 Stacy A. Allen |
Lens suggestions for photographing young children Hello! I am interested in getting a good lens to use with my Nikon D50 that will allow me to take some great shots of my new baby. I have been told a macro lens might be best, so that way I can capture the cute baby feet while using depth of field to blur the background. I would like some recommendations as to if I should get a lens that is set at a specific range, or get a lens that covers a wide range. Suggestions on manufacturer would be greatly appreciated as well!
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Alan N. Marcus |
Hi Stacy, Your Nikon D50 is packed with features. Likely the kit lens provided will serve all your needs for a long time. My advise, unless you have deep pockets, stick to the kit lens for now. It will photograph you kid’s feet and you can even zoom in on just the toenails, you don’t need to buy anything extra. As to photographing kid’s feet: The kit lens provided will perform this task nicely. You need not purchase a macro. What is a micro anyway? Originally the term macro applied to lenses designed for photomicrography. Today the term is loosely used for close-up photography. Your D50 already has a close-up mode that could be called a macro mode. This mode negates the need to purchase a macro lens. Don’t get me wrong, a macro lens is a thing of beauty, every serious photographer should have one if close-up work is their forte. All lenses have imaging defects. The defects generally go un-perceived on a computer screen views or even when viewing paper prints 8 x 10 inch size or smaller. Defects materialize when making big over mantel prints and posters. A general purpose lens is corrected for distant vistas. Defects creep in when taking close-ups. A macro is corrected for close-ups; defects creep in when taking distant scenes. Alan Marcus (truly marginal technical gobbledygook)
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Debby A. Tabb |
Heres whats in my Camera bag: I find it best to work with my 200mm ** More on Studio Photography and childrens Portraiture in the 1-23 threads: http://www.betterphoto.com/forms/QnAdetail.php?threadID=17534
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Alan N. Marcus |
When teaching which focal length is best, the road is not easy. A late good friend and accomplished scenic photographer recently told me the he didn’t care much for the rules regarding focal length choice; instead his credence was on his own sense of composition and perspective. I believe that to be the true and the correct approach. All we can do is lay down some of the principles and let the artist follow his/her heart because this business is mostly art and in art there is no norm.. Let’s talk portrait. This art deals with reproducing the human face. Now when you get right down to it, the differences between one human and another is trivial. We all have a nose and eyes and ears the like. One thing I can tell you; is when making a portrait, you can easily go astray. Too short a lens and you will naturally work in too close. Working too close will result in reproducing the nose too big and the ears too small. You client may not recognize the subtle distortion but they often say “I don’t photograph well” or “the camera sure lies”. If your lens is too long your subject-to-camera distance will be extended. The results are a flatting of the face whereby the nose and ears are rendered compressed i.e. the face seems fattened. What is the correct focal length? It is a value based on viewing distance and we can calculate it and suggest a lens that centers up on this value. Generally viewing distance will be a function of print size. It is generally accepted that a good place to start for a portrait lens is one that is about 2.5 times the diagonal measure of the film or chip. Hollywood uses 3 times for close-up. We know that if a print, or computer screen or projected image is viewed at a distance equal to the taking focal length we will not have any apparent distortion, none at all. No one views at these short distances however: Lets talk about a 35mm full frame using a 105mm portrait lens. 105mm = about 4 inches. Consider a 4 x 5 print, to make from a 35mm frame, we must enlarge (magnify) 5x. If taken with a 4 inch lens, the viewing distance is 4 x 5 = 20 inches. About right for a 4 x 5. Consider 8 x 10. We must enlarge the 35mm frame 9x. Now 9 x 4 = 36 inches. Consider a 16 x 20. We must enlarge the 35mm frame 18x. Now the viewing distance is 18 x 4 = 72 inches or 6 feet. Most 16 x 20’s are on the wall or over the mantel etc. I know this seems like bull but maybe just maybe there is some truth to this? A smaller digital with a 1.5 crop factor follows the same scheme. To make an 8 x 10 from the smaller imaging chip we must magnify 11x. Thus using a 70mm lens which is 2.75 inches x 11 = 30 inches viewing distance. These are the facts! Use or discard at your pleasure. Alan Marcus (off the wall marginal technical gobbledygook)
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Debby A. Tabb |
Well, I have been a Portrait Photographer for many years and thie is what I use. As seen in my Gallery. And I hope this helps, Debby
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Samuel Smith |
still being offended.i don't think that was the intent debby.technical not capture.the actual difference is what? argumentative? new members don't pose these questions,c'mon slick.to pose a question about dof and lens selection..still the being vague? you tout selective aperture for selective focus,and then ask for lens selection?ooops.
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Pete H |
Hello all, "...he didn’t care much for the rules regarding focal length choice; instead his credence was on his own sense of composition and perspective." Alan, this is probably the very best advice I've seen and should apply to many if not ALL photographers. This lens, that lens, this DOF, that shutter speed, this color correction blah..blah..blah. Too many photogs try to emulate or worse, copy the work of others; and of course we MUST have the same equip they have. Hey; do your own thing! Photography is so much more about art than it is about science..so much more subjective than it is objective. I've probably quoted this favorite analogy of mine a million times, but in case you missed it Stacy: I love golf. I'm above average in the game. Use what you have for now. Understand what you have. Experiment and shoot like crazy.
Pete
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Alan N. Marcus |
Behind the great photographers are the not-so-great photo scientist and engineers. They design and make the films, papers, lenses, cameras, flash equipment, light meters, developing chemicals and machines, imaging chips, software, and hardware. This profession extends into cinematography, medical imaging, satellite reconnaissance, space probe imaging, periscope, and microphotograph, even CSI, wherever pictures add meaning. Did you know that chips are made photographically? The portrait lens was the brainchild of Charles Chevalier who made one for Daguerre and in 1840, a doublet f/4.9. Next year, Josef Petzval of the University of Vienna produced the Voigtlander Portrait lens f/3.6. The Petzval design rates as the greatest achievement in the history of the photographic lens. Now I want you to known that these guy’s and most of the men and women in this field take snapshots, give lectures, teach, make slide and PowerPoint graphics. The images they make are just middling, few if ever win prizes for composition or beauty. However you benefit everyday because the goods they make are clever, bright and shiny highly functional. Happy holidays to all
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Debby A. Tabb |
Happy holidays Sam! No, not offended at all. Just stating that this is what I'm using and that the results are in gallery. I would like others to know they don't have to run out and hock the farm for "The Best" ! ( the best changes monthly and depending who you talk to) I have been using the same Camera and Lens for years, with wonderful results. and make a great living doing so. And Portraits I have taken( with the now $400.00 or so) Fuji S2 have been published in a few Nathional Magizines,ect. So, really you don't have to run out and have the newest on the market. I hope this helps, Debby
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Samuel Smith |
so that one lens ,lets exclude who's behind it won't give the greatest photos?geez,well wait debby this lens controls the lighting?it poses??has a fixed range? happy holidays,sam
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Stacy A. Allen |
Thank you everyone for all of your feedback, it is greatly appreciated!
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