50mm Lens:
Pros:
* Versatility: It's a very versatile lens that can be used for a variety of photography genres beyond portraits, including street photography, landscapes, and everyday snapshots.
* Affordable: 50mm lenses are generally more affordable than 85mm lenses, especially fast prime versions (f/1.8 or faster). This makes it a great entry point for aspiring portrait photographers.
* Wider Field of View: The wider field of view allows you to include more of the environment in your portraits, telling a story or providing context. It's good for environmental portraits.
* Closer Connection: Requires you to be physically closer to your subject, which can foster a more intimate and personal connection.
* Easier to Work in Tight Spaces: More suitable if you are shooting indoors or in limited space.
Cons:
* Less Background Compression: Compared to the 85mm, the 50mm lens doesn't compress the background as much, which can make backgrounds appear less blurry and potentially more distracting.
* May Distort Features Slightly (at Close Range): When shooting portraits from very close distances, a 50mm can slightly distort facial features, making noses appear a bit larger. This is less pronounced than with wider lenses, but something to be aware of.
* More Environment to Manage: Because you capture more of the environment, you need to be more mindful of cluttered or distracting backgrounds.
85mm Lens:
Pros:
* Excellent Background Compression: The 85mm excels at compressing the background, creating a shallow depth of field and beautifully blurred backgrounds (bokeh) that isolate the subject and make them stand out.
* Flattering Perspective: This focal length is known for producing flattering portraits. It avoids distortion and creates a natural-looking perspective that is generally considered to be more pleasing for faces.
* Comfortable Distance: Allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject while still capturing a relatively tight portrait. This can be especially helpful when photographing people who might feel uncomfortable with someone very close.
* Great for Headshots and Upper Body Portraits: Ideal for focusing on the face and upper body, creating a more intimate and focused portrait.
Cons:
* Less Versatile: Not as versatile as the 50mm for other types of photography. It's primarily a portrait lens.
* More Expensive: Typically more expensive than 50mm lenses, especially fast primes.
* Requires More Space: Needs more space to work with, making it less suitable for tight indoor environments.
* Can Feel Detached: The greater distance can sometimes create a feeling of detachment between the photographer and the subject.
* Learning Curve: Mastering the shallow depth of field requires practice to ensure the subject is properly in focus.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|--------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
| Versatility | High | Low |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Background Blur | Less | More |
| Facial Distortion | Slight (at close range) | Minimal |
| Working Distance | Closer | Further |
| Space Required | Less | More |
| Ideal Portrait Type | Environmental, Full Body | Headshots, Upper Body |
In Conclusion:
* Choose 50mm if: You want a versatile, affordable lens that you can use for various types of photography, you like including more of the environment in your portraits, and you often shoot in tight spaces.
* Choose 85mm if: You prioritize beautiful background blur, flattering perspective, and isolating your subject from the background. You primarily shoot portraits and have the space to work with.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both focal lengths and see which one you prefer. You can even rent lenses to experiment before making a purchase.
Other Considerations:
* Sensor Size: The "effective" focal length can change depending on whether you are using a full-frame or crop sensor (APS-C) camera. On a crop sensor camera, a 50mm lens will have a field of view equivalent to approximately 75mm (depending on the crop factor, usually 1.5x or 1.6x), making it closer to the 85mm lens on a full-frame camera in terms of perspective. An 85mm lens on a crop sensor will be even more zoomed in, equivalent to around 127mm or 136mm.
* Your Personal Style: Some photographers prefer a more intimate, in-your-face style, while others prefer a more distant and observational approach. Your personal shooting style will influence which focal length you find more comfortable and effective.