50mm Lens:
* Pros:
* Versatility: A 50mm is a good general-purpose lens. You can use it for environmental portraits, street photography, and even some landscape work.
* Affordability: Generally, 50mm lenses, especially the f/1.8 versions, are much more budget-friendly than 85mm lenses.
* Wider Field of View: Allows you to include more of the surrounding environment in your portraits. Good for telling a story or showing context.
* Working Distance: Requires you to be closer to your subject, which can be beneficial for communication and connection.
* Easier to Handhold: Generally smaller and lighter than 85mm, making them easier to carry around.
* Good in Tight Spaces: Works better in smaller studios or indoor spaces where you can't move back as much.
* Cons:
* Less Background Blur (Bokeh): While you can still achieve background blur, it won't be as pronounced as with an 85mm at the same aperture.
* Potential for Distortion: Can introduce slight distortion, especially if you get too close to your subject's face (though this is minimal with good technique).
* Less Isolation: The wider field of view can make it harder to isolate your subject from a busy background.
* Requires More Movement: You often need to move more (backwards) to get a full-body shot.
85mm Lens:
* Pros:
* Beautiful Bokeh: Creates a shallow depth of field and creamy background blur, isolating your subject beautifully. Often considered a "signature" portrait look.
* Flattering Perspective: Tends to compress features and can be more flattering to facial structure, minimizing perspective distortion.
* Subject Isolation: Excellent at isolating the subject, drawing the viewer's eye directly to them.
* Comfortable Working Distance: Allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject, which some people prefer.
* Creates a "Painterly" Effect: The combination of sharpness and bokeh can result in a very aesthetically pleasing, almost artistic look.
* Cons:
* More Expensive: 85mm lenses, especially those with wide apertures (like f/1.4 or f/1.8), tend to be more expensive.
* Less Versatile: More specialized for portraits. Not as useful for other types of photography.
* Less Practical in Tight Spaces: Requires more space to work in, making it less suitable for small studios or indoor environments.
* Heavier and Bulkier: Can be more tiring to carry around for extended periods.
* More Difficult to Handhold: The longer focal length can make it more susceptible to camera shake, requiring faster shutter speeds or stabilization.
* Can Feel Distant: The distance between you and your subject can sometimes make communication a little more challenging.
Here's a quick summary table:
| Feature | 50mm Lens | 85mm Lens |
|----------------------|------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Low |
| Affordability | High | Low |
| Background Blur | Moderate | High |
| Distortion | Slight (can be managed) | Minimal |
| Subject Isolation | Moderate | High |
| Working Distance | Closer | Further |
| Space Required | Less | More |
| Size & Weight | Smaller & Lighter | Larger & Heavier |
| Best For | Environmental Portraits, Tight Spaces | Classic Portraits, Isolating Subjects, Bokeh |
Which one should *you* choose? Consider these questions:
* What kind of portraits do you want to take? Do you want to show the environment and context, or focus solely on the subject?
* Where will you be shooting? Indoors or outdoors? Large studio or small room?
* What's your budget?
* What is your personal style? Do you prefer a natural look or a more dramatic, bokeh-rich look?
* What is your subject's face shape and what are you hoping to flatter or minimize? The 85mm can be more forgiving on some face shapes.
* How comfortable are you communicating with your subject? Being closer (50mm) can help with this.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both! Rent or borrow an 85mm lens and experiment. Compare the results to your 50mm lens and see which one produces images that you prefer.
One last tip: Don't get too caught up in the "rules." Photography is about creativity and self-expression. Experiment and find what works best for you!