It doesn’t matter whether you are a professional photographer or just a keen amateur, having the 85mm prime lens on your camera has many advantages over other focal lengths. It’s all about having the right amount of distance between your subject and yourself. In the following paragraphs, I’ll explain how important it is to use a reasonable focal length to get a natural image.
1. It’s not going to surprise anyone to hear that the 85mm prime lens is the ideal portrait lens. No one will argue this fact. It’s the preferred lens of nearly every wedding and portrait photographer in the world. A smaller focal length lens will distort the proportions of the subject when the camera is too near, making the nose look bigger than it should be. But the 85mm lens produces absolutely natural images. And best of all, with the 85mm focal length, you don’t have to get close to the main subject to get a good shot. You can quietly do candid shots from a distance without making the person self-conscious about their pose or expression. In a portraiture session, this focal distance allows you to fill the frame with the subject without being right in their face. It helps everyone relax more, and you end up with pleasant, natural-looking results.
2. Being a small telephoto lens has many rewards. Sometimes it’s impractical to move closer to the subject. That may be because it’s too dangerous, or perhaps it might be too awkward, but the 85mm can handle most situations. Compared to smaller lenses, it makes it much easier to get shots of sporting action. The 85mm lens can also be used in street photography. It enables you to stand back from the situation and take photos filled with detail.
3. Outdoor portraits can be challenging, but the 85mm lens overcomes one distinct hassle: difficult backgrounds. If you find great lighting and fantastic surroundings, but the background is terrible, use a wide aperture on this prime lens to blur it away. Even a wall filled with graffiti can be transformed into gorgeous, color-drenched bokeh by choosing an ultra-wide aperture on this lens.
4. The 85mm lens can behave similar to a macro lens, targeting small flowers at a distance. But since you are away from the subject, you won’t have the problem of the lens creating a shadow on the object you are trying to photograph. It’s also useful for pictures of jewelry and other small objects. Compared to a macro lens, your camera is further from the items so there won’t be any distortion, which is important if you are documenting these objects for insurance purposes.
5. Event photography involves large groups of people who are often moving around. This makes it hard for photographers who need to be as unobtrusive as possible. It doesn’t matter whether you are there as the official photographer or if you just want some snaps of the occasion, the best approach is to keep out of people’s way so you don’t disturb them too much. Having an 85mm lens attached to your camera is a worthwhile choice for this situation. You can be far enough away from unsuspecting people to take photographs without them realizing it, which means they’ll look relaxed as they casually chat to friends and family. This guarantees natural expressions on their faces.
Shop around and you’ll find this short telephoto lens at a reasonable price. It’s bound to become a favorite lens that you’ll use for headshots, creative portraits, weddings, and wildlife photography. In other words, it’s a reliable lens that’s good for all situations. After you’ve tried it you’ll wonder how you ever coped without it!
