50mm Lens:
* Pros:
* Versatility: Closer to a "normal" field of view, making it suitable for various situations beyond just portraits, like street photography and environmental portraits.
* Affordability: Generally more affordable than comparable 85mm lenses, especially in terms of wide apertures (e.g., f/1.8 or f/1.4).
* Wider field of view: Allows you to include more of the background and environment, which can be useful for telling a story or showing context.
* Easier to shoot in tight spaces: Requires less distance from the subject, making it ideal for indoor or cramped environments.
* Cons:
* Less background compression: Doesn't compress the background as much as longer focal lengths, which can sometimes make backgrounds appear cluttered.
* May require getting closer to the subject: Can feel less discreet and potentially less comfortable for some subjects.
* Less flattering for some facial features: Might exaggerate perspective slightly, potentially making noses appear larger in close-up shots compared to longer focal lengths.
85mm Lens:
* Pros:
* More flattering perspective: Compresses facial features, generally considered more flattering for portraits.
* Stronger background blur (bokeh): Creates a shallower depth of field, blurring the background more effectively and isolating the subject.
* Good subject isolation: Compresses the background and helps the subject "pop" from the scene.
* Comfortable shooting distance: Allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from the subject, which can be less intrusive and more relaxing for them.
* Cons:
* Less versatile: More specialized for portraits and may not be as useful in other shooting situations.
* More expensive: Typically more expensive than comparable 50mm lenses, especially in terms of wide apertures.
* Requires more space: Needs more distance from the subject, which can be limiting in small spaces.
* May feel isolating: Can feel more distant for both the photographer and subject.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|--------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Field of View | Wider | Narrower |
| Versatility | More Versatile | Less Versatile |
| Perspective | More Neutral | More Compressing |
| Background Blur | Less | More |
| Shooting Distance| Closer | Further |
| Price | Generally More Affordable | Generally More Expensive |
| Space Required | Less | More |
| Flattering | Less Consistently Flattering | More Consistently Flattering |
Which One Should You Choose?
* Choose 50mm if:
* You need a versatile lens for various types of photography.
* You're on a budget.
* You often shoot in tight spaces.
* You prefer including more of the environment in your portraits.
* You are new to portrait photography and want a good general-purpose lens to start with.
* Choose 85mm if:
* You primarily shoot portraits.
* You want the most flattering perspective and beautiful background blur.
* You have enough space to work with.
* You want to isolate your subject effectively.
* You want to establish a comfortable distance between you and your subject.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both focal lengths and see which one suits your style and preferences better. Renting lenses or borrowing from a friend is a great way to experiment without committing to a purchase.
Consider these additional factors:
* Sensor size: The effect of focal length is different on crop sensor cameras (APS-C) compared to full-frame cameras. On a crop sensor camera, a 50mm lens will have a field of view similar to an 80mm lens on a full-frame camera.
* Aperture: A wide aperture (e.g., f/1.4, f/1.8, f/2.8) on either lens will create shallower depth of field and more background blur.
No single lens is universally "best," so experiment to find what works best for *you*. Good luck!