Although the 85mm lens is great for portrait shots, you shouldn’t classify it as just a portrait lens.  It’s not as wide as 50 or 35 millimeters, but it can do a lot of things.  85mm lenses are a popular choice for portrait photographers because they are lighter and easier to carry around.  Take it out on the streets, to events and weddings, and even out in nature to take some amazing scenery shots.  

Step in or step back and always get a clear picture that accurately represents what is happening.  That’s why everyone should have a good 85mm lens in their bag.  Let’s take a look at the top 5 uses for an 85mm lens.  

Top 5 uses for an 85mm lens  

1. Portrait

People tend to be less nervous than animals, but telephoto lenses work well for portraits as they allow you to maintain a comfortable distance from the person.  Many portrait photographers prefer lenses in the 50mm to 200mm range, with the classic 85mm prime lens taking the best position.  In addition to providing breathing room for their subjects, short telephoto lenses have a very flattering “compression” effect, while wide-angle lenses distort, stretch and accentuate facial features in unattractive ways. 

At the same aperture value, telephoto lenses also produce a shallower depth of field than wide-angle lenses, resulting in a softer (more defocused) background that makes your subjects stand out.  Use a fast telephoto lens, such as 85mm F /1.8, to increase the effect.  

2. The architecture  

Photographing architecture is also considered something you need to photograph.  But that’s not the case.  If you’re lucky enough to use a tilt-shift adapter, you’ll see how much fun this can be.  But by using an 85mm lens, you can see in a whole new way.  As you look up at the building, focus on certain parts of the scene.  View key details.  

3. Sports photography  

If you want to capture the game-day experience from a fan’s point of view, you can use a wide-angle lens for sports photography.  But unless you have a front-row seat, it can be difficult to get the shot you want without a longer lens.  

The 85mm lens is ideal for isolating subjects and capturing important moments, such as goal celebrations.  In addition, you can capture emotions such as victory, pain, and relief on an athlete’s face.  Again, in some cases, you may need a wider focal length than 85mm.  But it’s not the worst option for sports like basketball and football.  

4. Street photography  

Street photography is another type that 85mm lens owners might not consider, and that’s a mistake.  On full-frame cameras, the 85mm lens lets you shoot from far enough away without disturbing your subject.  In fact, on a busy city street, they might not even notice you’re taking a picture.  

Instead of using an 85mm lens to open the aperture and shoot up close, as is often the case in street photography, you can lower the aperture and shoot from a distance to get a completely different perspective.  You may not get the close-up features you’re used to, but the 85mm lens will give you the clarity and detail of a larger scene that’s definitely worth it.  

5. Wildlife photography  

Wildlife photography is one of the most difficult types to master.  To do this well, you need to put enough distance between yourself and the creature you capture;  Otherwise, you might scare it away.  In some cases, getting too close can be life-threatening.  

The 85mm lens is perfect for putting some distance between you and the wildlife you want to photograph.  You can use it to capture an animal’s face or to create more depth in a photo by capturing the surroundings.  In some cases, you may need a longer lens than 85mm, but it’s a good place to start.  

These are the top 5 uses of the 85mm. Maybe these are not all uses, but they are the most common.  By the end of this article, you should have a better idea of what 85mm is for.  Also hope you can buy your own 85mm lens early, and take it to take the photos you like.