The 85mm lens may not be as versatile as the 50mm for portrait shots, but what it lacks in versatility it makes up for in its ability to produce fantastic headshots.  This focal length usually has a longer minimum focal length than 35mm and 50mm, which will require you to stand further away from the subject.  However, there are some benefits when it comes to shooting headshots.  But there are plenty of photographers who abuse their 85mm lens.  Even more, photographers see lens versatility as more than just a piece of glass for portraits.  Let’s explore some tips for using an 85mm lens to improve your photography skills.  

3 tips for using an 85mm lens  

1. Understand the depth of field of an 85mm lens  

The 85mm lens provides you with incredible depth of field.  However, in some Settings, the depth of field can be very thin, which can lead to a strange-looking composition if you’re not careful.  

For example, if you are taking a close-up portrait and you have the 85mm F /1.2 lens fully open, you will be able to use very little depth of field.  It’s so thin that if you focus on your subject’s eyes, their nose might lose focus.  Of course, if done well, this can lead to interesting images.  Do it wrong, however, and you’ll end up with an image that can’t be fixed in post-processing.  

This means you need to pay attention to the depth of field when shooting close-ups with an 85mm lens.  You may need to move backward and change the position to get the desired effect.  It’s also important to pay close attention to the aperture you’re using.  If you find that the depth of field is too narrow, reduce the aperture by a step or two, make any necessary adjustments to the shutter speed or ISO, and try again.  It’s that simple!  

2. Use aperture priority mode  

The 85mm lens is best for portraits and other close-ups of people, plants, and animals, which means that aperture first mode should be used more frequently than shutter speed first or fully manual mode.  

85mm lenses are also great for capturing everything around you when traveling to other countries/regions as they are not too bulky or heavy.  This means it’s easy to take photos without being conspicuous, which helps keep the trip intact by avoiding having people put on their best outfits or behaviors to get the shot!  Just be sure to use aperture priority mode, adjust the ISO level as needed, and use shutter speed until you get the results you want every time.  

3. Do not use 85 mm lenses on crop sensor cameras  

Without much technical discussion, a 50mm lens on a crop sensor camera will give you essentially the same depth of field as an 85mm lens on a full-frame camera.  For this reason, some photographers who use cropped sensor cameras may forgo using 85mm lenses in their camera bags.  

However, this is a mistake.  The 85mm lens is relatively inexpensive, especially if you opt for the F /1.8 model, so you won’t be spending thousands of dollars and will get a great lens.  Another reason everyone should have an 85mm lens is that it gives you a higher level of control over the depth of field of a crop sensor camera than a 50mm lens.  You can shoot almost anywhere with an 85 mm lens and get an extremely blurry background!  

When you like a focal point, you will use it to shoot. Try a variety of angles, whether it is people, objects, or scenery. When you use your lens, you will have a feeling.  Finally, there is a hint that an 85mm lens has a strong blur effect, the blur effect in the support of the backlight, which can further highlight the overall sense of dreaminess, so 85 shooting must not miss backlight shooting.