Lens for fast and unpredictable kids indoors

Andrushka wrote in post #15076121
get a flash! (as has been mentioned)

+4 a flash
works every time

flash first.

snake0ape wrote in post #15075502
Get a flash. Bounce it off the ceiling or wall. The 17-55 is what I would use because it is the most versatile/sharp lens Canon ever made. You will appreicate the 17-55 as your kids change from indoor to outdoor and they also get faster.

I would end up just retyping this post^^

The 17-55 with the 430 EXII flash are a GREAT combo!

Just set the camera to M mode

ISO 400
Shutter 1/200
F5.6 or 8

and snap away indoors.

mike_d wrote in post #15076099
In addition to bringing more light to the equation, the flash's AF assist lights will help too.

I am pretty sure AF assist does not function in AI Servo mode. Shooting moving subjects almost requires AI Servo.

only the Flash can keep up with small children LOL

dadgummit wrote in post #15076447
I would end up just retyping this post^^
The 17-55 with the 430 EXII flash are a GREAT combo!
Just set the camera to M mode

ISO 400
Shutter 1/200
F5.6 or 8 and snap away indoors.

I think those settings will lead to some pretty dark backgrounds. At somewhere in the vicinity of 28mm, you will get plenty of DOF at f/4-f/5.6, and better background lighting at 1/60-1/100. Of course, if the kids are moving, you may pick up some motion blur also. That situation is a compromise, please season to taste.

Thank you very much for the replies

I will definately get a flash, was thinking of getting a canon 430, and start practicing with that.

Interesting suggestion of using movie mode.

I just noticed i was using AI Focus instead of AI servo.

A lot of recommendations for both the 17-55F2.8 and the 30mmF1.4.

The 17-55 seems to have a reputation for great image quality and seems a good combo with a flash and the 30mm would give me a different alternative to using my current zoom and a flash.

I'm also considering the 85F1.8, but at a later date, especially if I purchase the 17-55.

Thanks

85 1.8 with Ai Servo focus it is a great lens with the fastest focus I have used to date... the only issue is that on a non-fullframe camera it will be long for inside

For the price of the Canon 17-55, I'd get a Sigma 17-50 and the Canon 85 1.8. The Canon 85 1.8 is one of the best bang for the buck lenses in Canon's line up, especially buying them used. It's fantastic for candid portraits of kids, mostly outside or even inside if there's space. Some of the best shots I've taken of my kids are with the 85mm.

I tried a Sigma 30mm, and it just didn't do wonders for me. I found that I preferred a zoom with image stabilization (mostly for video) in that range instead.

Sounds like good advice. How does the AF of the 17-50 OS fare when tracking?

i'm pretty sure ai focus is designed for when the photographer wants nothing in focus...although i could be wrong...

DreDaze wrote in post #15076802
i'm pretty sure ai focus is designed for when the photographer wants nothing in focus...although i could be wrong...

hahahahahaha good one...

OP - just get the flash (the 430ex is great) and from there evaluate your lens need

smythie wrote in post #15076713
Sounds like good advice. How does the AF of the 17-50 OS fare when tracking?

The answers on this one will depend a lot on the body used. If I were to answer as a 7D user, I would say pretty darn good. As a Rebel XT user, meh. The new Rebel the OP has cross point AF on all 9 point and would be the only Rebel I would recommend for tracking kids indoors.

My Canon USM glass is my best when tracking: 24-105, 70-200/4, and 85/1.8. The Sigma 17-50 and 30 both are very close behind but there is a small but noticeable gap. That gap seems to have tightened after the new firmware update on my 7D. I would t believe it if I didn't see the results. The Canon 60/2.8 is also very fast focusing but it needs a focus limiter switch badly and sometimes gets lost in the macro world and hunts back and forth and will miss a lot of shots when shooting beyond the macro world. The Canon 17-55 would do better than just a Sigma 17-50 in tracking but for the same price as the 17-55 I was able to but both the Sigma 17-50 and a 580ex2.

ThierryF wrote in post #15076570
Thank you very much for the replies

I will definately get a flash, was thinking of getting a canon 430, and start practicing with that.

Interesting suggestion of using movie mode.

I just noticed i was using AI Focus instead of AI servo.

A lot of recommendations for both the 17-55F2.8 and the 30mmF1.4.

The 17-55 seems to have a reputation for great image quality and seems a good combo with a flash and the 30mm would give me a different alternative to using my current zoom and a flash.

I'm also considering the 85F1.8, but at a later date, especially if I purchase the 17-55.

Thanks

The 85 1.8 is a great lens for not too much money. It is the longest prime I use on APS-c bodies. It does suffer from some purple fringing with really high contrast shots. That is not an issue at all if you use LR4.1.

As mentioned above, AI Focus is for people who want to take OOF shots. Worthless in my opinion. If you may need AI Servo, use that setting. The worst that can happen is that you'll get multiple shots from time to time. AI Focus just slows down the entire process.

Flash for indoors. Bump ISO, lower flash output.
And.
Switch AF to * button, makes huge difference with kids at the floor or in the air.
Use only single AF point in AI Servo, if they jump around.
Watch where your kid is looking at. You will know where they are going to run next.
Any wide lens with fast AF will do for indoors. If you use all together.