50mm Lens:
Pros:
* Versatile: Can be used in a wider range of situations, including environmental portraits and indoor shots.
* Good in Tight Spaces: Requires less distance between you and your subject, making it ideal for smaller studios or indoor locations.
* Affordable: Typically more budget-friendly than an 85mm lens, especially the f/1.8 versions.
* More Context: Captures more of the background, allowing you to tell a story or show the environment.
* More Natural Perspective: Closer to human vision, leading to a more natural-looking perspective.
Cons:
* Can Distort Features (Slightly): When shooting close-ups, can slightly distort features like the nose, making it appear larger. This is less pronounced than with wider lenses but still a factor.
* Less Background Blur (Bokeh): Generally produces less background blur (bokeh) compared to an 85mm lens (at the same aperture), though this can be mitigated with wider apertures (f/1.8 or f/1.4) and getting closer to the subject.
* Requires You to Get Closer: If you're shy or your subject is uncomfortable, getting close with a 50mm can be challenging.
85mm Lens:
Pros:
* Flattering Perspective: Offers a more flattering perspective for portraits, compressing features and minimizing distortion. It tends to smooth out facial features and make the subject look more attractive.
* Beautiful Bokeh: Creates a creamy, blurred background that helps isolate the subject and adds a professional look.
* More Working Distance: Allows you to stand further away from the subject, which can be more comfortable for both the photographer and the subject. This can also be useful for candid shots.
* Good for Headshots and Close-Ups: Excellent for focusing on the face and details.
Cons:
* Less Versatile: Can be restrictive in tight spaces, requiring more room to move.
* More Expensive: Typically more expensive than a 50mm lens, especially the faster (lower f-stop) versions.
* Less Environmental Context: The tighter field of view captures less of the background, which can be a disadvantage if you want to show the environment.
* Can Feel Isolating: The extreme focus on the subject with blurred surroundings can sometimes feel isolating or detached from the surroundings.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|-------------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| Perspective | More natural, slight distortion | Flattering, compressed features |
| Bokeh | Less, but still achievable | More creamy and pronounced |
| Working Distance | Closer | Further |
| Versatility | Higher | Lower |
| Cost | Generally lower | Generally higher |
| Space Required | Less | More |
| Good for | Environmental portraits, indoor shots | Headshots, close-ups, flattering portraits |
When to Choose Which:
* Choose 50mm if:
* You're on a budget.
* You need a versatile lens for a variety of situations.
* You're shooting in tight spaces (e.g., small apartments).
* You want to include more of the environment in your portraits.
* You want a more natural, less "stylized" look.
* Choose 85mm if:
* You prioritize a flattering perspective and creamy bokeh.
* You have enough space to work with.
* You primarily shoot headshots or close-up portraits.
* You want to isolate your subject from the background.
* You prefer a lens that helps create a professional, polished look.
Ultimately, the best way to determine which lens is right for you is to try them both out. Rent them, borrow them, or visit a camera store to see how they feel in your hands and how they render images.
Other Considerations:
* Aperture: A wider aperture (e.g., f/1.4, f/1.8) is desirable for both lenses to achieve shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
* Crop Sensor vs. Full Frame: If you're using a crop sensor camera, the effective focal length of both lenses will be different. A 50mm lens on a crop sensor will have a similar field of view to a 75mm lens on a full-frame camera, and an 85mm lens will be closer to a 127.5mm lens.
* Personal Preference: Some photographers simply prefer the look and feel of one lens over the other, regardless of technical advantages.
Good luck choosing the lens that best suits your needs and style!