* Your style and preference: Do you prefer a wider environmental portrait or a tighter, more intimate shot?
* Shooting environment and space: Are you shooting in a studio or outdoors? Do you have enough space to move around?
* Subject and composition: Are you shooting full-body portraits, headshots, or group shots?
* Desired look and feel: Do you want a natural perspective or a compressed, flattering perspective?
Let's break down the pros and cons of each lens:
50mm Lens:
Pros:
* Versatility: A 50mm lens is often called a "nifty fifty" because it's very versatile. It's great for environmental portraits, full-body shots, and even some group shots.
* Field of View: The 50mm lens offers a field of view closer to what the human eye sees. This can result in more natural-looking portraits, capturing more of the surrounding environment.
* Affordability: 50mm lenses are generally more affordable than 85mm lenses, especially the f/1.8 versions.
* Low-light Performance: 50mm lenses, especially those with wide apertures (f/1.8 or wider), excel in low-light situations, allowing you to shoot in dimly lit environments without a flash.
* Easier to Use Indoors: In smaller indoor spaces, a 50mm lens is often easier to use because it allows you to capture more of the subject without having to stand too far away.
Cons:
* Distortion: At close distances, a 50mm lens can introduce slight distortion, particularly around the edges of the frame. This can make facial features appear slightly wider.
* Background Separation: While a 50mm can create some bokeh (blurred background), it's not as pronounced as with an 85mm lens. It requires wider apertures and closer focusing distances to achieve strong background blur.
* Less Flattering Perspective: Some photographers find that the 50mm lens doesn't compress the subject's features as much as an 85mm, which can be less flattering for some people. You need to be mindful of your posing and angle.
85mm Lens:
Pros:
* Excellent Background Separation (Bokeh): 85mm lenses are known for creating beautiful, creamy background blur (bokeh), isolating the subject and drawing attention to them.
* Flattering Perspective: The 85mm lens compresses features, which many find more flattering for portraits. It tends to smooth out skin and create a more streamlined look.
* Ideal for Headshots and Close-Ups: The longer focal length allows you to get close-up shots of the subject's face without being physically too close, which can be less intrusive and more comfortable for the model.
* Minimizes Distortion: 85mm lenses generally exhibit less distortion than 50mm lenses, resulting in more accurate and natural-looking facial features.
* Ideal for Isolating the Subject: If you want to eliminate distracting elements in the background and focus solely on the person, an 85mm is an excellent choice.
Cons:
* Less Versatile: 85mm lenses are more specialized for portraiture and less versatile for other types of photography like landscapes or street photography.
* Requires More Space: You need more space to work with an 85mm lens. This can be a challenge in small studios or indoor environments.
* Price: 85mm lenses, especially those with wide apertures, tend to be more expensive than 50mm lenses.
* Can be Too Tight: Sometimes the focal length can be too restrictive. You might find it difficult to include enough of the background or get a full-body shot without standing far back.
* Low-Light Considerations: While many 85mm lenses also have wide apertures, the longer focal length can make it slightly more challenging to handhold in low-light situations without motion blur (requiring higher ISOs or faster shutter speeds). Image stabilization can mitigate this.
Summary Table:
| Feature | 50mm Lens | 85mm Lens |
|----------------------|--------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Lower |
| Field of View | Wider, more natural | Narrower, more compressed |
| Background Blur | Moderate (depends on aperture & distance) | Strong, creamy bokeh |
| Perspective | More natural, slight distortion at close range | More compressed, flattering |
| Space Requirements | Less space needed | More space needed |
| Price | Generally more affordable | Generally more expensive |
| Best For | Environmental portraits, full-body shots | Headshots, close-ups, isolating the subject |
Which One Should You Choose?
* If you're just starting out: A 50mm lens is a great starting point due to its affordability and versatility. It allows you to experiment with portrait photography without breaking the bank.
* If you primarily shoot headshots and want beautiful background blur: An 85mm lens is an excellent choice.
* If you shoot in tight spaces: A 50mm lens is often more practical.
* If you want a more flattering perspective: An 85mm lens is generally preferred.
* If you want to include more of the environment in your portraits: A 50mm lens is a better option.
* If you can only afford one lens: The 50mm provides more versatility for different types of photography.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both lenses and see which one suits your style and preferences. If possible, rent both lenses and experiment with them in different shooting situations.
Other Considerations:
* Crop Sensor vs. Full Frame: On a crop sensor camera, a 50mm lens will have a narrower field of view (equivalent to approximately 75mm - 80mm), bringing it closer to an 85mm lens on a full-frame camera. Similarly, an 85mm on a crop sensor will be very zoomed in.
* Aperture: Both lenses can be found with wide apertures (e.g., f/1.8, f/1.4, f/1.2), which are ideal for creating shallow depth of field and shooting in low light.
* Image Stabilization: Consider lenses with image stabilization (IS) or vibration reduction (VR) to help reduce camera shake, especially when shooting handheld in low light.