When shooting portraits..what is you best go-to lens and why...I like using the Canon EF ‑ 50mm ‑ F/1.8, which gives be good flexibility with such a low price, although i want to upgrade to the F/1.4.....

I can't say that I have a go to lens because it all depends on what I want/need or even something as simple as the mood I'm in on a given day.

I do however love Nikon's 105 mm micro.  I'm not sure what Cannon's version is this things are incredibly sharp and as I like to shoot wide open it also create beautiful bokeh.  Some even say it's to sharp for portraiture but I don't think so.

this ain't going to help you but

for me..it's my 240mm f4.5 Heliar on my Linhof 5x7


don't know why, but that one nails it every time



Mike

I love my Nikon 10.5mm fish eye for shooting portraits

partly it depends on how far you can get back from the model. for close quarters i like my 17-40. when i have more room my 24-105. i'm on full-frame (canon 6D).

if you use a really wide angle lens close up it can make things look weird but sometimes that's the whole point.

and you do see posts on how a longer focal length is better for headshots.

but i think half the fun is using a bunch of different lenses and mixing it up. for my part i prefer being close to the model so i can talk to them.

on full-frame 50 is kind of a boring, middle of the road focal length. but lots of people love their primes. i have a 50f1.4 that i use when it's too dark for my F4 lenses.