50mm Lens for Portraits:
Pros:
* Versatile: The 50mm is a great all-around lens. It's not just good for portraits; it can also be used for street photography, landscapes, and everyday shooting. It's a good lens to learn on.
* Affordable: Generally, 50mm lenses are less expensive than 85mm lenses, especially fast (low aperture) versions. You can get a very high-quality 50mm f/1.8 for a relatively low price.
* Wider Field of View: Allows you to include more of the environment in your portraits. This is great for environmental portraits that tell a story about the subject's surroundings.
* Less Intimidating: Can be less intimidating for your subject than a longer lens, allowing for more natural interactions.
* Working Distance: You'll need to be physically closer to your subject, which can facilitate easier communication and posing.
Cons:
* Perspective Distortion: At closer distances (necessary for headshots or tight crops), a 50mm can introduce slight perspective distortion, making features like the nose appear larger relative to the ears. This is less noticeable at further distances but becomes more apparent the closer you get.
* Background Compression: Offers less background compression than an 85mm. Backgrounds may appear less blurred and more distracting.
* May Need to Crop: To get a tight headshot, you'll likely need to crop the image in post-processing, which can reduce image quality.
* Not as Flattering on Everyone: The subtle perspective distortion can sometimes be less flattering, especially on certain face shapes.
85mm Lens for Portraits:
Pros:
* Flattering Perspective: The 85mm is known for its flattering perspective. It naturally compresses features, making faces appear slimmer and more balanced.
* Excellent Background Separation: Provides beautiful background blur (bokeh) due to its longer focal length and often wider apertures. This isolates the subject and creates a dreamy effect.
* More Professional Look: Many consider the 85mm to be the "classic" portrait lens due to its flattering rendering and background blur capabilities.
* Working Distance: Allows you to stand further back from your subject, which can make them feel more comfortable and relaxed. Also beneficial for capturing candid moments without being too intrusive.
Cons:
* Less Versatile: More specialized for portraits and less useful for other types of photography.
* More Expensive: Typically more expensive than 50mm lenses, particularly fast (low aperture) versions.
* Requires More Space: You need more space to work with an 85mm, especially indoors.
* Communication: Standing further away can make communication with your subject slightly more challenging.
* Can Feel Intimidating: The larger size and longer focal length can feel more intimidating to some subjects.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | 50mm | 85mm |
|-------------------|------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Lower |
| Price | Generally lower | Generally higher |
| Perspective | More distortion at close range | More flattering compression |
| Background Blur | Less | More |
| Working Distance | Closer | Further |
| Space Required | Less | More |
| Intimidation | Less Intimidating | More Intimidating |
| Environmental Portraits | Easier to capture | More challenging to capture |
Which One Should You Choose?
* Choose 50mm if:
* You're on a budget.
* You want a versatile lens that can be used for various types of photography.
* You enjoy environmental portraits.
* You need to work in tight spaces.
* You're just starting out in portrait photography.
* Choose 85mm if:
* You prioritize flattering portraits with beautiful background blur.
* You have the space to work with a longer focal length.
* You shoot primarily portraits.
* You want a more "professional" portrait look.
* You want to keep some distance from your subject.
Final Thoughts:
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both lenses if possible. Rent them or borrow them from a friend. Consider your shooting style, the type of portraits you want to create, and the environment you typically work in. There's no single "right" answer, and many photographers own and use both lenses for different purposes. You might even consider other focal lengths like 35mm or 135mm depending on your specific needs and preferences. Good luck!