I’m not a gear junkie by any means, but I’ve used my share of different lenses over the years. And there’s one lens that’s always with me, spending the majority of its time on my camera: the 85mm prime. This lens has become my favorite portrait lens for many reasons.
What is an 85mm Prime Lens?
The 85mm prime lens is a medium telephoto lens that offers a flattering perspective for portraits. Unlike wide-angle lenses, such as 24mm or 35mm, which can distort the subject’s face and body when shooting close up, the 85mm lens preserves the natural proportions of the subject and avoids unwanted distortion. Keep in mind, the 85mm focal length is also available on zoom lenses where 85mm is somewhere on their focal length spread. A prime lens is a fixed focal length lens, generally thought to have better optics than a zoom.
Benefits of the 85mm
An 85mm lens with a larger maximum aperture (e.g., f/1.4 or f/1.8) can isolate the subject from the background and create a pleasing separation. This helps to draw attention to the subject and eliminate distracting elements in the scene. Using a wider aperture allows for a shallow depth of field and that smooth bokeh effect everyone seems to love. This further enhances the subject-background separation and can add a dreamy quality to a portrait.
Another benefit of the 85mm lens is its versatility. It can be used for both close-up and full length portraits (if you have the room to step back enough to frame the subject that way). A good 85mm lens can capture amazing detail in areas that count, such as eyes, lips, hair, jewelry, etc., with sharpness and clarity. Not just for portraits, the 85mm lens can also be used for other genres of photography, such as street photography, sports, wildlife, etc., where a medium telephoto reach and a fast aperture are useful.
Many of my favorite 85mm lenses are also relatively lightweight and compact compared to other telephoto lenses, such as 105mm or 135mm. This makes an 85mm easier to carry around and handhold for longer periods of time.
Recommended: Budget-Friendly 85mm
I’ve used the elite, $2000 85mm models, and I’ve used the lower-priced ones. And I have to say, I’ve been very happy with the performance and images I get from the budget-friendly Canon 85mm 1.8 and the Sony 85mm 1.8.
A good 85mm lens tends to deliver stunning image quality, flattering perspective, beautiful bokeh, and versatile performance that make it an ideal choice for capturing people’s faces and emotions. That’s why I love my 85mm lens and use it for most of my portrait work.
If you are looking for a portrait lens that can take your photography to the next level, I highly recommend trying out an 85mm lens. You’ll be amazed by the results and the creative possibilities that it opens up for you.
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