Picking a camera lens can feel like a puzzle, especially when you’re just starting out. Two popular choices, the 50mm and 85mm lenses, often leave beginners wondering which one is the best fit for their photography. It’s a common question because both are fantastic for different reasons, and the differences can seem a bit confusing at first.
But don’t worry, figuring this out is simpler than you think! We’ll walk through what makes each lens special and help you decide which one will help you capture the shots you want.
50mm vs 85mm Lens Understanding The Basics
When you’re looking at camera lenses, you’ll see numbers like 50mm and 85mm. These numbers tell you the focal length, which is basically how “zoomed in” the lens is and how wide of a scene it can capture. Think of it like looking through a window; a wider window shows you more of what’s outside, and a narrower window shows you a smaller, more focused part.
The 50mm lens is often called a “nifty fifty” because it’s a standard focal length that mimics how the human eye sees. It’s great for everyday photography, portraits, and even some wider shots. It doesn’t distort your image much and gives you a natural perspective.
It’s a very versatile lens that can do a lot of different things well.
On the other hand, the 85mm lens is a bit more specialized. It’s known for being excellent for portraits. It has a narrower field of view, which means it brings your subject closer and helps create a beautiful blurry background, called bokeh.
This effect makes your subject stand out much more.
Key Differences Between 50mm and 85mm
The main differences between a 50mm and an 85mm lens come down to a few key things: perspective, field of view, and how they handle backgrounds.
Perspective and Field of View
The 50mm lens offers a field of view that’s quite similar to what we see naturally. This makes it ideal for scenes where you want to include a bit more of the environment or when you’re shooting in tighter spaces. It captures things without making them look stretched or squashed.
The 85mm lens, however, has a narrower field of view. This means you’ll need to stand further back from your subject compared to a 50mm lens to get the same framing. This compression effect is what makes subjects appear closer and can lead to pleasing portraits by reducing distracting elements in the background.
Background Blur (Bokeh)
One of the biggest reasons photographers love prime lenses (lenses with a fixed focal length, like 50mm and 85mm) is their ability to create beautiful background blur. This is often called bokeh, and it’s what makes your subject pop from the background.
Generally, longer focal lengths like 85mm can achieve a more pronounced background blur than shorter focal lengths like 50mm, especially when both lenses have a wide aperture (like f/1.8 or f/1.4). This is because the 85mm lens compresses the scene more, pushing the background further away from the subject and making it easier to blur out.
With a 50mm lens, you can still get lovely bokeh, but you might need to get closer to your subject or use a wider aperture to achieve the same level of background separation as an 85mm lens.
Use Cases For Each Lens
Knowing what you want to shoot is the best way to decide which lens is right for you. Both 50mm and 85mm lenses are fantastic, but they excel in different areas.
When to Choose a 50mm Lens
The 50mm lens is your go-to for a lot of different situations. Think of it as the versatile everyday lens.
- General Photography: It’s perfect for capturing street scenes, travel photos, and everyday moments because it shows the world in a very natural way.
- Environmental Portraits: If you want to take a picture of someone and also show a bit of where they are, the 50mm is great. It includes more context than an 85mm.
- Low Light Situations: Many 50mm lenses have wide apertures, meaning they let in a lot of light. This makes them excellent for shooting in dim conditions without needing a flash.
- Videography: The natural perspective and ability to focus on subjects make 50mm lenses popular for video creators.
- Learning Photography: Because it’s so versatile, a 50mm is often recommended for beginners. It teaches you how to compose shots without relying on zoom.
When to Choose an 85mm Lens
The 85mm lens is a portrait photographer’s best friend. It’s designed to make your subjects shine.
- Portraits: This is where the 85mm truly shines. It provides flattering compression, separating your subject beautifully from the background with creamy bokeh.
- Headshots: For tight headshots where you want to focus on the face, the 85mm is ideal. It avoids the distortion that wider lenses can sometimes cause on faces.
- Event Photography (from a distance): If you’re at an event and need to capture candid moments without getting too close or being disruptive, an 85mm can be perfect.
- Product Photography (with detail): For showcasing specific details of a product without distortion, the 85mm can be very effective.
- Telephoto Effect in a Small Package: While not a true telephoto, it gives you a good reach for isolating subjects in a way a 50mm can’t easily achieve.
Comparing Specs: A Quick Look
To make it even clearer, let’s put some of the key differences side-by-side. This table helps you see how they stack up.
| Feature | 50mm Lens | 85mm Lens |
|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | Standard | Short Telephoto |
| Field of View | Wider, natural perspective | Narrower, compressed perspective |
| Best For | Everyday, street, environmental portraits, general use | Portraits, headshots, isolating subjects |
| Background Blur Potential | Good (requires closer distance or wider aperture) | Excellent (easier to achieve with compression) |
| Working Distance | Closer to subject | Further from subject |
| Distortion | Minimal | Very minimal, flattering for faces |
As you can see, they serve distinct purposes. The 50mm is like a reliable multi-tool, while the 85mm is a specialized tool for specific, often stunning, results.
