The 85mm lens is a favorite for portrait photographers across the board, and for good reason! Still, its longer focal length can be a bit intimidating, especially if you’re unsure how to get the most out of it. Many still don’t have the faintest idea about whether 85mm lenses work up close or how far away to use an 85mm lens.
But don’t stress; we’re here to break it all down for you. Keep scrolling for all the tips and tricks you need!
In This Article:
What Is An 85mm Lens?
An 85mm lens is a camera lens with a fixed focal length of – you guessed it – 85 millimeters.
The “85mm” refers to the distance between the lens and the camera’s sensor when the subject is in focus. Simply put, this lens offers a medium telephoto perspective, meaning it brings your subject a little closer without stretching or distorting the scene.
Is An 85mm Lens Worth It? 5 Main Reasons
We need 85mm lenses in many shooting situations, especially if you’re after clean, distortion-free shots with perfect proportions. Out of the three popular prime lenses, the 85mm really stands out with its longest focal length. Hence, this lens will give you beautiful, dreamy “bokeh” effects and separate your subject smoothly from the background elements.
Ideal for Natural and Flattering Portraits
Are you into portrait photography? If yes, an 85mm lens for shooting models is a must-have since it can frame your subject in the most flattering way possible.
Indeed, unlike other lenses that can sometimes distort facial features (e.g., making noses or cheeks look a bit off), the 85mm focal length keeps everything natural and true to life.
You can shoot close-up head shots or full-body portraits to your heart’s liking – while still giving your subjects enough personal space to make them feel comfortable. And obviously, we all know that when people feel comfortable, they look their best in these quality photos!
Stunning Bokeh
Another reason you’ll fall in love with the 85mm lens is the buttery bokeh. This dreamy, creamy background blur can turn a mediocre portrait into an eye-catching art piece in an instant!
Suppose you’re shooting in a busy park or a bustling city, for instance. Instead of all those distractions behind your subject, you get a beautiful, smooth blur that lets your subject really stand out.
The best part is that an 85mm lens for model photography is not the only option here. Shooting scenes, food, or even nature photography will become a much more fun and satisfying experience for you.
Working Well in Low Light
Thanks to its wide aperture, this lens can handle low-light situations extremely well. Indoor event? Evening portrait session? No worries! The 85mm lets in plenty of light so that you can keep your ISO low and avoid the grainy look that high ISO settings sometimes bring.
The best part? Not only does it help with low light, but that wide aperture also gives you faster shutter speeds. To put it simply, you can capture clear, quality images even when the lighting isn’t ideal – without worrying about motion blur.
Great for Candid Moments
Who says the view on an 85 mm lens is just for posed portraits? It’s fantastic for capturing candid moments, too.
As mentioned earlier, you can stand a bit farther from your subject while still getting the best up-close details. That’s why many photographers love to bring it along to events, weddings, or even street photography. You can quietly blend into the background features and catch genuine, unposed moments without being intrusive.
This lens also focuses much faster than expected, meaning you won’t miss any fleeting glances or interactions that unfold before your eyes. Its ability to freeze motion with a wide aperture is another reason why it’s perfect for spontaneous shots!
Crystal Clear Sharpness with Minimal Distortion
Last but not least, when it comes to image quality, we must say the 85mm lens is top-tier. Even at wider apertures like f/1.4, it delivers detailed, sharp images from edge to edge with minimal chromatic aberration. Hence, if you’re shooting anything where precision matters (e.g., product photography, fine art, or anything else that requires high levels of detail), you can trust this lens to deliver crystal-clear results.
Tips to Use 85mm Lens
Maximize Your Depth of Field Control
As mentioned earlier, the 85mm lens allows you to create a dreamy blur in the background and let the subject stand out beautifully.
Nevertheless, at such a narrow depth of field, even the tiniest movement can throw your focus off. Your subject moves just a little, and suddenly, the sharp focus you had on their eyes is now on their nose instead!
To avoid this, you should take several shots to ensure that the critical details, like the eyes, are perfectly sharp. Also, if you’re shooting a group or want more of your scene in focus, we suggest stopping down the aperture to f/4 or f/5.6 for more depth of field.
Experiment with Creative Angles
Shooting with an 85mm lens gives you a lot of creative freedom when it comes to angles. The beauty of this lens is that no matter how you move— whether you’re shooting from above, below, or at an angle — the results are flattering.
Therefore, you can try a low angle to give your subject a powerful, dynamic look or go higher up for a softer, more approachable vibe. Don’t hesitate to walk around and see how the lens works from different vantage points! Remember, even small changes in angle can dramatically affect your composition, especially how the background definition interacts with your models.
Take Full Advantage of Natural Light
The wide aperture on an 85mm lens makes it your best friend for natural light photography. When you’re shooting outdoors during golden hour or working with window light indoors, the lens lets in tons of light to give you bright, well-exposed shots without needing artificial lighting.
For the best results, though, try shooting in diffused light — like in the shade or during the softer hours of the day. This approach will complement the wide aperture perfectly and allow you to play with a shallow depth of field effect while still keeping your exposure balanced.
How about indoors? Here, you can make the most of natural light by positioning your subject near a window for soft, flattering light that brings out their best features.
Use a Tripod for Extra Image Stabilization
Even though an 85mm lens is fairly lightweight, sometimes you’ll want a bit of extra stability, especially when shooting in low light or at slower shutter speeds. Handheld shots can introduce just enough shake to affect sharpness, particularly when you’re shooting wide open or in dim conditions.
That’s where a tripod comes in handy. It helps you avoid any unwanted blur and keeps your shots tack-sharp, no matter the lighting. That way, you’re freed up to focus more on interacting with your subject, and there’s no need to constantly worry about keeping your camera perfectly still.
85 mm vs 50mm vs 35 mm Comparison
Last but not least, before we wrap up today’s article, let’s have a quick look at the differences between these primary lenses:
| 85mm | 50mm | 35mm | |
| Best Use | Portraits, Subject Isolation | General purpose, Portraits, Street | Street, Landscape, Environmental Portraits |
| Depth of Field Control | Excellent – Very shallow depth of field | Good – Moderate depth of field | Moderate – Deeper depth of field |
| Bokeh Quality | Beautiful, creamy bokeh | Nice bokeh but less than 85mm | Decent bokeh but less pronounced |
| Low-Light Performance | Great | Great | Good but requires slower shutter speeds |
| Distortion | Minimal distortion | Minimal distortion | Some distortion (especially up close) |
| Ideal Subject Distance | 4-8 feet | 3-6 feet | 2-5 feet |
| Field of View | Tight/narrow – Ideal for close-up shots | Standard – Closest to human eye perspective | Wide – Captures more of the scene |
| Portability | Heavier but manageable | Portable | Very light |
Conclusion
In short, shooting models with an 85mm lens is absolutely worth it, and we’ve also given you plenty of tips to help you crush your next project. Still have a few more common questions after our in-depth reviews? Don’t hesitate to reach out; we’re happy to help!
