4 Reasons the 85mm is Perfect for Portraits & How to Use It | Mastering Your Craft

[@peerlessportraits]

Pye, you are the absolute heavyweight on the Adorama channel (in every sense). Your videos have a "business seminar" vibe; So much to, that I dress up biz casual to watch and learn. Thanks for adding so much value to the industry.

[@Adorama]

Nice!

[@ericleszkowicz898]

Started to fall in love more and more with the 85 mm - especially when it comes to going wide open.

[@Narsuitus]

Thanks for the video. Back in 1968, the 85mm f/1.8 Nikkor was the 2nd lens I purchased for my Nikon F 35mm SLR. The 35mm f/2 Nikkor was my 1st lens. I used both for reportage. I also used the 85 for head & shoulder portraits. In 2016, I finally upgraded my manual focus 85 to the 85mm f1.4 D AF Nikkor. The 85mm autofocus and the manual focus 135mm f/2 Zeiss are my two favorite portrait lenses. Both lenses have a 77mm filter thread.

[@charlieross-BRM]

I'm late to the party but the last point you made about being slow to focus is explaining what I am mostly finding a drag as I play with a 7Artisans 85mm 1.8 lens. I have already concluded that I wouldn't use it for activities but I might use it for people pictures- I don't do much of that. However at an outdoor Remembrance Day gathering in two days I'll be giving it a go since there is the space/distance to exploit the benefits of an 85mm with open aperture described here.

[@DavidDavis-Photography]

I photograph almost exclusively with my 85mm, I love this lens.

[@b991228]

One of the best buys you can get is the old fashion first version 85mm, f/1.8 primes. They’re marked down but still terrific. One recommendation, there’s more to this lens then f/1.8. Compact as well.

[@BlackBeltBarrister]

You got me - I'm a human being 😆Great video

[@dymone4894]

I've never had Nutella but I do have an 85. I absolutely love it!

[@joostmak]

I have a 50 mm and 85 mm prime .... I find it easier to get as good picture with the 50mm but giving in a little effort in the end the 85mm gives the most satisfying results looking back at my photos .....🧐😀

[@chessoptics]

Brotherman im listening to you in head phones you sound tremendous wowwwww your voice is made for this and yes i have an 85 MM i slept with my lens the first night i bought it lol seriously

[@ARGHAMUKHERJEE]

Everything is fine, but I often use 35 & 50 for portraits if I don't get enough space. I really enjoy the blur of those focal lengths & minimal distortion ( Good lenses don't give you that much distortions). 85 is my favorite when it comes to location shoot or if I have stable conditions to compose portrait. I don't use 70-200 anymore because its huge & bulky. 85 f1.4 is the best. I tried 135,105 both.

[@florianbecke3076]

I definitely support the Nutella statement! :)

[@ziemo1370]

Pye, asking for advice. With a limited budget, which lens would you choose for the canon 6d mark I: Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM or 85 f/1,8 USM. The main application is, of course, portrait, but with 100 mm, the spaces for macro photography open up.

[@shubhrak]

Manual focus lenses are not a pain at all if you are using the right focusing screen. I shoot with a Zeiss Otus 85 and I can nail the focus, every single time.

[@jaypob]

Pain doesn't mean you can't do it; it means it's inconvenient. To most people, "using the right focusing screen" = a pain.

[@alanmichael4225]

How did you have a 24 mm f1.4 on the wedding shot on a 24-70?? 🤔

[@payamjirsa]

Apologies, that was a typo. f/2.8 is correct.

[@slrlounge]

That was a typo - good catch and sorry about that!

[@mdotdavis6901]

Would you prefer or can you do a comparison of the Sigma Art 105mm and the 135mm. Cons and Pros

[@hermanlopez2945]

I do agree with the control of the background. I just bought this lens and I saw the results and love it.

[@claredunn757]

Incredible insight. I never knew. Thank you!

