As a photographer, building a lens collection can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to prime lenses. Among the many options available, two focal lengths stand out as staples in many photographers’ kits: the 50mm and 85mm lenses. But do you really need both? In this article, we’ll dive into the world of prime lenses, exploring the unique strengths and uses of the 50mm and 85mm lenses to help you make an informed decision about which ones to add to your arsenal.
The Prime Advantage
Before we dive into the specifics of the 50mm and 85mm lenses, it’s essential to understand the benefits of prime lenses in general. Prime lenses are designed to excel in specific areas, offering superior image quality, a more cinematic feel, and a unique way of interacting with your subject.
Image Quality: Prime lenses are typically built with higher-quality glass and fewer elements, resulting in sharper images with less distortion and aberration.
Cinematic Feel: Prime lenses often have a distinct aesthetic, characterized by a shallow depth of field and a more compressed perspective, which can add a professional, cinematic quality to your photos.
Intimacy and Connection: Shooting with a prime lens encourages you to get up close and personal with your subject, fostering a deeper connection and more intimate moments.
Now, let’s explore the specific strengths and uses of the 50mm and 85mm lenses.
The 50mm Lens: The Jack-of-All-Trades
The 50mm lens is often considered the “standard” prime lens, and for good reason. Its focal length is similar to the human eye’s field of view, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of photography genres, from portraits to street photography.
Portraits and Street Photography
The 50mm lens is a popular choice for portraits due to its:
- Natural Perspective: The 50mm lens provides a natural, undistorted perspective, ideal for capturing authentic portraits.
- Versatility: The 50mm lens can be used for both full-body and close-up portraits, making it an excellent choice for photographers who want to experiment with different composition styles.
In street photography, the 50mm lens excels due to its:
- Discreetness: The 50mm lens is relatively small and unobtrusive, allowing you to capture candid moments without drawing attention to yourself.
- Flexibility: The 50mm lens can be used to capture a wide range of scenes, from close-up details to broader cityscapes.
Landscape and Everyday Photography
The 50mm lens is also suitable for landscape and everyday photography due to its:
- Wide-Angle Capabilities: While not as wide as dedicated landscape lenses, the 50mm lens can still capture expansive vistas and sweeping landscapes.
- Versatility: The 50mm lens can be used to capture a wide range of everyday moments, from family gatherings to still-life compositions.
The 85mm Lens: The Portrait Master
The 85mm lens is a specialized prime lens designed specifically for portrait photography. Its longer focal length and compressed perspective make it ideal for capturing stunning, professional-grade portraits.
Compression and Flattering Perspective
The 85mm lens excels due to its:
- Compression: The longer focal length compresses the perspective, making subjects appear more slender and elegant.
- Flattering Perspective: The 85mm lens provides a flattering, gentle perspective that is particularly suited to capturing female subjects.
Isolation and Bokeh
The 85mm lens also offers:
- Isolation: The longer focal length allows for greater subject isolation, making it easier to separate your subject from the background.
- Bokeh: The 85mm lens can produce a beautiful, creamy bokeh, adding an extra layer of depth and dimensionality to your portraits.
Do I Need Both Lenses?
So, do you need both a 50mm and 85mm lens in your arsenal? The answer ultimately depends on your photography style, genre, and personal preferences.
If You’re a Portrait Photographer: Having both lenses can be beneficial, as the 50mm lens can be used for more experimental or candid portraits, while the 85mm lens is ideal for more formal, professional-grade portraits.
If You’re a Generalist Photographer: The 50mm lens may be sufficient, as it offers versatility and can be used in a wide range of photography genres.
If You’re on a Budget: If budget constraints are an issue, consider starting with a 50mm lens, which is often more affordable than an 85mm lens.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 50mm and 85mm lenses are both essential tools in a photographer’s kit, each with their unique strengths and uses. While the 50mm lens offers versatility and a natural perspective, the 85mm lens is a specialized prime lens designed specifically for portrait photography.
Ultimately, whether you need both lenses depends on your photography style, genre, and personal preferences. By understanding the strengths and uses of each lens, you can make an informed decision about which ones to add to your arsenal, taking your photography to the next level.
What are the main differences between a 50mm and 85mm lens?
The main differences between a 50mm and 85mm lens lie in their angle of view, perspective, and application. A 50mm lens provides a relatively wide angle of view, making it suitable for everyday photography, street photography, and capturing scenes with a sense of context. On the other hand, an 85mm lens has a narrower angle of view, making it ideal for portrait photography, where the goal is to isolate the subject and create a shallower depth of field.
