Best Canon portrait lenses

The preferred focal length range for portrait photography is 85-135mm.  A wider focal length is good for full body portraits and group pictures and a longer focal length range is for tighter-framed portraits such as head shots.  Most of the time, a blurred background will be required for portrait. Therefore, larger aperture, at least 2.8 will be needed for portrait.  For telephoto zoom lenses, f/4 might be OK in some cases.

For full frame cameras such as Canon 1D, 5D, 5D mark II:

One of the best portrait lenses is Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens. It is sharp with fast AF, and has excellent bokeh (background blur quality). Image stabilization is great for shooting at low light situations such as indoor. This  lens is very versatile and good for group photos, full body portrait and head shots. A new Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM will be available in Feb 2010. The new Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM features one fluorite and five UD elements for increased optical quality and reduced chromatic aberration. It has a minimum focusing distance of 1.2m/3.9 ft. at all zoom settings. The most significant improvement over the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM is the 4 stops of image stabilization instead of three.

If a wider focal length is required, Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L USM is the one to use.

If you prefer prime lenses, Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM,   Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM and Canon EF 135 mm f/2L USM are the ones to use on full frame cameras.  Prime lenses are best for cases when you have room to move around and to frame your camera.

For small sensor cameras such as Canon XSi or Canon 40D,Canon 50D:

The best portrait prime lenses are Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, Canon EF50mm f/1.2 and Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM.  For the best bokeh, use  Canon 85mm f/1.2L II USM. 

The most affordable portrait lens is Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 USM. For the difference of Canon 50mm f/1.8 and Canon 50mm f/1.4, read here.

For group portraits or full body portrait, Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM is a great choice.

Canon Digital SLR Resources:

Canon digital SLRs:

Nikon D90 and Canon Rebel T1i comparison

Canon 500D /rebel T1i and Canon 450D /rebel XSi comparison

Nikon D90 preview and comparison with Nikon D80, Canon 50D and Canon XSi, which is for you?

Canon XSi (Canon 450D) or Nikon D80, Nikon D40, Which one to buy?

Which Camera has the best video recording: Canon 5D Mark II, Nikon D90 or Canon 500D /T1i?

Canon 5D Mark II review and comparison with Nikon D700

The advantage of full-frame digital SLR

Canon EOS 450D (XSi) , Canon 40D and Canon 400D (XTi) comparison

Should you upgrade Canon 40D to 50D?

Nikon D300 and Canon EOS 40D Comparison

Canon lenses:

Best third party lenses for Canon DSLR

Best wildlife lenses for Canon DSLRs

Best sports lenses for Canon

Best Canon wedding lenses

Best Canon travel lenses

Best Canon portrait lenses

Best Canon landscape lens

Filters for digital SLR lenses

Do you need UV filters for your lenses, read here. 

Best UV filters are B+W MRC UV filters, read more.

The most useful filters for digital SLRs

Best polarizer filters are B+W MRC polarizer, read more

Canon digital SLR accessories:

Canon EOS 50D accessories: lenses, battery grip, remote control, tripod

Canon 40D lenses and accessories

Canon XSi guide: lenses and accessories

Best tripods for traveling

Photography learning

How can you improve your photography skills and take photos like a pro

For the best reviews on Canon lens, see photozone.de, www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/

For additional information, please go to dpreview forum

Related posts:

1. Best portrait lenses for Nikon digital SLRs
2. Best canon telephoto lenses
3. Best sports lenses for Canon
4. Best Canon wedding lenses
5. Best Nikon Sports lenses