Duration 14:25
50mm vs 85mm Lens Comparison for Portrait Photography | Which should YOU buy
Published 9 Mar 2023
Thank you to KEH Camera for sponsoring this video! Shop used camera equipment and save $ with code JWSHOP-1: https://bit.ly/3CUWNdj My camera: https://shrsl.com/2rwsv 85mm f/1.2 lens: https://shrsl.com/2ra1f 50mm f/1.2 lens: https://shrsl.com/2ra1c ✅ Shop used gear here on KEH with code JWSHOP-1 for 5% off: https://bit.ly/3CUWNdj ✅ Sell on KEH and get 5% bonus with code JWSELL-1: https://bit.ly/34ZxUAC View the BLOG POST with images here: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/blog/should-i-get-the-50mm-or-85mm Join the free Build + Bloom photography Facebook group for photo questions and business support ↪️ https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker/ ▶️ 50mm f/1.2 Lens Review /watch/cawex700qPc0e ▶️ 85mm Lens Review /watch/AGOliH7a09Val ▶️ 35mm vs 50 vs 85mm Lens Comparison (full frame camera) /watch/cbg1_QI5jSi51 ▶️ 35mm vs 50 vs 85mm Lens Comparison (crop sensor camera) /watch/Ukkj6v4L2NULj 📝 Is the Canon 1.2 worth it? https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/blog/is-this-canon-50mm-12-lens-worth-it 📝 3 Best Lenses for Canon https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/blog/the-3-best-camera-lenses-for-canon Timestamps: 0:00 Welcome to the lens comparison video! 0:40 The best place to purchase second-hand lenses, KEH Camera 1:37 Don't focus on the brand of lens 2:27 Using the 50mm and 85mm on a tripod outdoors wide-shot 4:45 50mm vs. 85mm side-by-side comparison images 5:10 Using the lenses off the tripod 5:36 Distance of using an 85mm 7:45 Comparison images 8:38 Using each lens in their appropriate setting 11:52 Final thoughts: which I think you should buy 13:54 Different options for budget 14:09 Subscribe for free photography tutorials Devon’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/devonfoxy/ In this beginner photography video, we'll be comparing two popular prime lenses for portrait photography - the 50mm and 85mm. We'll be looking at their individual strengths and weaknesses, and how they can affect the final image. First, we'll explore the 50mm lens - also known as the "nifty fifty." This lens is a favorite among many photographers due to its versatility, compact size, and low price point. It's great for capturing wider portraits, environmental shots, and even street photography. However, it can sometimes create distortion and may not work as well as an 85mm for headshots. Next, we'll dive into the 85mm lens - often considered the ideal focal length for portrait photography. This lens excels at compressing distances, creating an incredibly shallow depth of field, and producing sharp, detailed images. However, its larger size and weight can make it more challenging to use for extended periods, and it might not be as adaptable in every shooting scenario. Throughout this video, I'll showcase sample images taken with both lenses, so you can see firsthand how each lens affects the final result. I will also provide tips and advice on which lens might be best suited to different photography styles and situations. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, understanding the differences between lenses and how they can impact your photography can significantly impact your work. So, let's get started and explore these two fantastic prime lenses! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Free Lightroom preset download 🍊 https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/freegift Business inquiries only -- jessica@gb-dm.com Instagram -- http://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker 🎙 Build and Bloom Podcast http://www.jessicawhitaker.co/ disclaimer, affiliate links in this description, but they don't alter what you are paying. ⭐️ The 8 essential steps to make your photography business legal & legit ↪️ https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics
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What camera and lens did you use for shooting this video (YouTube studio parts)
I would still prefer 50mm prime because I'm used to my lens but I'm keen to try the 85mm.
I really hope your videos will get more views in the future because your vid deserves it. ... 1
Great video. Thanks 2
I prefer to use the 50mm for environmental portraits, full-length portraits, and 3/4 length portraits.
I like to use the 85mm for half-length portraits, head & shoulder portraits, and face shots.
For tight face shots, I like to use 105mm or 135mm focal lengths.
For group portraits, I use 35mm or 28mm focal length lenses. ... 1
In addition, neither the 35mm nor the 50mm lens distorts the body. Instead, the lens records the perspective it views at any given distance. One may not like what that view is, but for one to say the image provided by the lens is "distorted", or that the subject's face or body is distorted by the lens, is not accurate.
I am always happy to see other photographers producing educational videos, but if the information is not accurate it can lead to confusion. And as it is apparent from the video content itself, Jessica did not get into the real reasons why a certain lens will be selected for certain portrait sessions and this has to do with the photographer's desire and ability to manipulate the perspective of the subject (through the use of subject-lens distance) in such a way as to create the most flattering and/or desirable rendition of the subject. This should have been the emphasis of this video, and not discussions of bokeh.
In addition, there is no such thing as a "traditional portrait lens". Gorgeous portraits have been created using lenses from 24mm to 200mm. So the notion that certain lenses are traditional portrait lenses and other lenses are not is ridiculous. In fact, there have likely been more portraits shot using 35mm and 50mm lenses than all of the other lenses combined. Jessica mentioned one's desire to "upgrade" their camera kit presumably with the purchase of additional lenses, but if one sets aside their 50mm and adopts the 85mm lens (or longer lenses) as their go-to portrait lens they have effectively downgraded their kit unless they are wanting to fatten up the appearance of anorexic models and introduce alien ears.
Specifically, it is plainly evident in this video that the model's appearance is more flattering in all photos using the subject-lens distance that facilitated the use of the 50mm lens as opposed to the subject-lens distance that facilitated the use of the 85mm lens. Without being overly blunt, the model appeared to be squattier, dumpier, heavier, shorter, wider, and just plain fatter, in the images produced using the 85mm lens and the longer shooting distances. There is no real comparison here. So unless you are selling Christmas lights or architecture, the focus should be on the model if this is a portrait shoot. Does the model look gorgeous? If not, the portrait is a fail, and it does not matter how creamy and dreamy the bokeh is. ... 6