Good portrait Lens for D7000

I'm looking for a great portrait lens for my Nikon D7000.  I currently have a 50mm 1.8 but i find most of the time I'm just too close to the subject.  I'm pretty sure primes are my best option for clarity so I was thinking about the 35mm prime however since I own the D7000 i really dont need the AF on the lens.  What options are out there?  I see the 35mm one with the AF motor but is there a cheaper one that is just as good without the AF?

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D7000
50mm 1.8D
18-105mm
55-200mm
10-24mm
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