50mm Lens for Portraits: The Versatile Choice
Pros:
* Versatility: Great for both full-body, environmental portraits and closer headshots. You can capture more of the scene and the subject's surroundings.
* Wider Field of View: Excellent for indoor shots or when space is limited. You don't need to back up as far to get the shot you want.
* More Affordable: Generally, 50mm lenses are less expensive than 85mm lenses, especially those with very fast apertures.
* Easier to Learn: A good "walk-around" lens that helps new photographers understand composition and perspective.
* Lens Design and Size: Typically smaller and lighter than 85mm lenses.
Cons:
* Less Background Blur (Bokeh): At the same aperture, an 85mm lens will generally create a shallower depth of field and more background blur. This can be mitigated by using a wider aperture (e.g., f/1.8, f/1.4) if your 50mm allows it.
* Perspective Distortion: Closer shots can sometimes exhibit slight perspective distortion, making facial features (like the nose) appear slightly larger in relation to the rest of the face. This is less noticeable with good technique and distance management.
* Less Compression: Doesn't compress the background as much as an 85mm, which some photographers prefer for a more flattering look.
* May Require Cropping: To achieve tighter headshots, you might need to crop in post-processing, which can reduce image quality.
85mm Lens for Portraits: The Classic Choice
Pros:
* Beautiful Bokeh: Produces a creamy, blurred background that isolates the subject beautifully.
* Flattering Compression: The longer focal length compresses the facial features, creating a more flattering and natural look. It tends to minimize the prominence of features like the nose.
* Ideal Working Distance: Allows you to stand a comfortable distance from your subject, which can help them feel more relaxed and natural.
* Subject Isolation: Excellent for drawing the viewer's attention directly to the subject.
Cons:
* Less Versatile: More specialized for portraiture. Not ideal for wide-angle shots or capturing a lot of the environment.
* Requires More Space: Can be challenging to use in small studios or indoors because you need room to move back.
* More Expensive: High-quality 85mm lenses with wide apertures (like f/1.4 or f/1.8) are typically more expensive.
* More Challenging in Tight Spaces: Can be difficult to maneuver, especially indoors.
* Weight: 85mm lenses, especially fast ones, can be heavier and bulkier.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|----------------------|------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Low |
| Background Blur | Moderate (can be improved with wider aperture) | High (creamy bokeh) |
| Perspective | Can have slight distortion close-up | More flattering compression |
| Working Distance | Closer | More distant |
| Space Required | Less | More |
| Cost | Generally lower | Generally higher |
| Ideal for | Environmental portraits, full-body, indoor | Headshots, upper-body, subject isolation |
Which is Right for You?
* Start with 50mm if: You're new to portrait photography, on a budget, shoot in various environments, and want a versatile lens. This is a great all-around lens to learn with.
* Choose 85mm if: You primarily shoot headshots or upper-body portraits, prioritize beautiful bokeh and flattering compression, and have ample space to work with. You're willing to invest more money for a more specialized lens.
Things to consider:
* Crop Sensor vs. Full Frame: The focal length's effective field of view changes with sensor size. On a crop sensor camera (like many entry-level DSLRs and mirrorless cameras), a 50mm lens will act more like an 80mm lens (approximately), getting you closer to the 85mm look. An 85mm on a crop sensor will act like a very long telephoto, which might be *too* zoomed in for many portrait situations.
* Aperture: A wider aperture (e.g., f/1.4, f/1.8) will give you shallower depth of field and more background blur with both lenses. Consider the maximum aperture of the lens when making your decision.
* Shooting Style: Do you prefer capturing the environment around your subject, or do you want to isolate them against a blurred background?
* Budget: Consider your budget. A high-quality 85mm lens can be a significant investment.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both lenses (if possible) and see which one better suits your style and the type of portraits you want to create. Rental services or borrowing from a friend are good options to test the lenses out before purchasing. You might even find that you prefer both and want to own both eventually!