Best Lens for Baby Pictures.

[EricPvpi]

For portraits, I did like the 50mm prime and the closeup you get on the crop sensor. But I have 3 kids from 10 months to 8 years and wanted something a little wider to get more of them in 1 shot. For 1 kids, especially a baby, give the 50 a try.

I think my next lens will be the 100mm L macro. I do think that would have been neat with the newborn.

Eric

[Jordan]

Hi Magijr,

L-Series lenses, in my opinion, are a great investment. They not only have the best quality glass, but are built well and often weatherproof. Also, as was pointed out above, I would definitely go with an L-series lens for a telephoto. However, for under 85mm, you'll be good with USM stuff. I own the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX and it's GREAT! Canon's 50mm f/1.4 is very nice too! The pancake looks attractive, and for an all-purpose zoom to replace your current lens, I'd go with the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM. This is a GREAT lens and is actually L-series optics inside, just not L-build.

Is the 70-200 worth it? Hmm.. well the version II is definitely unnecessary, especially for someone who isn't a full-time working professional photographer. If you can find a good-quality version 1 somewhere for less, I'd go with that easy! The 70-200mm f/4 is nice too, though f/2.8 would be nice for indoors. I might also recommend a Macro lens. The Canon 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM is a great lens! Now for less than half the price, you could get the Tamron 60mm f/2 Macro (I used to own this lens) which is FAST and takes absolutely amazing portraits! Macro is great for baby shots!

Personally, I'd get a 17-55 f/2.8 IS and Tamron 60mm f/2 Macro now, and save for a GOOD 70-200 or something down the road when your child is older and starts running around. That's my vote!

www.freshphotoblog.com

[Magijr]

Hi Jordan,

I recently purchased the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM and the The 70-200mm f/4 L, and I love both of them. I purchased the 70-200 because I have two dogs that I love to photograph while hiking and such. From my minimal experience, the 70-200 also works well for portraits. The 17-55 was highly recommended and it has certainly lived up to the hype.

Regarding the macro lens, I may rent one after my baby is born and see how I like it. I am not familiar with macro photography and I'm not sure it would work well in my apartment. I feel like the 100mm macro would be too large on a crop lens in my apartment, but the 60mm lens would work well.

Thank you for your input, I appreciate it.

[cowmao]

Since this thread inspired some pics of my nephew, so I thought I'd revive it. He was also my excuse to go full-frame (refurbished 5D II for $1400 on Thanksgiving Day), which is what I've been wanting to do for a while now. Most of my pictures are indoor, low-light, no flash with some motion -- kids never stop, unless they're sleeping (or posing now).

Before I got the 5DII, I (still) have a 50D with EF-S 17-55, EF 70-200 f/2.8 II IS, and EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro. The 50D always had the 17-55 on it. I prefer the 70-200, but it's too long for nearly everything. And, the 100mm was for macro. Now, the 17-55 stays on the 50D, which is rarely used. (I'm keeping it around for action, of which there hasn't been much.) And, the 70-200 stays on the 5DII, which is the perfect combination for me now.

So, here's my nephew (no faces) with the 5DII and 100mm f/2.8L Macro. I shot it in Tv since I assumed it would always go wide open and I wanted the shutter to be 1/100". It's also auto ISO, since that seems to work pretty well and I'm not used to it going up to ISO3200 by itself.

100mm 1/100" f/3.2 ISO2000


And, here's my little one (again, no faces) with the 5DII and 70-200mm. I didn't know where else to put it (Portraits?). Crazy girl was playing with the Mr Potato Head Pumpkin Decorating kit (pirate). It would've just been her face, except she's wearing the shoes too. I thought it was funny enough to share.

70-200 @ 70mm 1/50" f/2.8 ISO3200

[erno james]

For babies, from least to most expensive on B&H,consider the following "inexpensive" Canon lenses:

$110 -50 f/1.8 II
$149 -40 f/2.8 pancake
$339 -50 f/1.4

[Magijr]

Really nice pics cowmao!!

I recently posted this as a new thread but I will also ask the same question here.

I currently shoot with a 60D. I have a 17-55 2.8, 60 macro 2.8 and a 50 1.4. My son is now 1 (thus the reason I got into photography) and as he grows I think my kit needs to grow too. I love all three lens I currently shoot with, however I feel like I may need a telephoto lens... he's almost walking

What lens next does the community recommend for my kit?

And, as a second question, does anyone shoot with a point and shoot camera? I was looking at the Canon Powershot s110. Again, as he grows so does the amount of stuff I need to bring, so sometimes the 60D and the kit are too much.

Any advice / recommendations are very welcome. Thank you.

Bruce