What is the Best Lens for Child Photography

What is the Best Lens for Child Photography?

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Want to know which lens works best when photographing kids?
In this post, we will offer a few pointers for you to consider.

Before committing to an upgrade, however, it’s understandable to wonder what the benefits of doing so are.

The camera and the lens act as one. They work in tandem to bring concentrated light to the detector. Each type of lens has a unique construction and function.

So, before you go shopping for one that’s good for taking pictures of kids, figure out which kind is best for the situation.

What is The Best Lens for Child Photography?

1. Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Canon SLR Camera

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This is one of the most powerful lenses we’d recommend for photographing children. It’s especially good for close-up photography.

With this lense, pictures retain their sharpness even when you get close to the subject, thanks to the optical stabilizer. Meanwhile, the correction for all levels of aberration is astounding. That is something that can be attributed to the SLD lens.

Another way it handles aberration is by employing a floating focusing mechanism. This results in exceptional optical performance. Overall, you’d be pleased with the outcome.

Regardless of the shooting conditions, they show a good amount of detail with minimal ghosting. This device also includes an HSM, which improves AF performance.

Furthermore, a group of 9 blades work together to create an enticing blur around the areas that are not in focus. There’s no need to get close to the target with this lens. You can stand far enough away to allow the lens to do the focusing.

The operating system is also exceptional, but it should be noted that this ability deteriorates as the distance is reduced. Another advantage of this lens is its quiet operation, which is made possible by the hypersonic motor. It not only makes little noise, but it is also extremely fast.

2. Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

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This Canon lens will satisfy your desire for a lens that captures breathtaking blur of background. Another reason to buy this compact tele lens is its delineation. It produces detailed images at a variety of apertures.

Lenses in this focal length range are expected to deliver outstanding performance. Although they are excellent choices for portraiture, using a lens with an 85mm focal length can be challenging in terms of maintaining a safe distance from the subject.

You can, however, practice a lot to learn how to use it. Aside from that, portraits are the lens’ strong suit because the wide aperture reduces distracting backgrounds. You’ll notice noticeable changes in sharpness around the corners and center area as you switch between apertures.

For example, the f/2.8-f/16 aperture range produces dramatic center sharpness, whereas the f/22 aperture produces slightly blurry center sharpness. Another factor that contributes to its appeal is its reasonable price. Even those who aren’t professional photographers will find it challenging.

Because of the narrow aperture, this product is lightweight, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 has been the lens of choice for photographers and filmmakers for nearly three decades.

They adore its precise optical path and super spectra coatings, which provide excellent light transmission with minimal flare. Furthermore, the ultrasonic AF system is solid and responsive.

3. NIKON NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S

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This is the third lens released for the brand’s Z mirrorless camera line. When compared to similar products, its price is about average; it’s not the most expensive option, but it’s also not the cheapest.

This lense has a focal length of 50 mm and a field of view that exceeds 47 degrees. In terms of aperture, the range is from f/1.8 to f/16. It also has two aspherical elements, a total of nine diaphragm blades, and several types of coatings.

While some of the specifications stand out in comparison to other options, they are not absolute indicators of superior quality.

Fortunately for the lens, the breadth of features comes with enhancements. Despite the fact that plastic makes up the majority of the body, it is lightweight. It has a single switch and a ring for focusing.

Then there are the extra-firm metal parts that give the equipment a premium hand-feel. Another advantage of this lens is its 62mm filter size, which is shared by the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S.

This model has only one switch for adjusting manual and auto focus. And, while there is no built-in VR, it does support the Z-series IBIS for handling at high shutter speeds.

4. NIKON NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

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Nikon’s lenses are great, and this one is no exception. To begin with, it has incredible resolution and can perform 1:1 magnification.

This unit’s stabilization technology is also extremely effective. Meanwhile, the build quality is miles ahead because it can withstand dust and splashes.

Another advantage is that it has an integrated display right on its body. This lens is made up of 16 elements organized into 11 groups. There’s another one that works as an asphere, which helps fix spherical aberration. It has a lower focusing threshold of 29 cm and a magnification of 1:1, implying that it can reproduce an object at maximum size on the camera’s sensor.

Aside from the aforementioned features, this lens has 9 blades in its diaphragm, a unique configuration that is responsible for the lens’s prepossessing blur in out-of-focus areas.

As was mentioned before, this lens’s excellent stabilization can be traced back to the 4.5 stops of advanced VR it provides. This feature works perfectly in situations with difficult exposure.

Another way this product pampers its users is by including an OLED panel on which you can monitor parameters such as focusing distance, aperture, and DOF.

5. Sony FE 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master Full Frame

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Sharing the space with other GM lens series, it makes sense to set the bar high for this one. But let us see how well it meets our expectations.

To begin with, this lense is built to withstand moisture, dust, and adverse weather conditions. This lens is reasonably priced at $499.99. It’s also relatively light, measuring 5.4 x 3.5 inches.

