Lens for indoor photography
Discussion
I have an EOS 70D with the 18-135 STM kit lens and the only other non-telephoto I have is the nifty fifty 50mm f1.8.
Now we have a baby daughter, I find the f1.8 frustratingly slow to focus and the 18-135 requires high ISO settings indoors.
What's the fast focusing, wide aperture solution to my problem? I probably don't want to spend L money and the almost sole use of this lens is going to be for photographing my daughter as she grows up.
Canon 50mm f1.4 is a front-runner, Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 EX DC OS HSM a possibility for it's zoom capability, at the expense of a narrower aperture.
Other options considered...
Now we have a baby daughter, I find the f1.8 frustratingly slow to focus and the 18-135 requires high ISO settings indoors.
What's the fast focusing, wide aperture solution to my problem? I probably don't want to spend L money and the almost sole use of this lens is going to be for photographing my daughter as she grows up.
Canon 50mm f1.4 is a front-runner, Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 EX DC OS HSM a possibility for it's zoom capability, at the expense of a narrower aperture.
Other options considered...
GrantD5 said:
The 50 1.4 will probably be your best bang for buck.
I used to shoot at times around 1000 ISO on the 70d without too many issues..
ISO1000 and 50 1.4 should be more than enough for a few inside snaps
Thanks, that's very good to know. Seems like I have my shortlist and just need to decide on budget!I used to shoot at times around 1000 ISO on the 70d without too many issues..
ISO1000 and 50 1.4 should be more than enough for a few inside snaps
Equilibrium25 said:
singlecoil said:
Are you using flash? (Not the popup flash, I mean a bounce head flash unit)
No, I don't have a flash unit, and i disable the popup flash. https://www.amazon.co.uk/YONGNUO-YN600EX-RT-Wirele...
Equilibrium25 said:
singlecoil said:
Are you using flash? (Not the popup flash, I mean a bounce head flash unit)
No, I don't have a flash unit, and i disable the popup flash. as others have said a flash gun would be a very good investment, bounce it of a white wall/ceiling and you get great light. Learn to use it and it will pay you back.
as for lenses, I have the 1.4 50mm, but rarely use it, as I either use my favourite 24-70L (worth every penny I spent on it, most others of my Ls rarely get used these days), or fall back to my f2 100mm which is a very good lens for the money and worth a look, you also can stand back and be less obtrusive with it
as for lenses, I have the 1.4 50mm, but rarely use it, as I either use my favourite 24-70L (worth every penny I spent on it, most others of my Ls rarely get used these days), or fall back to my f2 100mm which is a very good lens for the money and worth a look, you also can stand back and be less obtrusive with it
I've got a Sigma Art 35mm 1.4 DG on my crop sensor canon (basically a 50mm equalivant). It's amazing for low light and I never use the flash with it but sometimes I find indoors in small rooms, I can't get far back enough. If you're only focusing on one person like you say, your baby daughter, then that focal length would probably be ideal.
Or the Sigma 18-35mm 1.8 suggestion also sounds very good, particularly if your paired it with a flash unit just in case. I don't think you can go much wrong with either.
Sigma also do an Art 20mm AND their new 24mm 1.4 DG lens which could be very good indeed. Gives you that slightly wider angle for smaller rooms so take your pick etc. I think I'd go for the 24mm on crop sensor.
Or the Sigma 18-35mm 1.8 suggestion also sounds very good, particularly if your paired it with a flash unit just in case. I don't think you can go much wrong with either.
Sigma also do an Art 20mm AND their new 24mm 1.4 DG lens which could be very good indeed. Gives you that slightly wider angle for smaller rooms so take your pick etc. I think I'd go for the 24mm on crop sensor.
Edited by Prohibiting on Friday 11th August 23:38
Simpo Two said:
Equilibrium25 said:
singlecoil said:
Are you using flash? (Not the popup flash, I mean a bounce head flash unit)
No, I don't have a flash unit, and i disable the popup flash. Sigma 30 mm F1.4 DC was my choice on an 80d...£359
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sigma-30mm-1-4-Lens-Canon...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sigma-30mm-1-4-Lens-Canon...
Equilibrium25 said:
DavidY said:
On a crop sensor the Sigma 18-35 F1.8 has to be one of the best bits of F1.8 glass for a Canon.
Its not cheap (new) but s/h can be had for around £425-£450
That's a cracking lens by the looks of the reviews! Cheers for highlighting it.Its not cheap (new) but s/h can be had for around £425-£450
I have the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 as well, also a cracking lens but in our house at least I found it a little unweildy as our rooms aren't terribly big so the field of view is a bit narrow. A 35mm f/1.8 or so would probably do just as well for general purpose indoor shooting but the 18-35mm range is handier than you'd think. I intend to use mine for some long-exposure night-sky shots soon, now it's getting dark earlier.
Simpo Two said:
Slight word of caution - yes a big aperture will shovel more light in, but your DOF will shrink alarmingly so accurate focus and subjects suddenly moving forwards/backwards (eg children) can be a problem.
You are absolutely right, but DOF is affected by aperture, focal length and distance to the subject. At wider angles (using the 18-35mm f/1.8 as an example) in fairly regular sized indoor environments you shouldn't find the DOF too shallow unless you're really pretty close to the subject. I tended to stop the aperture down on my 50mm for that reason but at up to 35mm it's normally not a problem unless really close.Also, AF-C for the win, when shooting kids.
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