50mm f/1.8 or 35mm lens for home portraits - which one to choose?
I'm taking portraits in my apartment with a Canon R5. The space is small, but I want beautiful bokeh. What focal length would work best for a tight space?
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I agree that 35mm is more convenient in an apartment, but it also depends on the portrait type. If you want a classic portrait from the shoulders up - 50mm will give you better face geometry, just stand a bit further back or shoot in profile. But if you need full-length portraits with the interior - then 35mm. Also keep in mind that the R5 is full frame, so both options will give decent bokeh at f/1.8, you won't feel the difference. If I were in your shoes I'd go with 35mm for convenience, honestly.
For an apartment 35mm will be more convenient. At a close distance to the subject 50mm will require you to step back further, and you don't have much space anyway. With 35mm you'll be able to shoot from a normal distance and still fit the background you need in the frame. The bokeh on 50mm will be a bit softer thanks to the longer focal length, but on f/1.8 both lenses give beautiful blur and separation from the background.
Look, 50mm is considered the classic for portraits specifically in a studio or outside where you can step back. There the perspective is natural, the face doesn't get stretched. But at home this can become a problem - you'll have to press your back against the wall just to fit a head in the frame. 35mm gives a slightly wider angle, compresses the face less than 50mm, and lets you shoot in tight spaces.
If the apartment is really small and you can't step back, go with 35mm. It'll look great on the R5. If you have more space and you can stand a couple meters away from the person, go with 50mm - the classic won't let you down. So overall for home portraits 35mm is more versatile.
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