Originally posted by MSM @sewebster: Congrats on the upcoming newborn! Kids are great... I opted for two
I think a nice bid window is in order along with the occasional diffused flash. The problem with a faster lens is that you really aren't going to make many good portraits with an f<2.8 as the DOF becomes too small. Using a wider lens such as a 28/31 or wider will become an issue. The newborn will be so small in the VF that you will in more than likely move in closer. This will create some unflattering shots and decrease the DOF further.
Yeah, I've had some of these thoughts as well. I tend to use the FA50 inside at f/2.8 most of the time so that I actually end up with sharp shots. Probably most of this is due to the extra DOF helping me not miss focus rather than extra stopped down sharpness.
I also wondered a bit about up close distortion on the 28 mm. But maybe 28 for wide and the 50 for the tighter shots is a decent combo.
I do shoot a lot of landscapes outdoors though so the FA31 is tempting for that too. I think it is likely among the best in terms of infinity sharpness.
Just looked up the price of the k5 again and that won't be happening. I could get a kR but losing the weather sealing seems like a step backwards from the k200d (despite not having any WR lenses right now).
Probably this is another case of it being a good idea to play around more with what I've already got before dropping a chunk of cash. I'm also thinking that going more tele is probably smarter than getting the FA31 because I already have that range covered a bunch of times with the 28 and the 16-45. A 77 or maybe the DFA100WR might be a more logical next lens (the latter not having much to do with babies though).