So – since we’re going to be having kids and all soon, I started to think about wanting to get a really good new lens for our Canon Digital Rebel XTi. I had been really impressed with some belly shots & baby photos from my cousin and her husband, and so I checked with them and he wholeheartedly recommended a Canon 50mm prime lens. So last week I got a Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
I’ve just had a few days to play around with it, but you can see from these photos and these that I’m already having a ton of fun with it. As far as close-ups and portraits are concerned, this is supposed to be an amazing lens. All of these photos that I just linked to were taken by basically just snapping the new lens on, and shooting in aperture priority (AV) mode on our camera. But it’s been quite a few years since I’ve done any real SLR photography, and so I’d love some tips about shooting with a 50mm f/1.4 lens if you have any experience with it.
- What is your favorite setting to have our your camera with this lens?
- What have you found has worked really well? What hasn’t worked well?
- And any tips on shooting cute baby photos – of course I’m open to hearing about that as well!
Adam, Awesome pictures. I got my wife a Canon Rebel 2Ti about a month ago and she loves it. Last week she got the 50mm f1.8 lens that’s $100. She’d like to get into senior and wedding photography part time, and we decided to wait on the f1.4 until she’s made a little money from her photography.
The fixed distance lens will be fun with the babies because you’ll have to move around a lot; no just zooming in. The side benefit is that you’ll be able to lose some of that pregnancy weight a little faster. Your blurred backgrounds are going to come out just gorgeous!
My sister does photography–lots of babies. I’ll see if she has any tips or websites she recommends.
Peace,
Scott Ellis
On a modern digital SLR the other amazing thing about this lens is that it can practically see in the dark. So many places where you won’t have to turn on the flash, and as a result get a much better picture.
You kind of have to roll around on the ground with the kid to take good baby pictures, but that ends up being fun in itself.
Michael – I’ve played around with this a little bit but haven’t been able to get a lot of really great shots this way. Would you recommend using a tripod?
What settings would you use for taking shots in really dark areas?
Hey Adam,
Here are some photos my wife took of her niece with a 50mm F1.8 lens.
http://erikaellisphotography.blogspot.com/2010/09/baby-sister.html?spref=fb
Those are some amazing shots! I’m totally excited to be able to get some really fun shots with my kids! :)
I’ve had my Canon EOS 50D for just over a year, recently heard from a source about the prime lens for portraits, after some research on line, purchased a EF 50 mm f1.4 USM lens, received it yesterday, anxious to get started, I have similiar questions as your other viewers.
1. What is your favorite setting to have our your camera with this lens?
2. What have you found has worked really well and reliable for you? What hasn’t worked well?
3. I’m interested in wedding photography, any tips regarding indoor or outdoor shots?
4. Are you open to other questions?
thanks in advance
Roy