Canons best portrait lens?

[ron_purdy]

I recommend the 50 1.8 and the 85 1.8 on a 1.6 crop camera. They are each superb optically.
You may be able to find the older metal mount 50 used if you are luck. I have two of them and use them every day.
I would not advise you to get the 85 1.2 because it has issues with chromatic abberation wide open, is very heavy, and obviously expensive. I pretty much never use mine. And I tried a 50 1.2 which was very soft wide open. My 50 1.4 also is soft wide open, and has even worse C.A issues, as seen here : purple highlights with 50 1.4 USM on Mark II photo - r_p photos at pbase.com

Anyway, there are a number of good samples from the 50 and 85 1.8 here:
5D Notes (quick and dirty…) Photo Gallery by r_p at pbase.com

[Ron Metz]

As an update to my original inquiry, I finally ended up getting the Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II lens and I can say that I am extremely pleased with it's performance. Last year I borrowed this lens (the original version - not the II) for a day for some family shots and really liked it but, at that time, could not spend the $$$ on such a specialized lens.

Since I have the 30D (1.6x), I originally thought that the new 50mm F1.2L would be a better choice. After reading all of the reviews on this lens and the contraversy over it's back focusing I still decided to buy one from B&H and try it out for myself. Well, after a week of use, I realized that this lens, at least my copy, was not for me. It consistently back focused at f1.2. Since I am not a very patient person, I was not about to try another copy. If I am going to pay that amount of money for a lens, it has to be right the first time. I feel that Canon needs to do some more home work to get this lens right. However, I do realize that making such a lens is a great technological feat in itself so I must give Canon cudos for trying. I will wait for version II to be released some day. Thanks to the B&H return policy, I returned the 50mm and got the 85mm f1.2. Now, this lens really lives up to it's reputation. I was after the best background blur and bokeh and I found it. I do not find the auto focus slow. Of course I am using it for portrait photography and not action shots but the auto focus is consistently dead on for still objects. Yes, the DOF is razor thin but because I am very familiar with the old Canon FD 50mm f1.2, it didn't take long to get back into the swing. As far as I am concerned, Canon is dead on with this lens. Thanks for all of your suggestions.

Ron

[Rob_Cohen]

My experience with the 85 1.8 is that is easily outperforms the 24-70L in sharpness. If I have the time, and don't need the convenience of a zoom, the 85 1.8 wins every time, bokeh is stunning.
My 70-200L IS zoom is also a wonderful portrait lens. It is however it is rather large and heavy.

[Killer Angel]

Originally Posted by Ron Metz

As an update to my original inquiry, I finally ended up getting the Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II lens and I can say that I am extremely pleased with it's performance. Last year I borrowed this lens (the original version - not the II) for a day for some family shots and really liked it but, at that time, could not spend the $$$ on such a specialized lens.

Since I have the 30D (1.6x), I originally thought that the new 50mm F1.2L would be a better choice. After reading all of the reviews on this lens and the contraversy over it's back focusing I still decided to buy one from B&H and try it out for myself. Well, after a week of use, I realized that this lens, at least my copy, was not for me. It consistently back focused at f1.2. Since I am not a very patient person, I was not about to try another copy. If I am going to pay that amount of money for a lens, it has to be right the first time. I feel that Canon needs to do some more home work to get this lens right. However, I do realize that making such a lens is a great technological feat in itself so I must give Canon cudos for trying. I will wait for version II to be released some day. Thanks to the B&H return policy, I returned the 50mm and got the 85mm f1.2. Now, this lens really lives up to it's reputation. I was after the best background blur and bokeh and I found it. I do not find the auto focus slow. Of course I am using it for portrait photography and not action shots but the auto focus is consistently dead on for still objects. Yes, the DOF is razor thin but because I am very familiar with the old Canon FD 50mm f1.2, it didn't take long to get back into the swing. As far as I am concerned, Canon is dead on with this lens. Thanks for all of your suggestions.

Ron

I agree with you.Last Christmas,I gifted myself with the Canon 85 F1.2L MKII lens and used it with the Canon 40D camera and I am very happy about my purchase.By the way,I also have the 50 F1.2L lens and luckily for me,no problems.No back focusing.

[jeffcable]

Originally Posted by Ron Metz

I am looking for a Canon "top of the line" (best image and mechanical performance) portrait lens that will allow the most background blur plus excellent performance in low available light. My camera is the 30D. Suggestions appreciated.

Ron

Late to the party... never mind, you asked about the best image and mechanical performance. The 135 mm f/2.0L is easily both of those things.

It is extremely fast to focus and is sharper than a sharp thing. Of course it may be a bit long on the 1.6 sensor (216mm) but it cannot be beat for headshots, even on a 1.6 FOV. Women (whose portraits I am asked to do) don't seem to like the lens very much because it shows every tiny skin blemish but if you want the sharpest eyes, silky smooth bokeh, a fast lens to use and the very best value L lens made by Canon, you can do no better.

I also use the 85mm f/1.8 and, to my mind, it ought to be rated as an 'L' lens by Canon, but the cheaper lens construction prevents that. Nevertheless this is another great value sleeper from Canon.

Jeff

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