[@jessica_video_projects]

Wow! So many ideas ! I have a semi new Rokinon 85mm sitting collecting dust. Take out this weekend and use it.

[@Valtrach]

Hey Pye, great video. Thank you for your time and work.

[@payamjirsa]

Appreciate your comment Gilbert!

[@vishweshwarkandalgaonkar4620]

Nice presentation. I have Sigma 85mm f1.4, now will follow your guidance. Thanks for sharing.

[@Mark_R_Tho]

I love my 85mm Sigma Art 1.4😍😍😍

[@paulieataboy]

You’re amazing and I’ve been learning a lot! Thank you!

[@Anonymous99997]

I love 85 for portraits just like I loved my 50 when I shot with a crop sensor.

[@ericocampo7028]

I was going to leave a comment about this. I purchased a used Sigma 50mm 1.4 for my Nikon DX. Would I get the same benefits shown in the video? Thanks this was great content

[@christopherjamesboudoir]

While I wouldn't use my 85 for fast motion or things like that, the Canon 85mm f1.8 actually focuses quite fast, much faster than the 85mm f1.2. It has a USM in it that helps. And I have taken some absolutely creamy shots with with. I have talked to a few photographers that wished they got the 1.8 instead of the 1.2 for the faster focus alone. And I talked to one that told me he sold his 1.2, bought two 1.8's (one for use and one for back up) and put the other thousand dollars in the bank. Lol. But the 85 is an absolute beast of a lens for image quality and sharpness. :)

[@Gabbytyo3]

What do you recommend for shooting photos where people are moving but still keeping the same image quality

[@kurtsteiner8384]

Very good pye. If you have100mm 2.8 Do yoy also require the 85mm 1.8 As they do mostly the same job. I like the 50mm 1.8 very versitile light weight and a great lens too

[@neidermyer]

Great video Pye. I have an 85mm Sigma on my NIkon D610 and I adore it. The pictures are just stunning and the bokeh, as you say, is just creamy.

[@marilyngiannuzzi9867]

I just received my 85mm 1.8 from Adorama & it is a learning curve for me as I normally shoot using a larger lens for birds & animals!

[@elizabethsagarminaga4281]

Do you have a video how to set up the cannon mark 111 settings

[@RichieColemanSr]

Great video. Do you use the view finder or lcd screen when taking photos?

[@kurtsteiner8384]

Very interesting pye. How about doing this for a 100mm macro lens and 19mm wide lens. For these who dont do digital still and like film better.

[@UAE410]

i have qhestion : 50mm on crop sensor its equal to 85mm on full frame sensor??

[@faroukzanou7242]

no its 80mm in a 1.6 crop aps-c mode

[@larsmichael7162]

85mm for a full-frame.

[@carlosandreviana9448]

The Nikon 105 2.8 gives almost the same background defocus as a 85 1.8. between both, I would opt for the 105 because of the macro capabilities

[@suzetteanthony5181]

Thanks for the tips. I have an 85mm and realized you need more space and it isn't fast. I got it in the beginning of my photography. I will now play with it again using your tips.

[@intheloop7835]

After you got your 85mm and fitured that out which lens did you buy after?

[@LeeAxonisDigifin]

Thanks as always. Questions please. 2:58 your graphics show F/2.8 lens being used but you state the photo was F/1.4. Apologies if I've missed something but could you please clarify? thanks Lee.

