50mm Lens: The Versatile All-Arounder
* Pros:
* Versatility: The 50mm focal length is considered a "standard" lens, meaning it offers a field of view that's close to what the human eye sees. This makes it versatile for a wide range of photography, from portraits to street photography to everyday snapshots.
* Affordability: 50mm lenses are typically more affordable than 85mm lenses, especially fast aperture (e.g., f/1.8) versions.
* Wider Field of View: Allows you to capture more of the environment around the subject, which can be useful for environmental portraits that tell a story. You can include more of the background context, like a scenic landscape or an interesting interior.
* Works Well in Tight Spaces: Ideal for indoor settings or smaller studios where you don't have a lot of room to move around. You can achieve a full-body or half-body shot without having to back up too far.
* Easier to Focus: The wider field of view can sometimes make it easier to acquire focus, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
* Cons:
* Less Background Compression: Doesn't compress the background as much as an 85mm. This means the background elements might appear closer to the subject, and the background blur (bokeh) is less pronounced.
* May Require Closer Proximity to Subject: You'll need to stand closer to your subject to fill the frame, which can sometimes make people feel less comfortable or self-conscious.
* Can Exhibit Some Distortion: At closer distances, a 50mm lens can exhibit slight barrel distortion, which can make facial features look a little wider or less flattering.
85mm Lens: The Portrait Specialist
* Pros:
* Ideal for Portraiture: Considered a classic portrait lens due to its flattering focal length and ability to create beautiful background blur.
* Excellent Subject Isolation: Provides shallow depth of field and strong background compression, isolating the subject and creating a creamy, dreamy bokeh that helps them "pop."
* Flattering Perspective: Compresses facial features, making them appear more streamlined and generally more aesthetically pleasing. Avoids the potential for distortion seen in wider lenses at close distances.
* Comfortable Working Distance: Allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject, which can help them feel more relaxed and natural.
* Sharp Image Quality: Usually very sharp, especially at wider apertures.
* Cons:
* More Expensive: 85mm lenses, particularly those with fast apertures (e.g., f/1.4, f/1.8), tend to be more expensive than 50mm lenses.
* Requires More Space: You'll need more space to work with an 85mm lens, as you'll need to stand further back from your subject to frame the shot. Can be challenging in small studios or indoor environments.
* Less Versatile: Not as versatile as a 50mm for other types of photography. While you *can* use it for street or landscape photography, it's primarily designed for portraiture.
* Can Be More Challenging to Focus: The very shallow depth of field can make focusing more critical and challenging, especially with fast-moving subjects or in low light.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|----------------------|--------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Lower |
| Affordability | Generally more affordable | Generally more expensive |
| Field of View | Wider | Narrower |
| Background Blur | Less pronounced | More pronounced (stronger bokeh) |
| Subject Isolation | Less | More |
| Flattering Perspective| Less flattering (potential distortion) | More flattering (face compression) |
| Working Distance | Shorter | Longer |
| Space Requirements | Less | More |
| Best For | Environmental Portraits, All-around Photography| Classic Portraits, Subject Isolation |
Which One Should You Choose?
* Choose a 50mm if:
* You're on a budget.
* You need a versatile lens for multiple types of photography.
* You often shoot in tight spaces or indoors.
* You want to capture more of the environment around your subject.
* You are newer to portraiture and want an easier lens to learn with.
* Choose an 85mm if:
* You primarily shoot portraits and want the best possible image quality and background blur.
* You have enough space to work with.
* You want to flatter your subjects with a compressed perspective.
* You prioritize subject isolation and a dreamy bokeh.
* You want to achieve a more professional, polished portrait look.
Other Considerations:
* Crop Sensor Cameras: If you're shooting with a crop sensor camera (APS-C), the effective focal length of both lenses will be different. A 50mm lens on a crop sensor will be closer to an 80mm equivalent, and an 85mm will be closer to a 135mm equivalent. This changes the field of view and compression.
* Aperture: Fast apertures (e.g., f/1.4, f/1.8, f/2.8) are desirable for portrait photography because they allow you to create shallow depth of field and isolate your subject. Consider the maximum aperture of the lens when making your decision.
* Image Stabilization: While not strictly necessary for portrait photography (especially if you're using a tripod), image stabilization can be helpful for shooting in low light or when hand-holding the camera.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which lens is right for you is to try them both out if possible. Rent them or borrow them from a friend and experiment with different focal lengths and shooting situations. This will give you a better understanding of how each lens performs and which one best suits your personal style and needs. You might even find you want both!