Help with recommending the best lens for street portraits

[Court41]

Hello:) I am new to the Canon community and just starting my photography journey. I have read so many different opinions on the best lens. Need help with what others truly recommend. I have been shooting a lot of street photography or outdoors with my subjects but want to get a good lens finally! I am looking for something for street portraits and indoors. I’m torn between the 3 most common . The “nifty fifty” , the 85mm or the 24-70mm. I have read so much I don’t know what would be best. I need a lens that would work for outside portraits for those beautiful shots and also inside for possibly natural or low light. Help please as I am a newbie:) thank you! 

[Waddizzle]

One of the first things to learn about photography is that there is no such thing as a “best lens” for any type of photography.  If there were, then there would not be such a wide selection to choose from.  There would only be one type of lens available for sale, which simply isn’t the case.

Your question is more broad than you may realize.  For example, what type of indoor shooting?  Casual photos around the house during a family gathering?  Volleyball or basketball in a high school gym?  A live performance by a band in a dark night club?  Etc.

Also, the type of image sensor in the camera you are using should play a factor in what recommendations that you might receive.  You will get different results from the same lens with an APS-C sensor compared to a full frame sensor.  What camera are you using?

For a full frame sensor, my favorite lens for indoor photos of family events at home is Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art lens.  I also like the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM, too, for video.  My favorite lens for capturing outdoor photos “in tourist mode” is the Canon EF 24-70mm  f/2.8L II USM

[deebatman316]

1. First of all what is your budget to spend on a lens.
2. What lenses are you currently using.
3. What is your primary use of your camera stills or video, this is a deciding factor on a lens.
4. What camera are you going to be using this lens on APS-C or Full Frame.
5. Is a speedlite being used or is low light a concern of yours when indoors. 
6. The lenses you pointed out the 50mm, 85mm and the 24-70mm zoom lens all have specific case uses.   

-Demetrius

Current Gear: EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM, EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM, EF 50 F/1.8 STM, EF 85mm F/1.8 USM, EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS III USM, 470EX-AI & 600EX II-RT

Retired Gear: EOS 40D & Sigma 17-50mm F/2.8 EX DC OS HSM

[Court41]

I definitely did not realize how broad my question was. I am definitely taking baby steps. I purchased a Canon EOS 2000D as a starter. The type of pictures I hope to capture are mostly family photos outside on the streets and nature. Primarily focusing on capturing the individual as the focus not so much of the background noise. I also am looking to learn wedding or party shots inside as well. Not sure if there is a lens that can help me with both of these types of shots. Thank you so much for your help! Connecting with a human is a lot more helpful than reading tons of options I feel dizzy sometimes:( 

[Court41]

Thank you for breaking down the options. As a newbie I did not realize how many factors there are. 
Budget is hopefully under 1000 as I do know they are all pretty pricey:( 

I have a started DSLR for sure , the Canon EOS 2000D. I to be honest have read mixed answers whether it is full frame of APS-C. 
low light is a concern indoors but I am looking for hopefully a lens for outdoor still photos for portraits or street photography. Not so many action shots but potentially if someone were doing something like “walking or jumping” 

thanks for all the help:) 

[deebatman316]

You have an APS-C camera not a Full Frame camera. Do you already own the EF-S 18-55mm lens. If so which version please list the full name. This can be found on the outer ring of the lens after removing the lens cap. This lens should work fine for group pictures. But this lens has a variable aperture. Depending on which EF-S 18-55mm lens you own wide open will be from F/3.5-5.6 (DC AF Motor models) or F/4-5.6 (STM AF Motor model). This has an impact on low light focus and your exposure. The lower the light the longer shutter speed will be. Also the higher the ISO will be and show more noise. You mentioned 2 completely different scenarios for lenses. Generally you would use a 35mm or 50mm lens on an APS-C camera for portraits.

-Demetrius

Current Gear: EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM, EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM, EF 50 F/1.8 STM, EF 85mm F/1.8 USM, EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS III USM, 470EX-AI & 600EX II-RT

Retired Gear: EOS 40D & Sigma 17-50mm F/2.8 EX DC OS HSM

[Court41]

 

[rs-eos]

A 24-70mm f/2.8 lens (be sure it's f/2.8 for better low-light performance) would be the single best lens amongst the three you listed.   On your crop sensor camera, this gives field-of-view equivalents of 38mm to 112mm.  The former being a very good focal length for street photography and the latter end being good for portraits.

In addition though, I would recommend the 50mm f/1.8 due to the very low cost and better low-light capabilities.  It would let in at least four times the amount of light as your current 18-55mm lens.

[deebatman316]

Is this your only lens that you own. That focal range is most commonly used one. When I used to shoot with an APS-C camera. I used the higher end EF-S 17-55mm F/2.8 IS USM lens which was a workhorse lens. I used it 90% of the time. But that lens is expensive. The Canon EF-S 17-55mm F/2.8 IS USM lens is the best lens for what you need. This lens will give you a fast Constant aperture of F/2.8 and has IS (image stabilization). IS greatly reduces camera shake in pictures with long shutter speeds. This lens uses a USM (Ultrasonic Motor) AF motor and has full time manual focus. You can turn the focus ring at anytime while the AF/MF switch is set to AF without causing damage to the AF motor. 

-Demetrius

Current Gear: EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM, EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM, EF 50 F/1.8 STM, EF 85mm F/1.8 USM, EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS III USM, 470EX-AI & 600EX II-RT

Retired Gear: EOS 40D & Sigma 17-50mm F/2.8 EX DC OS HSM

[ebiggs1]

Ok here is your answer from what you said so far the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens is your "best" choice. I know you got a similar lens with the T7 but the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens is a whole different animal. Much better built, much better IQ and it is a constant f2.8 aperture (<-- super important). Your kit lens is none of those. It will handle all of what you listed if a single lens can handle it. Of course all camera/lens have their limits and it is possible to reach them with any combo. If I were you I would avoid primes, single focal length, lenses altogether. They are way too specialized when compared to a zoom.

You can sell the kit lens you have to help pay for it.