50mm Lens:
Pros:
* Versatile: A 50mm lens is often considered a "nifty fifty" because it's incredibly versatile. It can be used for more than just portraits – street photography, landscapes, even close-up details.
* More Natural Perspective: The 50mm lens provides a field of view that's close to how the human eye sees, resulting in a more natural-looking perspective. Faces and body proportions tend to appear more accurate.
* Often More Affordable: High-quality 50mm lenses, especially those with wide apertures (like f/1.8 or f/1.4), are generally more affordable than equivalent 85mm lenses.
* More Environmental Context: The wider field of view captures more of the surrounding environment, which can be great for environmental portraits that tell a story about the subject and their location. You can include context.
* Less Compression: 50mm has less compression, resulting in a more natural look to the facial features.
* Easier to Use in Tight Spaces: If you're shooting in smaller rooms or crowded locations, a 50mm lens gives you more room to maneuver.
Cons:
* Less Background Blur (Bokeh): While you can still achieve background blur with a 50mm, it generally won't be as pronounced as with an 85mm, especially at the same aperture. You might need to shoot wider open.
* May Require Getting Closer to the Subject: To fill the frame with your subject, you'll need to get physically closer, which some subjects may find less comfortable.
* More Pronounced Distortion on Crop Sensors: While not a major issue, a 50mm on a crop sensor camera (like APS-C) might show a bit more distortion around the edges compared to an 85mm.
85mm Lens:
Pros:
* Excellent Background Blur (Bokeh): The longer focal length combined with a wide aperture (typically f/1.8 or wider) creates beautiful, creamy background blur that isolates the subject. This is a major reason why 85mm is so popular for portraits.
* Flattering Perspective: 85mm is known for compressing facial features, which many find flattering. It can subtly smooth out imperfections and create a more pleasing overall look.
* More Comfortable Working Distance: You can stand further back from your subject, which can make them feel more relaxed and natural.
* Ideal for Headshots and Upper Body Portraits: The 85mm focal length excels at these types of portraits, where you want to focus on the subject's face and expression.
* Less Distortion: Compared to a wider lens like 50mm, 85mm produces minimal distortion.
Cons:
* Less Versatile: Not as versatile as a 50mm. Primarily used for portraits.
* More Expensive: High-quality 85mm lenses with wide apertures can be more expensive than 50mm lenses.
* May Require More Space: You'll need more space to work with an 85mm lens, especially when shooting full-body portraits or working indoors.
* Stronger Compression - Can Be Too Much: While the compression is often flattering, in some cases, it can make features appear *too* compressed or flatten the face excessively.
* Can Feel More Isolating for the Subject: Standing further away can feel less personal.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|----------------------|----------------------------|--------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Low |
| Background Blur | Moderate | High |
| Perspective | Natural | Compressing, Flattering |
| Working Distance | Closer | Further |
| Cost | Generally More Affordable | Generally More Expensive |
| Space Required | Less | More |
| Distortion | More (especially on crop) | Less |
| Best For | Environmental Portraits, Full Body, General Use | Headshots, Upper Body, Strong Bokeh |
Which is Best FOR YOU? Considerations:
* Your Portrait Style:
* Environmental Portraits: If you want to include a lot of the background and tell a story about the subject in their environment, a 50mm might be a better choice.
* Classic Headshots/Beauty Portraits: If you're focused on capturing the subject's face and creating a flattering image with blurred background, an 85mm is likely better.
* Shooting Location:
* Indoors/Small Spaces: 50mm might be more practical.
* Outdoors/Large Spaces: 85mm can excel, especially if you want that background blur.
* Budget: Start with a good 50mm if you're on a budget.
* Sensor Size:
* Full Frame: Both lenses perform as expected.
* Crop Sensor (APS-C): A 50mm lens will have a field of view closer to an 80mm lens (50mm x 1.6 crop factor), and a 35mm will approximate a 50mm. An 85mm on a crop sensor can feel very zoomed in.
Recommendation:
* If you're just starting out or want a versatile lens for all-around photography: Get a 50mm f/1.8. It's affordable, sharp, and will give you a good introduction to portrait photography.
* If you're primarily focused on portraits and want that beautiful background blur: Invest in an 85mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 (if your budget allows).
* Ideally: Have both! Each lens has its strengths and weaknesses. Having both in your kit gives you maximum flexibility. You can also use other focal lengths like 35mm or even zoom lenses (like a 70-200mm) for portraiture.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both lenses out yourself. Rent them, borrow them from a friend, or go to a camera store and test them. See which focal length resonates with your style and helps you create the portraits you envision. Good luck!