If you’re serious about photography, there’s one lens that deserves a spot in your camera bag: the 85mm lens.
Known for its flattering perspective, creamy background blur, and exceptional sharpness, this lens is a favorite among portrait photographers. But its usefulness extends far beyond headshots—whether you’re shooting street photography, events, or even video, the 85mm focal length delivers stunning results.
What makes the 85mm lens so special, though?
In this article, I’ll break down eight compelling reasons why every photographer should consider adding one to their kit. From impeccable image quality to its versatility in different shooting scenarios, the 85mm lens is a true powerhouse. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
- An 85mm Lens is Perfect for Portraits
- Get Beautiful Background Blur With an 85mm Lens
- Sharpness and Image Quality are Top Notch
- An 85mm Lens is Ideal for Low-Light Photography
- These Lenses are Great for Candid and Street Photography
- An 85mm Lens is Excellent for Video Work
- You Get Versatility in Different Photography Styles
- An 85mm Lens is a Must-Have for Any Photographer’s Kit
An 85mm Lens is Perfect for Portraits
Photo by Justin Wolff on Unsplash (license)
The 85mm lens is widely regarded as the ultimate portrait lens. One of the biggest reasons for this is its natural compression, which flatters facial features and avoids the distortion you might see with wider lenses. Unlike a 35mm or 50mm lens, which can make noses and other facial features appear exaggerated, an 85mm lens provides a more proportionate and natural look.
Additionally, the 85mm focal length allows you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subject. This is especially useful for portrait photographers who want to give their subjects space to feel relaxed while still capturing intimate, detailed shots. Whether you’re shooting tight headshots, half-body portraits, or even environmental portraits, an 85mm lens is a fantastic choice.
Another advantage is how the 85mm lens separates the subject from the background. Because of its focal length and wide apertures, it creates a pleasing depth of field that makes your subject pop. This makes it an excellent choice for professional portrait photography.
Pro Tip: New 85mm lenses can be pricey, but you can save money by buying a used lens. Trustworthy online platforms like MPB have a wide selection of 85mm lenses for a variety of camera systems.
Get Beautiful Background Blur With an 85mm Lens
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One of the most beloved features of an 85mm lens is its ability to produce stunning bokeh. Bokeh refers to the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas in an image, and with a fast 85mm lens (such as an f/1.4 or f/1.8), you get an incredibly smooth, creamy blur that makes your subject stand out beautifully.
The wide aperture capabilities of an 85mm lens help to isolate the subject from any distractions in the background. Whether you’re shooting portraits in a busy city, a crowded park, or even indoors, you can achieve a dreamy, professional look with minimal effort.
Bokeh isn’t just about making the background look pretty—it also helps direct the viewer’s attention straight to the subject. This makes an 85mm lens an excellent choice for any photography that benefits from strong subject separation.
Sharpness and Image Quality are Top Notch
Photo by Ben Collins on Unsplash (license)
When it comes to sharpness and optical quality, an 85mm lens is tough to beat. Prime lenses, which have a fixed focal length, often outperform zoom lenses in terms of sharpness, and the 85mm is no exception.
With an 85mm lens, you get edge-to-edge clarity, even at wider apertures. This makes it ideal for capturing fine details in portraits, product photography, and even wedding shots. The lens design also minimizes distortion, ensuring that facial features and other elements in your frame appear natural and true to life.
Additionally, most 85mm lenses have excellent contrast and color rendering. Whether you’re using a Canon, Nikon, Sony, or third-party lenses like Sigma or Tamron, the results are consistently stunning.
An 85mm Lens is Ideal for Low-Light Photography
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A fast 85mm lens, such as an f/1.2, f/1.4, or even f/1.8, allows a significant amount of light to hit the sensor. This makes it an excellent choice for shooting in low-light conditions.
If you’re photographing indoors, at golden hour, or in dimly lit environments, an 85mm lens lets you keep your ISO low while still achieving sharp, well-exposed images. This reduces noise and results in cleaner, more professional-looking shots.
Additionally, the wide aperture allows for faster shutter speeds, reducing motion blur when shooting handheld. Whether you’re capturing a dimly lit wedding reception or an intimate indoor portrait, an 85mm lens delivers stunning results without needing artificial lighting.
Pro Tip: When shooting with an 85mm lens at wide apertures (like f/1.4 or f/1.8), focus accuracy is crucial. Use single-point autofocus to lock onto your subject’s eyes for the sharpest and most engaging portraits.
These Lenses are Great for Candid and Street Photography
Photo by Marc Kleen on Unsplash (license)
While the 85mm lens is often associated with portraits, it’s also fantastic for street and candid photography. The slightly longer focal length lets you photograph people from a comfortable distance, allowing for natural, unposed moments.
Unlike a 35mm or 50mm lens, which require you to be closer to your subjects, the 85mm lens gives you a bit more reach without feeling intrusive. This makes it easier to capture authentic expressions, emotions, and interactions.
If you enjoy storytelling through photography, an 85mm lens can be a powerful tool for capturing the essence of a scene while maintaining subject isolation.
An 85mm Lens is Excellent for Video Work
As Tom Buck discusses in the video above, the same qualities that make an 85mm lens great for photography also apply to video. Many videographers love using an 85mm lens for its natural compression and cinematic feel.
Whether you’re filming interviews, music videos, or short films, an 85mm lens provides a beautifully compressed background that enhances subject focus. The wide aperture also ensures excellent performance in low-light environments.
Additionally, many 85mm lenses come with smooth, precise focus rings, making them ideal for manual focusing in video work. This allows for cinematic focus pulls and professional-quality footage.
You Get Versatility in Different Photography Styles
Photo by Krzysztof Maksimiuk on Unsplash (license)
Although the 85mm lens is best known for portraits, its versatility extends to other photography genres as well. Here are a few ways you can use it:
- Wedding Photography: Captures intimate moments while maintaining a flattering perspective.
- Food and Product Photography: Produces sharp, detailed images with beautiful background separation.
- Detail Shots in Landscapes: Helps isolate elements in nature or cityscapes for a unique perspective.
Because of its adaptability, an 85mm lens can be an excellent all-around lens for you to explore different styles.
An 85mm Lens is a Must-Have for Any Photographer’s Kit
Photo by Padraig Treanor on Unsplash (license)
The 85mm lens is one of those pieces of gear that photographers rarely regret buying. It’s compact, lightweight (compared to longer telephoto lenses), and delivers incredible image quality.
If you shoot on a full-frame camera, the 85mm focal length provides a perfect balance between intimacy and reach. On an APS-C camera, it becomes roughly a 127mm equivalent, making it even more suited for close-up portraits and telephoto-style shots.
Ultimately, an 85mm lens is a fantastic investment. It’s one of those lenses that, no matter how many other lenses you own, you’ll keep coming back to time and time again. If you ask me, it’s an essential tool for any photographer looking to elevate their work. From stunning portraits to cinematic video, its versatility, sharpness, and beautiful bokeh make it a must-have in any camera bag.
Remember—you can pick up a used 85mm lens on the cheap and add one to your bag without busting your budget. Just be sure you work with a reputable online platform like MPB to ensure you get a quality lens and great service. I’ve used MPB over and over again, and I’ve been thoroughly pleased each and every time!
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