While both lenses are prime lenses, meaning they have a fixed focal length, they offer distinct visual characteristics. The 50mm lens tends to produce a more natural perspective, whereas the 85mm lens is known for its flattering compression effect, which makes subjects appear more slender and facial features more refined. Understanding these differences is crucial in deciding which lens to use for a particular photography project or style.
Can I use a 50mm lens for portrait photography?
Yes, you can use a 50mm lens for portrait photography, but it may not be the most flattering option, especially when shooting full-body portraits or capturing close-ups. The 50mm lens can produce a slightly distorted perspective, making facial features appear more pronounced, and the subject’s nose may appear larger than it actually is. Additionally, the wider angle of view may include more of the background, which can be distracting.
That being said, a 50mm lens can still be used for portraits, especially when you want to include more context or capture a wider scene. For example, if you’re shooting a portrait in a studio with a plain background or want to capture a couple or group portrait, a 50mm lens can be a good choice. However, if you’re looking for a more traditional, flattering portrait, an 85mm or longer focal length may be a better option.
Is an 85mm lens only suitable for portrait photography?
No, an 85mm lens is not only suitable for portrait photography. While it is an excellent choice for capturing stunning portraits, it can also be used for other genres of photography, such as still life, product, and close-up photography. The lens’s ability to create a shallow depth of field and its flattering compression effect make it an excellent choice for isolating subjects and creating visually appealing images.
In addition, an 85mm lens can be used for documentary, street, or reportage photography, where you want to capture candid moments or tell a story. Its moderate telephoto reach allows you to keep a comfortable distance from your subjects, which can be beneficial in certain situations. While portraiture may be its strongest suit, an 85mm lens is a versatile tool that can be applied to various photography styles.
Do I need both a 50mm and 85mm lens in my arsenal?
It’s not necessary to have both a 50mm and 85mm lens in your arsenal, but having both can be beneficial depending on your photography style and goals. If you’re a generalist photographer who shoots a variety of genres, having both lenses can provide more creative flexibility and allow you to tackle different projects with ease.
However, if you specialize in a particular genre, such as landscape or sports photography, you may not need both lenses. Instead, you can focus on investing in lenses that cater to your specific needs. Ultimately, the decision to own both lenses depends on your personal preferences, budget, and the type of photography you want to pursue.
Can I use a zoom lens instead of a prime lens?
Yes, you can use a zoom lens instead of a prime lens, but it may not offer the same level of optical quality and creative flexibility. Prime lenses are designed to excel at a specific focal length, which results in better image quality, a wider aperture, and a more compact design. Zoom lenses, on the other hand, offer more versatility but often compromise on image quality, especially at the extremes of their focal range.
That being said, modern zoom lenses have improved significantly, and some high-end models can rival the image quality of prime lenses. However, they may not offer the same level of portability and may be more expensive. If you’re looking for a versatile lens that can cover a range of focal lengths, a zoom lens can be a good option, but if you prioritize image quality and creativity, a prime lens may be a better choice.
How do I choose between a 50mm and 85mm lens for my next photography project?
To choose between a 50mm and 85mm lens for your next photography project, consider the type of photography you want to do, the subject matter, and the desired aesthetic. Ask yourself questions like: Do I want to capture a wide scene or isolate my subject? Do I want a natural perspective or a more flattering, compressed look? Do I need to capture a lot of context or focus on the subject’s facial features?
Answering these questions will help you determine which lens is more suitable for your project. If you’re unsure, you can also experiment with borrowing or renting lenses to get a feel for which one works best for you. Additionally, consider your personal photography style and the type of equipment you’re comfortable working with. Ultimately, the choice between a 50mm and 85mm lens depends on your creative vision and the specific requirements of your project.
Can I use a 50mm or 85mm lens on a cropped sensor camera?
Yes, you can use a 50mm or 85mm lens on a cropped sensor camera, but the effective focal length will be different due to the camera’s crop factor. A cropped sensor camera has a smaller sensor size than a full-frame camera, which means the lens’s angle of view is reduced, and the effective focal length is increased.
For example, if you mount a 50mm lens on a cropped sensor camera with a 1.5x crop factor, the effective focal length would be approximately 75mm. Similarly, an 85mm lens would become approximately 127.5mm. While this may affect the lens’s angle of view and perspective, it doesn’t necessarily impact the image quality. However, it’s essential to consider the crop factor when choosing a lens for your camera and adjusting your composition accordingly.