The use of 50mm and 85mm lenses is found everywhere whether it is a portrait or a landscape. Photographers prefer these focal lengths to develop the finest shots possible. A 50mm lens is a time-tested and useful accessory for both street and portrait photography. It enables them to take pictures that appear to have been taken as if the viewer were also present.
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In contrast, an 85mm lens works best when the subject needs greater compression, which makes it a great choice for portraiture. Many times, People gets confused, which lens to use for portraits if we have an option to choose only one lens. So to give you an idea of characteristics of both lenses and analysing the difference between each other, we are sharing a detailed review of 50mm vs 85mm for portraits.
Where To Use 50 mm
A wide-angle lens with a 50mm focal length displays the subject at half its actual size. It is perfect for photojournalism and unobtrusive documentary photography because of the small telephoto lens. The portraits that you will capture with this lens will be brilliant and mostly feel like the identical view that you generally see from your eye. You can also use it for street photography since it allows you to shoot pictures without bringing much notice to yourself.
Advantages of 50mm Lens
These lenses are smaller and lighter than 85mm lenses, which is an advantage over the latter. There are several advantages of using a 50mm for portrait photography.
- Natural depth-of-field effects produced by 50mm lenses allow you greater creative control over your photographs.
- 50mm lenses provide higher edge-to-edge clarity.
- You will get sight identical to a human eye view.
- 50mm lenses provide a larger field of vision.
Where To Use 85 mm
If you want to take standout photos at a wedding or a party/function, an 85mm lens might surprise you. You can get the best portraits with this lens. The easiest way to define an 85mm lens is as a long telephoto lens. It’s excellent for portraiture since it gives your subjects the appearance that they have been amplified by around 1.6 times their actual size. Due to this, you get better details and more clarity in a photo.
The image above shows how a sensor passes the light through the lens from where the inside glass lets it focus according to the adjusted value. When compared to a 50mm lens, the compression effect makes your subject stand out in the frame and attract more attention. You also get a better bokeh effect with this lens. For portraits of people, many photographers use 85mm lenses because they may blur out background distractions that could otherwise detract from the image.
Another major benefit is that this lens is equally appropriate for portraiture while capturing pictures in low-light conditions. You can overcome low lighting conditions and take detailed pictures with a shallow depth of field because of its large f/1.8 aperture.
Portrait photography aims at capturing the personality, character, and emotions. It can either be candid or artistic. Portrait photography requires more than just the ability to understand your camera settings, lighting, and composition.
You must also possess the ability to connect with your subjects and capture their unique qualities. So, it is a difficult but rewarding genre of photography.
Click Below to read a comprehensive guide to learning and mastering the art of portrait photography.
Advantages of 85mm Lens
An 85mm lens can help you with some good closeup shots. There are various advantages to using this camera lens.
- Natural depth-of-field effects from 85mm lenses let the subject stand out from the backdrop.
- 85mm focal length can give better closeup and detailed shots.
- Its larger focal length enables you to capture a wider picture when not zoomed.
- 85mm lenses feature a significantly wider aperture than 50mm lenses, allowing you greater control.
- It is perfect for taking dramatic images when you want to attract attention to your subject without distractions getting in the way of your composition.
Key Differences In 50mm Vs 85mm Lens for Portraits
Following are some of the differences between 50mm and 85mm lenses.
Field Of View
The distance you must stand from your subject when using an 85mm lens vs a 50mm lens is one of the largest distinctions. The closest focus while using an 85mm lens is 2.8 feet. And when using a 50mm lens, it is 1.15 feet. As a result, you will typically be farther away from the subject while using an 85mm lens than when using a 50mm lens. Even with the same aperture, portraits produced with an 85mm lens have a more hazy background than those taken with a 50mm lens.
Focal distance
The range of the 85mm and 50mm lenses differs significantly. Some photographers prefer to take close-up portraits, in which case a 50mm lens might be a preferable option. The 85mm lens works nicely in this situation, unlike in some situations when the subject is kept at a distance. With a 50mm lens, you must approach the subject to fill the frame. The same image is presented from further behind with the 85mm lens.
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Compositional Differences
There is also a difference in composition produced by both types of lenses. An image that is closer to the subject can be obtained by using an 85 mm lens. However, using a 50mm lens results in a picture with a greater background. You might want to think about using a 50mm lens to better capture the trees and perspective behind the portrait’s subject. However, if you want to blur the backdrop more of an image, then An 85mm lens might be appropriate in this situation.
Which Lens, a 50mm or an 85mm, Is Best for You?
A 50mm lens is the way to choose if you prefer “on-the-go” portraitures such as travel, street, or wedding photography. This mostly includes all of the activities that call for you to have a lens that is adaptable, portable, and lightweight. However, an 85mm lens would be great if you require a bit extra focal length for pictures of athletes in action or if you prefer the compression that an 85mm lens offers for more conventional portraiture.
Both of these lenses play a great role in taking portraits as they provide a very suitable shallow depth of field. A 85mm lens is a fantastic addition to your collection, along with an 50mm lens. You just need to understand where and when to use any of these lenses.