Here's a breakdown to help you decide:
50mm Lens:
Pros:
* Versatility: The 50mm is a very versatile lens. It's useful not just for portraits, but also for street photography, landscapes, and general purpose shooting. It's a great lens to have in your kit regardless.
* Field of View: Offers a more natural, slightly wider field of view. It shows more of the subject's surroundings, allowing you to include environmental context in your portraits.
* Affordability: Generally less expensive than an 85mm lens, especially at equivalent apertures. A good "nifty fifty" (f/1.8 or even f/1.4) can be very budget-friendly.
* Low-Light Performance: Typically available with wide apertures (f/1.8, f/1.4), allowing for good performance in low-light conditions and shallow depth of field.
* Closer Interaction: Requires you to be closer to your subject, which can foster a more intimate connection and easier communication.
* Easier to use in tight spaces: More suitable for indoor portrait sessions or locations where you don't have much room to move.
Cons:
* Less Background Compression: The wider field of view doesn't compress the background as much as an 85mm, so you need to be more mindful of distracting elements.
* Perspective Distortion: Can introduce slight distortion if you get too close to the subject, especially around the edges of the frame. This can sometimes be unflattering, especially for facial features. Requires more careful posing.
* Less Subject Isolation: While you can achieve shallow depth of field, it's not quite as dramatic as with an 85mm at a similar aperture. The subject might not "pop" as much from the background.
85mm Lens:
Pros:
* Beautiful Bokeh: Creates creamy, smooth background blur ("bokeh") that isolates the subject and makes them stand out.
* Flattering Compression: Compresses the background, making it appear closer and more uniform. This helps to minimize distractions and emphasizes the subject.
* Ideal Perspective: Provides a very flattering perspective for faces, minimizing distortion and creating a more pleasing portrait. It's often considered the "classic" portrait lens.
* Comfortable Distance: Allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject, which can be less intimidating and allow them to feel more relaxed.
* Subject Isolation: Exceptional ability to separate the subject from the background, creating a sense of depth and drama.
Cons:
* Less Versatile: More specialized for portraits and may not be as useful for other types of photography.
* Higher Cost: Generally more expensive than a 50mm lens, especially fast (e.g., f/1.4) versions.
* Larger Size & Weight: Often larger and heavier than a 50mm, which can be a factor for travel or all-day shooting.
* Requires More Space: Needs more distance between you and your subject, making it less suitable for tight spaces or indoor environments.
* Can Feel Disconnected: The greater distance can sometimes make it harder to connect with your subject on a personal level.
Here's a quick table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm Lens | 85mm Lens |
|-----------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Low |
| Field of View | Wider | Narrower |
| Bokeh | Good | Excellent |
| Background Compression | Less | More |
| Perspective | Can distort close-up | Flattering |
| Subject Distance | Closer | Further |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Size/Weight | Smaller/Lighter | Larger/Heavier |
| Space Required | Less | More |
| Best For | Environmental portraits, indoor portraits, general use | Headshots, shallow depth of field portraits, outdoor portraits |
When to choose a 50mm:
* You want a versatile lens for various types of photography.
* You often shoot in tight spaces (indoors, crowded areas).
* You want to include more of the environment in your portraits.
* You are on a budget.
* You prefer a closer connection with your subjects.
When to choose an 85mm:
* You primarily shoot portraits and want the best possible image quality and background blur.
* You have plenty of space to work with.
* You want a flattering perspective for faces.
* You want to minimize distractions in the background.
* You want to create a very shallow depth of field.
* You prefer a comfortable distance from your subjects.
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 to test them out. Pay attention to how each lens makes you feel, how it affects your interactions with your subjects, and the type of images you are able to create.
Important Considerations Beyond Focal Length:
* Aperture: Both lenses are typically available with wide apertures (f/1.8, f/1.4, f/1.2). A wider aperture allows for more light gathering and shallower depth of field. The wider the aperture, the more expensive the lens.
* Image Stabilization (IS/VR): Can be helpful, especially for low-light shooting, but not essential for portraiture.
* Autofocus Performance: Fast and accurate autofocus is important for capturing sharp portraits.
Good luck, and happy shooting!