50mm vs 85mm Lens: Which Focal Length is Best? | PFRE (2024)

An 85mm lens, on the other hand, is really good when your subject requires more compression, which makes it one of the top lenses for portraits.

85mm vs 50mm Lens

One of the most debated topics in portrait photography is what lens to use for a particular shot. From 50mm up until about 85 mm, it is somehow impossible to say which one will give you that perfect look. However, there are still many opinions among veteran photographers.

Similarities

When it comes to 50 vs 85, there isn't much difference between them, and it, therefore, depends on personal preference. Nevertheless, let me look at why someone might want both perspectives.

• Prime Lenses: Both the 50mm and 85mm are prime lenses, meaning they have fixed focal lengths. This results in better overall image quality and sharpness compared to their zoom counterparts, as prime lenses have fewer moving parts and optical elements that can distort an image. For instance, a prime lens can have 1-8 optical elements, while a zoom lens can have 1-8 moving parts, and over 10 elements. Prime lenses are just better quality all around than zooms, and both the 50mm and 85mm are prime options.
• Excellent for Portraiture: Although there are angle of view and bokeh differences, both lenses are popular choices for portrait photography, as they provide a flattering perspective and subject isolation. They produce a shallow depth of field when using wider apertures, which allows for beautiful bokeh (the out-of-focus areas in the background). We'll discuss it more below, as most prefer the 85mm over the 50mm for portraits, but this also has to do with your camera's aspect ratio and the aperture.
• Low Light Performance: They typically have large maximum apertures (such as f/1.4 or f/1.8), enabling better low light performance and faster shutter speeds. This makes them suitable for indoor or shooting in dimly lit environments. The exact aperture that your lens maxes out at will depend on what type of prime lens you buy. For example, the Canon L series 50mm will have a maximum aperture of f1.2.

Differences Between 50mm and 85mm Lens

Even if both 50mm and 85mm are versatile, it's challenging to choose one type of lens over the other because every photo has particular areas requiring special attention, such as close-ups versus wide angles. However, I will try my best here to look at their differences and which is the best one for different conditions.

• Focal Lengths: The most obvious difference between the two models is their focal lengths. A 50mm lens is considered a standard or "normal", closely mimicking the perspective of the human eye. On the other hand, an 85mm lens is a medium telephoto lens, which allows you to capture subjects with more compression and isolation.
• Field of View: The 50mm lens has a wider field of view than the 85mm lens when using a full frame camera body. This makes the 50mm more versatile for photographing different things, such as street, landscape, and environmental photos. The 85mm lens, with its narrower field of view, is better for use when taking headshots and tightly framed pictures.
• Working Distance: When using the 85mm lens, you'll need to stand further away from your subject to use the same image framing as with a 50mm lens when using the same camera. This can be beneficial for photographing people, as it reduces the risk of distortion and provides a more flattering perspective. However, it may also make it more challenging to work in tight spaces.
• Weight and Size: 50mm models are more compact and lightweight than 85mm models. This makes them easier to carry around and more suitable for photographers who want to walk while shooting images handheld or prefer a less conspicuous setup. Believe it or not, a well made 85mm lens is actually pretty heavy. As an example, the Canon 50mm f/1.2L USM lens weighs 1.18 pounds (535 grams), while the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L lens weighs 2.09 pounds (1,025 grams). So the Canon 85mm f/1 .2 lens is almost twice as heavy as the Canon 50mm f/1. 2.
• Price: 50mm models are more affordable than their 85mm counterparts. This is especially true when comparing models with the same maximum aperture.

Influence of Focal Length on Perspective and Depth

Both the 50mm and 85mm lenses offer unique perspectives. To truly understand their capabilities, let's dive deeper into the effects of focal length:

• 50mm Lenses: The 'Natural' View
  • Matches the perspective of the human eye, providing a 'neutral' view.
  • Foreground and background objects appear as they do to the naked eye.
  • Ideal for full-body portraits or environmental shots.
• 85mm Lenses: The 'Flattening' Effect
  • This is a short telephoto lens, making objects at different distances seem closer to each other.
  • This 'flattening' can be flattering for portrait photography as it can subtly slim subjects.
  • Backgrounds seem larger and closer, enhancing the bokeh effect and making subjects stand out.
• Perspective is About Distance
  • Remember, perspective is more about the camera-to-subject distance rather than focal length.
  • Both lenses can have the same perspective if shot from the same position.
  • The 85mm lens has a narrower field of view from the same position.
  • Moving closer to the subject with the 85mm lens changes the perspective, resulting in the 'flattening' effect.

In the end, choosing between a 50mm and 85mm lens isn't just about field of view or bokeh - you need to also understand the perspectives they offer.

Major Distinguishing Factor

An 85mm lens is almost exclusively used for photographing people, while a 50mm lens is far more versatile and may be used for a variety of scenarios.

An 85mm lens has a narrower angle of view, so you have to stand further away for it to fit into the image frame when composing the shot. It's perfect for portrait photography, as it allows you to zoom in while blurring out the background.

A 50mm lens, on the other hand, works for a variety of scenarios, ranging from people to landscape to street photography. You can still shoot portraits with a 50mm prime lens - it just doesn't compress the background as much. A 50mm is considered to be a great all-around choice -it works pretty well in almost all scenarios.

When to Use a 50mm Focal Length

A 50mm is considered a standard lens, which means it allows you to see the objects almost at the angle of view of human vision. This makes it a versatile lens that can be used for a variety of shooting scenarios, offering the following advantages.

• It's often easier to carry it around, and there are more f/1.8 models since they don't require as many glass elements to function correctly.
• It offers better edge-to-edge sharpness, even if the increase in sharpness is little and may not be noticeable unless you see it after printing images on large scale.
• It offers a wider field of view which lets you draw closer without being too conspicuous.
• It often produces natural depth-of-field effects that give you more creative control over your shots.
• It comes as a kit lens for most camera models, making it a good choice for beginners on a budget
• The wider angle of view makes it a good option for taking interior photos in cramped rooms

When to Use a 85mm Focal Length

The 85mm is best used for portrait photography because it allows for a flattering perspective and shallow depth of field, with the following advantages.

• It has a longer reach, which means you don't have to move near the subject to capture it. This makes them more suited for shooting portraits and wildlife where you need to keep your distance.
• It is better suited for videos since the faster autofocus speed keeps moving subjects in focus.
• The longer focal lengths allow you to shoot a wider scene by standing back away like you would with a 50mm lens.
• It produces natural depth-of-field effects, which make the subjects stand out from the background. This is useful when photographing dramatic things where you want to draw attention to your subject with little distractions getting in the way of your composition.
• It has a wider aperture than those you would get with the 50mm models, giving photographers greater control over the depth-of-field effects.
• The ability to magnify the object you are capturing makes it a good choice for taking photos of tiny things such as ants or door knobs in real estate interiors

Final Verdict

Think of the 50mm lens as the Swiss Army knife of lenses. Versatile, reliable, it's the workhorse capturing life's moments in their genuine spontaneity. You can use it daily without regret.

Then there's the 85mm, the all-purpose sniper of lenses. Its powerful magnification lets you keep respectful distance, yet still seize the soul in every portrait. Its not a 135mm or 200mm lens, lacking that kind of powerful zoom. But that also makes the 85mm far more versatile.

The choice? A dance between budget and intent. Both are all purpose, but the 85mm is better for portraits.

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