What to get next (for DSLR) to take good pictures of baby?

[hehe]

Hi, we are expecting our 1st child in a month or so. I've got a Canon Xsi with the kit lense, the 50 F1.8 and a tripod. With a budget of $400, what should I be getting to take good baby and family pictures?

I'm thinking about getting one of the following:
- 50 F1.4 ~$380
- 85 F1.8 ~$485
- Tamron 17-50 F2.8 or Tamron 28-70 F2.8 ~$410
- or should I get a flash (Canon Speedlite 430EX II for $290)?

Please feel free to make any other recommendations. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks! I'm in Toronto by the way.

[Dr_luv]

You pretty much have all you need. Work with what you have right now and buy what you need after you hit limitations with your current setup.

[NiMSo]

Will this be for indoor use? If so, get a flash! Trust me - I've got a whole lot of lenses myself, but having an external flashgun (and knowing how to effectively bounce light, etc.) will make the biggest difference in your photos.

[hehe]

Will this be for indoor use? If so, get a flash! Trust me - I've got a whole lot of lenses myself, but having an external flashgun (and knowing how to effectively bounce light, etc.) will make the biggest difference in your photos.

That's what I'm thinking too...maybe I already have the basic setup, just need to add an external flash :)

[vincent-poon]

flash for sure, it can provide enough light for you to freeze motion and provide good colour with bounced flash.

[Blackmajik]

I agree with everyone else to get a flash. With your budget, you can score a very good flash and get a flash diffuser to soften the light as well. Use your current prime lens and you should be able to produce some really nice shots.

[bob0]

agreed. the lenses you have currently should be decent enough. i personally have the 50 1.8 and i love that lens. i find on a crop body like yours, it makes for a really good portrait lens and is quite sharp as well.

so the flash will probably be your best upgrade since you dont have one already.

congrats on the baby!

[goofball]

I guess i'm different but i'd recommend you the 35 f/2.0 or the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for additional prime lenses.

The Tamron is a nice lens as well, have used it immensely taking baby pictures.

Most definitely, an external speedlight is essential.

[urameatball]

lots of lights. LOTS!

[eelfliw]

All else being the equal, what separates a good picture from a great picture is the amount of control you exercise over how the scene is lit. Given the same pose, camera, lens etc, a well lit scene with proper shadows and highlights will accentuate the subject a lot more than either overhead lights or camera mounted flash.

If you have the money, get studio strobes. Henry's has the Opus kit on sale and Vistek has the Elinchrom kit on sale. Then, spend a few days to learn studio lighting and then practice, practice, practice.

If you can't afford studio strobes, camera manufacturer's flash plus fabric/tissues/extension cord and reflectors will do.

And if that is too expensive, get (or make) a reflector and use window light to light your subject.

Proper lighting will make bigger improvement to your photos than any of the lenses you mention. Lenses gives you different perspectives of the scene. But lighting makes up the scene. Without lights, there is no photography.

[Asad_A203]

2 Vivitar 285HV (BHPhoto for ~$300-320 after exchange, shipping, and GST) with poverty wizards (Gadget Infinity; $60 for two recievers and one transmitter after exchange), lightstands($60 from Henrys for 2 or modify an old tripod by drilling a hole and placing a 3/8 screw on it), and shoot through umbrellas and adapters ($30 for 2 from Deal Extreme).

[OliverSacks]

All else being the equal, what separates a good picture from a great picture is the amount of control you exercise over how the scene is lit.


All else being the equal, what separates a good picture from a great picture is the composition.

All else being the equal, what separates a good picture from a great picture is how you master the exposure.

All else being the equal, what separates a good picture from a great picture is the colour.

[cyder]

All else being the equal, what separates a good picture from a great picture is the composition.

All else being the equal, what separates a good picture from a great picture is how you master the exposure.

All else being the equal, what separates a good picture from a great picture is the colour.
All else being the equal, what separates a good picture from a great picture is how cute the baby is.


and if it can do handstands.

Open up the blinds and wait for a good sunny day if you want some pics that are more set up then spur of the moment