BENOISON vs YNLENS YONGNUO YN50mm

Overview of the 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens and YONGNUO YN50mm Lens

The 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens is priced at $96.22, making it about 6.5% cheaper than the YONGNUO YN50mm lens, which retails for $102.00. Both lenses are designed for Nikon cameras, but they cater to different shooting styles and needs. The 85mm lens is a manual focus option, while the YONGNUO provides both automatic and manual focusing capabilities. This overview will explore their features, suitability for various photography styles, and more.

Build Quality and Design

In terms of build quality, the 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens is a straightforward manual focus lens, focusing on functionality over frills. It’s designed specifically for Nikon DSLR cameras, making it compatible with a wide range of models, including the D3500 and D850. On the other hand, the YONGNUO YN50mm lens features a compact design with a high-precision metal bayonet and gold-plated contacts, which enhances connectivity and durability. Weighing only about 203g, it is lightweight and portable, making it ideal for travel and everyday photography.

Focusing Mechanism

The 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens is strictly a manual focus lens, meaning photographers must adjust focus using the lens's focus ring. This can be challenging for beginners but offers a level of control for experienced users. The YONGNUO YN50mm lens, however, includes both automatic and manual focus modes, providing versatility for varying shooting conditions. The automatic mode features face and eye recognition, which can be incredibly useful for portrait photography, ensuring that subjects are in sharp focus.

Aperture and Depth of Field

The 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens has a large aperture of f1.8, which is excellent for creating stunning background bokeh and achieving a shallow depth of field. This makes it particularly suitable for portrait photography, allowing photographers to isolate subjects beautifully. Similarly, the YONGNUO YN50mm lens also features a wide aperture of f1.8, allowing for impressive low-light performance and the ability to create creamy background blur. Both lenses excel in this area, though the 85mm's longer focal length may offer a different aesthetic in portrait work.

Versatility and Use Cases

When it comes to versatility, the YONGNUO YN50mm lens stands out due to its standard 50mm focal length, which is often considered a "nifty fifty" for its all-purpose capabilities. This lens can handle a variety of photography styles, from street photography to food blogging, thanks to its closer minimum focus distance of 0.45m (1.5ft). In contrast, the 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens is more specialized for portraiture and detailed close-ups, making it less versatile for other photography genres but exceptional for its intended use.

Price Comparison

The 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens is currently priced at $96.22, while the YONGNUO YN50mm lens is slightly higher at $102.00. This price difference of about $5.78 makes the 85mm lens approximately 6.5% cheaper, which may appeal to budget-conscious photographers. While the YONGNUO lens offers additional features such as autofocus, the cost difference highlights the choice between manual control and added convenience.

Compatibility

Compatibility is crucial when selecting a lens. The 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens is specifically designed for Nikon DSLR cameras, compatible with a wide range of models, including the D3500 and D850. However, it is not suitable for Nikon's Z-series mirrorless cameras. In contrast, the YONGNUO YN50mm lens is compatible with both Nikon F-mount DSLR and mirrorless cameras, providing broader usage across different camera systems. This added flexibility may be a deciding factor for photographers looking to future-proof their gear.

Which should you buy?

The decision between the 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens and the YONGNUO YN50mm lens largely depends on your photography style and needs. If you are focused on portrait photography and prefer the control of manual focus, the 85mm lens is an excellent choice, especially given its lower price. However, if you value versatility and the convenience of autofocus, the YONGNUO YN50mm lens offers a well-rounded solution with additional features that cater to various photography scenarios. Ultimately, both lenses have their strengths, making them suitable options for different types of photographers.