hulagurl84
Shy Member
Posts: 31 
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Post by hulagurl84 on Jun 15, 2016 1:02:44 GMT
Hi Peas. I am having a baby and would like to take some cute newborn pictures. I looked on the photo board, but it seems slow. I have only used a point and shoot. I was looking at the canon t5i, but was told the kit lense wouldn't work. What camera do you recommend and what lense do you suggest? Any blogs or books you recommend to understand how to take photos? I have until October  ? Thank you! |
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Post by snappinsami on Jun 15, 2016 1:15:45 GMT
Congratulations on expecting your new baby! How exciting! The t5i is a great camera; can't go wrong with it. Kit lenses are actually quite capable of taking amazing pictures. However, if you're going to want to take pictures inside without using a flash or in low light situations, you'll want one with a larger aperture (smaller f stop number). Kit lenses usually only go to f/5.6 You'll want something like f/2.8 or bigger inside. I personally have a Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8, and I cannot say enough good things about it. It's my go to, walk around lens, and I've used it for everything from vacations to actual portrait shots. The wide aperture will allow you to take pictures inside in just about any light without using the flash. You can get lenses with apertures as big as 1.2, but they're very expensive. I've found Tamron lenses to be every bit as good as their Canon counterparts, and they're considerably less expensive. Good bang for your buck.  Any of the Canon tXi bodies are quite capable, and will be a good entry for you into DSLR photography. What you can do is just buy a camera body (without the kit lens) and then a lens separately. That's probably what I'd suggest doing. I'm far from a professional photographer, but if you have questions, feel free to PM me and I'll be happy to try to help! |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,801
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jun 15, 2016 1:22:02 GMT
I have a T5i. LOVE my camera! I do want to get a wider angle lens with a lower f value.
We did pictures this weekend with a photographer. She was shooting with a T5i. Since we are friends, we were chatting about my photography ability. I told her that my pictures always suck. She said that the key is to get a wider angle lens and a lower f value. She was using a sigma brand lens. Not sure of the f value on it.
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Post by Merge on Jun 15, 2016 1:27:44 GMT
Congratulations!
I spent a long time trying to learn to take good pictures with a DSLR. The best I got were mediocre. It really is a skill that takes time to develop, as well as talent. I am in awe of what some of the ladies on here can do.
But at the advice of the peas earlier this year, I bought a Sony A6000, which is a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. Let me tell you, that thing takes really good pictures. Even portraits, and even in low light. And requires much less camera knowledge to do so. IMO the various scene presets are very good. Great for everyday photos.
That said, if you get a less expensive camera like the Sony, I would really encourage you to take the price difference between that and the DSLR and put it toward a session with someone who specializes in newborn photography. It is a very particular skill set, and not one you're going to pick up in four months.
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
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Post by scrapaddie on Jun 15, 2016 1:27:54 GMT
My advice is that, whatever you get, get it soon and practice now!!! You have used a point and shoot...are you ready to go all manual. There is quite a learning curve. If you aren't certain, consider a hybrids camera that allows you to point and shoot, or handle the settings yourself. The drawback is that the lens is usually not interchangeable, although there are exceptions.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 1:18:41 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2016 1:31:31 GMT
I don't recommend a dslr unless you are wanting to put in a lot of money on specialty lenses and want to learn to control the camera. My recommendation is for a Canon G16 power shot. It has the lens equivalent of a 28-140mm (which is two lenses for slr) and an aperture range of 1.8 at the wide and 2.8 at the long end. You'll spend a couple of thousand dollars to get a range equivalent in dslr lenses. It will take great indoor/low light photos without having to learn how to control everything.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 1:18:41 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2016 1:37:25 GMT
