best portrait lens?

[joshhuntnm]

What do you consider teh best lens for portraits?

[cicopo]

I think you need to supply which body you're thinking of using. Full freme, 1.3 crop or 1.6 crop. Makes a big difference to the answer.  

[joshhuntnm]

60d

[ratan]

In that case the 50mm 1.2L will arguably the best portrait lens. The large aperture of f/1.2 will make your pictures look smooth like cream cheese. If you're on a budget then get the 1.4 or the 1.8. But the 50mm 1.2L will make your shots look more dreamy and it cannot be mimic by any other L lenses other than the 85 1.2L

[calvin_cbc]

70-200 2.8 IS II

[iND]

Depends on how you define BEST, and what type of shot you want (head, half body, 3/4 body, full length)

Agree all round 70-200 f/2.8 is best because of its versatility, especially outdoors.

Best IQ is with the 85 1.2 if you are after that narrow depth of field and a tight shot.  (this is a very slow AF lens, can't use it for action and I do not use it for weddings except for posed shots)

Best bargin  in a portrait distance fixed focal length is the 85 1.8  (this is a fast AF lens)

[Scatterbrained]

Personally, I prefer the 85 1.2 over the 50 1.2 on a crop body.  On a FF I think the 70-200mII is where it's at.

[Jeffrey]

It's whatever lens you used to make a very good portrait.  Most lenses are not made to shoot a particular subject.

[BrickR]

I prefer 50mm and longer on a crop. The Sigma 85 is a good one. The 70-200 is the most versatile but that comes at the price of size and weight, but the compression you get from 70mm and longer creates a great flattering look.

[dolina]

Nothing will beat the EF 200mm f/2L IS USM.