Losing sleep over lenses...too tough of a decision

I would love a little help if possible.
I am aiming to get into portrait work, but not just of single people, but of couples and new couples with babies.
I am utterly stuck as to what lens to choose though, and I am planning on adding a couple of lenses to my collection.

My current setup: Canon 450D, twin kit lens (the standard of which I am sure you are all familiar with), Tamron 60mm f/2.0 macro.
Now, I've used the Tamron for candid portrait shots and it's fabulous...however, the speed of focusing is slow due to it being primarily a macro - I love the DOF it gives me however.

My shortlist is:
Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM
Canon 70-200 f/2.8L USM

I'm finding it really hard deciding what to go for...or what combination of lenses would be best for me.
I want something that would be good for both indoors and outdoors in the countryside, etc...

would love any constructive feedback.

please be mindful of the crop factor when suggesting which lens I should go for.

thank you!

My favorite portrait lenses are the 85/1.2 and the 135mm. That is what I use for all my wedding portraits. The rest of the time I am shooting with my 24-70.

PS.... there are lots of great lenses out there. Buy one and get some sleep. The magic is in your touch, not the gear. I have seen some awesome photos from the lower priced lenses.

I've owned all those lens. Here's my input...

50 1.4 = body shots and great with crop body. crop body = 80mm

85 1.8 = head shot, portrait, and great DoF. With crop body your looking at: 136mm

70-200 2.8 is a great lens overall. Very versatile with great bokeh.

Depends on what your shooting and your style is. Good luck and get some sleep.

I've been told time and time again that I have a great eye, so I think I'm not far from that magic touch, but making a decision on something I'm not so hot at...especially when it involves pricey items!
I'm also aiming at making a decision soon as I'm planning on purchasing from B & H Photo whilst the Aussie dollar is so good..

i used the 50 1.4 and it was my favorite lens. highly recommend it and it goes for good price if you're into the used market. i've heard good things about the 85 as well but since you're using cropped idk how you would feel about the long range. the 70-200 is the best L imo. the range is again not as effective on a crop unless you really need the focal length.

so in the end i think the 50 would be best since its affordable and faster than your tamron.

Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM & Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM would be my first two choices for portrait work.

On a crop-body, I think the 70-200 would not be wide enough for the types of setups you described (unless you have a large working area and can move back). However, even moving back will change the image due to zooms adding a "compressed" look. I would definitely hold off on the 70-200 until you have a couple other lenses or have a specific need for this lens.

Both of those above mentioned lenses around f2-2.8 are very sharp and focus is quick with USM.

On a crop-body, a 35-50-85 lens setup would produce the same FOV as the prime lens trifecta for full-frame bodies (50-85-135).

Buy try and sell. That's what I did. Lenses keep their value so well and there is always a demand as long as you get a good lens.

I've been through about 30+ lenses before I decided on my 5 I have now

I wouldnt lose so much sleep over it.

Even 50mm might be pretty tight on a crop if you are trying to do portraits of families together. Might want to consider the Sigma 30 1.4 or Canon 28 1.8 for that and use your 60 for tighter or candid shots...

Out of the ones youve chosen for your uses, Id go with the 50.

85 1.8
Great lens for the money.

For couples with kids I would definitely go with some form of zoom like the 24-70 or Tamron 28-75 if you want to save money.

Just get everything on my gear list and then you can sleep. Oh, I have 3 new lenses on the way.

If you can afford the 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom, then you can afford to buy the 50 f/1.4, 85 f/1.8, and the Sigma 30 f/1.4. Those three primes are a good set for a crop camera. The 50mm is probably the weakest of the three but still gives good results.

gasrocks wrote in post #11146153
Just get everything on my gear list and then you can sleep. Oh, I have 3 new lenses on the way.

Would love to have that 300-800m !

Your 60mm is the perfect focal length for portraits on a 1.6x crop. All you need now is something for wider work and group shots, so I would recommend the Sigma 30mm f1.4.

I've got a longer f2.8 zoom and had the 85mm f1.8. You really don't need to go past 70mm on a crop camera for portraits. You can, but it is too long more often than it is a necessity. From your list, the only one I would recommend for your work is the 50mm, and honestly it is not going to give you much over the 60mm you already own.