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January 18
14 min. to read
Portrait photographers often face the question of which lens to choose: 85mm or 50mm? Today we'll try to figure out which one is best for you. Believe me, it's not as easy as it seems at first glance.
So you decide to get your first camera and you immediately face the question: what should your first lens be? In fact, do you only need one lens, or should you buy several? Today I'm going to answer these questions and put an end to the 50mm lens vs 85mm lens clash! So, let's get started.
Let's start with the 50mm. As you can easily guess, this lens captures your subject, reducing it by 50% of its existing size. This lens is considered the best if you're shooting journalism or documentaries. The reason for this is that it mimics the gaze of the human eye, so the photos feel as natural as possible.
Also, many photographers argue that in the 50mm vs 85mm confrontation, the former wins because it's great for taking street candid photos. The reason for this is the longer focal length, which makes your subjects not always realize they are being photographed, so they behave naturally. Plus, some experts consider the 50mm is the perfect lens because it's compatible with most modern DSLR cameras. With adapters, you can make it compatible with full-frame models as well. Let's take a closer look at its advantages and disadvantages to make a choice for ourselves.
Also, if you want more natural depth of field effects, you should use a 50mm lens instead of an 80mm. This gives you more room for creativity.
Well, 50mm is a great lens, but it, like any other object, can have disadvantages. Here are the main ones:
Well, we've figured out the pros and cons of the 50mm lens, and now let's move on to its closest competitor!
When it comes to 85mm lenses, the first thing that comes to mind is a telephoto lens. It visually makes objects appear 1.6 times larger than they really are. Precisely because viewers can see every detail, many photographers believe this lens is perfect for portrait orientation.
Thanks to the compression effect, the background is not as visible, allowing viewers to fully concentrate on your subject, which is in the center of the frame. It's also a lens with a wide-open aperture, which means it's great for shooting in dark rooms and low-light environments in general. Well, the main differences are clear, but now let's elaborate on its pros and cons.
Of course, the lens has not only pros but also cons. Let's take a closer look at them.
So, here are the main disadvantages to pay attention to:
So we've already figured out the advantages and disadvantages of each lens and we've seen that they're very different. However, they also have some similarities. Let's take a closer look at them:
To begin with, both lenses give you the ability to shoot in low light. The reason for that is the f/1.8 aperture, which is great for that. This means that if you find yourself on a dark street or in a room with low light, you don't have to look for something to replace them with.
The next important point is that none of the heroes of our review has optical image stabilization. However, do not despair! You can get the same effect of stabilization if you just set the camera on a tripod.
And the last thing worth mentioning is the lower price compared to lenses with an f/1.4 aperture. That means you'll be able to afford to buy them much faster. And for taking portrait photography, that's really important!
As you have already understood, each lens has its own advantages and disadvantages. So how do you make the right choice? Here are a few things to consider. Read on, and you'll be able to put an end to this difficult competition for sure!
When we talk about the 50mm 1.8 vs 85mm 1.8 competition, the viewing angle is one of the deciding factors. In the first case, it is larger, in the second it is smaller. So, choose depending on what you need right now.
Certainly, the 50mm lens is rather versatile compared to its competitor. You can carry it with you, take it on trips, and take great casual photos. However, the 85mm can't be discounted either. Unlike the 50mm, it gives you the ability to shoot video, so the choice is yours!
Do you want to take a full-length picture? Then a 50mm lens is a great choice! Do you need a headshot? Then go for 85mm! If you are interested in 3/4, then both options are fine for you.
Remember that the wrong choice can cause such trouble:
A good portrait photo shouldn't have all this, so choose wisely.
I'm sure that post-processing hasn't made any photos worse yet. Of course, this only applies when you use a good photo editor. I prefer Luminar Neo because of its user-friendly interface and extensive picture editing capabilities. And even if you choose the right lens, it can help you improve your photos quickly and easily with these tools:
In addition, Luminar Neo provides a wide range of presets that will make your pictures unforgettable. Not only that, you can create and save your own presets, but also perform batch editing to apply changes to all your photos. This will save you a lot of time.
So, I've told you all about 50mm and 85mm lenses, and I'm sure you've already started making mental notes about which one to choose depending on what you need. There can't be a winner in this competition because you need them in different situations. Of course, I recommend that you buy both and start experimenting. However, if you can't afford one yet, analyze what you want to achieve and only then make your choice. I wish you lots of inspiration and great shots!
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