Which would make the best Canon portrait lens, 28-70mm 2.8, 70-200mm f/4L, or 28mm f/1.8 ??

Question

I have a Canon 40D.

I have a really good wide angle lens (Sigma 10-20mm) which I use for landscape, now I need a really good portrait lens. My Canon 28-108mm isn't giving me the quality I want.

Budget: $650 (after tax)

Answer 1

Are you looking at a Sigma lens?  I don't see a Canon-made 28-70 right off.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/35...

That is a decent lens in the right focal length range with a nice wide aperture (f/2.8) that would help for blurring out the background to accentuate your subject.

The 70-200 is generally thought of as too long for portrait work, especially if you are using a digital camera that crops the image, which means anything but a 5D.

A 28mm lens is way to wide to use for conventional portraits, no matter what the aperture.

If you have a film camera or a 5D, look into the Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens for $355.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12...

If you have a digital camera with a crop factor (most are 1.6X), check out the Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens for $325.  Your backgrounds will be "like butter."

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12...

Answer 2

I'd go for the 70-200 f/4L .. it's an awesome lens... and then I'd begin saving for the 17-40 f/2.8L ...

You may also want to look at the Canon EF 28-135 IS USM.. it's less expensive, but the glass is great...

Answer 3

Great answer above, but see http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon... for more, including reviews on those lenses.