Because the 24-70mm range is the norm in photography, this is an excellent choice for the average photographer. It’s adaptable for shooting in tight quarters and dependable for landscape photography.

The exterior of this lens, like many others, is predominantly black. It has a polycarbonate barrel with a rubber touch in the zoom ring. Overall, the design resembles a telescoping lens. To keep it in place while in use, set the length to 24mm.

The lense has one autofocus button on its body, which overrides any focus settings on the camera with which it is paired. There is also a dedicated switch for switching from automatic to manual or vice versa. In terms of close-up shots, it can be brought up to 15 inches away from the sensor.

Because of the short distance, the effective reproduction ratio is 1:4.2.

Is the image’s quality good?

Yes, when we tested with the Alpha 7R II, the results are stunning, particularly at f/4 and smaller apertures.

6. Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm F1.8 Lens

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The Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm f/1.8 appears to be well-made and was put together with strict attention to detail. But keep in mind that the small and light lens, which looks like high-quality metal, is actually made of plastic parts attached to a metal mount.

Movie buffs will love the Zuiko lens’ fast and silent Movie-Still-Compatible (MSC) AF for focusing. Since there is no direct mechanical contact between the lens and the user during manual focusing, the effective focus response is a bit rougher than it would be with a traditional lens. 

Bokeh is a hallmark of this lens, with excellent quality. The transition from in-focus to out-of-focus is rather seamless, and out-of-focus highlights are portrayed with a high degree of consistency. There is a lot of bokeh fringing (colored halos in the focus transition areas). open but not unsettlingly so.

The Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm f/1.8 is a lens that many photographers covet. In spite of considerable softening at the edges, the resolution in the critical center is already excellent at the maximum aperture setting. When stopped down to f/4, image quality is uniformly excellent throughout the frame.

This lens is available in both a silver and a black finish. It’s a fantastic choice in the micro-four-thirds system and works wonderfully for shooting kids. 

Picking The Best Lens for Toddler Photography

1. The type of lens

Lenses come in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are macro, telephoto, prime, and other lenses available. Each has its own characteristics, so decide what you want to photograph before you go shopping.

A prime lens is ideal for a child’s photoshoot because it typically produces crisp images. Not only that, but it’s also known for producing exceptional detail in close-up shots.

2. The focal length

The focal length describes how sharply a system converges or diverges from incoming light. It determines how much of a scene can be accommodated in the frame.

Focal lengths are measured in millimeters (mm), with smaller numbers indicating wider angles of view and larger numbers indicating the exact opposite.

Comparing photos taken at various focal lengths will give you an idea of the level of magnification provided by each.

3. Aperture

You can’t ignore this aspect because it’s one of the most fundamental aspects of photography, especially when the lens is for taking portraits of your child.

Please make sure that the aperture range you choose gives you the effect you want, since not all apertures have a shallow depth of field or blur the background in a cool way.

To put it into perspective, some variants tend to maximize the focus area. Take this into consideration and see if it can produce flattering portraits.

4. Image stabilization

When you want to capture footage that is virtually free of motion blur, you need a lens with capable image stabilization. It improves image sharpness at various shutter speeds.

Lens stabilization is not the same as in-camera stabilization, but the former has some advantages, such as the ability to compensate for poor lighting conditions.

What shutter speed should I use for toddlers?

Toddlers are so active that it’s difficult to tell them to sit still or to get into position before taking their picture.

If you have an active child who can’t sit still, the best way to freeze their moments is to use a higher shutter speed on the camera, which greatly reduces blur.

Because of the fast action, they have become a popular choice for sports photography.

Can you use a 50mm lens for family portraits?

It all depends on the size of your family. This lens should suffice for your immediate family because this family unit only consists of parents, siblings, a spouse, and children.

If it extends beyond the nuclear family, the lens will most likely be unable to fit everyone in the frame unless they are within striking distance.

Overall, the size of your family will determine whether or not this model will suffice.

What is the best lens for shooting family portraits?

A 50mm lens can be your primary choice, or an 85mm lens can be used as a backup. These lenses will fit your children as well as the rest of your family.

In addition to these, photographers sometimes use 16-35mm lenses to capture family gatherings and weddings.

Wrap Up: In Search of Good Lenses for Babies and Kids

For this post, we have done thorough research using a variety of sources and tried out the products, taking pictures of children so you don’t have to.

After reading this, you should have a better idea of what lenses work best when photographing kids. 

Choosing a lens shouldn’t be tricky as long as you know its purpose, since each model is comprised of different elements which ultimately affect its performance. There are telephoto, macro, fisheye, etc.

For portraiture, it’s not only the type that matters but the focal length, aperture, and magnification all contribute to the quality of the captured images. Hence, read the specs carefully and learn how they will benefit your photography as a whole.

Disclaimer: The information in our articles should be considered for general informational purposes only. If you need expert advice for a particular question, you should seek the help of a licensed or qualified professional. Any action you take based on the information on this website is strictly at your own risk. Modernkidsphoto.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in other various affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links, without any additional cost to you.

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