Why does portrait photography use an 85mm lens?

Today we will discuss an equally popular fixed-focus device-a fast lens with a focal length of 85 mm, usually called portrait lens. This is a medium-level TV optical system: its field of vision is very narrow, which significantly narrows the picture. What other functions does the 85mm lens have? Let's get this straight!

Nikon Df and Nikon AF-S 85mm f/ 1.8G nicol

1. Excellent clarity and high aperture A lens with a focal length of 85 mm can provide high aperture and excellent image clarity. In other words, with them, you can shoot in low light and get high-quality clear images. In addition, a high aperture can blur the background, while the subject is still clear (of course, if you focus accurately).

Nikon d 810/85.0f/1.4iso90, F 1.6, 1/200 s, 85.0mm

2. The ideal choice of 85 mm optical element for portrait is helpful to accurately observe the shooting distance. Under this condition, the plane roughness and perspective deformation are most suitable for portrait.

Traditionally, the "portrait" on the opening makes the picture have a soft contrast, which is very suitable for portrait shooting and eliminates the defects of the model's skin.

For APS-C cameras (such as Nikon D3400, D5600, D7200), due to cropping factors, the lens began to approach the image greatly. On the "crop", he is already a complete telephoto lens. If you want to shoot with it, you must stay away from the subject. The lens is suitable for close-ups and shooting in open areas. If you need to use more functional portrait lenses on "crops", you'd better watch Fifty Dollars, where the viewing angle is equivalent to a full frame of 85 mm.

3. Multifunctional 85mm lens is not only suitable for portrait shooting. Because of their clarity, high aperture, undistorted and popular viewing angle, they can be used in many photographic directions. For example, in the landscape, shoot the theme.

Sharp high aperture lens will be helpful for soft shooting under shallow depth of field and beautiful background blur. The only limitation of shooting an object with an 85mm fast lens is the maximum and minimum focusing distance (about 90cm). This is not a macro lens. If there is no other equipment (such as a macro ring), you will not be able to shoot close-ups.

Nikon d 810/85.0f/1.4iso64, F 1.4, 1/400 s, 85.0mm

The distortion of objects in photos caused by optical defects is called distortion. If there is a straight line in the frame, it is obvious. This problem is related to short focal length optical elements, but it can also occur when using long focal length lenses (especially using universal zoom). A lens with a focal length of 85 mm has no distortion. This is very important in thematic photography.

85mm fixture has high details and simple perspective transformation, which is very suitable for shooting still life.

Nikon d 810/85.0f/1.4iso100, f 14, 60s, 85.0mm

4. Exquisite and blurred background, high aperture and long focal length make these lenses become real monsters. The defocus of the 50mm lens is clearer, with a clear single highlight, and the defocus of the 85mm lens is softer. Maybe any fast 85mm lens will blur the background. Everyone can choose the model that can create the most impressive drawings.

A blurred background allows you to choose the main object or cover up unnecessary details. Of course, it is not always necessary to blur the background, but this function is very important for creativity.

Nikon d 810/85.0f/1.4iso640, F 1.4,1160s, 85.0mm

Nikon d 810/85.0f/1.4iso50, F 1.8, 1/4000 s, 85.0mm

5. Simple viewing angle One of the characteristics of any telephoto lens is the compression of the viewing angle: objects far away from us are approaching the picture and look bigger.

Shoot with a wide-angle lens: the objects in the photo decrease rapidly as they leave.

Photographers will make full use of this when using backgrounds or backgrounds. Therefore, when shooting on high mountains, you can visually enlarge the high mountains in the background to make them look magnificent.

6. Compact telephoto lenses (especially zoom lenses) are almost always bulky. Just look at the optical grade 70-200mm F2.8, such as the new Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 FL ED VR. In the background of this TV, the 85 mm lens looks like a child: it weighs about 500g and rarely exceeds 10 cm in length (excellent choice for traveling! )。

Nikon AF-S Nicole 70-200mm f/2.8 FL ED VR is an excellent portrait painter. The only drawback is its large size and weight, just like all 70-200mm F2.8 lenses. By the way, Nikon AF-S 85mm f/ 1.8G Nicol is nearly four times lighter and many times smaller!