What is the best but affordable lens for portraits

[peggyowenby]

What is an affordable portrait lens

[hsbn]

85mm 1.8L is on my wishlist :). I don't want to spend cash for the 1.2L 🙂

[ScottyP]

Assuming the original poster has a rebel or other crop sensor, I will say that 85 f/1.8 will work for portraits on crop if you have room to step back as you shoot. For me 85 on a crop is often too much telephoto for a lot of rooms I am in.

If you have a kit lens that covers 50 and 85 try out those exact lengths. If 85 feels tight then go with 50.

[ebiggs1]

Maybe a funny recommendation on the Canon forum, but I am going to say the Sigma 85mm f1.4 EX.

It bests the Canon 85mm f1.8 and rivals the Canon f1.2 L. The Siggy is not an "L" lens, however. It is rugged build but not weather resistant. The best part, it is $1000+ cheaper than the "L". So don't use it in the rain and save a buck or two.

Although not my number one choice for a crop camera, at 136mm equivalent, still workable.

There are just a few Sigma lens' that rival Canon and this is one.

I personally don't recommend the Canon 50mm f1.8 to anybody.

[hsbn]

I know it's a great lens, but $900 is not affordable to me by any mean. For under $500, 85 F1.8 is hard to beat.

[Bill-Emmett]

You may want to try the Canon EF 40mm pancake, f2.8 stm.  I use it on some of my portraits, and the cost is low, only $149.00 at most NYC houses.  You just have to get close to the subject.

Bill

[scj7129]

I suppose if you are using it on an APS-C DSLR with a 1.6x multiplier, it would come out to a nice 64mm for portraiture!....Not too shabby!

[ScottyP]

Sorry ebiggs1, but you are banished. 

[focus]

40mm f/2.8 STM is very cheap and I think nicer than any of the 50mm for portraits.

[scj7129]

I kind of like the Lensbaby Edge 80 Optic!

http://lensbaby.com/optics-edge80