Advice : Lens for Portrait shots (indoor and outdoor) for kids

[sheltie_prince]

Hiya...

Am using a 400D (with battery pack) and main wking lens is a 17-55mm f2.8 EFS lens. I have a 50mm f1.8 but hardly use it.

The main purpose of my camera is to take candid shots of my kids (playing, running) as well as portrait shots (planning since he is older now, thus would listen.. ), I thought of spending some $$$ on getting a new lens for that purpose as taking pics of one kids are priceless and timeless... I dun mind spending more to get the best lens suitable for the purpose. I need one that offers sharp images at indoors (low light condition) without a flash.

I have 3 lens in mind
1) 100mm F2.8 Macro
2) 70-200mm IS USM F2.8
3) 24-70mm USM F2.8

I have yet tried any of these in real life situation hence hope that brothers and sisters here can offer some insight. (Tried at the shop but I can't really visualise)

Another side issue is that I am also thinking of MAYBE upgrading my 400D for a 50D maybe at the end of the year... nothing is firm.. just toying.. Do you guys think its necessary? My equipment are not for earning an income though... hmm...

Thanks for any advice rendered....
Have a good week ahead!

[CS TAN]

You already have a pretty darn good portrait lens with 17-55 f/2.8. What are you missing or what issue you have using this lens? For low light situation, the 50 f/1.8 is a good portrait lens as well (~80mm in 1.6 crop).

Since you are on a 1.6 crop body (and planning to stay that way - 400D/50D), you might want to be aware of this when you consider what lens to buy. 100mm will become 160mm and it might be too long indoors.

If you are planning to stay a bit away from your kids in order to take candid shots, then perhaps you can consider 70-200 (~112-320mm in 1.6 crop). A zoom will be a lot more flexible than the 100mm prime.

[Headshotzx]

85 f/1.8? The wide aperture will really help.

If not, I would highly recommend the 70-200 2.8IS, but you might find it excessive for hobbyist usage. It's heavy and large, and will make your wallet a lot lighter.

[m3lv1nh0]

Hold on your purchases.. as far as I can see.. what you have is already enough for kids.

You got the best zoom lens for EF-S mount.. the 17-55 2.8 with IS.. good for general shooting etc group shoots, travle and comes with IS for low light. You also got the 501.8, perfect for indoor portraits. With these 2 lens.. it's more than enough for what you wanted.

The 3 lens that you suggested..
1) 100mm Macro.. it's for Macro.. small things.. focusing is very slow.. not suitable for shotting kids unless they are asleep.
2) 70-200 IS.. it's too long to use indoors but it's good for outdoors, etc Zoo. Also the lens is big and heavy.
3) 24-70.. no IS and the focal length is not here not there for a crop camera.

FWIW, what is best for you is to upgrade your camera to 50D with better noise control or get the 35L prime lens.

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by sheltie_prince Hiya... Am using a 400D (with battery pack) and main wking lens is a 17-55mm f2.8 EFS lens. I have a 50mm f1.8 but hardly use it. The main purpose of my camera is to take candid shots of my kids (playing, running) as well as portrait shots (planning since he is older now, thus would listen.. ), I thought of spending some $$$ on getting a new lens for that purpose as taking pics of one kids are priceless and timeless... I dun mind spending more to get the best lens suitable for the purpose. I need one that offers sharp images at indoors (low light condition) without a flash. I have 3 lens in mind 1) 100mm F2.8 Macro 2) 70-200mm IS USM F2.8 3) 24-70mm USM F2.8 I have yet tried any of these in real life situation hence hope that brothers and sisters here can offer some insight. (Tried at the shop but I can't really visualise) Another side issue is that I am also thinking of MAYBE upgrading my 400D for a 50D maybe at the end of the year... nothing is firm.. just toying.. Do you guys think its necessary? My equipment are not for earning an income though... hmm... Thanks for any advice rendered.... Have a good week ahead!

U may want to consider a prime lens instead. The 50 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.8 are gd choices.

