Looking for lens to shoot Babies/Toddlers/Families

[Rebekah5280]

I was going to post this in the Equipment forum, but I really want to know what lens people who shoot people are using.

I've decided against a prime lens as I like to shoot toddlers on the go (I have two) and they are too busy to not have the zoom capability.

I own a Nikon D3100 and want something that lets in a good amount of light.

I've been thinking about Sigma.

How important would you say that OS or VR technology is when purchasing a lens? And do you have any recommendations for what I'm looking for?

 

[Rebekah5280]

Sigma has this 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM Nikon-f.

Would this be a lens worth getting?

or should I be looking for a 2.8 or lower?

 

[flea77]

What lens you use is based on what you want to accomplish. Personally, shooting people I primarily use my 85mm 1.8D. It gives me distance, great OOF (bokeh), the ability to have just a sliver in focus or a lot, great image compression, etc. The lens you are looking at will not give you as much selective focus or as great bokeh (IMO), not to mention probably will not be quite as sharp as my 85. OS/VR are great in low light conditions where you are hand holding, other than that, I don't see a use for it and certainly not with portraits where you should be controlling the light anyway.

Allan

 

[Rebekah5280]

I originally thought I wanted a prime lens. But then I think about following around my toddlers and how much I use my zoom now. I just dont know if I could live without it.

What about the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX APO Macro HSM telephoto zoom lens?

 

[Big Mike]

How important would you say that OS or VR technology is when purchasing a lens?

I'd recommend getting lenses with OS/VR/IS, because it does help...but you have to realize that it only helps to stop blur from camera shake. It does not help to freeze the movement of your subjects, only a faster shutter speed can do that. Therefore, I'd recommend that you get a 'fast' lens (large maximum aperture).

A longer lens, like the 70-200mm can be great for many things, including kids & families...but I wouldn't count on it for shooting group shots. You'd have to be a fairly long way away from them, even at 70mm.

I'd recommend the Nikon 17-55mm F2.8, or the Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 or Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 or Nikon 24-70mm F2.8.

 

[Tinstafl]

I would look at the new 24- 120 or look used and get a 28 105 nikon. I am not sure if the 28-105 will focus on a D3100 you will need to check that but that range on a crop sensor is what you want. You go with a 70 200 and you are 1.5 times that and it is tough to get it to focus close in the house. You need a closer focusing lens. I have the 70-200 and it is my favorite but I use it on a Full Frame and it is right sized for that but at times I am still too close. I have learned that I use it outside or in a large room only. Otherwise I use my 24-70 and I have a Sigma for that. I think if I had to to do over Iwould go with Nikon for the lens but only since the filter size is different.

 

[Tinstafl]

Also you will want to avoid flashes for newborns so you might want faster glass.

 

[flea77]

I originally thought I wanted a prime lens. But then I think about following around my toddlers and how much I use my zoom now. I just dont know if I could live without it.

What about the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX APO Macro HSM telephoto zoom lens?

That lens would probably be better than the first one you talked about but it has some of the same trade offs. Of course every lens is a trade off. With this one you gain distance and zoom but sacrifice some selective focus capability and add some weight. You might be better off with a 24-70 2.8 than a 70-200 2.8 for portraits if you are working at all indoors. With primes, you typically gain a faster lens, lighter lens, better selective focus, and in many cases, sharper lens, but you give up zoom (which means I have to actually step forward or backward to change composition instead of twisting a ring on the lens). You just have to figure out what the most important qualities are for you, then go from there.

Allan

 

[Rebekah5280]

I'm so glad I asked. I will be doing more research on the 24-70 2.8. Thank you all so much!

 

[DiskoJoe]

24-70 f2.8 is a good way to go. a 50mm or 85mm f1.4 would be good for portraits too. I find the additional shutter speed is very handy when working wioth children in indoor situations. you can get a nice rokinon 85mmf1.4 for less than $300 but its only manual focus. AF new will set you back a bit.

 

[Rkee]

I really love my nikon 85mm 1.8 its tack sharp and wonderful photos . but if not that lens I grab my 18-200 does a pretty good job and better yet would be an 80-200 2.8 or 70-200 with the VR but a bit $ . These were taken with a d 200 and the 18-200. the kid were running through the water at the park
Natural Childern photos at the Lake Charles Civic Center waterpark - A Southern Rose Images-Rose Kee Photographer

Rkee