Here's a breakdown to help you decide which might be better for *you*:
50mm Lens:
* Pros:
* More Affordable: Generally, 50mm lenses are more budget-friendly, especially the popular f/1.8 versions.
* Lighter and More Compact: Easier to carry around all day, making it a great option for travel or street photography where you might want to grab a portrait.
* More Versatile: While primarily used for portraits, the 50mm can also be used for street photography, landscapes (to some extent), and general photography.
* Environmental Portraits: Allows you to capture more of the surrounding environment, telling a story and adding context to the portrait. You can show the subject in their home, workplace, or favorite place.
* Less Compression: Doesn't compress facial features as much as longer focal lengths, resulting in a more natural look.
* Easier to Compose in Tight Spaces: If you're shooting indoors or in a crowded area, the wider field of view gives you more room to maneuver.
* Cons:
* Can Distort Facial Features at Close Range: If you get *too* close, you can get slight distortion, especially around the nose. It's less forgiving than the 85mm.
* Requires More Background Awareness: You need to be more mindful of what's in the background as it will be more visible.
* Less Subject Isolation: It's harder to achieve a super-shallow depth of field and isolate your subject completely, especially with an f/1.8 lens (compared to an 85mm f/1.8 or wider).
* May Require Cropping: To achieve a tighter headshot, you might need to crop in post-processing, which can reduce image quality.
85mm Lens:
* Pros:
* Excellent Subject Isolation: The longer focal length creates a shallower depth of field, blurring the background beautifully and isolating the subject.
* Pleasing Compression: Compresses facial features slightly, which is often considered flattering, smoothing out wrinkles and making faces appear slimmer.
* Flattering Perspective: Often considered the "classic" portrait focal length for a reason. It provides a very pleasing and natural perspective.
* Good Working Distance: Allows you to be a comfortable distance from your subject, making them feel less self-conscious and allowing you to capture more natural expressions.
* Bokeh King/Queen: Creates stunning bokeh (the out-of-focus blur in the background), making your subject pop.
* Cons:
* More Expensive: Generally pricier than 50mm lenses.
* Heavier and Bulkier: Less convenient for all-day carry.
* Less Versatile: More specialized for portraits and less suitable for other types of photography.
* Can Be Too Tight in Small Spaces: Requires more room to work, which can be challenging indoors.
* Less Environmental Context: Less of the background is visible, so it's harder to capture environmental portraits.
* More Challenging for Full-Body Shots: Requires backing up further, which might not always be possible.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|
| Price | More Affordable | More Expensive |
| Size/Weight | Lighter/More Compact | Heavier/Bulkier |
| Versatility | More Versatile | Less Versatile |
| Subject Isolation | Less Subject Isolation | Excellent Subject Isolation|
| Compression | Less Compression | More Compression |
| Working Distance| Closer | Further |
| Background | More Background Visible | Less Background Visible |
| Ideal Use Cases | Environmental portraits, portraits in tight spaces, general use| Classic portraits, headshots, isolating the subject|
Which should you choose?
* Beginner or Budget-Conscious: Start with a 50mm f/1.8. It's a great learning tool and a very versatile lens. You can get beautiful portraits with it.
* Prioritizing Background Blur and Flattering Compression: Choose the 85mm.
* Shooting Primarily Indoors: The 50mm might be a better choice unless you have a large studio space.
* Wanting to Tell a Story with Your Portraits: The 50mm allows you to incorporate more of the environment.
* Focusing on Headshots and Tight Portraits: The 85mm is often preferred.
* Don't want to change lenses often: The 50mm is more flexible and can be used for other types of photography.
Final Recommendation:
Ideally, you'd have both! They are both fantastic lenses for portraiture. If you can only choose one, consider your shooting style, budget, and typical shooting environment.
Consider renting both lenses before buying! This is the best way to determine which focal length suits your personal preferences and shooting style. Good luck!