Best lens for baby portraits?

[sdsr]

I have a T4i (crop sensor) and the 40mm 2.8 currently. I agree that buying makes sense, but I'm so new to photography, experimenting with a couple different lenses might make sense too.

I've been taking quite a few photos of a friend's baby, all on a 5DII or 6D, with mostly the 135 L and sometimes 24-105 L when I want wider; on your camera 135 is much the same as the 85mm that others have been recommending, so I'll join them in recommend that.  It also has the advantage of being (in the 1.8 version) pretty cheap, and you'll want to have one handy all the time - by all means experiment by renting, but you'll want to own a suitable lens or two.  I like this length because you can take tight portraits without getting too close, and fast is good because you can avoid flash.  With wide lenses you risk unflattering distortion and will have to get very close for head portraits.  Since you already have the excellent pancake, I wouldn't bother with 35mm or 50mm unless you want the extra speed - the focal lengths are too similar.

[cura]

Joining the recommendation: EF85 1.8
I own this lens on a crop body and love the pictures I took of my baby. Great bokeh - nice DOF and very sharp. All of that for a reasonable prize. Sure - some of the L lenses might be superior, but you pay 100-200% more for 5-20% more performance.

[dickgrafixstop]

On a crop body, I'd buy a 50mm - which one would be decided by budget.  I'd buy the 50 f1.8 first,
with the logic that it is not called the "nifty fifty" for nothing - but it's also cheap enough that if I'm
unhappy with the focal length, I could sell it easily and not lose any (or much) money.  My next
choice would be the 50 macro for the sharpness followed by the 50 1.4.  I'd forget about the 50 1.2
as too expensive for the minimal exposure advantage over the 1.4 - particularly with the new bodies much better performance at higher ISO settings. (But if I could have afforded the 1.2, I'd use the money I saved to buy the 35mm f2.0 and the 85mm f1.. 

[neuroanatomist]

I'd forget about the 50 1.2 as too expensive for the minimal exposure advantage over the 1.4 - particularly with the new bodies much better performance at higher ISO settings.

The 50/1.2L isn't about getting a 1/2-stop exposure advantage over its cheaper cousins.  It's about pure, creamy bokeh-liciousness...

[Sneakers]

On a crop body, I'd buy a 50mm - which one would be decided by budget.  I'd buy the 50 f1.8 first,
with the logic that it is not called the "nifty fifty" for nothing - but it's also cheap enough that if I'm
unhappy with the focal length, I could sell it easily and not lose any (or much) money.

I had looked at the 50 1.8 when I bought my first lens, but decided on the 40 2.8 instead because of better IQ and especially bokeh. The 1.8 with only 5 aperture blades has some gnarly looking bokeh in my opinion.

At this point, a 50 is too similar a focal length to the lens I have to be considered for purchase. I'd consider renting the 50 1.2 L though.

If I go the purchasing route, I definitely like the suggestion of an 85mm 1.8 prime. I'm intrigued by the macro suggestions too - don't know much about them, but I'll read some reviews.

Lastly, I learned a *lot* watching that youtube tutorial shared on the previous page. Thanks for all the great advice everyone.

[PJL]

+1 for the 85 1.8.  It was my first prime and I got it right before I had my daughter.  I used it first on a Rebel XT and now a 6D.  The length was a bit long indoors on the Rebel but I still really liked it.  Liked it so much I may get the 135 next.  Oddly it forced me to take photos from a different perspective which produced results I really liked.

Here's one from the 85 1.8 on a 6d from yesterday.  It doesn't show off the bokeh (she can't sit up so there's not much distance between her and the background!) but I like the color rendition and sharpness.  I should have shot it at a slightly narrower aperture so her full face is in focus but it still came out pretty good. 

Either way, rent or buy the lens before the baby comes so you have some time to practice.  I got mine a week early and it wasn't quite enough time with it prior.

[@!ex]

hands down, 50 1.2L

one I took of my girlfriends nephew a few weeks ago...

[ChilledXpress]

+1 50L


30/52 Weeks of Sailor - Baby blue... by David KM, on Flickr

32/52 Weeks of Sailor - Christmas Eve Playtime... by David KM, on Flickr

[babiesphotos]

New parent here, 18 months old twins.

I've upgraded bodies, bought number of lenses, rented bunch, so here is my take:

Zooms are easier to use, but more ordinary. I'd look Tamron 17-50 2.8 (non VC), or even 28-75 2.8. Second one is meant for full frame, so I have it on Canon full frame, but also on Sony crop, and love it crop too, They're very good, not spectacular, but great use of $400-$500 for new, or about $350-$400 used

Primes are more limiting, but keepers you get with these will be something to behold. So if you're just starting, I'd suggest primes, 35,50 and 85 is what's practical on crop body. You have 40, so I'd say get 50 1.8 if you want to save a bit ($100), or 50 1.4 if you feel like spending ($350), and then get 85 1.8 ($350). You don't lose much with 50 1.8 vs 1.4, and you can spend that money on 85 1.8, so I'd start with 50 1.8 and 85 1.8.

85 1.8 is most limiting and hard to work indoors, but will give you some stunning pictures.

