Portraits...Tamron 17-50 or Sigma 30 f/1.4

I currently have a pretty sharp copy of the Tamron. I also have the Canon 85 1.8 & 420EX flash.

I am beginning to take portraits of small groups & individuals. I would like your opinion on the Sigma 30 1.4. Is this a lens I should be thinking about for portraiture or do you think the Tamron will do just as well? My budget is $500.00 & I want a lens that will get me sharp pics with nice bokeh. I know the L's are better, but something I can not invest in at this time.

I have a RebelXT & will be shooting mostly indoors.

Thnaks, Kath

Are you talking full body portraits or head/shoulders or 3/4 shots? I use my tammy all the time for full body shots, and it does a great job.

timbop, I'm sure I'll be doing all but would like to concentrate on head/shoulders & slightly lower.

in that case, the 50/1.4. Great lens, the slight halation wide open actually helps to add mood to a portrait, particularly for women.

Oh, and for portraits you don't want to get too close with a wide lens - it will distort features. Generally speaking longer is better for portraits, and in fact for head/shoulders shots you could back up and use the 85. The 85 makes a great portrait lens

I'm planning on using the 85 1.8 if I have enough room. Just wasn't sure if the quality if the Sigma is better than the Tamron @30mm. How is the 50? Better for portraits than the Tamron @ 50?

The 50/1.4 will obviously give you narrower DOF, and has a real dreamy quality wide open. When I had my 50/1.4 I never compared it to the tammy for portraits, but both have nice bokeh. Do you like the tammy at 50 and f/2.8? If so, I would just use that in circumstances where the 85 is too long.