* Your style: Are you going for environmental portraits that show the subject in context, or close-up headshots?
* The environment: Are you shooting in a spacious park or a cramped studio?
* Your subject: Are you photographing individuals or groups?
* Personal preference: Some photographers simply prefer one focal length over the other.
Here's a breakdown to help you decide:
50mm Lens:
* Pros:
* Versatility: A "standard" focal length, suitable for various types of photography beyond just portraits.
* Environmental Portraits: Great for showing more of the background and telling a story about the subject's surroundings.
* Smaller and Lighter: Often more compact and easier to carry than an 85mm.
* Generally More Affordable: High-quality 50mm lenses (especially f/1.8) are relatively inexpensive.
* Less Compression: Provides a more natural perspective, closer to how the eye sees things.
* Works in Tight Spaces: More suitable for smaller studios or indoor locations where you can't move back easily.
* Cons:
* Less Background Blur (Bokeh): Doesn't isolate the subject as much as an 85mm, especially at smaller apertures.
* May Require You to Get Closer: Can sometimes feel a little too close for comfort, especially with shy subjects.
* Potential for Distortion (Slight): If you get *very* close, you might notice some slight distortion, especially at the edges of the frame.
85mm Lens:
* Pros:
* Excellent Subject Isolation: Creates a beautiful, blurred background (bokeh) that makes the subject pop.
* Flattering Perspective: Offers a more compressed perspective, which many find more flattering for faces (elongates features slightly).
* Comfortable Distance: Allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject.
* Often Sharper: Many 85mm lenses are known for their sharpness.
* Professional Look: Often associated with professional portrait photography.
* Cons:
* Less Versatile: More specialized for portraiture; less useful for landscapes or other types of photography.
* Requires More Space: You need room to move back to frame your subject properly.
* More Expensive: Generally more expensive than comparable 50mm lenses.
* Larger and Heavier: Can be bulkier and less convenient to carry.
* Not Ideal for Groups: Framing larger groups can be difficult due to the narrow field of view.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|-------------------|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Low |
| Background Blur | Less | More |
| Perspective | More Natural | More Compressed |
| Working Distance| Closer | Further |
| Size & Weight | Smaller, Lighter | Larger, Heavier |
| Price | Generally Less Expensive | Generally More Expensive |
| Best For: | Environmental Portraits, Tight Spaces| Headshots, Subject Isolation |
In summary:
* Choose 50mm if: You want a versatile lens, often shoot in tight spaces, need to show the subject's environment, or are on a budget.
* Choose 85mm if: You want maximum background blur, a flattering perspective, and are willing to invest in a specialized portrait lens.
Consider These Points:
* Crop Sensor Cameras: If you have a crop sensor camera, the equivalent focal lengths change. For example, a 50mm lens on a camera with a 1.5x crop factor will behave like a 75mm lens (50mm * 1.5 = 75mm). A 35mm lens might be a good all-around choice on a crop sensor for portraiture.
* Zoom Lenses: Don't forget about zoom lenses like a 24-70mm or 70-200mm. These can offer the flexibility of both focal lengths (and more) but are often larger and more expensive. A 70-200mm lens is a very popular choice for portrait photographers.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both focal lengths and see which one you prefer based on your own shooting style and the types of portraits you want to create. Rent or borrow a lens before buying, if possible. Good luck!