The 24mm vs 35mm vs 50mm vs 85mm vs 135mm are common prime lenses for portrait photographers. During this photoshoot, we are comparing ALL my prime lenses side by side. I am using the Canon 5D mkiv, a full frame camera body for this test. The exact lenses we have include:
on the Canon 5D mark iv
If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure on what should be your next prime lens, then this comparison of all my prime lenses is just for you! I will be taking photos with each lens: 24mm vs 35mm vs 50mm vs 85mm vs 135mm in a few different scenarios.
The first comparison will be with the model and I standing in one spot. You will be able to see the difference each focal length makes when it comes to background compression, bokeh, distortion and how it changes the look of someone's face and body.
During the next comparisons, I will be moving around to frame each focal length to look as similar as possible. First we will shoot a landscape, mid length portrait with each lens. Finally, we have a closeup headshot focal length comparison. Here, the difference in background compression is extremely noticeable. Not only that, but it's interesting to see how each focal length changes the shape of someone's face!
Focal length choice with prime lenses can either be a stylistic or technical choice. An 85mm is classified as the perfect portrait lens, as it's flattering for closeup portraits and has great background to foreground separation. I personally like to use a more “unconventional” lens for my portraits - a 35mm. I love the distortion it creates and how you can see more of the location that we’re shooting in. In this case, using a 35mm for portrait photography is a stylistic choice.
If you were to choose a prime lens for a technical reason there are 2 (among many other) simple reasons you could choose one lens over the other. I used to work as a retoucher and photographer at a headshot studio. I learnt from the photographer who owns the studio that people have different face shapes and features - well, duh! But depending on their features, can be a reason to choose a particular focal length.
For example, if someone has a wider face, I would opt for taking portraits on a wider angle prime lens like a 50mm. I personally have a wider face and always find I prefer portraits of myself taken on a 35mm or 50mm rather than an 85mm. If someone has a smaller face with features closer together, I would choose to use a telephoto prime such as the 85 or 135. Having a longer lens compresses the photo and flattens out a face more in a photo.
Another easy reason to choose a focal length is your location. If you have an amazing location you want to incorporate into your photo, then a wide lens like the 35mm could be a good choice. If you are in a busy location, then a lens with more compression such as the 135mm could come in more handy. A telephoto lens will throw the background out of focus and help your subject stand out in your portrait.
Watch the video below to hear my thoughts on each of these focal lengths! I share each of the comparisons side by side throughout the video to help you decide which prime lens is right for you.
I also have a more detailed series of photos + videos where I compare only 2 focal lengths together so you can see even more examples with different portrait and location combinations. You can see those all here:
24mm vs 35mm vs 50mm vs 85mm vs 135mm on a crop frame camera
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All photos are edited with my Aspen Lightroom Preset!
To make it easier to compare what each focal length looks like, please select which 2 lenses you want to compare below.
Photographer + model standing in one spot:
Full body with photographer moving around to fill the frame:
Mid length portrait with photographer moving around to fill the frame:
Close up portrait with photographer moving around to fill the frame:
Let me know what you think of the lenses in the comments of the video, would love to know which ones you guys prefer, what you like to use the most, etc!
All photos edited with my Aspen Lightroom Preset to give the photos a natural look so they are easier to compare when they are all colour graded the same.
if you enjoyed this video, I have also compared all my prime lenses on a crop frame camera!
