EF 50mm f1.8 vs EF 24-70mm f2.8 for portrait?

I believe many photographers have bought their first (or maybe not) lens,
the nifty 50! and it's recommended for its quality in terms of it's cheap price..

but soon, or after that, they will go for L series.
So if you have both, between these 2,
which one would you choose for portrait photography?

I have both lenses and I very rarely choose the 50 over the 24-70. Obviously the price difference between the two is huge, but the amount of times I've missed a shot because the 50 is SO slow to focus is reason enough to choose the 24-70 every time.

I know the 50 lets in more light, but when shooting at anything larger than 2.8, the images generally come out pretty soft.

Having said that, I would look into the 85 1.8 for portraits to get you started.

but If it's a portrait shoot, usually the model would not be moving much, so maybe can have the 2nd try?

so even if it's at low light you would not choose 50 over 24-70?

Yea, in my experience, it's pretty rubbish at focusing in any low light situation.

Maybe my first response was a little harsh on the 50mm, I kind of have a love-hate relationship with it. Outdoors, it will make a nice portrait lens, but I would definitely not recommend shooting wide open.

no contest, 24-70 anyday for me

It's true though, it fail to focus on low light even when you widen the aperture..
l have too missed the shots during low light with that.

hmm, just trying to find a good way to make use of 50mm after i bought 24-70mm..

LamboSan wrote in post #14467202
hmm, just trying to find a good way to make use of 50mm after i bought 24-70mm..

Use it as doorstop, or a book stand

just kidding.....sell it...

The big advantage of the 50mm f/1.8 is its price & weight! With a wide angle it's a light pack for a trip by example. Other than that - even a Tamron 28-75 is more versatile and has a smoother bokeh - the autofocus & manual focus are a joke.

Personally I prefer a full manual lens (an adapted Olympus Zuiko 50mm f/1.4) which has a creamy bokeh and a well damped focus ring. If I would buy an autofocus 50mm, it would be the Sigma 50mm f/1.4. The Canon f/1.4 gives very sharp images but without character.

Titi

If you already have the 24-70, definitely use it!
I'd use the 50mm if you have a backup body or as an extra lens. As others have mentioned, the bokeh on the 50mm is not the best

Just keep nifty fifty in your pocket as a backup, it is almost as cheap as a front cap (or maybe not ).

24-70L without a doubt. Flexibility, speed, quality, it's all there. The 85 sits on my 40D to grab those special looks.