Which lens to buy?

[RAWcop]

I am torn. My budget right now will allow me to get 1 lens. However there are 3-4 lenses to choose from. Looking at the Tamron 70-200 vs. the Sigma 70-200 HSM II. Has anyone compared the two? Price is only about $60 difference new.
Or should I go with a Canon 85mm 1.8. The other option is a tamron 17-50 2.8.

I shoot mainly portraits and need a lens which offers nice bokeh.

Wish I could just get them all.... but it is hard enough with the wife over spending money on 1 lens. She doesn't get it.

I have a senior portrait shoot coming up, so I need to figure this out quickly.

So if you had the choice, which one would you all get? If you have another suggestion please let me know.
Thanks!

[oldwolf]

I've got this Sigma lens:

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Canon 589101 B&H Photo

Great lens. Love the bokeh and the OS. Pictures are pretty sharp. If I have the room to move back then this is my choice of lens for portrait work because it gives nice compression and bokeh. My other go to portrait lens is the 24-70 when I want to capture more of the background.

Not sure if that's the Sigma lens you're looking at but I recommend it if it is.

Too much lens distortion with the 17-50 IMO. The 85 prime is a great portrait lens though. Lots of photographers use it. If you know you're going to be shooting lots of portraits then that's a pretty solid investment.

[RAWcop]

Originally Posted by oldwolf

I've got this Sigma lens:

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Canon 589101 B&H Photo

Great lens. Love the bokeh and the OS. Pictures are pretty sharp. If I have the room to move back then this is my choice of lens for portrait work because it gives nice compression and bokeh. My other go to portrait lens is the 24-70 when I want to capture more of the background.

Not sure if that's the Sigma lens you're looking at but I recommend it if it is.

Too much lens distortion with the 17-50 IMO. The 85 prime is a great portrait lens though. Lots of photographers use it. If you know you're going to be shooting lots of portraits then that's a pretty solid investment.

Thanks for the info! I don't have the money for the OS lens. That is why I am looking at the HSM II or the Tamron.

[RAWcop]

So after being 1 click away from purchasing a Tamron 70-200, I got an ebay email for a second chance offer used Sigma 70-200 APO HSM EX II for a price I couldn't resist.
I got it and it is in MINT condition. So when it stops raining I hope to get out and put it to the real test. So far it is working great.