50mm vs 85mm for Portrait Photography + Behind the Scenes

All these photos were taken on a FULL FRAME camera - the Canon 5D mkiv! Today on a photoshoot behind the scenes, we're comparing which lens is better for portrait photography - a 50mm prime or an 85mm prime. Let me know what you think in the comments!

Both lenses have their own pros and cons, but hopefully sharing some side by side comparisons will help you decide which one to go for if you're stuck deciding!

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FIND ME ON //

Dan @ I Make Films

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VLOG CAMERA SETUP //

Sony a7s mkii + Sigma 24mm f1.4

PHOTOGRAPHY CAMERA SETUP //

Canon 5dmkiii
Sigma 24mm f1.4
Canon 35mm f1.4
Canon 50mm f1.2
Canon 85mm f1.2
Canon 135mm f2

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Thank you so much for watching! xx

[wingofwinter]

your lens comparison reviews is the best in the youtube-verse.
you are the only one that actually show how close and how far from the subject with certain focal length, not even DPreview ever do this.
thank you for making videos like this.

[holyfool]

I prefer 50MM 1.8 because that's what I can afford

[meli-mill]

I absolutely love how dreamy the images look with the 85mm 💗

[johnrwallace]

It all comes down to environment and what feel you're going for...basically you've proved that you need both lenses! haha. Great video!!

[troydiehl]

I like the 50 on the 3/4 and 1/2 body shots. 85 on the full body and close up face only

[ceg]

Model is a Photog's dream. Wonderfully photogenic with fluid movements throughout!
Love the way you include technical details in your side-by-side comparisons. I really enjoyed your video - well done! Thank you!

[baileywooten]

Love them both! I think the 50mm is alittle more versatile, whereas the 85 would mainly be used for portraits, but I still love the look of it!

[poultrypower]

just a friendly reminder that you're amazing and we all love your super helpful content!

[geebes]

I really love the 85, I think it goes really well with a 35 for most portrait situations

[Began]

I really like how the 85 looks. Super clean and sharp.

[sweetcalamares]

I really liked this shoot Julia, I personally would go for the 85mm, because you can isolate your subject if needed and just f stop-it up if you need the flowers to come back; I believe it gives you more options on controlling your background.

[rytacarms]

Love how you kinda do revisits on these focal length videos. Better and better each time

[deAbreuCaique]

Loved the comparison!
I personally prefer 40mm; I’ve been using a Nikon Z5 coupled with a 40mm f2 and it’s very close to the 50mm, but for me it’s more useful for wedding photography and also environmental portraits. But I also use 70+mm focal lengths to complete the shoot.
Great job Julia, congrats for the nice work being done!!!

[dct]

Way to go, the shots came out great and you don't move as much if not at all during release.

[nathangreen]

Another awesome video. Preferred the 50mm lens

[kimjoseph]

Love this video! I love the result of both lens. The 85mm lens can make the model pop out from the frame so much, and the result is so dreamy!
I personally prefer to use 50mm lens cause I take photos mainly during travel so I want to include some of the background as well. (35mm will never leave my camera)
If I am asked to just take pretty photo for a person and the location is not important, I will definitely choose 85mm.
Btw, the posture you are using to take close up portrait might harm your lower back a bit. I suggest you to bend your knee instead of bend your waist.

[samkgvids]

Always loving the content from you :) thank you Julia

[jwong]

Big fan! Bought your presets too. Love your editing style. Great vids, keep it up!

[thedondeluxe]

I prefer the 50mm for portraits too. Love my 50mm F1.2! In fact I use it for pretty much everything :-)

[kape]

I think both is necessary. 35 and/or 50 for full body shots and 85 and 135 for the more closer photos. I recently got myself a 35mm sigma art after having seen you talk so well about that focal length. It is an amazing lens. Already love it, so Thanks for being an inspiration. :)