50mm Lens:
* Pros:
* More Versatile: The 50mm is a general-purpose lens, great for a wider range of photography beyond portraits. You can use it for street photography, landscapes, and even some architectural shots.
* More Affordable: Generally, 50mm lenses (especially the f/1.8 versions) are much more budget-friendly than comparable 85mm lenses.
* Good in Tight Spaces: Easier to use indoors or in small studios because of its wider field of view. You don't need as much room to capture a full head-and-shoulders shot.
* More Environmental Context: Captures more of the surrounding environment, which can be beneficial if you want to include the subject's surroundings in the portrait's storytelling.
* Less Compression: The 50mm lens produces less compression compared to an 85mm, which means that facial features will appear more natural.
* Cons:
* Can Distort Facial Features: If you get too close to your subject, the 50mm can distort facial features slightly, making the nose appear larger or the forehead more prominent. This is especially true for close-up headshots.
* May Require Getting Too Close: To get a tight headshot, you need to get relatively close to your subject, which can sometimes make them feel uncomfortable or self-conscious.
* Less Background Blur (Boke): While you can still achieve shallow depth of field with a 50mm lens (especially with a fast aperture like f/1.8 or f/1.4), it won't produce the same level of creamy background blur as an 85mm.
85mm Lens:
* Pros:
* Flattering Perspective: The 85mm is renowned for its flattering perspective on faces. It compresses features, making the subject look more attractive and avoiding distortion.
* Excellent Background Blur (Bokeh): Produces beautiful, creamy background blur (bokeh), which helps to isolate the subject and draw attention to them.
* Greater Working Distance: Allows you to shoot from a greater distance, which can make your subject feel more comfortable and relaxed. This distance also gives you more opportunities to capture candid moments.
* Good for headshots: The flattering compression that an 85mm lens creates makes it excellent for headshots.
* Cons:
* Less Versatile: More specialized for portraiture and less useful for other types of photography.
* More Expensive: Typically more expensive than 50mm lenses, especially the high-quality ones with wide apertures.
* Requires More Space: Can be challenging to use in small spaces, as you need more distance between yourself and your subject to frame the shot properly.
* More Compression: The greater compression of the 85mm lens is flattering, but may not be ideal if you want to capture the natural proportions of a subject's face.
Here's a quick summary table:
| Feature | 50mm Lens | 85mm Lens |
|---------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|
| Versatility | High | Low |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Distortion | More potential | Less potential |
| Background Blur | Less | More |
| Working Distance | Shorter | Longer |
| Space Requirements | Less | More |
| Compression | Less | More |
Which One Should You Choose?
* Choose 50mm if:
* You're on a budget.
* You want a versatile lens that you can use for various types of photography.
* You often shoot in tight spaces.
* You prefer to include more of the environment in your portraits.
* You want a more natural-looking perspective.
* Choose 85mm if:
* You primarily shoot portraits.
* You want the most flattering perspective and beautiful background blur.
* You have the space to work with the longer focal length.
* You prefer to isolate your subject from the background.
* You want to capture more candid moments from a distance.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both lenses out (if possible). Rent them, borrow them, or visit a camera store to see which focal length feels more natural to you and produces the results you prefer. Consider your shooting style, the types of portraits you want to create, and the environments you typically work in. Both the 50mm and 85mm are great choices, and many photographers own both for different situations.