Best Lens for Baby Pictures.

[Magijr]

Hi Scott, congratulations on your child and thank you for all the information. Does the 17-55 f/2.8 work well out side? In your opinion, do you think its worth buying the 24-70 mm 7/2.8 L?

Thank you again,
Bruce

[Scott Stephen]

Hi Scott, congratulations on your child and thank you for all the information. Does the 17-55 f/2.8 work well out side? In your opinion, do you think its worth buying the 24-70 mm 7/2.8 L?

Thank you again,
Bruce

Thanks!

The problem with the 24-70 on a crop-frame would also be the 1.6x length multiplier, only applied in reverse. The 24mm would not be wide enough for a lot of shots you'd like to get. The 24mm would be like 38 mm, which is useful medium length, but often not wide enough for photographing things like a group of people, or a landscape/vacation shot. You can always buy another lens for wide-angle, but frankly the 17 is as wide as I ever need, and also I'd hate to have to change lenses every time I wanted to get wider than 24(38); it would drive me nuts. Also, that 24-70 lens is due for a "refresh" and a "mark II" is on the way, and some people you read are not crazy about the IQ of this mark I version.

That 24-70 would be useful if you buy a full-frame camera someday, whereas your 17-55 would not fit a full-frame. But you just got your t4i and are just learning how to use it, so I don't imagine that is going to happen anytime soon. If I ever buy a full-frame I will keep a crop body too, so my 17-55 will always be useful to me. If not, you can easily sell them for most of what you paid for them (or for all of what you paid, if you buy used).

As for outdoor, yes, I think the 17-55 is fantastic. Great IQ, and since it gets dark outside too, the constant f/2.8 max aperature is handy everywhere. It is not "weatherproofed" like the "L" glass, but I never shoot in the rain, and I don't hike or climb rocks in a sandstorm like some folks do (or imagine that they might possibly do someday).

[HDNitehawk]

I would go with this, the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-17-55mm-f-2.8-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

I like the 17-55mm for the use you describe, especially since many of your shots will be indoors.

That answers your first question.

Second, do you need a couple of lenses? If you just want pictures of your baby you don’t “need” a couple of lenses. But if you enjoy photography and want creative pictures you might “want” a couple of lenses. Later on you might want a telephoto take pictures at sports and events. You could very easily get by with a good telephoto zoom and the 17-55mm.

Third asked is L lenses worth the investment, probably not unless you are a professional photographer, it really isn't an investment unless you plan on having a monetary gain. Investment is a word we use to convince ourselves we are making a good purchase. Sure they have really good resale. But again if you enjoy photography it is worth buying L lenses for your own satisfaction. For a telephoto zoom I have to say yes it is worth buying an L lens over the Non L lenses available. For the 17-55mm it is good enough and you will get comparable IQ to an L lens.

[Magijr]

Thank you for your detailed answer. You are certainly right in regards to "investment," I am probably being over zealous.

The EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM looks great, and a few people have suggested the same lens.

Thank you again, your information is very appreciated.

Bruce

[Jayson]

I was super picky with my kids shots and you can get all of the pictures you want with either the 50mm f/1.4 or something the like. I would suggest you get the 40mm pancake lens for your baby shots. That way, you also have the ability to use it in video and have autofocus during your videos. You little one isn't going to move too much at all for the first couple months, they will just sit there and look cute. Therefore, you don't need the top of the line lens for chasing them around. You can look into that sometime down the road. The 40mm gives you great image quality and is very portable on your camera. On top of that, it has a very good minimum focus distance, so you can get those detail shots that you want. If you have a little room, you can get good family shots of 3 or 4 people with the 40mm. Here is the Amazon link. Here's Bryan's review.

You can use your 15-55mm for the big family shots, just make sure you have plenty of window light.

[Jayson]

I don't have any baby pictures with this as my babies are growing fast, but I did get this one with the pancake yesterday. The lens is sharp and focuses very accurately in my experience. I just got the lens earlier this month.



He's chipmunking watermelon.

[Magijr]

Thank you for sharing your photo, all I can say is beautiful eyes!!

Thats amazing clarity with the pancake, and the price of the lens you suggested are very affordable, thank you for your input.

Bruce

[cls]

Hi, I got Sigma 30/1.4 a few months ago and it has become my favorite portrait lens. If you like portraits that aren't too tight (half/full body), I highly recommend it for a Rebel series camera body (crop sensor). At the really wide apertures that a fast prime can provide you can get a dreamy blurred look that goes well with baby portaits. (I'm sure the Canon 35/1.4 L is better, but it's a lot bulkier and the pricetag is scary.)

[Magijr]

Thank you for your response, you were not kidding; the Canon 35/1,4 L is much pricier.

Thank you again, I appreciate your response.

Bruce

[neuroanatomist]

Welcome, and congratulations!

What's your budget? The EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS is really an excellent lens - it covers the same basic range as the 18-55mm kit lens that came with your camera, but the IQ is much better (equivalent to L-series lenses, and so is the price tag!), and the constant f/2.8 aperture is very useful. You won't find an L-series lens that covers wide angle to short telephoto (what you need for a general purpose zoom) on an APS-C sensor like that in the T4i.

I also really like the EF 85mm f/1.8 - IMO, it's one of the best values in the Canon lineup in terms of IQ for price. The wide aperture and compression make it great for tight portraits on an APS-C body.

I wish I'd had a dSLR when our first daughter was born, but I lumbered along with a slow-focusing super zoom P&S until close to her second birthday. I started with a T1i, 17-55mm f/2.8, 85mm f/1.8, and a 430EX II. An external flash is very useful - the on-board pop-up flash is only direct light, which is a bit harsh and leads to red-eye. A Speedlite flash (270EX II or 430EX II) allows you to point the head up and bounce the light off the ceiling, meaning a larger light source for much softer, more flattering light.

Here are a couple of early shots, the first one was literally my first trip out with the new camera:


Rebel T1i, EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM @ 50mm, 1/50 s, f/2.8, ISO 100


Rebel T1i, EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, 1/2000 s, f/1.8, ISO 100

Look forward to seeing some pics!