I was using a point and shoot when my daughter was born and soon realised that it isn't fast enough and then got a D40 with 18-55mm kit lens which served my purpose until I wanted good bokeh (at a budget). Sold off the D40 June this year and got the D80 with 18-135mm kit plus AF 50mm 1.8D and it has been GREAT! I also got a SB600 flash and the set up is good to go. When I want nice bokeh, I slap on the 50mm and use the 18-135 particularly outdoors when she's playing in the pool. So, speaking from my own experience, I felt for the amount to get the Sigma 30mm 1.4 lens, I thought it would be better to get the D80 (D90 not out yet then in June) plus AF 50mm 1.8D. Now that the D90 is out, perhaps you could consider that instead plus you could take videos of your baby as he/she grows (which I do with my trusty Fujifilm F31fd).
Advise for Baby Phototaking
- Thread starter chew
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For good bokeh, then definitely one of the f/1.4 lenses.
However, i do like using the Macro's especially when they start running around. Kids tend to cry / walk / run towards you and if you are using something that has a long minimum focus distance, you will miss alot. Also, as they get older and bring them to classes where you can't use a flash, then a good ISO camera makes a huge difference.
Since I had my son who is now 13.5 months old, I've 'had' to move from a D200 to D300 and now D3 to capture him due to the speed at which he moves and the lighting situations that he is in.
My lastest shot of him (not posted yet) I had to take at ISO4000 to even start to capture his movement.
However, i do like using the Macro's especially when they start running around. Kids tend to cry / walk / run towards you and if you are using something that has a long minimum focus distance, you will miss alot. Also, as they get older and bring them to classes where you can't use a flash, then a good ISO camera makes a huge difference.
Since I had my son who is now 13.5 months old, I've 'had' to move from a D200 to D300 and now D3 to capture him due to the speed at which he moves and the lighting situations that he is in.
My lastest shot of him (not posted yet) I had to take at ISO4000 to even start to capture his movement.
Andrew Hoi
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Hi chew, very good choice for the above mentioned lens for your current requirement.
Versatile enough for close up shot and a bit of journalistic photography!
Not sure if this is your first child (Zachary is / was mine - first and only child that his - for now). Someone gave me this piece of advise which I think was great.
Every month on the birth day of your baby, take some 'proper' portriats. You would be amazed at how their features change and how they grow.
Every month on the birth day of your baby, take some 'proper' portriats. You would be amazed at how their features change and how they grow.
hi i started back into dslr because of the baby too.
Bought a sigma DP1 just for it, ended up really too slow
currently using the D90 with the 35mm F2. The kit lens that comes with the D90 is a little bit slow for babies.
heres some take by a newbie on d90
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/3012398156_00ef570619_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/3011565741_a883c58db9_b.jpg
thanks... indeed ... they grow so fast ....must really take 'proper' portriats...
Started 'snapping' almost other day with 'point-and-shot' camera ... family say i crazy .. haha
I took one every day for the first month. Then became some shots every month. Now still trying to keep up with the progress coz now at almost 2, he will make a dash for my cam and start pressing the buttons. :sweat:
Wow.. your equipment 'grows' with the baby.. ;p
Even better.. every other day. I think the interval can be inversely proportional to the age of the baby. When the baby is just a couple of weeks old, they grow very quickly and the features changes very quickly. That slows down as she gets older so you can shoot less frequently. ;p
I got a D700 with 105mm macro VR to take my baby girl. now waiting for the 50mm f1.4 AFS.
The advice for taking photos every week initially and subsequently every month sounds like good advice. Think my hap hazard method of taking and taking pictures is not as meaningful as a chronological order of portrait shots of my kid.
I will definitely take this approach for my second one.
I would recommend a fast slightly wide prime lens and camera that handles well with higher ISO. Switched from a D200 to a D300 and using my Nikon 35mm f2 most of the time and sometimes my 50mm f1.4.
Thanks for sharing this approach. Sometimes simple ideas/methodology are the best.
I will definitely take this approach for my second one.
I would recommend a fast slightly wide prime lens and camera that handles well with higher ISO. Switched from a D200 to a D300 and using my Nikon 35mm f2 most of the time and sometimes my 50mm f1.4.
Thanks for sharing this approach. Sometimes simple ideas/methodology are the best.
Soon they need to give out special baby bonus to the dads to buy cams & lenses for this purpose.
Then they will want to own the rights to all your baby pictures.. ;p
Be careful of the baby seat in the second picture as the baby grows older. I heard that it could topple.
Here's a shot taken with a rented D90 + 50mm
So now seriously looking at a DLSR liao ....
Eh? Where's the shot?
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