SUMMARY
James Reader's video compares a 50mm prime lens against 35mm and 85mm lenses for various portrait types, including full-body, mid-length, and headshots. The 50mm is presented as a versatile middle ground, offering a balance of focal compression and background inclusion that can be more effective than the extremes of 35mm or 85mm. While acknowledging situations where 35mm is superior for environmental context, the comparison suggests the perceived importance of focal length for headshots may be overstated, as subjects often struggle to differentiate them.
TAKEAWAYS
A 50mm prime lens is tested as a versatile alternative to carrying both 35mm and 85mm lenses for portraits.
The 50mm lens offers a balanced focal compression, effectively integrating backgrounds without extreme distortion.
For headshots, the difference between focal lengths may be less noticeable to subjects than photographers assume.
The 50mm lens provides practical advantages, though specific scenarios might still favor wider or longer focal lengths.