looking for a canon portrait lense (have the 50-1.8) but a need some more distance... <BR> <BR>what are your thoughts on the canon 85-1.8 ? it has received good reviews and reasonably priced.. any cavets or suggestions ? <BR> <BR>btw, have a 17/40 f4 and will be getting a 70/200 f4 and thinking this will be a nice inbetween lense good for action, portrait, and low light.. <BR> <BR>thanks, <BR> <BR>mike <BR> <BR>(Message edited by clubmyke on October 29, 2006)

i've actually been using my 100mm macro for portraits, it works very well, sometimes the pictures too sharp though and i have to tone it down. When im not using the 100mm, then i use the 70-300IS

the 100mm also works nice because it has a very large aperture, 2.8, and has really nice bokeh

the kids... <BR> <BR>btw, it is pretty amazing how much you loose when you resize and reduce... any tips ?<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87667/384893.jpg" alt="Upload">

untouched except for resize... still new at this.. <BR>trying to get the bokeh thing down...his nose is in focus but his eyes arent...i guess its best to go for the eyes... <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87667/384908.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR> <BR>(Message edited by clubmyke on October 29, 2006)

<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87667/384912.jpg" alt="Upload">

The 85 f1.8 is normally much sharper then the 50 f1.8 (unless you get the best copy ever made). But when you're shooting staggered subjects like those above you really need more DOF.

ya, and the sharpest setting on a lense is usually a couple stops down, so shoot at about f5.6 or 8 and you'll get better DOF and a sharper image. depends on the lense though

many thanks... will be picking up a 85/1.8..

I agree with Taylor. I use the 100mm Macro for portraits and it works great. Also it gives you the flexibility of also doing macro shots now and then.

The Canon 100 macro is about as sharp a lens as Canon has in their line-up. I found it to be even sharper then the 85 f1.8 but many think it's too slow for true portrait work and doesn't have the great bokeh of the 85.