Here's a breakdown of each lens and its pros and cons for portrait work:
50mm Lens:
Pros:
* Versatility: A 50mm lens is incredibly versatile. It's often called the "nifty fifty" for good reason. You can use it for portraits, street photography, landscapes, and even some still life. It's a great lens to have in your bag.
* Field of View: Its field of view is closer to what the human eye sees, which can create a more natural and relatable perspective.
* Environmental Portraits: It's excellent for environmental portraits, where you want to show the subject in their context or surroundings. You can capture more of the environment behind your subject to tell a story.
* Closer Working Distance: Allows you to be closer to your subject, which can help build rapport and make them feel more comfortable. Easier communication!
* Often More Affordable: 50mm lenses are typically less expensive than 85mm lenses, especially if you're comparing lenses with similar maximum apertures (e.g., f/1.8 vs. f/1.8).
* Wider Apertures Generally More Affordable: Easier to find a fast 50mm (e.g., f/1.8 or even f/1.4) without breaking the bank.
Cons:
* Less Background Compression: Doesn't compress the background as much as an 85mm, meaning the background may appear more in focus and less blurred (bokeh). This can be a pro or con, depending on the desired effect.
* Can Distort at Close Range: If you get too close to your subject for a headshot, a 50mm can introduce some slight distortion, making features like the nose appear larger relative to the rest of the face. This is less noticeable at a comfortable portrait distance (waist-up or full body).
* Less Subject Isolation: The wider field of view can make it harder to isolate your subject from a busy or distracting background.
85mm Lens:
Pros:
* Beautiful Bokeh: The longer focal length creates a shallower depth of field and more creamy, blurred backgrounds (bokeh), which helps isolate the subject and draw attention to them.
* Flattering Perspective: Provides a flattering perspective for faces. The longer focal length compresses the features slightly, which is generally considered more aesthetically pleasing for portraits. Reduces distortion.
* More Comfortable Working Distance: Allows you to be further away from your subject, which can make some people feel more comfortable, especially if they're camera-shy.
* Stronger Subject Isolation: Makes it easier to separate your subject from a distracting background.
Cons:
* Less Versatile: More specialized for portraits. Not as ideal for landscapes or situations where you need a wider field of view.
* More Expensive (Generally): 85mm lenses, especially those with fast apertures (e.g., f/1.4 or f/1.8), tend to be pricier than 50mm lenses.
* Requires More Space: You need more room to work with an 85mm lens, especially indoors. Small studios or tight spaces can be challenging.
* Can Feel Disconnected: The longer working distance can make it feel less intimate or connected with your subject.
* More challenging to learn: Requires more precise focusing and camera technique, especially with a wide aperture, due to the very shallow depth of field.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|-------------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Lower |
| Field of View | Wider | Narrower |
| Working Distance | Closer | Further |
| Bokeh | Less creamy/blurred | More creamy/blurred |
| Perspective | More natural, can distort close-up | More flattering, compresses features |
| Subject Isolation | Less | More |
| Price | Generally less expensive | Generally more expensive |
| Space Required | Less | More |
| Best for | Environmental portraits, casual shots | Headshots, focused portraits, strong bokeh |
When to Choose Which:
* Choose 50mm if:
* You're on a budget.
* You want a versatile lens for various types of photography.
* You want to capture environmental portraits.
* You're shooting in tight spaces.
* You prefer a more natural, less compressed perspective.
* You want to be closer to your subject.
* Choose 85mm if:
* You primarily shoot portraits and want the best possible image quality and bokeh.
* You want a flattering perspective with minimal distortion.
* You have enough space to work with the longer focal length.
* You want to isolate your subject from the background.
* You prefer a more comfortable working distance.
Final Recommendation:
* If you're starting out and can only afford one lens: The 50mm is the more versatile and budget-friendly option. It will allow you to experiment with different types of photography, including portraits.
* If you're serious about portrait photography and have the budget: The 85mm is a fantastic choice that will elevate your portrait work with its beautiful bokeh and flattering perspective.
* Ideally: Consider having both! They complement each other well and offer different looks and advantages for various portrait situations.
Beyond Focal Length:
Don't forget about other important lens factors:
* Aperture: A wider maximum aperture (e.g., f/1.4, f/1.8) allows more light in, which is beneficial for low-light situations and creates a shallower depth of field.
* Image Stabilization (IS/VR): Helps reduce camera shake, especially at longer focal lengths or in low light.
* Build Quality: A well-built lens will last longer and be more enjoyable to use.
* Autofocus Performance: Fast and accurate autofocus is crucial for capturing sharp portraits.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both lenses and see which one you prefer. Renting lenses can be a great way to test them out before investing. Good luck!