Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons of each:
50mm Lens
Pros:
* Versatility: A 50mm is a very versatile lens. You can use it for full-body portraits, environmental portraits, and even some tighter headshots.
* Affordability: Generally, 50mm lenses (especially the f/1.8 versions) are significantly more affordable than 85mm lenses with similar apertures.
* Wider Field of View: This allows you to capture more of the background, making it ideal for environmental portraits where you want to show the subject in their context. You can also shoot in tighter spaces more easily.
* Easier to Use in Tight Spaces: Indoors or in crowded locations, the wider field of view is a major advantage. You don't need as much room to get the shot you want.
* Faster Apertures Often Available: While 85mm lenses also have fast apertures, 50mm lenses often have even faster options (e.g., f/1.4, f/1.2) allowing for even more shallow depth of field.
Cons:
* Less Background Compression: The 50mm doesn't compress the background as much as an 85mm, which means objects in the background might appear closer and more distracting.
* Can Distort Features Slightly: At close distances, a 50mm can introduce subtle distortion, particularly around the edges of the frame. While generally not a major issue, it's something to be aware of. Requires you to get closer to your subject, which can make some people feel self conscious.
* Less Separation from Background (Potentially): While a fast aperture can blur the background, the effect isn't as pronounced as with a longer focal length.
85mm Lens
Pros:
* Excellent Background Compression: The 85mm lens compresses the background, making it appear closer to the subject and creating a beautiful, dreamy effect. This helps to isolate the subject and eliminate distractions.
* Flattering Perspective: This focal length is widely considered to be very flattering for faces, minimizing distortion and creating a more pleasing portrait.
* Ideal for Headshots and Tight Portraits: The 85mm is perfect for focusing on the face and upper body, creating intimate and impactful images.
* Stronger Bokeh: Due to the longer focal length and often wide apertures, 85mm lenses produce a very pleasing "bokeh" (the blurry out-of-focus areas), further enhancing the subject isolation. Allows you to shoot from farther away making your subject more comfortable.
Cons:
* More Expensive: 85mm lenses, especially those with fast apertures, are generally more expensive than 50mm lenses.
* Requires More Space: You need more distance between you and your subject to frame the shot, which can be challenging in tight spaces.
* Less Versatile: It's less suitable for environmental portraits or full-body shots in confined areas.
* Can Be Less Forgiving: Because of the shallow depth of field, precise focusing is crucial. Even slight misfocusing can result in blurry eyes.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|----------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
| Versatility | High | Lower |
| Price | More Affordable | More Expensive |
| Compression | Less | More |
| Bokeh | Less Pronounced | More Pronounced |
| Space Needed| Less | More |
| Flattering Perspective | Good | Excellent |
| Best For | Environmental Portraits, Full Body, Tight Spaces | Headshots, Close-ups, Isolating Subjects |
When to Choose Which:
* Choose 50mm if:
* You're on a budget.
* You need a versatile lens for various types of photography.
* You often shoot in tight spaces.
* You want to capture more of the environment in your portraits.
* You like to experiment with creative compositions.
* Choose 85mm if:
* You primarily shoot headshots or close-up portraits.
* You want maximum background blur and subject isolation.
* You have the space to work with the longer focal length.
* You prioritize a flattering perspective for your subjects.
Ultimately, the best lens for you depends on your personal preferences and the types of portraits you want to create. If possible, rent or borrow both lenses and experiment with them to see which one you prefer. You might even find that you like having both in your kit, using each for different situations.