50mm Lens for Portraits
* Pros:
* Versatile: A 50mm is a very versatile lens. It's useful for portraits, but also for street photography, landscapes, and general photography. It's often considered a "nifty fifty" and a great first prime lens.
* Affordable: Typically, 50mm lenses, especially those with faster apertures like f/1.8, are relatively inexpensive.
* Wider Field of View: Captures more of the environment, allowing you to tell a story and include elements that add context to the portrait. You can create environmental portraits more easily.
* Less Compression: Doesn't compress features as much as longer lenses, which some people prefer for a more natural look.
* Easier to Shoot in Tight Spaces: The wider field of view makes it easier to work indoors or in confined locations where you can't move far away from your subject.
* Good for Full-Body Portraits: Easier to capture full-body or wider shots of your subject without having to move far away.
* Cons:
* Less Subject Isolation: The wider field of view means it's harder to get extremely shallow depth of field and isolate your subject completely from the background.
* Distortion at Close Range: When shooting very close to your subject, a 50mm can sometimes exhibit slight distortion, especially around the edges of the frame. This can be more noticeable in facial features.
* Requires Getting Closer: You'll need to get closer to your subject to frame a tight headshot, which some subjects might find less comfortable.
85mm Lens for Portraits
* Pros:
* Excellent Subject Isolation: Longer focal length creates a very shallow depth of field, blurring the background beautifully and making your subject "pop."
* Flattering Compression: Compresses facial features, which many find more flattering and aesthetically pleasing. Can smooth out wrinkles and create a slimmer appearance.
* Comfortable Distance: Allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject, which can help them feel more relaxed and natural.
* More Background Separation: Enhances the bokeh (background blur), making it very smooth and creamy.
* Less Distortion: Minimal distortion, even at close range.
* Cons:
* More Expensive: 85mm lenses, especially those with fast apertures, are generally more expensive than 50mm lenses.
* Requires More Space: You need more room to work, as you'll need to be further away from your subject to frame the shot. Can be difficult to use indoors or in small spaces.
* Less Versatile: Primarily designed for portraits. While it can be used for other types of photography, it's not as versatile as a 50mm.
* Steeper Learning Curve: Requires more precise focusing due to the shallow depth of field.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm Lens | 85mm Lens |
|-----------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| Field of View | Wider | Narrower |
| Subject Isolation | Less | More |
| Compression | Less | More |
| Working Distance | Closer | Further |
| Versatility | More | Less |
| Price | Generally more affordable | Generally more expensive |
| Space Requirements | Less | More |
| Distortion | More (at close range) | Less |
Which one should you choose?
* Choose 50mm if:
* You want a versatile lens for portraits and other types of photography.
* You're on a budget.
* You often shoot in tight spaces.
* You want to include more of the environment in your portraits.
* You prefer a more natural, less compressed look.
* Choose 85mm if:
* You prioritize subject isolation and beautiful background blur (bokeh).
* You want flattering compression of facial features.
* You have enough space to work with.
* You want to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject.
* You primarily shoot portraits.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both focal lengths. Rent them if you can, or borrow them from a friend. Experiment with different settings and subjects to see which lens best suits your style and needs.
Other factors to consider:
* Sensor size: These focal lengths perform differently on crop sensor (APS-C) cameras. A 50mm on a crop sensor will have a similar field of view to an 80mm lens on a full-frame camera, and an 85mm will be even tighter.
* Aperture: Both 50mm and 85mm lenses are available with fast apertures (e.g., f/1.8, f/1.4), which are ideal for achieving shallow depth of field and shooting in low light.
Good luck and happy shooting!