Best lens for photographing babies/young children?

[SmileyShazza]

Any recommendations on lenses which are good for photographing babies and young children? A couple of friends have got kids ranging from 2mths to 2years old and I'd like an idea on what lens would give the best results with my Canon 40d.

 

[c_robinson]

i'm shooting a frinds baby some time next week and will be using my 70-200 2.8 and 17-55 2.8 on a 20d

 

[mastertrinity]

around the 85-100mm focal length would be safe as having a camera pointed in right in their face would probably p*ss them babies off.

 

[lawrenceots]

you can't go wrong with 50 1.8. Cheap but great quzlity

 

[AliB]

Indoors or outdoors?

If it's outdoors you can get away with smaller apertures and longer lenses help to flatten the perspective.

If you are indoors, I'd say nifty too for it's low light abilities.

 

[chewyuk]

Another edorsement for the 50mm, 1.8, 1.4 or 1.2

 

[maarten.dhaese]

It depends on your budget really. If it's under £100, the only but good choice is the Canon 50 1.8 II. Build quality is not great, but image quality is good.

A bit further up the scale you can consider the Canon 50 1.4, but also the Sigma 30 1.4 and the Sigma 50 1.4. The Sigma 30 and 50 have better image quality than the Canon lenses in my experience.

If you want a longer focal length the Canon 80 1.8 is reputedly excellent and probably better than the Canon 50 1.8 and 50 1.4.

I have personally used the Canon 50 1.8, the Canon 50 1.4, the Sigma 30 1.4 and the Sigma 50 1.4. Allegedly, the Sigma 50 1.4 has the same design as the Sigma 30 1.4, but the 30 is for crop cameras and the 50 for full-frame cameras.

 

[psenior1]

On FF sensor I mostly use the 50-70mm portion of a 24-70mm. Depending on how much space you've got a 50mm would be a good place to start on a crop sensor, if its limited then something 30mm ish would be worth a look too...

 

[henryf4]

Definitely recommend the 50mm f1.4, the bokeh, details and quality are just so amazing.

 

[Carl911]

I recently done a session of photos of my sisters daughter and use a combination of the Canon 50mm f1/8 and my 85mm f/1.8.
The latter allows you a little more distance and probably my favourite of the two now.

Carl

 

[SmileyShazza]

Thanks for all the responses so far. I think mostly I'd be indoors shooting at the parents home but may be able to go outside depending on the weather. I already have a Canon 50mm 1.8 II in my kit so could try that, was considering hiring an additional lens to try out before I think about buying a new one. I hired a 50mm 1.4 and liked it. Maybe I could try something different this time.