Which lense is good when taking pic of kids

[chuaeil]

Hi everybody,
I am a newbie and would like to know what lense is good when taking picture of kids.

Children move alot so is pretty difficult to get nice shots, any advice will be very much appreciated.

Thank you very much!
Eileen

Read more: How Many Lenses Do You Need?

[dalmorloson]

Its not so much as which lens to use as it is other factors. Are you indoors or out? Do you have off camera lighting? Too many variables to just say this lens or that is better. That being said...if you had a relatively "fast" lens you could make it work in almost any situation barring very little light. What equipment are you using now?

[chuaeil]

Originally Posted by dalmorloson

Its not so much as which lens to use as it is other factors. Are you indoors or out? Do you have off camera lighting? Too many variables to just say this lens or that is better. That being said...if you had a relatively "fast" lens you could make it work in almost any situation barring very little light. What equipment are you using now?

Hi dalmorloson,
thanks for replying. I am using Canon 550D. erm...what is off camera lighting?
I have the EF 50mm f/1.8 and the EFS 18.55 IS kit
I read a thread that some of them have lense that they said is good when taking children.

Normally children move a lot and do get the blur movement so i am thinking how to take a nice pic whlie they are still playing.
I alos read the Canonn guide book, it said set canon IS Lens to mode 2, i don't know what thats mean.
I only saw the IS which is at the lense there and so what is IS mode 2?

I don't know the lenses that i have is a fast lense or not.

Hope you can give me advice.

Thank yuo very much

[dalmorloson]

A "fast" lens is one where you can set the aperature to a small number (large opening). This allows more light into the camera and lets you use a faster shutter speed so that you can stop moving objects (such as kids lol). Your nifty fifty 1.8 is a really good lens for the money. If you are not familiar with camera settings and you want to shoot moving objects, start by shooting in Tv mode on your dial. This will allow you to set yor shutter speed to what you think is sufficient to stop movement. The camera will then choose the correct aperature and ISO for the shot. Pay attention to what the camera chooses so that you get a handle on what different seetings will do for you. Play around a little for different results.

[dalmorloson]

I alos read the Canonn guide book, it said set canon IS Lens to mode 2, i don't know what thats mean.
I only saw the IS which is at the lense there and so what is IS mode 2?

I don't know the lenses that i have is a fast lense or not.






Not sure about "modes" on the IS. IS stands for image stabilization. It can be turned on or off on the lens. IS will help with camera shake but won't do much for a moving object if the shutter speed isn't fast enough to stop it.

[chuaeil]

Originally Posted by dalmorloson

Its not so much as which lens to use as it is other factors. Are you indoors or out? Do you have off camera lighting? Too many variables to just say this lens or that is better. That being said...if you had a relatively "fast" lens you could make it work in almost any situation barring very little light. What equipment are you using now?

Originally Posted by dalmorloson

A "fast" lens is one where you can set the aperature to a small number (large opening). This allows more light into the camera and lets you use a faster shutter speed so that you can stop moving objects (such as kids lol). Your nifty fifty 1.8 is a really good lens for the money. If you are not familiar with camera settings and you want to shoot moving objects, start by shooting in Tv mode on your dial. This will allow you to set yor shutter speed to what you think is sufficient to stop movement. The camera will then choose the correct aperature and ISO for the shot. Pay attention to what the camera chooses so that you get a handle on what different seetings will do for you. Play around a little for different results.

Hihi,
I used the EFS 18-55 IS lense to try, i set the F5.0 this is the smallest i can go and Shutter speed to 1/649 and ISO Auto but i find that is dark
But with 50mm 1.8 lense is fine but i cant Zoom.

I try the AV mode that you said but with the EFS 18-55 IS lense i still get some blur motion when she jump etc

Any lense that works like the 50mm 1.8 but can zoom at the same time?

[dalmorloson]

Originally Posted by chuaeil

Hihi,
I used the EFS 18-55 IS lense to try, i set the F5.0 this is the smallest i can go and Shutter speed to 1/649 and ISO Auto but i find that is dark
But with 50mm 1.8 lense is fine but i cant Zoom.

I try the AV mode that you said but with the EFS 18-55 IS lense i still get some blur motion when she jump etc

Any lense that works like the 50mm 1.8 but can zoom at the same time?

Not Av mode...that lets you pick the aperature size...you want to pick the shutter speed (Tv) to stop the motion (1/250 or so) should stop it. Then the camera will pick the rest. If you have enough light you should be fine.

[chuaeil]

Originally Posted by dalmorloson

Not Av mode...that lets you pick the aperature size...you want to pick the shutter speed (Tv) to stop the motion (1/250 or so) should stop it. Then the camera will pick the rest. If you have enough light you should be fine.

Hi,
thank you very much. I try the (Tv) with shutter speed with 1/400 i am able to catch the movement but i think not enough light.

Is there any lense that you can recommend but not too ex which works like 1.8 but can zoom at the same time?

Another question, can you advice?
How to set Canon Is lense to mode 2, how do i do that?

Thank you very much

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by chuaeil

Is there any lense that you can recommend but not too ex which works like 1.8 but can zoom at the same time?

A f/1.8 zoom lens will be expensive if one existed. You can look into f/2.8 zooms (e.g., EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS ~$1,120).

Originally Posted by chuaeil

Another question, can you advice?
How to set Canon Is lense to mode 2, how do i do that?

Mode 2 is available on some lenses only.

[dalmorloson]

Never heard of modes on an IS lens. You can turn the IS (image stabilization) on or off. It will help with camera shake but not subject motion.

As for fast zoom lenses...now you're talking money. Besides, if you didn't have enough light with a 50mm at f/1.8 you won't have enough light with a zoom. Now you have to look into getting light on your subject...more money.