Best lens for baby portraits?
- Thread starter Sneakers
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For baby shoots I use a 50 f/1.4 and an 85 f/1.2L II. In variable situations, you guessed it, I use the 24-70L II lens. If you rent the 85L, I shot at f/2.2 mostly, because wider it's tough to get side shots of the baby where the whole face is in focus. Any of the 3 lenses will work. What body are you using?
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congratulations on the new addition to your family!
I actually like the 35L as a standard/wide-ish prime. It focuses relatively close and gives a shallow enough DOF but isn't as hard to use as the 50L or 85L. I know some people might suggest the new sigma 35mm instead (and I'm not opposed to that either). That 85mm 1.8 does 95% of what the L does so if that is more within your budget, I think thats a great recommendation too for the tight portrait shot.
I actually like the 35L as a standard/wide-ish prime. It focuses relatively close and gives a shallow enough DOF but isn't as hard to use as the 50L or 85L. I know some people might suggest the new sigma 35mm instead (and I'm not opposed to that either). That 85mm 1.8 does 95% of what the L does so if that is more within your budget, I think thats a great recommendation too for the tight portrait shot.
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On your T4i, the EF85 1.8 will take superb portraits and you still have the EF40 when you need to go wider.
Also, don't forget good old EF50 1.4 - lovely little lens
Cheers
Also, don't forget good old EF50 1.4 - lovely little lens
Cheers
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A macro lens is also a really good choice when it comes to babies. You can then get up close to take small detail shots of hands, feet, lips, eyelashes, etc.
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Hey Sneakers Congrats on the new baby!
I hope everyone is happy and healthy. WOW! some spot on advice already, feel like +1 everyone who already posted. The lighting in hospitals is not usually good and flash may not be good for the babies eyes or mood. So getting a lens that will handle low light is a great idea. Also newborns are tiny so you'll need to get in close (remember to get some macro shots of the hands and feet). Please update us on the model camera you have or would like to rent. (Oops! I see you already responded T4i (crop sensor)) I love primes too!(40mm 2.8f) nice little lens, and a great zoom like the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is a winner for sure even though it's not a prime.
I rent from a local camera store, so I would recommend searching online to find out if you have one around your area. It cost $35 day to rent a $2,000.00 85mm 1.2 L lens for example. Also no shipping cost if you use a local camera place.
If you have not already check out the online lensrental.com site for lenses too. The same 85mm 1.2 L cost $69 to rent for 5 days, but you should also figure in shipping and insurance as well.
If you going to buy a lens the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens is an afforable extraordinary lens. It maybe a little too long of a lens on a T4i (crop sensor). You can also rent a full frame body or you may want to also try using extension tube like a 12mm to enable the your lens to focus more closely than its minimal focusing distance. Kenko makes some pretty good ones and can rent them as well. It is really good on my T2i and Great on the 5D Mark II. As the baby gets older and faster this lens will be on your camera all the time. As a new born you might also look at getting a monopod or tripod to allow for slower shutter speeds.
For newborns maybe think about getting a few props as they tend to sleep a good deal and you can still get some creative shots like the one in the link below...
prop idea
http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/permalink/mo25X5G38P0T3UL/B002HWRGBA/ref=cm_ciu_images_pl_link
Here is the link to a online rental company..
http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/lenses
Lot of helpful videos online too.. Here is an example. She uses a 5D Mark II and a 50mm 2.5 macro lens.
Newborn Photo Techniques & Strategies, Part 1, Julie Klaasmeyer, Photovisionvideo
Newborn Photo Techniques & Strategies, Part 1, Julie Klaasmeyer, Photovisionvideo
I hope everyone is happy and healthy. WOW! some spot on advice already, feel like +1 everyone who already posted. The lighting in hospitals is not usually good and flash may not be good for the babies eyes or mood. So getting a lens that will handle low light is a great idea. Also newborns are tiny so you'll need to get in close (remember to get some macro shots of the hands and feet). Please update us on the model camera you have or would like to rent. (Oops! I see you already responded T4i (crop sensor)) I love primes too!(40mm 2.8f) nice little lens, and a great zoom like the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is a winner for sure even though it's not a prime.
I rent from a local camera store, so I would recommend searching online to find out if you have one around your area. It cost $35 day to rent a $2,000.00 85mm 1.2 L lens for example. Also no shipping cost if you use a local camera place.
If you have not already check out the online lensrental.com site for lenses too. The same 85mm 1.2 L cost $69 to rent for 5 days, but you should also figure in shipping and insurance as well.
If you going to buy a lens the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens is an afforable extraordinary lens. It maybe a little too long of a lens on a T4i (crop sensor). You can also rent a full frame body or you may want to also try using extension tube like a 12mm to enable the your lens to focus more closely than its minimal focusing distance. Kenko makes some pretty good ones and can rent them as well. It is really good on my T2i and Great on the 5D Mark II. As the baby gets older and faster this lens will be on your camera all the time. As a new born you might also look at getting a monopod or tripod to allow for slower shutter speeds.
For newborns maybe think about getting a few props as they tend to sleep a good deal and you can still get some creative shots like the one in the link below...
prop idea
http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/permalink/mo25X5G38P0T3UL/B002HWRGBA/ref=cm_ciu_images_pl_link
Here is the link to a online rental company..
http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/lenses
Lot of helpful videos online too.. Here is an example. She uses a 5D Mark II and a 50mm 2.5 macro lens.
Newborn Photo Techniques & Strategies, Part 1, Julie Klaasmeyer, Photovisionvideo
Newborn Photo Techniques & Strategies, Part 1, Julie Klaasmeyer, Photovisionvideo
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Sneakers said:
The 50mm f/1.4 is a great baby photo lens. You can get very tightly framed shots with this lens on a crop.
As others pointed out, macro is a good choice especially for new born photos. Even in non-macro lenses, minimum focus distance is worth paying attention to. The new 35mm f/2 IS does very well in this regard (focuses closer than 1ft)
It can be fun to play around with wide angle shots (e.g. about 24mm or less on crop) but you can do that with the kit zoom.
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Lens Baby...http://lensbaby.com/Sneakers said:
Or iPhone 4s. Then deliver the images/videos straight out to the anxious grandparents. They'll love you for it.
-PW
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I'd rent the Zeiss 50 f2 Makro; don't need AF for baby portraits, large aperture, super sharp, super punchy colours and contrast, 80mm focal length equivalent on your camera, and it's a macro (sort've) lens so it can focus much closer if you were planning to do like those feet shots or hands holding onto a finger.. Plus it's loads of fun to play with a Zeiss
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Sneakers said:
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.
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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.
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.
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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 f1.8).
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 f1.8).
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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.dickgrafixstop said:
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.
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