Congratulations! I spent a long time trying to learn to take good pictures with a DSLR. The best I got were mediocre. It really is a skill that takes time to develop, as well as talent. I am in awe of what some of the ladies on here can do. But at the advice of the peas earlier this year, I bought a Sony A6000, which is a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. Let me tell you, that thing takes really good pictures. Even portraits, and even in low light. And requires much less camera knowledge to do so. IMO the various scene presets are very good. That said, if you get a less expensive camera like the Sony, I would really encourage you to take the price difference between that and the DSLR and put it toward a session with someone who specializes in newborn photography. It is a very particular skill set, and not one you're going to pick up in four months.^^^^^^^^^ THIS!! I have a bachelor's in photography (using slr cameras) Newborns are one of the most difficult subjects to shoot well. It has nothing to do with the camera and everything to do with how to get them in position. If you don't know how to position them in relationship to the camera then even the most expensive camera/lens won't get the "cute" shot you want. |
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scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,307
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Post by scrappinghappy on Jun 15, 2016 1:41:00 GMT
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Post by beachbum on Jun 15, 2016 1:58:40 GMT
My suggestion is narrow your choice down to 2 or 3 and go into a store and handle all 3. See which one feels best in your hands. I had my choice down to 2, when I picked up one of them it just didn't fit right in my hands - I do have small hands and shorter fingers than most and that fact made the camera uncomfortable for me to use. When I picked up the second one it just felt right in my hands, I could reach everything I needed easily. That made the choice for me. If I had just ordered the first one online I would have been very disappointed.
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hulagurl84
Shy Member
Posts: 31
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Post by hulagurl84 on Jun 15, 2016 2:13:38 GMT
Thank you all so much!! I knew the peas would known what to do! As much as I would love professional newborn pictures, I figured a camera is a long term investment and at this point it is one of the other. There's years of pictures to take!
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Post by chaosisapony on Jun 15, 2016 2:33:24 GMT
Google and try to find some tutorials on how to take newborn photos. It is so much more involved than cameras and lenses. Newborns are HARD and you'll likely need someone to help you even if you buy all the gear.
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,276
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Post by iowgirl on Jun 15, 2016 2:39:06 GMT
I have only used a point and shoot. Ask yourself honestly if you are going to actually use the manual settings on a DSLR camera. If you know nothing about using one, there is a bit of a learning curve. It comes easy to some- not to others, but no matter what, it takes time and LOTS of practice. If you are going to want to "quick grab the camera and take a amazing picture" - I would get a great quality point & shoot and skip the DSLR. I have seen much better quality pictures of little ones taken with phone cameras over $$$$ DSLR cameras. I love my Nikon. (I would recommend that over a Canon - but you know... to each his own ) ... but I remember having little ones and all the stuff you end up hauling around with them. A small light compact GOOD camera would be my choice at this stage. |
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,675
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Jun 15, 2016 4:18:43 GMT
I have only used a point and shoot. Ask yourself honestly if you are going to actually use the manual settings on a DSLR camera. If you know nothing about using one, there is a bit of a learning curve. It comes easy to some- not to others, but no matter what, it takes time and LOTS of practice. If you are going to want to "quick grab the camera and take a amazing picture" - I would get a great quality point & shoot and skip the DSLR. I have seen much better quality pictures of little ones taken with phone cameras over $$$$ DSLR cameras. I love my Nikon. (I would recommend that over a Canon - but you know... to each his own ) ... but I remember having little ones and all the stuff you end up hauling around with them. A small light compact GOOD camera would be my choice at this stage. This My p&s has semi manual options. I took a class at the local community college in addition to reading up a lot on manual mode and my camera's manual. I got some decent shots. My brother had a DSLR that I borrowed when my DS was a baby. And I tried to do a fun little shoot just to see what I could get. Every photo was just fuzzy enough to bother me. No matter what I couldn't get a good photo compared to my p&s. I would either learn the camera you have better or get a better p&s. Congrats on the little one! |
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perumbula
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,439
Location: Idaho
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Post by perumbula on Jun 15, 2016 5:33:19 GMT
