Which budget portrait lens is best for a Canon 90D?

Question

I finally upgraded to a 90D a few months back but I'm still using the kit lens for everything and it's just not giving me that blurry background look I want for portraits. I've got my sisters engagement shoot coming up in like three weeks so I'm in a bit of a rush to grab something better without spending a fortune, maybe $350 max.

I've been looking at the classic Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM which is super cheap like under 150 bucks but then I see people talking about the 85mm f/1.8 USM being way better for faces. My main concern is that since the 90D is a crop sensor the 85mm might be way too zoomed in? I'm gonna be shooting in her backyard mostly and it's not a huge space so I dont want to be standing two blocks away just to get her and her fiancé in the frame lol.

But then again the 50mm is almost all plastic and I worry the autofocus might be slow if they're moving around a lot. I also saw the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Art but that might be too wide for real portraits? Im really torn between the 50 and the 85... if you had to pick one for a crop body in a tight-ish space which one would you go for?

promyshlennyye_svetilniki_cyKt · Accepted Answer

Saw this late but I've been in your shoes before. I used to shoot portraits with a crop sensor and tried to force the 85mm to work in small venues... it was a total disaster. On a 90D, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM acts like a 136mm lens. Youll be shouting instructions from across the lawn just to get a decent waist-up shot of the couple. For a tight backyard, the 50mm is definitely the sweet spot. Here is what I've picked up over the years:The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM might feel cheap because of the plastic, but the optics punch way above the price point. Its light enough that you wont get tired holding the camera for hours.If you really hate the plastic feel, try to find a used Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art. I used one for a while and the build quality is basically professional grade. At 30mm, its wide enough to get the garden in the background without looking distorted.Another great choice is the Tamron SP 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD. I actually liked this more than the basic 50mm because it has vibration control. Since you're in a rush, having that extra help to keep shots sharp when things are moving fast is huge. Honestly, dont stress about the plastic build of the cheap 50mm. Results are what matter for her engagement photos, and the 90D autofocus makes that lens surprisingly snappy for the price. I'd grab the 50mm and maybe an extra battery with the leftover cash... just my two cents.

RazzplomLomia · Answer

In a tight backyard, I would go with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is gonna feel way too zoomed in on your 90D for that space. The 50mm is a decent budget option and its STM motor is fast enough for engagement shots. For sharper glass under $350, a used Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art is a solid choice.

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Which budget portrait lens is best for a Canon 90D?