Please help me choose a camera for portraits of kids with 85mm lens

Hello! I don't have a DSLR at the moment. I used to have a 40D until it died on me last year. I liked the camera, with the exception of the low ISO capabilities.

Anyway, I am looking to get a camera in the next 6 months or so. I mainly use my Canon 85mm for portraits of my kids. I don't really care much for anything other than portraits, really. I use my cell phone for daily stuff and my little G15 for travel. I love what I can get out of the 85mm, though I do have to stand further back than I'd prefer to get the shot I want.

Here's a couple examples of the pics I take of my kids, to give you an idea of what I like:

If all you plan to shoot is portraits I think you'd be much better off with the 6D. 85mm on a crop puts you so far away for full body portraits, and you'll get thinner DOF and less distance to subject with a FF sensor. I have and love the 80D and don't plan to move to full frame anytime soon, but for your shooting the 6D would be the best option. Plus the 6D is on sale through Canon Refurbished for the 4th of July, ending 7/8.

-Joe

My first dSLR was the 40D (and I still have it) so I feel your pain about the low light issue. From there I got into the 7D and that was a fantastic step up but it was still a crop sensor. I needed a full frame and invested in the 6D. Performance-wise the two run close (with the 6D hedging a bit better if you discount the sensor size). For events I'll use my 24-70mm on the 6D and my 70-200mm on the 7D (for reach) and switch back and forth as needed.

If you have the spending cash I'd say go with the 6D or even a 5D. If you want to save some money you can find the 7D used at a great deal. Functionality alone (over the 40D) will impress you. The ergonomics are great and the added function buttons make shooting so much easier.

I moved from a 40D to a 6D two years ago. You will definitely notice the difference in focal length. You will be able to be much closer to your subject while getting the same amount in the photo.

Remember, when moving from crop to full frame, the effect the "look" of the aperture has for depth of field changes by about one stop. This means that when you use the widest aperture setting, the background will look even more blurred out with the 6D than it did with the 40D. (Generally, this is a positive thing that people want for portraits.) ---ex. F4 on a full frame sensor will look similar depth of field wise to F2.8 on a crop sensor.

The ONLY thing I like less about the 6D than my old 40D is that the 6D doesn't have the joystick thing for changing focus points (you use the circle pad buttons to change instead). I don't know if the 80D has it or not. I've gotten used to it though and am quite fast at it now, and all the other improvements of the 6D over the 40D make me love the 6D!

I am currently using a 6D and an 80D. For your stated goals, the 6D would be my preferred body.

The 80D does not have the AF joystick.

-Joe

According to your feedback, I see the the 6D is a smart choice for what I am after. Anybody have ideas about pricing for this camera, since the new version will be out soon? Will it hold steady until it goes out of stock or do you think once the new one is out, there will be a price drop?

Heya,

Go with the cheapest full frame you can; you clearly like close proximity and shallow depth of field if this is what you're liking. You already have the lens. So you're set.

I would take a 6D over an 80D for portrait all day, every day.

A used 6D will run some where around $800ish maybe on a good day. Don't expect it's price to drop much. Your best bet will be on the used market. A 5D2 could be had around $700ish, but it's not worth it, the 6D is better for this. You could also just get a used 5D classic (MK I) for around $300ish, which will also produce really great portraits like you're doing. Really great value there for portrait. Further alt, move to Sony with an EF adapter, like a used A7 or A7S, again with an EF adapter so you can keep using your lens with AF and IBIS (body imaging stabilization).

From there, add a speedlite with ETTL&HSS and you're set.

Very best,

FF camera and 50mm

You dont need an 85 for kids.

6D + 50 stm.

The smaller the kid, the tougher the working distance, so dont get something too long.

marmatt1218 wrote in post #18395475
According to your feedback, I see the the 6D is a smart choice for what I am after. Anybody have ideas about pricing for this camera, since the new version will be out soon? Will it hold steady until it goes out of stock or do you think once the new one is out, there will be a price drop?

I don't see Canon dropping the price of the 6Dc. It is already $500 below the 6D2. The 6D2 won't affect the 6D used market too much. Happy 6D users have been happily getting by w/o the 6D2's trinkets for 3 or 4 years.

Charlie wrote in post #18395484
FF camera and 50mm

You dont need an 85 for kids.

6D + 50 stm.

The smaller the kid, the tougher the working distance, so dont get something too long.

Says the guy with neither (gear, not kids). I find that more than a tad curious. The 50 STM, while a sharp lens, neither focuses all that quickly, nor works a ton better than the 50II in crappy or low light. While the 50 will allow the OP to get closer to the kids, I can use a 135L indoors for tight(er) head and shoulders shots.

These are full frame, indoors, 135L. I'd consider a 50mm on full frame way too short for this kind of stuff. You'd have to be in their faces with an 85mm lens.

Bassat wrote in post #18395513
Says the guy with neither (gear, not kids). I find that more than a tad curious. The 50 STM, while a sharp lens, neither focuses all that quickly, nor works a ton better than the 50II in crappy or low light. While the 50 will allow the OP to get closer to the kids, I can use a 135L indoors for tight(er) head and shoulders shots.

These are full frame, indoors, 135L. I'd consider a 50mm on full frame way to short for this kind of stuff. You'd have to be in their faces with an 85mm lens.

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kids are an exception to the rules, especially small kids. Older kids like 5+ 85mm is fine, but the younger ones have a mind of their own, you just capture what you can.

even large aperture 35 is ok

35/50 attached

17mm on a full frame.

There are no rules.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Veki​NZ

MalVeauX wrote in post #18395563
17mm on a full frame.

There are no rules.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Veki​NZ IMG_6124 by Martin Wise, on Flickr

Very best,

If I shoot 17mm that close with my wife in frame, I'de get an earful

generally speaking, with smaller kids, there are no rules. If you want bokeh, 135 can certainly do it, works great for adults too, but it can be tough having a little distance with kids

I already have the 85mm lens, but thanks for the thoughts about other focal lengths.

I appreciate your feedback, everyone. Thank you!