Best lens for portraits?? ...

[i360]

Okay, heres the deal. I would like to take potrait photography (from head to atleast midway down the legs), but i also what a good amount of the background in view. I always felt that would give a bit more "umph" to the image.
I own a Canon EOS 400D, so I use the standard kit lens. But I feel I could do better. Long story short, i am considering investing in either a 200mm or a 70-200mm.
Can anyone out there help me pick the better one for my little image specifications??

To see some of my photography stuff check out www.lifephotostation.blogspot.com (http://www.lifephotostation.blogspot.com) .

[Kristic]

Most people would agree that the 85mm1.2L is an amazing portrait lens. It comes with a price though. 85mm1.8 is a cheaper substitute though

[quad1661]

i would agree the 85 1.8 is excellent

[DrFil]

you realize you're gonna have to stand pretty far away from the subject if you get a 70mm+ lens. An 85 would be good for like head and shoulder shots from a normal range. I think a better lens for crop cameras would be the 50 1.4 which has great image quality for a modest price tag and allows for easier framing from closer up, especially for the kind of portraits you're talking about.

[i360]

oh wow...thanks a dozen for the tips....now i just have to figure out my choice between the 85mm or 50mm...

[Kristic]

DrFil is right. The 85mm has unbelievable image quality, but on a crop body, it can make doing full body shots a bit of a task. The 50mm are excellent lenses aswell, but I think that in terms of quality, the 85mm has the 50mm beat

[JubbaKing]

70-200 2.8L IS. Use it 90% of the time.

[Dennis_Hammer]

I agree with Jubba, also if you have the room to move the 100 Macro 2.8 is very nice also.