Zoom lens recommendations for newborn and toddler photos

[emilykate3]

Hi! I am brand new to photography and have a canon rebel eos t7. I want to take photos of my newborn and toddler and have been using the nifty fifty. I struggle to take pictures with that lense as I can’t zoom in and out. Any other suggestions on lenses or how to maximize nifty fifty?

[March411]

emily, that is also a good lens but as you mentioned, especially when zoomed the background blur (Bokeh effect) will be difficult to achieve but not entirely impossible.

When I offer an opinion on a lens I will normally go with a lens that offers a constant aperture, especially with someone new to photography. It takes some of the uncertainty out of setting your shutter speed and ISO with the aperture being a moving target as you zoom. It also allows you to get those beautiful bohek's and shoot in low light without a flash. Full frame lenses also tend to hold their value better so owning or investing in a full-frame lens can help you scale up your kit without having to replace costly items. They also work exceptionally well on the Canon R bodies with the Canon adapter.

They do cost more which is a challenge. Just keep in in mind your sliding aperture if/when shooting in manual. This may help, it is the aperture max by focal length for the  EF-S 18-135 IS USM.

• 18-21mm = f/3.5
• 22-30mm = f/4.0
• 31-40mm = f/4.5
• 41-63mm = f/5.0
• 64-135mm = f/5.6

Enjoy the new lens and capturing those memorable images of the little ones.

[Ron888]

Ah ok, you need background blur too? The nifty fifty is great at that but as you say,you need a zoom.
There are two ways to get a blurry backgound with lenses: Large aperture lens and/or use long focal lengths.Large aperture zooms may be more expense than you want so going with a longer focal length may be your only option..?
Did you say you've already bought the 18-135? If so try using it at the longer end while set at its largest aperture.Does that give enough blur?
And as you mention it,no dont worry about buying a new camera.It will make no difference for the look you're trying to achieve,which is all about lenses and technique.
Cheers,Ron

[Ron888]

You're getting into photography at a great time😃.Getting great shots of the kids now is something you'll appreciate later. (and if i may joke,they're also handy for embarrassing them as teenagers😂).
The others have given good advice.The only thing i can add is try to choose a lens with quick focus for action shots.This wont make a huge difference on that camera but will increase your keeper rate for certain scenarios ,like when your toddler is running towards you.

Have you learned much about lighting yet? I ask because that's the most surprising thing i learned photographing my son.Young kid's skin responds particularly well to soft lighting.For the brief time i did it,i got my best results with a big studio softbox but soft natural window light (as one example) can be great too. If this interests you there's a ton of info online.Perhaps on this site too.
All the best, Ron

[ebiggs1]

emilykate3 you have found out why I never recommend anyone buy a 50mm lens as a only lens or a first lens. You have found out the 50mm isn't as "nifty" as a lot of folks try to make you think. 50mm is a difficult focal length to live with. And a zoom of any kind is more friendly than the nifty-fifty.

Take Trevor's advice, "1. The EF-S 18-135 IS USM  is an excellent optic and will offer you great flexibility,..." or simply use the kit lens that should have come with your camera the EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens.

[deebatman316]

Close Ernie but that camera ships out with an older non STM variant of the lens. That lens is the EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 IS II lens. If the op doesn’t have any variant of the lens. I would suggest the EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 IS STM, EF-S 18-55mm F/4-5.6 IS STM or EF-S 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM. 

[ebiggs1]

We have no idea what lens the OP may have I simply offered a current variant I believe is still available.

[ebiggs1]

"I went with the lense mentioned above (18-135) but the issue is that I am looking for a more blurry background and that one seems to not have the lowest apperture. ... I have thought about upgrading my camera but I just started taking photos ..."

emilykate3 first off stop. Yes stop! Don't buy anything thinking that a new lens or a new camera will fix everything. I can almost guarantee you it won't. Knowing how to use what you have and finding out what limitations it puts on you is paramount.

Let's get some good shots under your belt first. Perhaps not the great shots you seek but some good ones. First go to the Canon web site and d/l DPP4 which is Canon's post editor. It is free. Set your camera to record raw files instead of jpgs. This is the start and is how all great photos are made. For now let's use fixed settings so we have a base point. Use One shot and not any AI-servo or auto focus mode. That's important. Set ISO around 800 for now. Not Auto ISO for now either. No auto anything. Set the camera to P mode. Now try some shots. How old are the kids you are trying to photograph?  Outdoors is a plus. Keep in mind if your shutter speed falls too low (indoors) you must hold the camera very steady. Good shooting technique is a must.

Take these photos and u/l to you computer using DPP4. There you can do simple exposure adjustment and color enhancements, crops, etc., whatever. You can make this as simple or as involved as you like. And as you become more familiar with DPP4 you will do some really nice things. Taking photos with the camera is only half of the job. Post editing is the other half. There are lots of simple tutorials on You Tube about DPP4. Here is the Canon USA site Canon USA DPP 4  and where I would start. 

Right now ignore any advice to buy any new gear.

EB