Here's a breakdown to help you decide:
50mm Lens:
* Pros:
* Versatile: Can be used for more than just portraits. It's great for street photography, landscapes, and general photography.
* Affordable: Typically more affordable than an 85mm lens, especially at wider apertures (e.g., f/1.8).
* Wider Field of View: Allows you to capture more of the background and environment in your portraits. This is useful for environmental portraits that tell a story.
* Easier to Shoot in Tight Spaces: Good for indoor portraits in smaller rooms where you might not have space to back up with a longer lens.
* Lightweight and Compact: More portable and easier to carry around than an 85mm.
* Can create a more natural perspective: Closest to how the human eye perceives the scene (arguably).
* Cons:
* Less Background Compression: Doesn't compress the background as much as an 85mm, so the background might appear more distracting.
* Requires Closer Proximity to Subject: You need to be closer to your subject, which might make some people feel uncomfortable or self-conscious.
* Can Introduce Distortion: May produce slight distortion, especially around the edges of the frame, if you get too close to your subject. (Less of a problem with high-quality 50mm lenses and good technique)
85mm Lens:
* Pros:
* Excellent Background Compression: Creates a beautiful, blurred background (bokeh) that isolates the subject and makes them pop.
* Flattering Perspective: Compresses facial features, often resulting in a more flattering portrait.
* Ideal Distance: Allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject, which can help them feel more relaxed.
* Sharp Image Quality: 85mm lenses are often incredibly sharp.
* Minimal Distortion: Produces very little distortion, even when shooting close-ups.
* Cons:
* Less Versatile: Primarily suited for portraits and subjects that are further away.
* More Expensive: Typically more expensive than a 50mm lens.
* Larger and Heavier: Can be bulkier and heavier than a 50mm, making it less convenient to carry around.
* Requires More Space: Requires more distance between you and your subject, making it less suitable for shooting in tight spaces.
* Can feel isolating: The extreme focus on the subject can feel isolating and detach them from their environment.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|-------------------|------------------------|------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Low |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Size/Weight | Smaller/Lighter | Larger/Heavier |
| Background Blur| Less | More |
| Perspective | More natural | More flattering |
| Space Required| Less | More |
| Distortion | More (potentially) | Less |
| Subject Distance| Closer | Further |
When to Choose Which:
* Choose 50mm if:
* You want a versatile lens for various types of photography.
* You're on a budget.
* You need a lightweight and compact lens.
* You want to capture environmental portraits.
* You're shooting in tight spaces.
* You prefer a more natural-looking perspective.
* Choose 85mm if:
* Your primary focus is portrait photography.
* You want maximum background blur and isolation.
* You want a flattering perspective.
* You prefer a comfortable shooting distance.
* You have enough space to work with.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both lenses out if possible. Rent them, borrow them, or find a camera store where you can test them. Pay attention to how they feel in your hands, how the images look, and how they fit your personal shooting style. You might even find that you prefer one for certain types of portraits and the other for others. Many professional portrait photographers use both!
Consider these factors:
* Your style: Do you like capturing a lot of the environment or isolating your subject?
* Your subject: Are they comfortable with you being close?
* Your environment: Are you shooting indoors or outdoors?
* Your budget: Can you afford an 85mm with the aperture you want?
* What story are you trying to tell: Do you want to focus solely on the subject, or tell a story through the background?
Good luck choosing!