[@jimmyhill9591]

I typically use my XF 90(135mm equivalent) for tight corporate headshots. Not for the 'bokeh' or background compression, I'm almost always shooting on a plain background, but rather it is more forgiving of distance and angles with regard to distortion. I use my XF 56(85mm equivalent) mostly for environmental portraits of my corporate clients. It gives we a wider frame while still providing a similar leeway with regard to distortion. That said, for the handful of 'online dating' shoots I do or photos at grandma's birthday party, I mostly stick to a 50mm equivalent lens(XF 35 or TCL-X100 conversion lens). Yes you need to be more aware of your distance and angles to prevent distortion of someones face, but images captured at shorter focal lengths tend to be more representative of 'being there'. Personally, I find those images more compelling. For photos of the kids at family functions, particularly the very young ones, I actually tend to go wider FOR the distortion which make the images more lighthearted and fun. IMHO there is no 'perfect' lens for all portraits. There are 'better' lenses for different types of portraits but the only 'perfect' lens is the one that produces the image or tells the story the photographer sees in his/her mind. Caveat: 𝘐 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘵. 𝘐 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺. 𝘏𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘴.

[@ChristianThueringer]

greatly explained. thank you

[@johnm1463]

Very useful. Will look for your others

[@iamdcraze]

Great vid! I shall be getting a 85mm lens next!

[@rosssayer6524]

Using a crop sensor camera what would be your choice of lens for doing portraits ?, I'm currently using a 85 f1.8 on my Nikon 7200

[@Reason-fg4ik]

Love my 85 f1.8 and 135 f2! Nutella, not so much. Peanut butter toast and whole milk, yea!

[@Blackmage50]

I wish I could shoot my 24-70 f2.8 at 1.4. Lol

[@ChristianThueringer]

everybody does! but would be super heavy...

[@sikapacapture]

Exactly the reason why I switched to prime lenses because 2.8 don't cut in some of my use case.

[@GrahamWathey]

Would you choose a different lens for a cropped sensor?

[@srb980]

Great stuff Pye

[@BlancGivre]

That was fantastically helpful. Recently acquired an 85mm and looking for ideas for what to do with it. Your video helped a lot.

[@beantish]

Hello, I was wondering whether it is possible to get similar perspective compression with a 56mm APSC lens (which has a 85mm fov). Thanks!

[@samcoleman8275]

Great video! I have struggled to get comfortable with prime lenses but your examples definitely have shown me that they have a reason to be in my camera bag. Many thanks.

[@JMDPhotography-Chi]

I love my Canon 85 f/1.4 and it’s awesome and it’s always in my bag

[@bewarethefuryofapatientman]

Enjoyed the video and the shots presented!

[@jerrym8140]

Well said! I absolutely love the 85 1.4 as it’s my favorite lens. But yes it does have a couple draw backs which was also nice to see you noted but this lens is definitely a lens that’s great to have in your tool bag as a portrait or wedding photographer. Ok now you can take a nap 😴 haha

[@zackchoy1969]

I love the manual Zeiss Planar f/1,4..... very creamy and it pops especially for black and white....

[@iaincathro3373]

Superb, thanks!

[@RonaldLadao]

@3:02 How did you get f1/.4 on the 24-70 f2.8 II L?

[@gregshawphotography8828]

I was going to ask the same thing.

[@djvphotography]

I had the same question.

[@thestarcaller]

When the comment gets pinned but not responded to: "D:"

[@payamjirsa]

Apologies, was a typo, we responded above. Should have been 2.8

[@YogendraSingh]

Nice video sir, when do u shoot in shorts and slippers vs. when do u shoot in tie and pants?

[@texasmarshalls]

Please do more videos on why you select the settings for certain scenes with and without lighting for off camera.

[@tarawillow7614]

Newbie question, I see you’re using a higher shutter speed on a lot of your photos and it seems like your models are standing still. Why is that? Thank you in advance!

[@allenahale1]

You sold me - I'm going to bring my 85mm f1.8 to PNG this Summer! Thanks!

[@ZEDU657]

On the photo of the bride surrounded by a bunch of women, it’s noted that a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 II L lens was used @ 24mm, 1/250 sec, f/1.4, ISO 800. How do you get to f/1.4 on an f/2.8 lens?