I have a T5i. LOVE my camera! I do want to get a wider angle lens with a lower f value. We did pictures this weekend with a photographer. She was shooting with a T5i. Since we are friends, we were chatting about my photography ability. I told her that my pictures always suck. She said that the key is to get a wider angle lens and a lower f value. She was using a sigma brand lens. Not sure of the f value on it. Actually, the key is to learn how to frame the image properly and understand exposure. Whether you use a wider angle lens or what the f stop is completely depends on your subject. I use a very wide angle lens, low f stop, and flash when I'm shooting house photos. I use a longer lens and no flash when I'm shooting a portrait. Today I did pictures of my dd in her new Doctor Who skirt and I used a zoom lens outdoors so the f stop didn't matter as much. I had plenty of light for whatever I wanted to do. Get a good book. Take a class. Practice. Practice some more. Take more pictures. Read more books. Practice. That's the key. And yes, hire a pro for the newborn shoot. Those are not easy and you have a very small window to get them done. |
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Post by bwife on Jun 15, 2016 5:38:06 GMT
I have a Nikon D3300 -- I hardly EVER use manual mode. it is SO easy to snap pics where ever we are in just the auto mode. Even in auto it takes damn good pics. Much better than any point and shoot I ever had. We also have a tiny cannon P & S and pics from that are ok at best. I got my 3300 and passed my Nikon 3100 to my 13 yr old. The 3300 is a little bit smaller and lighter weight than the 3100, It also has a lock on the lens so that it can not move or get damaged when you are carrying it around in a bag. This means it takes less space than other DSLR's I love that I can throw it in my bag and take it with me. I dont know what you are looking to spend on a camera, but I got my 3300 at Target of all places... It was the kit. body, 2 lenses and bag for under $500 and 5% off with my target card. it does not look like they have it that cheap right now... but if you can wait, they will. They have the camera with 1 lens for 549 right now. 3 or 4 weeks ago that was 299 and in March is was 349 ( that is what my other DS paid for his). So if you have a bit of time, keep watching the price and you might get a great deal!
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Post by disneypal on Jun 15, 2016 20:21:22 GMT
There are some great suggestions here but I will add my opinion too. First - congratulations!! I'm sure you are so ready for your little one to get here. Second - If you use a point and shoot now, I'd probably stick with that but just get a higher end one perhaps. You are going to have your hands full with a baby and a baby (after a couple of months) moves around a lot and is hard to get a good still/close up photo (so wiggly) Something like this Nikon Coolpix would be great - it is a point and shoot BUT has an incredible zoom - takes great photos (better than a smaller point and shoot) but doesn't have a big learning curve. |
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,648
Location: The Grand Canyon
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Jun 15, 2016 20:38:15 GMT
You've gotten some good advice. It takes a lot of practice and hours to learn cameras and take pictures like you see on the internet. If you are in it for the long haul, you can invest in a good camera, but I second hiring a professional for newborn photos since that window is small.
I have both a "bridge" camera (Canon Powershot G16) and a DSLR (used to have an entry level Canon, now have the dinosaur Canon 5D) - both have their pros and cons. But what I find true for any camera, what really matters is knowing how to use it, recognizing good light and composition, and for newborns it's a lot about posing/handling the baby.
And this is something that nobody really tells you when you are starting out and at first I found it a little discouraging, but post processing can be a significant portion of photography. Obviously you strive to take the best picture you can out of camera, yet post processing is still often involved. This means learning an editing program (I use both Lightroom and Photoshop) on top of learning a new camera and photography basics.
There are a ton of resources out there to learn - online classes, tutorials, etc. One book that was useful to me was "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. It's not newborn or portrait specific, but should be helpful when starting out.
Congrats on the baby!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 1:18:41 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2016 22:38:43 GMT
It's not the camera that takes great pictures but the photographer behind it. You have been given good advice. Give yourself the gift of time and learning if photography is what you want to do. I suggest joining the "Clickn Moms" forum. Those women really know how to do photography! It does cost money but it is worth every penny of the investment.
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