I read your original comments as your already having the 60D (as do I) and you are looking at the 24-70mm f/2.8 'L' as a portrait lens. As someone else has said, 70mm (fully extended to one of the softest areas of the lens) is barely in the range as a portrait lens, where a lens in the 85-100 mm range would be better. I do not shoot that much portraiture but as you can see by my lenses, I went with the EF-S 17-55mm (effective 24-70 on the 60D crop sensor) and have the 100mm f/2.8L for both macro and portrait style work. Realize that the EF-S 17-55 f.2.8 is not an 'L' lens and not an EF lens for full frame, but is a great lens on the 60D. If you are serious about portraiture. you might want to look at the 100 mm f/2.8 'L' lens. It is super sharp on my 60D.

As a side-note Joel, I did NOT read you comments as slamming anyone on UHH. I read that you are researching the 24-70mm 'L' and have looked at other peoples shots and were not happy with what you were seeing with that lens on the 60D. One suggestion....remember that when someone posts a photo on the web, there is a loss in pixel count per inch (72 instead of 240 on the 60D) and the color may not be correct to what was originally shot. This could influence your thinking on the 'L' glass, and should not.

Joelbarton87

fstop22 is operating at f22, well past the point of lens diffraction and in his case brain malfunction. I use this forum for helpful advice and I guess like you for constructive criticism. Now off my soap box.
I have a Canon 60D and until recently used the 50 f1.8 and 18-200 for everything including portraits. I have upgraded to the Canon 24-105 f4 L and the difference is simply stunning. I considered the 24-70 and after talking to some pro wedding photographers decided that the 24-70 was way too expensive, too short at the long end and my shaky hands need IS, their recommendation was the 24-105.
I have now taken 500+ photos with this lens and can thoroughly recommend it unless you really need f2.8, I have not found f4 to be limiting.

Hello joel.Even though I am not a portrait photographer or a pro I do shoot a lot of events.I also shoot with a 60d and a 30d as back up.I have shot with the canon 24 to 70 and had great results.I also shot with the sigma 24 to 70 with good results.Not knowing what your budget is if it is affordable for you I would go with canon but to save money the sigma would be an excellant choice.on the flicker link if you would like to take a look some of the shots of the Irish festival were shot with the tamron 70 to 200.Good luck with your choices and keep shooting.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/aldavisphotography/

Hello joel.Even though I am not a portrait photographer or a pro I do shoot a lot of events.I also shoot with a 60d and a 30d as back up.I have shot with the canon 24 to 70 and had great results.I also shot with the sigma 24 to 70 with good results.Not knowing what your budget is if it is affordable for you I would go with canon but to save money the sigma would be an excellant choice.on the flicker link if you would like to take a look some of the shots of the Irish festival were shot with the tamron 70 to 200.Good luck with your choices and keep shooting.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/aldavisphotography/