[@erayadiguzel3133]

I am about to go for a photo shoot one of my friend and i was doubting using my 85 and or 24-70. So like you sid for indoor it was scary thing to use my 85 so I most probably use my 24-70... Many thanks for advice

[@dardiry1968]

What best lens for portrait in tighter spaces ?

[@Revolution-tl5wo]

Are there any budget 85 mm lenses that go 2.8 or wider for under $1000?

[@bethgibson8190]

I have a Canon R6. I want to add a 85 mm and I'm considering the usm85 which is more budget friendly. what are your thoughts on this lens? Even a comparison? Thanks for your great videos and I use your dark mode preset all the time ☺️

[@venture1942]

With 85 when I took couples portrait , one subject was blurry , this doesn’t happen with 70-200 ? How to correct this ?

[@darrylc734]

Been using 50mm 4/3, have since jumped to m4/3 learning the trade off to a 42.5mm (85mm equivalent) and with adapter 50mm 4/3 on the m4/3 is now 100mm equivalent.

[@notallaboutmeministry3285]

So what lense do you suggest for the tighter spaces?

[@monikarimkus3769]

Hi, would anyone recommend to buy a portrait lens 85mm only usable manually, part of the drive from the rod autofocus is missing from the bayonet? Thanks!

[@johnw.3636]

What camera brand are you using? That would help with recommendations. If it's Nikon, which is what I shoot, then I'd say look at the Nikkor 85mm 1.8D.

[@josediazh3890]

Muchas gracias.

[@wannabeturbo]

Thanks for the good info Pye. I'm considering an 85 since I've begun doing portrait photography. I'm currently using my 70-200 with decent results.

[@bardoteachings]

I love Canon 85mm/1.2 for all the reasons that you've mentioned despite the fact that I'm not a Nutella fan. I'm from PBJ sandwich camp. 😁

[@payamjirsa]

Oh man, PBJ over Nutella? I mean, I love both... but I don't know if I can accept this ;)

[@srb980]

@@payamjirsa PBJ is the bomb

[@AdHocVisions]

I love your video and my 85mm 1.4.

[@Jvaldes609]

Question does it matter the crop sensor size because if you don’t have a a full frame camera 85mn isn’t 85mm.

[@sebastianreiprich3747]

Pye can shot the 24-70 at f/1.4 - he is a sorcerer! Well at least his pictures look like magic for sure 😊

[@dirtysouthtiger]

Who makes a 24-70 1.4? That would be the most popular lens of all time in the history of photography

[@DjebiLoftin]

Awesome video very helpful!

[@onegreenev]

Always like your videos. Im using my Sony 100mm STF GM lens. I ditched my 85mm GM. If I need an 85mm I have a manual 85mm 1.4.

[@benharris3949]

Slow focusing? Not a problem on crop bodies! 50mm focuses quick and is equivalent to an 85 (give or take). Though my favourite focal length is 135, it’s just magic to me.

[@2MProduction125]

Hi, Pye! I have 70-200 f2.8, but i am thinking of buying 85mm 1.8mm. Is it worth if we dont count weight? Its heavy dilema for me couse I need other lenses too. My lenses are 11-20 in dx mode on z7. So there i get only 20mpx. 24-70mm f4 and 70-200mm f2.8. So i could use full frame wide for landscapes, mb 50mm lens with f1.8.

[@kreasinova]

how about 135mm? same focal length for portraits, is the 85mm better and more versatile than the 135mm?

[@pictureeyecandy]

Nice video Pye but you forgot to mention that is on a full-frame camera! For me, a Full-frame camera is not for me, I need a lighter and smaller camera body and lenses for medical reasons! There are times that you need to shoot @ f1.2, f1.4, and f1.8 I prefer to shoot with more depth of field when I can if there is a good background to be found!

[@fLORiDa33020]

Love my canon 85 1.4 one of my favorite

[@payamjirsa]

Yes!

