[sewebster]

Our first child is due in May and I'm sure I'll want to take a bunch of pictures around the house of mother and child... probably I could treat myself to a new lens if desired... so what is the best? I think I'd like a fast prime for low light indoors, and I generally like primes...

I have a k200d and:

DA 18-55 II f3.5-5.6
DA 16-45 f4

F28 f2.8
FA50 f1.4
M135 f3.5

Should I just use the FA50? Spring for a FA77? The F28 likely works for "wider" indoor type shots. Maybe I just need the k5 for high iso

[Andi Lo]

Our first child is due in May and I'm sure I'll want to take a bunch of pictures around the house of mother and child... probably I could treat myself to a new lens if desired... so what is the best? I think I'd like a fast prime for low light indoors, and I generally like primes...

I have a k200d and:

DA 18-55 II f3.5-5.6
DA 16-45 f4

F28 f2.8
FA50 f1.4
M135 f3.5

Should I just use the FA50? Spring for a FA77? The F28 likely works for "wider" indoor type shots. Maybe I just need the k5 for high iso

If the 28/2.8 + 50/1.4 combo cannot do what you want then your best bet would be K-x generation sensor like you said Newegg seems to have the DSLR sale and $580 gets you the K-r, that's a steal imho

Or you can also try the Sigma wides (28/1.8,30/1.4) if the 50mm is simply not wide enough.

[paperbag846]

the 77 is sweet but it will be tight for candids indoors.

can you swing the 31 1.8? That's the fastest indoor lens available... if the 28mm f2.8 isn't cutting it.

You will get more stops of light from the KX or the K5 with the 28 f2.8, while I would suggest that the FA 31 1.8 would be a better long term investment (but you only get a little over 1 stop advantage).

[RonHendriks1966]

For a new born, have you considdered macro?

Just joking, a good lightstrong lens is the way to go.

[hcc]

All the best for the new arrival in your family later this year. I agree with paperbag846 that the FA31mm f1.8 is an ideal lens. A fast and relatively wide lens, superb IQ.

All these qualities are important for photographing a baby:
fast = no flash
wide = you can be relatively close
superb IQ = you do not want to miss your shots of these unique moments.

Happy shooting...

[sewebster]

Guess I shouldn't be too surprised that the (almost) most expensive possible lens is the recommendation!

I recently picked up the F28 as a possible FA31 stand-in for a lot less $$$, but selling that and splurging on an FA31 might be possible. I guess I could also try out the f2.8 and see what I think. Maybe I'll start shooting with it indoors more now before the baby arrives

Thanks for the tips.

[Ash]

All depends on your budget and your lighting preference.
For baby photography, you may be surprised with what results you get with the 28 and 50 if you had a decent flash like an AF540FGZ flash or 3rd party equivalent. Bounced indoors you'll find you probably don't need a lens faster than f/2.8 and can keep shooting with the K200D, unless you want another excuse to upgrade.

[grainbelt]

I have a K200D and use the FA 50 1.4 to shoot my niece. The subject is so small for a while that the additional length really isn't a problem. What can be a problem is the autofocus accuracy, or lack thereof.

If you're looking for an excuse to make a purchase, I'd be holding out for a K-r, then using the 28 for video and the 50 for candids.

[sewebster]

All depends on your budget and your lighting preference.
For baby photography, you may be surprised with what results you get with the 28 and 50 if you had a decent flash like an AF540FGZ flash or 3rd party equivalent. Bounced indoors you'll find you probably don't need a lens faster than f/2.8 and can keep shooting with the K200D, unless you want another excuse to upgrade.

I do have a flash, so that is an option sometimes, I think it just might be a bit annoying for more random snapshots all the time. The bounced flash output (Lumopro LP160) is enough even at f/4 so speed would just be for DOF reasons in this case.

[NaClH2O]

DA 35mm F2.4. I own it and it's a great lens. I actually like it better than my FA 35mm F2.0. And you can get about 5 of them for the price of the 31mm ltd.

NaCl(it's the new poor man's 31mm ltd)H2O

[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.

[lavascript]

the best LENS for a new BABY?


A LENSBABY.

[sewebster]

@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).

[ilya80]

Spring for a FA77?

That one.

[Eagle_Friends]

I say go with the DA 40mm

Why?

1. It's compact with any Pentax body, and with all the baby stuff you'll be carrying, would you really want something big to take up space.

2. The AF is blazing fast, one of the fastest in Pentax's lineup. I would've also suggested the DA 35mm Macro except the AF is quite slow and you might miss precious moments.

3. The quality is great, all metal body and the optics is razor sharp.

I would definitely go with the DA 40mm. =]