Rent 50 1.2 and 85 1.2, they're something else, but don't buy unless you're rich, or you catch bug. Rental in USA lensrental.com, in Canada Vistek and Headshots in major cities...

Some samples of my pics at http://babiesphotos.ca/ though this is from few different cameras...

[wickidwombat]

I've actually found the eos-m +22mm f2 to be an awesome little baby snapper of our 12 weeks old daughter
reasons
- its small and light and easily operated single handedly when holding the baby
- minimum focus distance is 150mm
- easy to pop into the nappy bag and get around with
- the auto focus tracking of faces works really well and while you are holding the baby playing with them the camera can track their eye quite well
- the slow AF isnt really a problem for this sort of shooting

other than that I amusing the 5Dmk3 and sima 85f1.4 and now the sigma 35 f1.4 too

[babiesphotos]

New parent here, 18 months old twins.

I've upgraded bodies, bought number of lenses, rented bunch, so here is my take:

Zooms are easier to use, but more ordinary. I'd look Tamron 17-50 2.8 (non VC), or even 28-75 2.8. Second one is meant for full frame, so I have it on Canon full frame, but also on Sony crop, and love it crop too, They're very good, not spectacular, but great use of $400-$500 for new, or about $350-$400 used

Primes are more limiting, but keepers you get with these will be something to behold. So if you're just starting, I'd suggest primes, 35,50 and 85 is what's practical on crop body. You have 40, so I'd say get 50 1.8 if you want to save a bit ($100), or 50 1.4 if you feel like spending ($350), and then get 85 1.8 ($350). You don't lose much with 50 1.8 vs 1.4, and you can spend that money on 85 1.8, so I'd start with 50 1.8 and 85 1.8.

85 1.8 is most limiting and hard to work indoors, but will give you some stunning pictures.

Rent 50 1.2 and 85 1.2, they're something else, but don't buy unless you're rich, or you catch bug. Rental in USA lensrental.com, in Canada Vistek and Headshots in major cities...

Some samples of my pics at http://babiesphotos.ca/ though this is from few different cameras...

50 1.4

[babiesphotos]

New parent here, 18 months old twins.

I've upgraded bodies, bought number of lenses, rented bunch, so here is my take:

Zooms are easier to use, but more ordinary. I'd look Tamron 17-50 2.8 (non VC), or even 28-75 2.8. Second one is meant for full frame, so I have it on Canon full frame, but also on Sony crop, and love it crop too, They're very good, not spectacular, but great use of $400-$500 for new, or about $350-$400 used

Primes are more limiting, but keepers you get with these will be something to behold. So if you're just starting, I'd suggest primes, 35,50 and 85 is what's practical on crop body. You have 40, so I'd say get 50 1.8 if you want to save a bit ($100), or 50 1.4 if you feel like spending ($350), and then get 85 1.8 ($350). You don't lose much with 50 1.8 vs 1.4, and you can spend that money on 85 1.8, so I'd start with 50 1.8 and 85 1.8.

85 1.8 is most limiting and hard to work indoors, but will give you some stunning pictures.

Rent 50 1.2 and 85 1.2, they're something else, but don't buy unless you're rich, or you catch bug. Rental in USA lensrental.com, in Canada Vistek and Headshots in major cities...

Some samples of my pics at http://babiesphotos.ca/ though this is from few different cameras...

50 1.8

[babiesphotos]

New parent here, 18 months old twins.

I've upgraded bodies, bought number of lenses, rented bunch, so here is my take:

Zooms are easier to use, but more ordinary. I'd look Tamron 17-50 2.8 (non VC), or even 28-75 2.8. Second one is meant for full frame, so I have it on Canon full frame, but also on Sony crop, and love it crop too, They're very good, not spectacular, but great use of $400-$500 for new, or about $350-$400 used

Primes are more limiting, but keepers you get with these will be something to behold. So if you're just starting, I'd suggest primes, 35,50 and 85 is what's practical on crop body. You have 40, so I'd say get 50 1.8 if you want to save a bit ($100), or 50 1.4 if you feel like spending ($350), and then get 85 1.8 ($350). You don't lose much with 50 1.8 vs 1.4, and you can spend that money on 85 1.8, so I'd start with 50 1.8 and 85 1.8.

85 1.8 is most limiting and hard to work indoors, but will give you some stunning pictures.

Rent 50 1.2 and 85 1.2, they're something else, but don't buy unless you're rich, or you catch bug. Rental in USA lensrental.com, in Canada Vistek and Headshots in major cities...

Some samples of my pics at http://babiesphotos.ca/ though this is from few different cameras...

Tamron 28-75 2.8

[verysimplejason]

I'm using APS-C and I find my 28mm F1.8 and 50mm F1.8 very useful and convenient.  If you have a full frame, I'm guessing that a 40-50mm + 85mm focal range are also nice.  Flash must be avoided if you can thus a fast lens is a must.  A good video LED light is also much preferable than a speedlight if you want some creative lighting.

[robbymack]

Congrats!  I sort of remember what life was like before kids, I'm sure it was fun, but nothing compares to being a dad. Enjoy it!  Honestly the best lens for baby photos is which ever is in your hand when they do something cute. Anyone of the primes mentioned above would be fine. Just to throw another idea out there, how about a zoom like the Efs 17-55 2.8 IS?