | More |
| Subject Distance | Closer | Further |
| Facial Distortion | Slight (if too close) | Minimal |
| Best for | Environmental, General Portraits | Flattering Portraits, Headshots |
| Space Required | Less | More |
In conclusion:
* Choose 50mm if: You're on a budget, need a versatile lens for various types of photography, want to include more of the environment in your portraits, or often shoot in tight spaces. It's a great starting point for portrait photography and encourages you to be creative with posing and composition.
* Choose 85mm if: You want the most flattering perspective, beautiful background blur, and are primarily focused on portraiture. You have enough space to work with and are willing to invest in a more specialized lens.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both focal lengths if possible. Rent lenses or borrow from a friend to see which one you prefer and which one best suits your style and the type of portraits you want to create. There are no hard and fast rules, and many photographers successfully use both! Also, consider other focal lengths such as 35mm for a more dynamic environmental portrait, or 135mm for even more compression and background blur.