The canon ef 85mm f/1.8L usm lens is quite frankly the best portrait lens out there for canon cameras. i use it on my 50d for taking shots of our two sons. the images are tack sharp with amazing bokeh. the iamges really pop off the screen/photo paper. i've had many comments and compliments about the shots i've taken using this lens. it is a prime lens and L glass. anyone who wants to take high quality portraits should own this lens. like others have mentioned in their reviews i did look at the 85mm f/1,2 but it was just too expensive for my tastes, especially as i'm not a professional photographer. i've had absolutely no issues with this lens. the focusing is quick and quiet and coupled with a good external flash doesn't hunt much.

gmscot

Stone Mountain, GA

I am a professional photographer, and I've worked with several lenses and many different camera bodies. Canon's 85mm 1.8 is by far one of the best lenses to own, especially if you do portraiture! This is a prime lens and produces tack sharp images. Like of all Canon's lenses, it is very reliable and well-built.  The 85mm produces excellent bokeh, which in my opinion is what makes it a must-have for most photographers. The auto-focus is also quick and reliable. The wonderful thing about this lens is that it can be used with both a crop-factor or full-frame camera body. It is also incredibly affordable for the quality of images produced and is often likened to that of an L-Lens. However, it is considerably cheaper than an L-Lens and yet produces just as excellent quality! This lens is a bit longer than most prime lenses, and a bit heavy to use as a walk-around lens, but it is a must-have for portraiture. The advantage of this focal length is that you can photograph in wide, open spaces without crowding your subject. However, it does make it more difficult to shoot in tight, small spaces. What makes this lens shine is the ability to focus on your subjects face while blurring the rest of the body. This gives your images a very dramatic appeal. It also does great in low-light and indoor conditions. This is one of my favorite lenses to use, and part of my permanent collection. I highly recommend this lens, especially if you do portraiture!

Idelette

Arden, NC