50mm Lens for Portraits
Pros:
* Versatile: 50mm is often considered a "standard" focal length, making it useful for a wide range of photography, not just portraits. You can easily use it for street photography, landscapes (with some cropping), and general snapshots.
* Smaller and Lighter: Typically smaller and lighter than an 85mm lens, making it easier to carry around for extended periods.
* More Affordable: Generally more budget-friendly than an 85mm lens, especially if you're looking at lenses with similar apertures (e.g., f/1.8).
* Environmental Portraits: Excels at capturing more of the environment around the subject. This allows you to tell a story about where the person is and what they're doing.
* Close Interaction: Requires you to be closer to your subject, which can foster a more intimate and connected interaction.
Cons:
* Less Background Blur (Bokeh): At the same aperture, a 50mm lens produces less background blur than an 85mm lens. While you can still achieve pleasing bokeh, it won't be as pronounced.
* Perspective Distortion: Can introduce some perspective distortion when shooting close-ups, making facial features (especially the nose) appear slightly larger than they actually are. You need to be mindful of your distance to minimize this.
* Less Isolation: Because you're capturing more of the environment, it can be harder to isolate the subject completely.
* May Require More Posing: Because it shows more of the body, you need to be more mindful of the subject's posture and overall pose.
85mm Lens for Portraits
Pros:
* Beautiful Bokeh: Creates significantly more background blur than a 50mm lens, isolating the subject and creating a creamy, dreamlike background.
* Flattering Perspective: Provides a more flattering perspective for portraits, minimizing distortion and compressing facial features. This helps avoid the "big nose" effect you might get with a wider lens.
* Better Subject Isolation: The longer focal length naturally isolates the subject, drawing the viewer's attention directly to them.
* Comfortable Working Distance: Allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject, which can be helpful for shy or self-conscious individuals.
* Headshots and Tight Portraits: Ideal for headshots and tight portraits where you want to focus on the subject's face and expression.
Cons:
* Less Versatile: Primarily suited for portraits and may not be as useful for other types of photography.
* Larger and Heavier: Usually larger and heavier than a 50mm lens, making it less convenient to carry around.
* More Expensive: Typically more expensive than a 50mm lens with a similar aperture.
* Requires More Space: Needs more space to work with, especially in smaller studios or cramped environments.
* Less Context: Captures less of the surrounding environment, which may not be ideal for environmental portraits.
Here's a Table Summarizing the Key Differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|-------------------|---------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Low |
| Bokeh | Moderate | High |
| Perspective | Can distort close-ups | Flattering |
| Subject Isolation | Moderate | High |
| Working Distance | Closer | Further |
| Size/Weight | Smaller/Lighter | Larger/Heavier |
| Cost | Less Expensive | More Expensive |
| Environment | Captures more | Captures less |
Which is Best for You?
* Choose 50mm if:
* You're on a budget.
* You want a versatile lens for various types of photography.
* You enjoy environmental portraits and telling a story through the surroundings.
* You're comfortable interacting closely with your subject.
* You work in tight spaces.
* Choose 85mm if:
* You primarily focus on portraits and want the best possible bokeh and subject isolation.
* You prioritize a flattering perspective and compressed features.
* You prefer a comfortable working distance from your subject.
* You have the budget and space for a dedicated portrait lens.
Consider This:
* Crop Factor: If you're using a crop-sensor camera, the effective focal length will be different. A 50mm lens on a crop-sensor camera (e.g., APS-C) will behave more like a 75mm lens (50mm x 1.5 or 1.6 crop factor), and an 85mm lens will behave more like a 127.5mm lens. Keep this in mind when choosing.
* Rent First: If possible, rent both lenses and try them out in different scenarios before making a purchase. This is the best way to determine which focal length suits your style and needs.
* Zoom Lenses: Don't forget about zoom lenses! Lenses like a 24-70mm or 70-200mm can cover both 50mm and 85mm, offering flexibility, though potentially at a higher cost and with a slightly less wide maximum aperture compared to prime lenses.
Ultimately, the best focal length for portrait photography depends on your individual style, budget, and shooting preferences. Experiment, try different options, and see which one helps you achieve the results you're looking for. Good luck!