2 portrait lenses - which one?

[EOS Man]

I'm thinking of getting a portrait lens and have come down to either the 85mm f1.8, 100mm f2 or 100mm f2.8 macro. The macro is quite a bit more expensive than the other two so maybe that's out.

The 100mm f2 seems optically better than the 85mm f1.8 based on tests on Photozone.de and being 1/3 of a stop slower is a good compromise for better image quality IMO.

I've currently got $700 saved up for "gear only" ;) so, with the 85mm, that's $80 less taken out from my gear savings, which are going towards my 70-200. Also, with the 100mm, I may have two lenses covering the same FL when I get the macro one day - nothing wrong, but it just seems a bit redundant to me (I suppose I could have one macro and the other for fast sports/portraiture).

85mm pros:
-Costs $80 less
-1/3 faster
-Different focal length when I get a 100mm macro down the road (not really an important deciding factor, no?)

100mm pros:
-Better image quality...that's it?

Which one will have better bokeh? And which one should I get?

[cdifoto]

How about none for now, putting the full $700 into your dream 70-200? Heck you could sell some of the other stuff (75-300, 35-80) to pay the difference and get it immediately! With a 70-200 f/2.8 in my bag I seldom needed the 85mm...not even for portraits.

[awad]

i have the 85mm and the 70-200 f/2.8

i never use my 85mm.

however, between the two you posted. i'd get the 85mm.

[Chandler.]

I love my 100mm macro, but if you're leaning towards the other two for now, I'd say go for the 85mm f/1.8. I don't own it, but its AF is very fast and IQ is superb, plus it would be a different focal length when you get the macro.

[Chandler.]

...or read this:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=303637&highlight=85+100

[René Damkot]

Both lenses will be too long for the average portrait on a 30D.