50mm Lens (Often called a "Nifty Fifty")
Pros:
* Versatility: 50mm is a versatile focal length that can be used for more than just portraits. It's great for street photography, landscapes, and general everyday shooting.
* Affordability: 50mm lenses are generally much more affordable than 85mm lenses, especially at fast apertures (like f/1.8 or f/1.4).
* Environmental Portraits: The wider field of view of a 50mm lens allows you to include more of the environment in your portraits. This can be great for telling a story or capturing a sense of place. You can show your subject *in* their environment rather than *isolated* from it.
* Closer Interaction: You need to be physically closer to your subject, which can lead to a more intimate connection and easier communication.
* Lightweight & Compact: Typically, 50mm lenses are smaller and lighter, making them easier to carry around.
* Good for Full-Body Shots: Easier to capture full-body portraits in smaller spaces compared to 85mm.
Cons:
* Less Background Blur (Bokeh): While you can still achieve shallow depth of field, it won't be as pronounced as with an 85mm lens at the same aperture. The compression of the background isn't as strong.
* Can Distort Facial Features: Being closer to your subject with a wider lens can slightly distort facial features, especially the nose, making it appear a bit larger. This is less of an issue with careful composition and posing, but it's something to be aware of.
* Not as Isolating: Since you're including more of the environment, it can be harder to isolate your subject from distracting backgrounds.
* May Require More Post-Processing: You might need to do more post-processing to clean up the background if it's busy and distracting.
85mm Lens (Often considered a "Classic Portrait Lens")
Pros:
* Excellent Background Blur (Bokeh): 85mm lenses are renowned for their beautiful, creamy background blur, which effectively isolates your subject.
* Flattering Perspective: The 85mm focal length creates a more flattering perspective for portraits, minimizing distortion and compressing facial features in a pleasing way.
* Subject Isolation: The narrow field of view helps isolate your subject from distracting backgrounds, drawing more attention to them.
* Professional Look: Many professional portrait photographers swear by 85mm lenses for their ability to create stunning, high-quality images.
* Comfortable Shooting Distance: You can maintain a comfortable distance from your subject, allowing them to feel more relaxed.
Cons:
* Less Versatile: 85mm lenses are primarily designed for portraits and may not be as useful for other types of photography.
* More Expensive: 85mm lenses, especially with fast apertures, tend to be significantly more expensive than 50mm lenses.
* Heavier & Bulkier: Generally larger and heavier, making them less convenient to carry around.
* Requires More Space: You need more space to shoot, especially for full-body portraits. This can be challenging in smaller studios or indoor environments.
* Less Environmental Context: It's harder to capture the environment surrounding your subject, which may not be ideal if you want to tell a story or showcase a location.
* Can Feel Distant: The longer focal length can sometimes create a sense of distance between you and your subject.
Here's a simple table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm Lens | 85mm Lens |
|-------------------|---------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Low |
| Price | Affordable | More Expensive |
| Bokeh | Moderate | Excellent |
| Distortion | Possible (close-up) | Minimal |
| Environment | More Inclusion | Less Inclusion |
| Space Needed | Less | More |
| Weight/Size | Lighter/Smaller | Heavier/Larger |
| Subject Distance | Closer | Further |
Which Lens is Right for You?
* Choose 50mm if:
* You're on a budget.
* You want a versatile lens that can be used for various types of photography.
* You prefer to include more of the environment in your portraits.
* You enjoy interacting closely with your subjects.
* You need a lightweight and compact option.
* You're shooting in tight spaces.
* Choose 85mm if:
* You prioritize beautiful background blur and subject isolation.
* You want a flattering perspective for your portraits.
* You have a larger budget and don't mind carrying a heavier lens.
* You primarily shoot portraits and want a dedicated portrait lens.
* You have enough space to work with.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both lenses (if possible) and see which one you prefer. Consider your shooting style, the types of portraits you want to create, and your budget.
Other Considerations:
* Crop Sensor vs. Full Frame: On a crop sensor camera, the effective focal length of both lenses will be longer. For example, a 50mm lens on a camera with a 1.5x crop factor will behave more like a 75mm lens (50mm * 1.5 = 75mm). Keep this in mind when choosing a focal length. A 35mm lens on a crop sensor camera can be a good alternative if you want the wider view of a 50mm lens on a full-frame.
* Aperture: The aperture (f-stop) of the lens is crucial for portrait photography, especially for achieving shallow depth of field. A wider aperture (e.g., f/1.8, f/1.4) will create more background blur than a narrower aperture (e.g., f/2.8, f/4).
* Prime vs. Zoom: Both 50mm and 85mm are typically prime lenses (fixed focal length). While there are zoom lenses that cover these focal lengths, prime lenses generally offer better image quality and wider apertures.
Good luck finding the perfect lens for your portrait photography!