50mm Lens for Portraits:
Pros:
* Versatility: 50mm is a very versatile focal length, suitable not just for portraits but also for street photography, landscapes, and everyday shooting.
* Closer Connection: The 50mm encourages a closer connection with your subject. You need to be physically closer to achieve a similar framing to an 85mm. This can be helpful for building rapport.
* Works Well in Tight Spaces: Ideal for indoor portraits or smaller studios where you may not have much room to move around.
* Often More Affordable: Generally, 50mm lenses, especially the "nifty fifty" f/1.8 versions, are much more affordable than comparable 85mm lenses.
* Context: A 50mm captures more of the surrounding environment, which can be desirable if you want to tell a story and include context in your portraits.
Cons:
* Less Background Compression: Doesn't compress the background as much as an 85mm. This can lead to a busier background that is harder to blur effectively.
* Can Distort Facial Features: When shooting close-ups, a 50mm can sometimes slightly distort facial features, especially the nose, making it appear larger. This effect is more noticeable with wider apertures.
* Requires More Intimacy: Requires getting closer to your subject, which some people may find uncomfortable.
85mm Lens for Portraits:
Pros:
* Flattering Perspective: Considered by many to be the ideal focal length for portraits due to its flattering perspective. It produces minimal distortion and accurately renders facial features.
* Excellent Background Compression: Compresses the background beautifully, creating a creamy, blurred background (bokeh) that isolates the subject.
* Subject Isolation: Emphasizes the subject by blurring the background and minimizing distractions.
* Comfortable Shooting Distance: Allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject, which can be beneficial for shy or self-conscious subjects.
* Sharpness: Often, 85mm lenses are known for their exceptional sharpness.
Cons:
* Less Versatile: Not as versatile as a 50mm lens. More specialized for portraits.
* Not Ideal for Tight Spaces: Requires more space to work with. Can be challenging to use indoors in smaller rooms.
* More Expensive: Typically, 85mm lenses are more expensive than 50mm lenses, especially fast prime lenses.
* Less Context: Blurs out the background significantly, reducing the context of the image.
* Requires More Space: You'll need more room to move back from your subject, which might be a problem in smaller studios or environments.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|--------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
| Versatility | High | Lower |
| Compression | Lower | Higher |
| Distortion | Higher (close-up) | Lower |
| Background Blur | Less | More |
| Subject Distance | Closer | Further |
| Price | Generally Lower | Generally Higher |
| Space Needed | Less | More |
| Ideal For | Contextual Portraits, Street Portraits, tight spaces | Isolated Portraits, flattering perspective |
Which One Should You Choose?
* Choose a 50mm if:
* You need a versatile lens for various types of photography.
* You are shooting in tight spaces.
* You want to include more of the environment in your portraits.
* You are on a tighter budget.
* You like to connect more closely with your subject.
* Choose an 85mm if:
* You prioritize flattering perspective and minimal distortion.
* You want to isolate your subject with a blurred background.
* You have enough space to work with.
* You value the comfortable shooting distance.
* Budget is less of a concern.
Recommendation:
If you're starting out and can only afford one lens, the 50mm f/1.8 is an excellent choice due to its affordability and versatility. It allows you to learn the fundamentals of portrait photography without breaking the bank. As you gain experience and develop your style, you can then consider adding an 85mm to your kit to expand your creative options.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both focal lengths and see which one you prefer based on your shooting style and the types of portraits you want to create. Rent them from a camera store or borrow from a friend to experiment.