Best Lens for photographing children

[rpt]

I took my almost 5 year-old daughter to her gymnastics class a couple of weeks ago.  My wife asked me to email her a pic during the class, so I held up my iPhone and caught a well-timed pic of her hanging from an uneven bar. The guy next to me looked over at the iPhone 'shutter click' and said, "If you want to get an actually decent pic, you need a real camera." He reached into his bag and pulled out his T2i with an EF-S 55-250mm mounted, and gave me a little grin.  I grinned back and replied, "You know, it's really more about composition and timing than about gear."  He took some shots, well-spaced since the popup flash was firing (despite the kids being out of its effective range) as I watched the kids.  When mine started a bounce down the trampoline track a few minutes later, I was unable to resist.  I looked over and said as I reached down, "Ever seen Crocodile Dundee? 'That's not a camera...that's a camera,'" as I pulled out my 1D X with the 70-200 II and fired off a 12 fps burst.

True story. 

(1D X, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II @ 200mm, 1/500 s, f/2.8, ISO 10000)

To read that made me so happy , I wish I was there to see his face!

Oh man! That must have hurt! You should have shot one of his face

[pj1974]

I took my almost 5 year-old daughter to her gymnastics class a couple of weeks ago.  My wife asked me to email her a pic during the class, so I held up my iPhone and caught a well-timed pic of her hanging from an uneven bar. The guy next to me looked over at the iPhone 'shutter click' and said, "If you want to get an actually decent pic, you need a real camera." He reached into his bag and pulled out his T2i with an EF-S 55-250mm mounted, and gave me a little grin.  I grinned back and replied, "You know, it's really more about composition and timing than about gear."  He took some shots, well-spaced since the popup flash was firing (despite the kids being out of its effective range) as I watched the kids.  When mine started a bounce down the trampoline track a few minutes later, I was unable to resist.  I looked over and said as I reached down, "Ever seen Crocodile Dundee? 'That's not a camera...that's a camera,'" as I pulled out my 1D X with the 70-200 II and fired off a 12 fps burst.

True story. 

(1D X, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II @ 200mm, 1/500 s, f/2.8, ISO 10000)

CLASSIC!

Loved reading the above (true) story! I too, would've loved to see the expression on the other guy's face.   
And... being an Aussie, very glad that you quoted from 'dear old' Paul Hogan... aka Crocodile Dundee! 

Cheers...

Paul

[tron]

I think not taking a picture of his face was an unfortunate omission.   

I understand though that the guy would have a slight problem with that 

[TexPhoto]

From day care to 2nd grade my favorite FF kids lens has been my 24-105mm zoom. Wide enough to get the whole class at Halloween, but still get in tight on my little monster. IS helps indoors.  Of course the 70-200mm is important for sports, school play etc, but when mixing it up, I need the versatility of the zoom. 

I had an 85mm f1.2 for a while, and I don't think I ever got 1 sharp photo of a child.  The kids just move too fast.

[neuroanatomist]

I had an 85mm f1.2 for a while, and I don't think I ever got 1 sharp photo of a child.  The kids just move too fast.

You just have to catch them when they stop to smell the flowers...   


EOS 7D, EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM, 1/250 s, f/2.2, ISO 100


EOS 5D Mark II, EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM @ 1/60 s, f/1.8, ISO 400

[Hobby Shooter]

I had an 85mm f1.2 for a while, and I don't think I ever got 1 sharp photo of a child.  The kids just move too fast.

You just have to catch them when they stop to smell the flowers...   


EOS 7D, EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM, 1/250 s, f/2.2, ISO 100


EOS 5D Mark II, EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM @ 1/60 s, f/1.8, ISO 400

Beautiful pictures!