Summary:
When it comes to portrait photography, the choice between using an 85mm or 50mm lens is a common dilemma. The 85mm lens offers increased compression and a flattering focal length without distorting the subject’s features. On the other hand, the 50mm lens allows for less background blur and is more versatile for capturing a wider angle. While the 85mm lens is more expensive and offers better sharpness, autofocus speed, and chromatic aberration control, the choice ultimately depends on personal preference and budget.
Key Points:
1. The 85mm lens provides increased compression and a flattering focal length for portraits. However, it requires more distance between the photographer and subject than a 50mm lens
2. The 50mm lens produces less background blur and is more versatile for capturing wider angles.
3. The 85mm lens is more expensive but offers better sharpness, autofocus speed, and chromatic aberration control.
4. For family photos, a 50 or 85mm lens can be used depending on the number of subjects and desired framing.
5. The best focal length for portraits is generally considered to be 85mm, as it provides a flattering effect without distortions.
6. The 50mm lens is praised by many portrait photographers for its versatility and balanced focal length.
7. The optimal distance for an 85mm lens in a full body portrait is approximately 2.8 feet from the intended focal point.
8. Many professionals rely on the flexibility and framing capabilities of a 50mm lens.
9. The 50mm lens may not be suitable for certain shooting conditions or specific photography styles.
Questions and Answers:
1. Should I use an 85mm or 50mm lens for portraits?
As a result of the 85mm lens’ telephoto focal length, you’ll need to move further away from your subject than you would with a 50mm lens to get the same effect. The 85mm focal length is great for portraiture because it provides increased rates of compression without distorting the subject’s features.
2. Is the 85mm lens better than the 50mm lens?
A 50mm produces less background blur, so your subject isn’t as isolated from the background. An 85mm is more expensive than a 50mm and has better sharpness, autofocus speed, and chromatic aberration control. If you’re willing to pay extra for these features, then it’s definitely worth it.
3. Which lens, 50mm or 85mm, is better for family photos?
If you’re shooting a big family, a 50 or 85mm lens will give you the wide angle you need to get everyone in the frame. If you’re shooting family portraits with only a couple of subjects, you can use a lens with a slightly longer focal length, like an 85mm, to fill the frame without having to stand too close.
4. What is the ideal lens size for portraits?
Generally speaking, the best focal length for portraits is 85mm. It’s a flattering focal length because it doesn’t distort the subject’s facial features. You can use a 50mm lens on a crop-factor lens to get a similar effect.
5. Which lens size is most flattering for portraits?
The 50mm lens is one of the best lens sizes for portraits. Many portrait photographers praise 50mm lenses for their versatility and it’s not hard to see why – they strike a balanced “middle-area” focal length.
6. How far should the 85mm lens be for a full body portrait?
The focal length and shallow depth of field of the 85mm lens are really popular with portrait photographers! In fact, for many, it’s their go-to focal length lens on a session! The minimum focusing distance or focal length with it is approximately 2.8 feet from your intended focal point.
7. Do professionals use a 50mm lens?
The 50mm ‘nifty fifty’ lens gives the most flexibility to your photography and is probably the easiest focal length to frame well. Many professionals would choose one of the 50mm lenses if it was the only lens they could carry.
8. What is a 50mm lens not good for?
It’s one of the most versatile lenses out there, but a 50mm lens may not be the best choice for certain shooting conditions or specific photography styles. For example, it may not have enough reach for wildlife photography or the desired compression for certain portrait styles.
Should I use 85mm or 50mm for portrait
As a result of the 85mm lens' telephoto focal length, you'll need to move further away from your subject than you would with a 50mm lens to get the same effect. The 85mm focal length is great for portraiture because it provides increased rates of compression without distorting the subject's features.
Is 85mm better than 50mm
A 50mm produces less background blur, so your subject isn't as isolated from the background. An 85mm is more expensive than a 50mm and has better sharpness, autofocus speed, and chromatic aberration control. If you're willing to pay extra for these features, then it's definitely worth it.
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Is 50mm or 85mm better for family photos
If you're shooting a big family, a 50 or 85mm lens will give you the wide angle you need to get everyone in the frame. If you're shooting family portraits with only a couple of subjects, you can use a lens with a slightly longer focal length, like an 85mm, to fill the frame without having to stand too close.
What is the best lens size for portraits
Generally speaking, the best focal length for portraits is 85mm. It's a flattering focal length because it doesn't distort the subject's facial features. You can use a 50mm lens on a crop-factor lens to get a similar effect.
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What lens is most flattering for portraits
The 50mm lens is one of the best lens sizes for portraits. Many portrait photographers praise 50mm lenses for their versatility and it's not hard to see why – they strike a balanced “middle-area” focal length.
