what portait lense for my canon digital rebel EOS camera?

[counterGOPI]

its been forever since ivebeen into photography but with my girls i want to take nice pics of them so i want a portait lense.. which one should i get for my digital rebel? any i should avoid? does it have to be a canon one? tia!

[autumnbloom]

If you're looking for a nice, sharp and affordable lense, i'd go with the 50mm 1.8 prime lense. Its crystal clear, and only about $70. If you want a little more durability, 2 more leaves in the shutter (for a total of 8, which will give a round halo for bokeh rather than a hexagonal one), and a little faster focusing, i'd go with the 50mm 1.4 (runs about $300). The 85mm is just as good, though its mostly an outdoor lense because its so far away.

I prefer prime lenses myself, because they are so so sharp for portraits.

[DesireeH]

I LOVE my 50 1.4.

I have a 28 1.8 that is nice and sharp too but wide.

Are you looking for a zoom or a prime?

[Alathia]

Not sure if you're still looking for a portrait lens, but for indoor work I love my 50mm 1.4. For outdoor portraiture I love the 85mm 1.8 (mainly becuase the 85mm 1.4 was about $1k more and I just didn't have that type of money to spend on a new lens at the moment!

[counterGOPI]

im not sure exactly what im looking for. i think prime....
i want a nice portrait lens to take pics of my baby and my toddler indoors and out. what do you think?

[DesireeH]

I think for indoors the Canon 50 1.4 is awesome. Great for low light. Great great price.

I just bought the 70-200 2.8 IS and its uber pricey but I love it for outdoor portraits (I do weddings though so I use it then too.) I use a full frame camera, on a crop camera you'll have to back up a little further so maybe the 24-70 2.8 is better.

[thyme]

If you want one prime for both indoors and out, I would go with the 50mm. I think the 85 would be too long for inside many times.

[counterGOPI]

i went to the camera store and the saleslady told me that a 50mm cant be used for portraits but that i need the 85mm f1.8...
ok so now im totally confused!

[DesireeH]

Saleslady doesnt know what she is talking about. 99% of my images are with the 50 1.4. LOL

85 1.8 is a nice one too, you just have to back up further. Outdoors its fine but indoors its more difficult unless you have large rooms where you can step back quite a bit.

[firedancr41]

Originally Posted by DesireeH

Saleslady doesnt know what she is talking about. 99% of my images are with the 50 1.4. LOL

Ditto. i know several pro photogs who actually recommended this lens to me for portraits.

if you can't splurge on the $200+ lens, the 1.8 is a great buy at only $70