Choosing Your First Prime Lens
For many photographers, the question is which one should be their first prime lens. There’s no single right answer, but here are some things to consider to help you lean one way or the other.
Consider Your Photography Style
What kind of photos do you find yourself drawn to taking? If you love candid shots in busy streets or telling stories with your environment, the 50mm might be your ideal starting point. It allows you to capture a scene as you see it and work comfortably in various settings.
If your passion is capturing people’s faces, their emotions, and creating images where the subject is the undeniable star with a beautifully blurred background, then the 85mm lens could be calling your name. It’s designed to make people look their best in photos.
Your Shooting Environment
Where do you usually shoot? If you often find yourself in small rooms, crowded venues, or tight urban environments, a 50mm lens might be more practical. You’ll have enough space to compose your shots without constantly bumping into things or people.
If you have the luxury of space, like shooting outdoors in parks, large studios, or open areas, then the 85mm lens will give you more creative freedom without feeling restricted by its narrower field of view. You can also use the extra distance to make subjects feel more comfortable and less aware of the camera.
Budget and Availability
Both 50mm and 85mm lenses come in a wide range of prices and brands. Generally, 50mm lenses are often more affordable, especially the f/1.8 versions. They are mass-produced and there are many options, making them a great value for their performance.
While 85mm lenses can also be found at various price points, some of the high-end, fast aperture (f/1.4 or f/1.2) versions can be a significant investment. However, there are excellent f/1.8 85mm lenses that offer fantastic portrait capabilities without breaking the bank.
Creative Possibilities with Each Lens
Beyond the technical specs, think about the creative outcomes. Both lenses can lead to stunning images, but they encourage different approaches.
The 50mm: Your Creative Playground
With a 50mm, you’re encouraged to get closer, interact with your environment, and tell a more complete story. You learn composition by moving your feet and framing the world thoughtfully. It’s a lens that forces you to be engaged with your surroundings, making you a more observant photographer.
You can shoot portraits, landscapes, street photography, and even details all with this one versatile lens. It’s the lens for photographers who like to move and explore, finding their shots by physically changing their position. It’s also fantastic for documentary-style photography, capturing moments as they unfold naturally.
The 85mm: The Portrait Specialist
The 85mm lens is about subject isolation and creating impact. It’s designed to draw attention to your subject by softening the world around them. This lens teaches you the power of selective focus and how to use shallow depth of field to your advantage.
When you shoot with an 85mm, you become more deliberate. You seek out compositions that highlight your subject against a pleasing backdrop that you can effectively blur. It’s perfect for capturing emotions, individual expressions, and creating images that feel intimate and impactful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Which lens is better for beginners 50mm or 85mm?
Answer: For most beginners, a 50mm lens is often recommended. It’s more versatile for different types of photography and requires less space to shoot, making it easier to learn composition and practice in various environments.
Question: Can I shoot portraits with a 50mm lens?
Answer: Yes, absolutely! A 50mm lens is very capable of shooting portraits, especially environmental portraits where you want to show the subject’s surroundings. You can also achieve good background blur with a wide aperture like f/1.8.
Question: Does an 85mm lens make subjects look better?
Answer: An 85mm lens is known for creating flattering portraits due to its compression and ability to produce beautiful background blur, which helps subjects stand out. It avoids facial distortion that wider lenses can sometimes cause.
Question: How close do I need to be to my subject with a 50mm vs 85mm lens?
Answer: You’ll generally need to be closer to your subject with a 50mm lens to achieve a similar framing as you would with an 85mm lens, where you’ll need to stand further away.
Question: Which lens is better for low light photography?
Answer: Both lenses can perform well in low light if they have a wide aperture (like f/1.8 or f/1.4). However, 50mm lenses are often more common in lower-cost, wide-aperture options, and their wider field of view can sometimes be more forgiving if you can’t use a super-fast shutter speed.
Final Thoughts
Deciding between a 50mm and 85mm lens is about understanding what kind of photographer you want to be and what stories you want to tell with your camera. The 50mm lens is the friendly, adaptable companion that lets you explore and capture the world with a natural perspective, perfect for those who like to move and see the bigger picture or just capture everyday life beautifully. It’s a lens that encourages you to be present and observant.
On the flip side, the 85mm lens is the artist’s choice for portraits, offering that magical ability to make your subject leap off the screen with creamy, blurred backgrounds. It encourages a more deliberate approach, focusing on the individual and their expression, creating images with depth and impact. Neither lens is inherently “better”; they are different tools for different creative visions.
Consider your primary subjects, your shooting environment, and the aesthetic you’re aiming for. Whichever you choose, practice is key to mastering its unique qualities and creating the images you dream of.
