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50mm vs 85mm for Portraits

By Marcus ReidUpdated September 12, 2026

[Demo data — development only. Specifications are illustrative; editorial copy is sample content.]

85mm flatters faces with natural compression and easier background blur; 50mm is more flexible in tight spaces. For dedicated portraits, 85mm wins; for a do-everything lens, 50mm.

M

Written by

Marcus Reid

Staff Writer

Marcus writes about technique, education and the business of photography.

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