50mm vs 85mm Lens for Portrait Photography

Let me know in the comments which lens you prefer using and what you like photographing with it!

--

FIND ME ON //

Dan @ I Make Films

--

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

--

Thank you so much for watching! xx

[ChillWithMe_musics]

I am still using my Sigma 35, 50 and 85 1.4 Art lenses for my street style portraits. When I shoot with professional models, I always stick to the 35 and 50, because I can get more creative with the environment, and compsition.
When I shoot outdoor portraits of my clients (non-models), I always use the 85mm, to give them breathing room, and also to 'wow' them with the background blur, usually they don't care about creative environmental shots as much, they want the "blurry pro" look.
I have always tried to narrow down my set to 35 and 85, but I am continously using the 50mm in the recent years, because there are specific cases, where you need just a little bit more compression and blur compared to the 35, but you still don't want to lose the background, like it happens with the 85.
Most commonly I carry the 85 and the 50, but when I shoot models, its usually bring the 85 and 35, or all 3 lenses.... I really wish I could narrow it down to only 2 lenses to save lot of weight, but I just can't...

[thisis]

Seriously underrated channel. Your ability to talk about things like the amount of background and perspective with different focal length is just unseen these days. You can tell your actually using these lenses then looking at them with your eyes, rather than pixel peeping the absolute corners of a lens for sharpness wide open. Good job. I have both these lenses. Deciding between ordering either the 241.L II or 35L II, Or 35L I today. Leaning more toward the 24 but ill have both eventually.

[gillianoosthuizen]

I did my first portrait shoot this weekend. Your tips make total sense. I also found that I kept on having to step back when shooting with the 85mm depending on the shot required. Next time I will definately bring in the 50mm. With later, 'fuller' shots of the couple, I changed over to the 24 - 70mm and this helped to be able to take a step back and compose some group couple shots. Thanks again!

[Christo_glenn]

At least for me (just my opinion) the 35mm coupled with 85mm are a great combo. Also the shots @5:38 are stunning!

[withimmtabs]

wow... you explain things so easily and make it sound so simple.

[inpursuitofhappiness]

One of the best photography technique videos I've seen ever. Thank you.
Favorite points:

-effects on the background: hide, obscure mundane bgs, include engaging bgs
-effects on your proximity to the subject: easier communication w subject, more/less intimate, giving subject space and possibly leading to more genuine emotion


Only second video I've watched, looking forward to watching more.

[mjztx]

Before I shot lots of portraits with my 50mm on my crop canon camera. However, having switched to full frame 6D, I actually prefer the 50 better on the full frame. I like getting more of the background in the shots, well when/where it's nice enough to be worth it.

[poravich]

Great review. Love those pictures. just put this for more notions; the 85 mm is designed for indoor portraits with available light; it can be used for outdoor portraits when composed with environmental perspective. But If you precisely shoot outdoor portraits on location, just try 135mm and 180mm or 70-200 mm. It is because your location and distance always tell your specific type of lens. The 50 mm can do a half-body people shots but it’s not considered a portrait lens due to its distortion and short length.

[hey.steven]

I love seeing your older work ESPECIALLY your photos for white magazine! They are so beautiful and magical! I love garden photo shoots!

[nickward]

Love the close intimacy of the 50 but advice about non-models needing a little more space and ability to blur out distractions spot on 👍🏻

[MistiqueSense]

with crop sensor cameras, 85 mm can be a bit too difficult to work with because of it's extremely narrow FOV (you need to have a lot of space to move around to capture something rather than a close-up). 35 mm and 50 mm are way more versatile because of their bigger FOV. Having said that, the most beautiful portraits I produced throughout my career were captured with 85 mm lens. It blurs the background so much it almost looks surreal. I'd say 85 mm is fantastic for those dreamy portraits with blurry background but it does require a lot of space especially on crop sensor cameras.

[philipgranger]

Thanks for the info, I have made my decision, I am going to go for the 50mm lens first, then I will get the 85mm lens later when I can afford it.

[MrCochise]

I rarely take my 50 1.2 off my camera. I shoot fine art photography and occasionally landscape. Love the lens! But the 85 looks wonderful.

[Divineshot]

Great comparison. Definitely going to invest in a 85 mm lens.

[PeteEdmunds]

Thanks julia - this is really helpful. Your photos are beautiful- especially love the ethereal shots of bride with the old iron chair.

[milestrevelyan]

I find the 85mm f1.2 is actually sharper than the 50mm f1.2, so I usually picked that over the 50mm. Also I like the compression. However having listened to your comments, I think I am going to explore the 50mm focal length more for shooting portraits.

[robertloconte]

I'm an old school photographer. I went to art school in 1977 - I been taking photos for well over 40 years. I was taught that you NEVER use a 50mm lens to take head shots or portraits. The 50mm lens can distort the persons features a little - like make their nose look longer than it is. I always use a lens that is longer than a 50mm. For example 85mm 100mm 135mm and the one lens that I use for headshots is 70mm to 200mm f2.8 lens. Shooting at 200mm and I want to use 2.8 as my F stop to control the depth of field.

[fengwang]

Your channel is brilliant! I've learnt a lot from you. Thanks!

[pryot]

I really enjoyed your video. I would have gotten a better feel for which lens I liked better if both side by side examples were the same model, same pose. We'll soon have snow (Anchorage, AK) and I'm looking forward to trying both len's for winter portraits, any snowy portrait experience you can share is appreciated. Nice work and thankyou for producing this video.

[Drunknmunk]

Just recently came across your channel, and I love how informative you are! Thank you for your great content!