50mm Lens:
Pros:
* Versatility: The 50mm is a fantastic all-around lens. You can use it for portraits, street photography, landscapes, and even some product photography. This makes it a great choice if you're looking for a lens you can use in various situations.
* Affordability: 50mm lenses are typically much more affordable than 85mm lenses, especially faster apertures (e.g., f/1.8 or f/1.4). This makes it a great entry-level portrait lens.
* Wider Field of View: The wider field of view allows you to incorporate more of the environment into your portraits. This can be useful for environmental portraits that tell a story or show the subject in their context.
* Works Well in Tight Spaces: Because of the wider field of view, a 50mm is better suited for indoor shooting or in tight spaces where you can't step back far enough with a longer lens.
* Easier to Focus: Generally, shorter focal lengths are slightly easier to focus accurately, especially manually.
Cons:
* Can Distort Facial Features (Slightly): When shooting close-ups with a 50mm, there can be slight distortion, making features like the nose appear a bit larger than they are. This is less pronounced than with wider lenses, but it's something to be aware of.
* Less Background Blur (Bokeh): While you can still get a shallow depth of field with a 50mm, the background blur (bokeh) won't be as pronounced or creamy as with an 85mm, especially at the same aperture.
* Requires You to Get Closer: You need to be physically closer to your subject, which some subjects may find less comfortable. This can sometimes make candid moments harder to capture.
85mm Lens:
Pros:
* Ideal Focal Length for Portraits: The 85mm is widely considered the "classic" portrait lens. It provides a flattering perspective that minimizes distortion and renders facial features beautifully.
* Excellent Background Blur (Bokeh): The longer focal length and typically wider maximum aperture create a very shallow depth of field and beautiful, creamy bokeh, which helps to isolate the subject and draw the viewer's attention.
* Compression: The 85mm lens compresses the background, making it appear closer to the subject. This can be useful for creating a more intimate and focused image.
* More Comfortable Distance: You can maintain a more comfortable distance from your subject, which can help them relax and feel more natural. This is especially useful for working with people who are not used to being photographed.
* Flattering Perspective: The longer focal length helps to avoid distortion and provide a flattering perspective, especially for facial features.
Cons:
* More Expensive: 85mm lenses, especially those with fast apertures (e.g., f/1.8 or f/1.4), tend to be more expensive than 50mm lenses.
* Requires More Space: You need more space to work with an 85mm lens, as you need to be further away from your subject to compose the shot. This can be a problem in small studios or indoor environments.
* Less Versatile: While excellent for portraits, the 85mm is less versatile than the 50mm. It's not as well-suited for street photography, landscapes, or general purpose shooting.
* Can Be Harder to Focus (Especially Manual): The shallower depth of field makes precise focusing even more crucial and potentially challenging, particularly when using manual focus.
* Less Forgiving: Any slight movement from you or your subject can affect focus, making sharp portraits more difficult to achieve, especially at wider apertures.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|-------------------|--------------------------|----------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Low |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Background Blur | Less | More |
| Distortion | Slight | Minimal |
| Working Distance | Closer | Further |
| Space Required | Less | More |
| Best Use | General, Environmental Portraits | Classic Portraits, Headshots |
Which is Right for You?
* Choose the 50mm if:
* You're on a budget.
* You need a versatile lens for various types of photography.
* You often shoot in tight spaces or indoors.
* You want to incorporate more of the environment into your portraits.
* You're a beginner and want an easy-to-learn portrait lens.
* Choose the 85mm if:
* You prioritize beautiful background blur and subject isolation.
* You have enough space to work with.
* You want the classic, flattering portrait look.
* You want to create more intimate and focused images.
* You're primarily interested in portrait photography.
Consider This:
* Crop Sensor vs. Full Frame: On a crop sensor camera, the 50mm will act more like an 80mm (50mm x 1.6 crop factor), and the 85mm will act more like a 136mm. This changes the effective field of view and impacts how the lens behaves.
* Prime vs. Zoom: Both focal lengths are commonly available as prime lenses (fixed focal length) or as part of a zoom lens. Prime lenses generally offer better image quality and wider apertures, but zoom lenses provide more flexibility.
* Rent Before You Buy: If possible, rent both lenses for a weekend and try them out in different scenarios. This will give you a firsthand experience of how each lens performs and help you make an informed decision.
Ultimately, the "best" lens depends on your individual needs and preferences. Experiment with both focal lengths to find the one that suits your style and helps you create the images you envision. There's no definitive right or wrong answer! Good luck!