50mm Lens for Portraits:
* Pros:
* More Affordable: 50mm lenses, especially the "nifty fifty" f/1.8, are generally much cheaper than 85mm lenses, making it an excellent entry point.
* Versatile: While great for portraits, a 50mm lens is also useful for street photography, landscapes, and general photography due to its closer-to-natural human eye field of view.
* Wider Field of View: This allows you to capture more of the environment around the subject, telling a story or providing context to the portrait. Good for environmental portraits.
* Forced Interaction: You need to be closer to your subject, which can lead to a more intimate and interactive shooting experience (though some might find this less comfortable).
* Lightweight and Compact: Easier to carry around and use for longer periods.
* Cons:
* Less Background Compression: Background elements appear closer to the subject, potentially creating a busier or less-blurred background (bokeh). Requires more attention to background composition.
* More Distortion at Close Range: Can exaggerate facial features (e.g., nose appearing larger) if you get too close. Requires more careful framing at close range.
* Less Subject Isolation: The wider field of view means the subject might not stand out as much from the background as with a longer focal length.
85mm Lens for Portraits:
* Pros:
* Excellent Background Compression: Compresses the background, making it appear closer to the subject and creating a pleasingly blurred bokeh. This helps isolate the subject and draw attention to them.
* Flattering Perspective: Reduces distortion and provides a more natural and flattering representation of facial features. This is considered a "classic" portrait focal length.
* Creates Beautiful Bokeh: The longer focal length and often wider maximum aperture (like f/1.8 or f/1.4) produce creamy, smooth background blur, enhancing the subject isolation.
* More Comfortable Shooting Distance: Allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject, which can be especially helpful for shy or self-conscious individuals.
* Excellent Subject Isolation: Makes the subject pop in the frame.
* Cons:
* More Expensive: 85mm lenses, especially those with wide apertures, tend to be more costly.
* Less Versatile: Primarily designed for portraits; less practical for other types of photography.
* Limited Field of View: Makes it harder to capture environmental portraits or include a significant amount of the background.
* Requires More Space: You need more physical distance from your subject to frame the shot, which might be challenging in small spaces.
* Heavier and Bulky: Can be less comfortable to carry around for extended periods.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|----------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
| Price | More Affordable | More Expensive |
| Versatility | More Versatile | Less Versatile |
| Field of View | Wider | Narrower |
| Background Blur | Less | More |
| Compression | Less | More |
| Distortion | More at Close Range | Less |
| Working Distance | Closer | Further |
| Subject Isolation| Less | More |
| Size/Weight | Smaller/Lighter | Larger/Heavier |
When to Choose Which:
* Choose 50mm if:
* You're on a budget.
* You want a versatile lens for various types of photography.
* You prefer environmental portraits that include more of the surroundings.
* You enjoy a more intimate interaction with your subject.
* You're shooting in a tight space.
* Choose 85mm if:
* You prioritize flattering portraits with beautiful background blur.
* You want to isolate your subject and minimize distractions.
* You prefer a comfortable shooting distance.
* You're shooting in a studio or have ample space.
* You want maximum background compression.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both lenses (if possible) and see which one aligns with your personal style and preferences. Renting lenses is a great way to test them out before committing to a purchase. Consider what you want to *communicate* in your portraits, and which lens will help you achieve that vision most effectively.