85mm in Inches: Delving into the Realm of Photography and Videography

Introduction

In the realm of photography and videography, 85mm stands as an iconic focal length that offers a unique perspective and versatility. Whether you're capturing portraits, events, or landscapes, understanding the relationship between 85mm and inches is crucial for mastering your craft.

Converting 85mm to Inches: A Simple Formula

The conversion between millimeters (mm) and inches (in) is a straightforward process:

1 inch = 25.4 millimeters

Therefore, to convert 85mm to inches, we simply divide 85 by 25.4:

85mm ÷ 25.4mm/in = **3.346 inches**

Why 85mm Matters in Photography and Videography

Portraiture: With its flattering perspective and shallow depth of field, 85mm is a favorite among portrait photographers. It isolates subjects, creates a natural bokeh effect, and captures facial expressions with exquisite detail.

Event Photography: At events, 85mm allows photographers to capture candid moments and portraits of guests without being too intrusive. It offers a comfortable shooting distance while maintaining a close-up perspective.

Landscapes: While less common for landscapes, 85mm can be used to emphasize specific details or foreground elements within a scene. It compresses the perspective slightly, creating a more intimate and focused composition.

Benefits of Using an 85mm Lens:

• Stunning Portraits: Capture crisp, flattering portraits with natural-looking backgrounds.
• Exceptional Bokeh: Create beautiful out-of-focus areas (bokeh) that enhance the subject's presence.
• Versatile for Events: Document important moments at events with both candid shots and portraits.
• Detailed Landscapes: Focus on specific features within landscapes to create depth and interest.

Pros and Cons of 85mm Lenses

Pros:

• Excellent for portraits and close-up photography.
• Creates a pleasing bokeh effect.
• Relatively lightweight and portable.

Cons:

• Can be too narrow for some landscape and group shots.
• Requires more distance for close-up shots compared to shorter lenses.

Effective Strategies for Using 85mm Lenses

• Master Composition: Use the shallow depth of field to isolate subjects and create dynamic compositions that draw the viewer's eye.
• Control Bokeh: Experiment with different apertures to achieve the desired blurriness in the background.
• Focus Accurately: Utilize autofocus or manual focus to ensure sharp images, especially with moving subjects.
• Mind the Distance: Remember that 85mm requires a greater distance than shorter lenses for close-up shots.

Table 1: Conversion of 85mm to Inches and Millimeters

Table 2: Aperture Settings and Bokeh Effects

Table 3: Application of 85mm Lenses

Humorous Anecdotes

Story 1:

A photographer approached a subject for a portrait. "Excuse me, would you mind if I took your picture with my 85mm lens?" he asked.

"Sure, but why?" replied the subject.

"Because it makes you look 10 years younger," the photographer quipped. "It's called the 'Bokeh of Youth' effect!"

Story 2:

At a wedding reception, a guest asked a videographer, "What are you filming this with?"

"An 85mm lens," the videographer replied.

"That's too long for dancing shots!" exclaimed the guest.

"Oh no," said the videographer, "it's perfect for capturing the glow of love and happiness on the dance floor."

Story 3:

A landscape photographer was asked why he used 85mm for a photo of a distant mountain.

"Because I wanted to make the mountain look like it was just a hop, skip, and a jump away!" he explained. "The 85mm lens has a magical way of compressing the perspective."

Conclusion

85mm is a versatile and powerful focal length that offers a unique perspective in both photography and videography. Understanding its relationship with inches is essential for photographers and videographers who seek to capture stunning portraits, document events, and create memorable landscapes. By mastering the use of 85mm lenses, you can elevate your craft and create images that will captivate your audience.