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85mm to Inches: A Comprehensive Guide for Understanding Photography

Introduction

In the realm of photography, understanding the relationship between millimeters (mm) and inches is crucial for achieving precise results. Whether you're capturing portraits, landscapes, or macro shots, the focal length of your lens in millimeters will directly affect the perspective and composition of your images. This article delves into the conversion from 85mm to inches, exploring its significance, benefits, and applications in various photographic scenarios.

Understanding the Conversion: 85mm to Inches

The conversion from 85mm to inches can be calculated using the following formula:

Inches = Millimeters ÷ 25.4

Therefore, 85mm converted to inches is:

85mm ÷ 25.4 = 3.346 inches

Significance of the 85mm Focal Length

Among photographers, the 85mm focal length is highly regarded for its versatility and flattering perspective. It offers a unique balance between wide-angle and telephoto capabilities, making it suitable for a diverse range of subjects and shooting conditions.

Portraits: With its ability to compress perspective and create a natural bokeh (background blur), an 85mm lens is ideal for capturing beautiful, expressive portraits that highlight facial details and enhance the subject's features.
Event Photography: At weddings, parties, and other events, an 85mm lens allows photographers to capture candid moments and candid portraits without being overly intrusive. Its ability to isolate subjects from the background helps draw attention to the main event.
Street Photography: For candid street photography, an 85mm lens offers an unobtrusive way to document everyday life and capture candid moments without being noticed. It allows photographers to capture intimate shots of people and their interactions with their surroundings.

Benefits of Using an 85mm Lens

In addition to its versatility, an 85mm lens offers several benefits for photographers:

Sharpness: 85mm lenses are renowned for their high level of sharpness and image quality, thanks to their relatively long focal length and wide aperture. This allows photographers to capture crisp, detailed images, even in low-light conditions.
Shallow Depth of Field: The 85mm focal length produces a shallow depth of field, which helps isolate subjects from the background and create a visually pleasing, professional-looking effect. This is ideal for portraiture and other scenarios where the focus should be on the subject.
Natural Perspective: Compared to wide-angles, the 85mm focal length provides a more natural perspective that closely resembles what the human eye sees. This results in flattering portraits and landscapes that accurately depict the subject's surroundings.
Low Distortion: 85mm lenses generally exhibit minimal distortion, which is important for capturing accurate images of buildings, landscapes, and other subjects that require precise representation. This helps preserve the natural proportions and shapes of the subject.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While using an 85mm lens can be rewarding, there are some common mistakes that photographers should avoid:

Overexposure: The wide aperture of an 85mm lens can lead to overexposure in bright conditions. Use a faster shutter speed or a lower ISO setting to compensate.
Handheld Blur: The long focal length of an 85mm lens makes it susceptible to camera shake, especially when shooting handheld. Use a tripod or image stabilization to ensure sharp images.
Lens Flare: Wide-aperture lenses like the 85mm can be prone to lens flare when shooting towards bright light sources. Use a lens hood or shield to minimize flare and maintain image quality.

Why Understanding 85mm to Inches Matters

Understanding the conversion from 85mm to inches is crucial for photographers because it enables them to:

Choose the Right Lens: Knowing the focal length of a lens in inches helps photographers determine its suitability for specific shooting scenarios and compositions.
Control Perspective: The angle of view created by a lens is determined by its focal length. Converting from mm to inches allows photographers to visualize and control the perspective of their images.
Achieve Desired Results: Understanding the conversion ensures that photographers can accurately calculate the appropriate shooting distance and camera settings to achieve their desired results.

Applications in Photography

Beyond portraiture, the 85mm focal length has numerous applications in various photographic genres:

Street Photography: Capture candid moments and environmental portraits without disturbing subjects.
Landscape Photography: Isolate foreground elements and emphasize depth in landscape images.
Fashion Photography: Create flattering and impactful portraits with a shallow depth of field.
Food Photography: Showcase dishes with sharp focus and a pleasing perspective, enhancing their appeal.
Product Photography: Capture product details and highlight unique features with a controlled depth of field.

How to Choose the Right 85mm Lens

When selecting an 85mm lens, there are several factors to consider:

Aperture: The aperture of an 85mm lens determines its light-gathering capability and depth of field. Fast apertures like f/1.4 or f/1.8 are ideal for low-light photography and shallow depth of field effects.
Image Stabilization: Image stabilization helps minimize camera shake, which is especially important when using an 85mm lens handheld. Choose a lens with image stabilization for sharper images in various conditions.
Autofocus Speed: Fast autofocus is crucial for capturing moving subjects and ensuring sharp shots. Consider lenses with advanced autofocus systems for optimal performance.

Comparison: 85mm Lens vs. Other Lenses

50mm Lens: Compared to an 85mm lens, a 50mm lens offers a wider angle of view and is more suitable for capturing environmental portraits or indoor shots in tight spaces.
70-200mm Lens: A 70-200mm lens provides greater versatility with its adjustable focal length range. It is suitable for portraiture, wildlife photography, and other scenarios requiring variable magnification.
135mm Lens: A 135mm lens offers a narrower angle of view and a shallower depth of field compared to an 85mm lens. It is ideal for isolating subjects and creating dramatic portraits or headshots.

Stories and Lessons Learned

The Portrait Master: Photographer Annie Leibovitz famously used an 85mm lens to capture iconic portraits of celebrities and world leaders. Her use of the shallow depth of field and natural perspective of the 85mm lens allowed her to create intimate and engaging portraits that conveyed the subjects' personalities.
The Street Sniper: Street photographer Vivian Maier relied on an 85mm lens to document life in New York City from a discrete distance. Her ability to capture candid moments and capture the essence of her subjects showcases the effectiveness of an 85mm lens for street photography.
The Landscape Artist: Landscape photographer Ansel Adams often used an 85mm lens to isolate elements in the foreground and create a sense of depth in his images. His use of the 85mm lens demonstrates its versatility in capturing both portraits and landscapes.

Conclusion

Understanding the conversion from 85mm to inches is fundamental for photographers aiming to achieve precise and impactful images. The 85mm focal length offers a versatile balance between wide-angle and telephoto capabilities, making it suitable for various photographic genres. By embracing the benefits of an 85mm lens, photographers can enhance their storytelling abilities, create flattering portraits, control perspective, and capture sharp, high-quality images in a wide range of situations. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your photographic journey, mastering the 85mm to inches conversion will empower you to elevate your photography to new heights.