50mm Lens (Often called a "Nifty Fifty")
Pros:
* Affordable: Usually significantly cheaper than an 85mm, especially in its f/1.8 or f/1.4 versions.
* Versatile: Useful for more than just portraits. It's a great walkaround lens for street photography, landscapes, and everyday shooting.
* Wider Field of View: Allows you to capture more of the environment around your subject, placing them in context. You can get full-body shots easier.
* Requires Less Working Distance: You don't need to be as far from your subject as you do with an 85mm, which is ideal for smaller spaces.
* Lens Characteristics: The 50mm has a wider field of view, which is great for environmental portraits and full-body shots. It allows more of the surrounding environment to be captured.
Cons:
* Less Subject Isolation: The wider field of view means the background is less blurred, and your subject might not "pop" as much.
* Potential Distortion at Close Range: Can slightly distort facial features if you get too close, making noses appear larger. Requires more careful posing and framing.
* Less Compression: Doesn't compress the features of the face as much as an 85mm, which some consider less flattering.
85mm Lens (Often called the "Portrait King")
Pros:
* Excellent Subject Isolation: Creates beautiful background blur (bokeh), making your subject stand out.
* Flattering Perspective: Compresses facial features in a way that many find more aesthetically pleasing. Reduces the apparent size of noses and smooths out proportions.
* Good Working Distance: Allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject, which can help them feel more relaxed.
* Sharp Images: Often produces very sharp images with excellent detail.
* Lens Characteristics: The 85mm excels at isolating the subject with its shallow depth of field. It has a compressing effect that can make portraits more flattering.
Cons:
* More Expensive: Generally more expensive than a 50mm lens.
* Less Versatile: Not as useful for general photography as a 50mm.
* Requires More Working Distance: You need more space to frame your subject, which can be limiting in small spaces.
* May Require More Light: The longer focal length and sometimes smaller maximum aperture may necessitate higher ISO or slower shutter speeds in low light.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|----------------|------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Versatility | Higher | Lower |
| Working Distance| Shorter | Longer |
| Subject Isolation| Lower | Higher |
| Facial Compression| Lower | Higher |
| Environment | Captures more | Blurs more |
| Best For | Environmental Portraits, Full Body | Headshots, Upper Body |
| Space | Better in tight spaces | Requires more space |
When to Choose a 50mm:
* You're on a budget.
* You need a versatile lens for various types of photography.
* You want to include more of the environment in your portraits.
* You often shoot in small spaces.
* You prefer full-body or wider shots.
* You want to capture a more natural, documentary style.
When to Choose an 85mm:
* You prioritize subject isolation and background blur.
* You want the most flattering perspective for headshots.
* You have plenty of space to work with.
* You're willing to invest in a specialized portrait lens.
* You want a more classic, polished portrait look.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both lenses (if possible) and see which one suits your style and preferences better. Many photographers own both lenses and use them for different purposes.
Other factors to consider:
* Sensor Size: On a crop sensor camera (APS-C), a 50mm lens will behave more like an 80mm lens (50mm x 1.6 crop factor). This makes the 50mm a good portrait option on crop sensors.
* Aperture: Lenses with wider apertures (f/1.8, f/1.4, f/1.2) allow for more light and shallower depth of field, regardless of the focal length.
In conclusion, there's no definitive winner. The 50mm is a great all-around lens, while the 85mm is a specialized tool for creating stunning, isolated portraits. Consider your budget, shooting style, and the type of portraits you want to create when making your decision.