Canon 70-200mm or 24-70mm

[JohnB]

Which lens would be the most functional for doing senior portraits or portraits in general? I'm leaning toward the 24-70 f/2.8. On a crop sensor, it would give me more reach than my 50mm f/1.8. I already have a 70-300mm lens I can use for portraits, provided the lighting is good. It's not a great lens, but it works. It's what I shot my pastor with last week, though I had to do it at ISO 800 and 1600.

Who uses what the most for their portraits?

[Steve Paxton]

I have a 24-70mm IS lens that I use all the time for portraits (on an uncropped sensor). I love it!

[JohnB]

There's a 24-70mm lens with image stabilization?

[Steve Paxton]

I am sorry - it's a 24-105mm - I am getting my lenses mixed up.

[JohnB]

The 24-105 would be nice, but it's a f/4.

That's the lens that comes with the 5D & 5D Mark II, correct?

Which end of the range do you use the most on that lens?

[Steve Paxton]

Yep, it's my primary lens. I use it 80+% of the time at all ranges - especially at weddings when I need to be able to go wide and long quickly. It's a great portrait lens at 105mm; however I prefer the Bokeh that I get with my 70-200mm. I usually break both lenses out when I am shooting portraits.