What is the best but affordable lens for portraits

[peggyowenby]

What is an affordable portrait lens

[cicopo]

There are several threads on the topic already but because cameras (DSLR's) today use different sized sensors we need to know which one you're using. The same lens on a 1.6 crop body doesn't give the same results (FOV or DOF) on a full frame body.

[diverhank]

Opinions will vary but my vote goes to the EF 85mm f/1.8.  This is the only non-L lens I own and it's my favorite for portraits (I have the 24-105 f/4L, 24-70 II f/2.8L, 100mm f/2.8L macro, 70-200mm f/4L IS...any of which can make a nice portrait lens but none can beat the 85mm bokeh @ f/1.8.

[7D5D]

85 f/1.8 for FF and 50 f/1.4 for crop are probably the best all around affordable lens for portraits.

[ScottyP]

I agree 100 percent with 7d5d the 50 for rebels or the 85 for full frame. About $350.00 each.

[PatrickE]

I also agree with 7D5D. 50 / 1.4 for crop sensors and 85 / 1.8 for FF

Pat

[diverhank]

In my opinion 50mm is not as good for portraits even for crop sensor 

[Skirball]

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@diverhank wrote:

In my opinion 50mm is not as good for portraits even for crop sensor 

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But the 85mm on a crop is? 

I even like 50mm on a FF for portraiture, but it can be a bit uncomfortable for the model if they're not used to a camera in their face.  You also have a much larger background to deal with.

That said, I'm not crazy about the 50/1.4 as a lens.  I try to love it, but I don’t.  The 85/1.8 is a better lens IMHO.  And providing that you have the space, you can always go longer with portraits.  85mm is a workable distance on either crop or FF.

[hsbn]

I also find macro lens can be a really good portrait lens. The Canon 100mm Non-IS is good and doesn't cost that much too.

[diverhank]

hsbn wrote:

I also find macro lens can be a really good portrait lens. The Canon 100mm Non-IS is good and doesn't cost that much too.

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I agree.  I also use the 100 f/2.8L as a portrait lens.   However, part of the reason the 85mm f/1.8 is better is because of the bokeh below f/2.8.  Because the 85mm is affordable, I recently bought it just to see (having owned the 24-70II, 100 2.8L, 70-200 f/4L already).  The 85mm is now my portrait lens...it is that good.

[diverhank]

I also find macro lens can be a really good portrait lens. The Canon 100mm Non-IS is good and doesn't cost that much too.

[diverhank]

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[diverhank]

I agree.  I also use the 100 f/2.8L as a portrait lens.   However, part of the reason the 85mm f/1.8 is better is because of the bokeh below f/2.8.  Because the 85mm is affordable, I recently bought it just to see (having owned the 24-70II, 100 2.8L, 70-200 f/4L already).  The 85mm is now my portrait lens...it is that good.