How far should 85mm be for full body portrait
85mm Focal Length
The focal length and shallow depth of field of the 85mm lens are really popular with portrait photographers! In fact, for many, it's their go-to focal length lens on a session! The minimum focusing distance or focal length with it is approximately 2.8 feet from your intended focal point.
Do professionals use 50mm lens
The 50mm 'nifty fifty' lens gives the most flexibility to your photography and is probably the easiest focal length to frame well. Many professionals would choose one of the 50mm lenses if it was the only lens they could carry.
What is a 50mm lens not good for
It's one of the most popular lenses on the market, and it can be used for anything from portraits and car photography to landscapes and nighttime shots. The only time you can't use a 50mm lens is when you're so far away from your subject that capturing it requires a telephoto lens.
Can you use 85mm for street photography
A go-to for portrait photographers, an 85mm lens also works well for unobtrusive street photographers. It's no surprise that it's a favourite among paparazzi, too! Unlike the 35mm and 50mm lens, the extra-long focal length lets you put some distance between you and the subject without sacrificing any of the context.
What is the most used lens for portraits
Many zoom lenses overlap the sweet focal lengths that we usually associate with portrait photography – 85mm, 105mm, and 135mm. These lenses are the 70-200mm, the 24-105mm, and the 70-300mm, to name a few. Among these, the 70-200mm lens is the most popular.
What is the sharpest aperture for portraits
Aperture. You'll find that an f-stop of 2.8 or lower is the best aperture for portraits. The reason for this is that it creates a shallow depth of field. Using a shallower depth of field directs the viewer's eye.
Is a 50mm lens good for portraits
For portrait photography, 50mm lenses are great for full-length and waist-level portraits, both on location and in the studio. This is thanks to the wide field of view compared to an 85mm or 135mm lens, and you don't need to be too far away from the model to achieve these crops.
What focal length is most flattering for portraits
85mm
For close up portraits, a focal length of 85mm and up is ideal, and an 85mm is arguably the most used portrait lens no matter the genre of the industry. Anything beyond 85mm is also acceptable and will do the same job compressing the background with minimal distortion.
Can you zoom in and out with a 85mm
The 85mm prime lens has a fixed focal length of 85mm, unlike a zoom lens that can zoom in and out within a certain focal length.
When should you not use a 50mm lens
It's one of the most popular lenses on the market, and it can be used for anything from portraits and car photography to landscapes and nighttime shots. The only time you can't use a 50mm lens is when you're so far away from your subject that capturing it requires a telephoto lens.
What is a 85 mm lens good for
An 85mm lens is excellent for portrait work. By isolating the subject and minimizing distortion, this lens can produce captivating, flattering portraits, headshots, and full-body images.
How far away to stand with 85mm lens
The closest focus of the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G is 2.6 ft (0.8m). With a depth of field calculator at f/4 and a subject distance of 20 ft, the depth of field would be a bit over 2.5 ft. That will vary depending on if you have a full frame sensor, your subject distance and your aperture.
What is 85mm lens best for
An 85mm lens is excellent for portrait work. By isolating the subject and minimizing distortion, this lens can produce captivating, flattering portraits, headshots, and full-body images. Ask “What is 85mm lens good for” and you're likely to get the default response “portrait work.”
What aperture did Ansel Adams use
Ansel Adams was famous for using incredibly small apertures to achieve a deep depth of field. He went so far as to found a group in 1934 called Group f/64.
What focal length is best for faces
Well, simply put, the nose gets bigger and the face longer when shooting with a wide angle. After playing around with them all Dan would finally recommend a focal length of around 70 – 100mm (assuming you have a full frame camera) to keep the face shape as close to reality as possible.
What is 50mm lens best for
50mm lenses are fast lenses with a fast maximum aperture. The most basic 50mm lenses are typically F1. 8 – a very wide aperture. This means they are great for low-light photography (e.g. low-light portraiture or indoor shooting) as they allow more light into the camera's sensor.
What is the difference between 50mm and 85mm lens
50mm is 15mm wider than that, while 85mm is 20mm longer than that. So if you truly want a cinematic look, go for a 50mm. If you want a more classic portrait shoot look, reach for an 85mm lens instead.
How far should 85mm be for portrait
2.8 feet
(2) Depth of field
One of the biggest differences between an 85mm lens and a 50mm lens is the distance you need to stand from your subject. Using an 85mm lens, the closest focus is 2.8 feet and using a 50mm lens, the closest focus is 1.15 feet.
What aperture does Annie Leibovitz use
On the medium format side of things, where Annie made most of her photos, she cites the Sekor 140mm F4.
What was Ansel Adams favorite focal length
The 80mm equivalent represents Ansel Adams using the 150mm lens on his Hasselblad. That camera/lens combination was Ansel's go-to setup for portraits, but rarely employed for landscape work. The remainder of his work, his landscape photography was shot almost exclusively with the 35mm focal length.
