50mm vs 85mm Lens Comparison for Portrait Photography | Which should YOU buy?
Jessica Whitaker
11,309 views
Thank you to Narrative for sponsoring this photography video! Start a 14-day trial for culling and editing here: https://narrative.so/select?affiliate...
Deciding between a 50mm and 85mm prime lens? In this side-by-side portrait comparison, I share the differences to help you choose the best lens for portrait and wedding photography!
View the BLOG POST with images here: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/blog/n...
✅ Shop used gear here on KEH: https://tidd.ly/4fWk4yO
Nikkor S 50mm f/1.2: https://tidd.ly/4xboLgd
Nikkor S 85mm f/1.2: https://tidd.ly/45ECaB3
Camera used: https://tidd.ly/4fWNzRL
Join the free Build + Bloom photography Facebook group for photo questions and business support ↪️ Facebook: buildandbloomjessicawhitaker
Sony’s version: https://tidd.ly/4c1QKGv
Canon’s version of the 50: https://tidd.ly/4cT1qHM
Canon’s version of the 85: https://tidd.ly/4xmIo4I
Budget-friendly 50mm (under $200): https://tidd.ly/4giyFVR
Deciding between a 50mm and an 85mm prime lens is a hard decision when you are starting in portrait and wedding photography. In today's video, I’m taking you behind the scenes for a real-world, side-by-side photo comparison between two classic prime focal lengths.
We’re testing these focal lengths using the Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S and Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S lenses on a full-frame mirrorless camera body. However, whether you shoot Canon RF, Sony GM, Fujifilm, Sigma Art, or Nikon Z, the optical principles of focal length compression, working distance, and shallow depth of field apply across every camera brand!
I’ll put both lenses to the test in real shooting conditions:
Low light and blue hour dusk performance
Golden hour backlighting and lens flare control
Direct sunlight, open shade, and color rendering
Full-body portraits, environmental portraits, and tight indoor spaces
Headshots, reception detail shots, and creamy bokeh quality
If you are trying to decide which prime lens to buy first for your photography business, this video breaks down the practical differences so you can choose the best focal length for your style and budget.
Models featured:
Instagram: jaydeonfilm, Instagram: sunniestylestudio, Instagram: vaniilladreams, Instagram: lisaafterlight, Instagram: missmarinarose
Video Chapters:
0:00 Welcome
0:23 Photography gear made simple
0:47 Narrative Culling Software
2:21 85mm Perspective and proportions
2:41 85mm for wedding details
3:22 Foreground with the 85mm Examples
4:24 Price Differences
5:21 KEH for used gear and discounts
5:53 Background Differences and lens compression of the 50 vs 85
7:33 35mm vs 50mm vs 85mm
8:27 Nikon S Lens Specs
8:35 Lens Coatings for harsh lighting, ghosting, and hazing
9:07 Why is the 85mm more expensive?
9:30 Lens Elements
10:08 Bokeh
10:33 Speed in low light
11:00 Sharpness
11:11 Weather Sealed
11:31 Hybrid for equal video and photo performance
12:45 Side-by-side sample images
13:38 Who should buy the 50mm?
14:10 Who should get the 85mm?
14:40 If you can only buy one
15:05 Build and Bloom: Photography Community
15:32 Subscribe for Free Photography Tutorials
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
#portraitphotography #50mmvs85mm #bestlensforportraitphotography #lenscomparison #nikonz
Free Lightroom preset download 🍊 https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/freegift
Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/jessicawh...
Shopmy: https://shopmy.us/shop/jessicawhitake...
Business inquiries only -- jessica@gb-dm.com
Instagram -- Instagram: jessicawhitaker
🎙 Build and Bloom Podcast
http://www.jessicawhitaker.co/
⭐️ The 8 essential steps to make your photography business legal & legit ↪️ https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/busine...
Disclosure: Links included in this description may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
12 Comments
50mm vs 85mm Lens Comparison for Portrait Photography | Which should YOU buy?
Jessica Whitaker
11,309 views
Thank you to Narrative for sponsoring this photography video! Start a 14-day trial for culling and editing here: https://narrative.so/select?affiliate...
Deciding between a 50mm and 85mm prime lens? In this side-by-side portrait comparison, I share the differences to help you choose the best lens for portrait and wedding photography!
View the BLOG POST with images here: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/blog/n...
✅ Shop used gear here on KEH: https://tidd.ly/4fWk4yO
Nikkor S 50mm f/1.2: https://tidd.ly/4xboLgd
Nikkor S 85mm f/1.2: https://tidd.ly/45ECaB3
Camera used: https://tidd.ly/4fWNzRL
Join the free Build + Bloom photography Facebook group for photo questions and business support ↪️ Facebook: buildandbloomjessicawhitaker
Sony’s version: https://tidd.ly/4c1QKGv
Canon’s version of the 50: https://tidd.ly/4cT1qHM
Canon’s version of the 85: https://tidd.ly/4xmIo4I
Budget-friendly 50mm (under $200): https://tidd.ly/4giyFVR
Deciding between a 50mm and an 85mm prime lens is a hard decision when you are starting in portrait and wedding photography. In today's video, I’m taking you behind the scenes for a real-world, side-by-side photo comparison between two classic prime focal lengths.
We’re testing these focal lengths using the Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S and Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S lenses on a full-frame mirrorless camera body. However, whether you shoot Canon RF, Sony GM, Fujifilm, Sigma Art, or Nikon Z, the optical principles of focal length compression, working distance, and shallow depth of field apply across every camera brand!
I’ll put both lenses to the test in real shooting conditions:
Low light and blue hour dusk performance
Golden hour backlighting and lens flare control
Direct sunlight, open shade, and color rendering
Full-body portraits, environmental portraits, and tight indoor spaces
Headshots, reception detail shots, and creamy bokeh quality
If you are trying to decide which prime lens to buy first for your photography business, this video breaks down the practical differences so you can choose the best focal length for your style and budget.
Models featured:
Instagram: jaydeonfilm, Instagram: sunniestylestudio, Instagram: vaniilladreams, Instagram: lisaafterlight, Instagram: missmarinarose
Video Chapters:
0:00 Welcome
0:23 Photography gear made simple
0:47 Narrative Culling Software
2:21 85mm Perspective and proportions
2:41 85mm for wedding details
3:22 Foreground with the 85mm Examples
4:24 Price Differences
5:21 KEH for used gear and discounts
5:53 Background Differences and lens compression of the 50 vs 85
7:33 35mm vs 50mm vs 85mm
8:27 Nikon S Lens Specs
8:35 Lens Coatings for harsh lighting, ghosting, and hazing
9:07 Why is the 85mm more expensive?
9:30 Lens Elements
10:08 Bokeh
10:33 Speed in low light
11:00 Sharpness
11:11 Weather Sealed
11:31 Hybrid for equal video and photo performance
12:45 Side-by-side sample images
13:38 Who should buy the 50mm?
14:10 Who should get the 85mm?
14:40 If you can only buy one
15:05 Build and Bloom: Photography Community
15:32 Subscribe for Free Photography Tutorials
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
#portraitphotography #50mmvs85mm #bestlensforportraitphotography #lenscomparison #nikonz
Free Lightroom preset download 🍊 https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/freegift
Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/jessicawh...
Shopmy: https://shopmy.us/shop/jessicawhitake...
Business inquiries only -- jessica@gb-dm.com
Instagram -- Instagram: jessicawhitaker
🎙 Build and Bloom Podcast
http://www.jessicawhitaker.co/
⭐️ The 8 essential steps to make your photography business legal & legit ↪️ https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/busine...
Disclosure: Links included in this description may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.