[charlesleong]

Originally Posted by sheltie_prince Hiya... Am using a 400D (with battery pack) and main wking lens is a 17-55mm f2.8 EFS lens. I have a 50mm f1.8 but hardly use it. The main purpose of my camera is to take candid shots of my kids (playing, running) as well as portrait shots (planning since he is older now, thus would listen.. ), I thought of spending some $$$ on getting a new lens for that purpose as taking pics of one kids are priceless and timeless... I dun mind spending more to get the best lens suitable for the purpose. I need one that offers sharp images at indoors (low light condition) without a flash. I have 3 lens in mind 1) 100mm F2.8 Macro 2) 70-200mm IS USM F2.8 3) 24-70mm USM F2.8 I have yet tried any of these in real life situation hence hope that brothers and sisters here can offer some insight. (Tried at the shop but I can't really visualise) Another side issue is that I am also thinking of MAYBE upgrading my 400D for a 50D maybe at the end of the year... nothing is firm.. just toying.. Do you guys think its necessary? My equipment are not for earning an income though... hmm... Thanks for any advice rendered.... Have a good week ahead!

50/1.8, or 35/2.

any f/2.8 lens won't cut it when poor lighting indoors without flash of active kids.

[m3lv1nh0]

Another alternative is the Sigma 30 1.4.

[nyist]

Originally Posted by m3lv1nh0 Another alternative is the Sigma 30 1.4.

I prefer 35 1.4 L for indoor potrait on crop camera. It may be a little big for the wallet but it is worth it.

Regards,

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by nyist I prefer 35 1.4 L for indoor potrait on crop camera. It may be a little big for the wallet but it is worth it. Regards,

Ls are always gd, but if u're willing to spend on one, especially L primes.

[tempdan]

Originally Posted by charlesleong 50/1.8, or 35/2. any f/2.8 lens won't cut it when poor lighting indoors without flash of active kids.

i 2nd this suggestion.

even 50 f1.4.


maybe you should not get any lens for now till you have make use of your 50 f1.8.

[spartacus.ret]

get the 50/1.4 or 85/1.8.

frankly, i think the 85mm is the better choice because the AF is snappy, and the additional reach will come in useful outdoors.

besides, you already have a 50mm; so unless you see yourself using it more, stick with the 50/1.8 first.

[gazkw]

Originally Posted by m3lv1nh0 Another alternative is the Sigma 30 1.4.

agreed... this is an excellent lens.

[sheltie_prince]

WOW!!! THanks for the heap of suggestion.

Yeah I do agree that 100mm f2.8 macro while it is very sharp, it is hard to do a quick focus on active kids.... hmm....

SO you guys recommend more of a standard fix lens then a zoom lens since my 17-55mm would suffice right? Yes I do love this lens alot and use it like 90% of the time. my 50mm f1.8 get rare opportunities like indoor night shots only. heheh.. I also notice my f2.8 17-55mm don't get consistent sharpness for indoor shoots.

How do you guys describe the 50mm f1.4 vs the f1.8 I do like what I see on my 1.8 but I do yearn for more crisp, sharper image.

I quite like the idea of the 35mm f2, EFS 60mm f2.8 but would the latter perform up to expectation when taking candid shots of active kids or would it be just as good as my 17-55mm?

TIA buddies!! Guess you guys are also very correct that I do not need to go all out to get an L lens for a hobbist and burden with weight when I bring them around...

[engrmariano]

do you already got external flash?

[sheltie_prince]

yUP.. i do have a 550EX

[3in1c]

Originally Posted by sheltie_prince WOW!!! THanks for the heap of suggestion. How do you guys describe the 50mm f1.4 vs the f1.8 I do like what I see on my 1.8 but I do yearn for more crisp, sharper image...

Compare the bokeh, and of course usm. There is a thread on 1.4 discussion already, see if it fits your needs.

[Anthony Lee]

TS,

I shot this, my grandson, 8 mths, with my Tamron 17-50 f2.8 indoor. Your EFS 17-55 f2.8 should perform better with IS. Key is to get them to look at you and just burst a couple of shots on a single composition, surely one will come out ok.

Sorry still struggling to post a link. Will try a gain.

[Majest1c]

24-70 F2.8 if you are lazy to zoom in and out wif your leg

50 F1.4 if you are on a crop
85 F1.8 if you are FF

[nuanda]

no need to spend more money.

you already have a decent wide zoom. any zoom will not be v good in low light compared to primes, 2.8 or otherwise. forget abt 24-70. with kids running around easier to use a lighter lens.

suggest you play around more with your 50/1.8. once you are comfortable with it, can upgrade to 1.4 if desired for better low light performance and to catch the running kids.

[spartacus.ret]

Originally Posted by nuanda no need to spend more money... suggest you play around more with your 50/1.8. once you are comfortable with it, can upgrade to 1.4 if desired for better low light performance and to catch the running kids.