[@ozarksdigitalcreations9254]

I'm currently considering getting into beauty portraits. I currently don't have a macro (I got 2 bad copies of the Nikon 105 S from my local store last year and got fed up) do you think the 85mm will be able to get tight enough shots for makeup detail starting out until I can get my hands on another macro lens? Thanks!

[@yummm8775]

You should get rid of your Nikon system and change to Canon R mirrorless. Then buy the Canon RF 85mm that's also designed to do macro shots.

[@xpy1]

tje girl agenst the wall with the black hat was that shot with and 85mm if so was it canon or sigma art

[@samiturunen5335]

Thanks for sharing 🤘

[@terryhatcher6042]

Does this stand for D7100 the reason I ask I have a couple of weddings to do

[@thenexthobby]

Regarding focusing fast 85/100/135mm primes manually, my suspicion is that they'd be more popular if more people had a dedicated body just for them ... _so long as the camera could be fitted with a proper manual focusing screen_ like in Days of Yore. This is particularly true compared to slow-focusing AF lenses. Also, some camera bodies cannot focus a fast lens as fast as they can slow lenses regardless of aperture being used, because AF points must be optimized for "expected / typical" apertures used. At least with manual focus, you're in control and not waiting/hoping for an AF lens to get it right, even with focus peaking/confirmation that newer cameras might offer.

[@payamjirsa]

Yes, slow AF is partly lens, partly camera body. For example, the Canon 1DX3 is incredibly fast to focus even with slow primes like the 85/105. But, price-wise it's out of reach for most people.

[@benharris3949]

The Next Hobby I have a wedding photographer friend who shoots entirely in manual. It’s madness but it works for her and she has the same hit rate as me using AF 💁‍♂️

[@parashupreti143]

can u do a video on the 18-135mm lens.Because thats the best i have got now

[@ae5320]

Sell it and buy a better one. Working with kit lenses are waste ot time

[@Fifthimagez]

This was vary helpful I have the 85mm f/1.8 I really don’t use it I shoot more with my 35mm f/2 I plan on using my 85mm more this year

[@3obardThawn3]

Great video... thank you

[@yank1tonybats511]

Great video

[@notallaboutmeministry3285]

I really like my Canon 85 1.8

[@lalaishadove2223]

If you could only pick one lens for portraits, would you pick the 85mm 1.4 or the 24-70mm 2.8?

[@reactionvideos1516]

yes i just got my first dslr nikon d5600 woot this will help lots

[@aquilifergroup]

Thank you.

[@llYuki0okami]

help me understand, when he says 85mm he mean focal length or sensor size or somehow both?

[@doablefilms9380]

I got the 100mm macro, i think this is perfect

[@cool555breeze]

Holy shit! I had insomnia and figured l would watch KZbin at 2am!

[@nelsonclub7722]

I have been a pro for 35 yrs or more - in a studio 85 is perfect - or in my case the MF equiv - but outside a 90, 100, 105, 135, is better. When I had an RZ the 500 APO was by far the best. I shot over seven complete catalogues with that!!

[@Lesterandsons]

Love too my 100mm 2.0 on apsc. For headshots 200mm /2.8 would be best.

[@DavoMoralesMusic]

If i use a crop sensor, should i get the 56 or the 85?

[@wesleyfinch1574]

Curious how you got your 24-70 f2.8 to shoot at f1.4?? 😜 (3:00)

[@sonicvboom]

If one uses lenses like the RF F4 24-105mm, or even the RF F2.8 70-200mm L-series, and we stop at 85mm/ 105mm, will we be able to achieve similar results of the primes? Or will they not be "sharp" enough due to the fact that they not "prime" lenses?

[@AR-vf7vg]

These lenses You mention are notoriously bad. They have good auto focus but are way too blurry for hardly anything else then portraits of fuzzy people. Fixed focal length technique on the other hand are quite disturbing to get used to : Once they're on you can't move and force you to wait sometimes many hours. Not fast enough for weddings and such. I gave up on both.