Best Prime Lens

just wondering the very best prime lens for portrait photography that isn't above a 1000 dollars, i dont want to have to sell my kidney for an l lens haha

If you can go that high, I would recommend the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM. The IS in the lens and its ability to shoot macro too makes it a very versatile lens. It's just under $1000 new on Amazon.

How about the 85 1.8.

thoughts on sigma 50mm 1.4?

JoshuaRoss wrote in post #14069508
thoughts on sigma 50mm 1.4?

It's a very well regarded lens, but perhaps a bit short, unless you're using it on a crop body.

Canon 85mm f/1.8 on a crop.

For me, it was the 135L. It's pure awesome in my opinion.

I'd suggest searching the "main list with links" thread. Find the few primed in your price range and compare the images. Buy whichever one's images strike you the most.

I know some people think this lens is too long on a crop, and it may be for some indoor locations, but personally I think the lens is quite versatile.

What's your camera body?

You'll see a lot more improvement in your portraits by spending ~200 for a good reflector kit and makeup kit than you'll see in optical differences between modern lenses.

Heck, portrait FLs aren't even hard to design. Many 50+ year old designs are more than adequate.

consider the 135 F2L....

Jason401 wrote in post #14069562
For me, it was the 135L. It's pure awesome in my opinion.

I second, third and fourth on this one

100L macro gets a vote as well.

Since im shooting on a cropped sensor, canon 60d, whats it like shooting with 100mm or the 135?

JoshuaRoss wrote in post #14069508
thoughts on sigma 50mm 1.4?

just picked up the sigma 50 and it' produces great shot on 7D

JoshuaRoss wrote in post #14069755
Since im shooting on a cropped sensor, canon 60d, whats it like shooting with 100mm or the 135?

The benefit with those distances on a crop sensor is great subject separation. The drawback comes with indoor shooting in small spaces, where you may not be able to get far enough away from your subject.