Is an 85mm Lens Suitable for Portrait Photography on Nikon Cameras?
An 85mm lens is considered a short portrait lens on a full-frame body and a slightly long portrait lens on an APS-C camera body. Despite its smaller size compared to many longer lenses, the 85mm focal length is highly favored by photographers, especially for its versatility and image quality. In this article, we will explore the suitability of an 85mm lens for portrait photography, specifically on Nikon cameras, with a focus on its advantages, applications, and considerations.
Advantages of the 85mm Lens for Portrait Photography
The 85mm lens offers several advantages that make it a top choice for portrait photography, regardless of the camera body used. One of the most significant benefits is its ability to create shallow depth of field, allowing for selective focus and a blurred background (bokeh). This effect helps to isolate the subject from the surroundings, making the portrait stand out and look more professional.
The 85mm focal length is ideal for portraiture because it falls in what is often referred to as the nose-to-nose rule. This means that the angle of view is slightly more narrow than what the human eye sees at eye level, resulting in a more natural perspective that flatters the face and features of the subject. Additionally, the moderate focal length minimizes visual distortion compared to wider lenses, ensuring a more flattering and tighter portrait.
Compatibility with Nikon Cameras
Nikon cameras offer exceptional compatibility with the 85mm lens. Whether you are using a full-frame Nikon D850 or an APS-C Nikon D5600, the 85mm lens can provide outstanding results. The D850, with its high-resolution sensor, benefits significantly from the 85mm lens's ability to capture detailed skin textures, intricate hair details, and subtle facial expressions with remarkable clarity. Similarly, the APS-C Nikon D5600, with its smaller sensor, also enjoys the excellent bokeh and subject-isolating capabilities of the 85mm lens, albeit with slightly more elongated background blur due to the crop factor.
Practical Applications and Considerations
The 85mm lens is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of shooting scenarios. For example, it is perfect for studio work, where controlled lighting and a shallow depth of field are essential. In a studio setting, the lens can be paired with soft lights to create a smooth, flattering light that enhances facial features and texture. The 85mm lens also works well in a mixed lighting environment, such as outdoors or in a room with natural light, where it can still create a nicely blurred background, even if the color balance or intensity of the light is not ideal.
For on-the-go photographers, the 85mm lens is lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around for spontaneous portraits. Its compact size does not sacrifice image quality, and it can be used effectively in fast-paced environments, such as street photography or candid portraits. However, when using the lens on an APS-C camera body, one should be aware that the effective focal length is magnified due to the crop factor. For instance, on an APS-C camera, the 85mm lens is technically equivalent to 136mm on a full-frame camera. This means that images may appear slightly more compressed, but the 85mm lens can still produce excellent portraits.
Conclusion
The 85mm lens is indeed suitable for portrait photography on Nikon cameras, whether you are using a full-frame or an APS-C camera. Its excellent image quality, ability to create beautiful bokeh, and natural perspective make it an ideal choice for professional and amateur photographers alike. Whether you are shooting in a studio, outdoors, or on the go, the 85mm lens can help you capture portraits that not only look great but also stand out from the crowd.