Want around-the-house lens, no flash

AntonLargiader wrote in post #11122092
If I were buying a lens tomorrow for what I've described, I don't think I'd go wrong with the Sigma.

I don't think you would be either !

DreDaze wrote in post #11121975
..my recommendation is buy a prime to start...something like the sigma 30mm f1.4...but quickly follow that with an external flash, cause you'll need it

Very nice; your photos make your points well. I don't disagree with any of it and will probably do exactly what you suggest. Still doesn't change the basic mission here, though.

Sigma 30. Indoor photography without a hotshoe flash will finally drive you to purchase one or just stop taking pictures, one or the other. You are recording memories that you will want to keep for a lifetime. Get a flash.

In me experience, when shooting indoors, fast prime with no flash is only good enough during the day hours. Once the sun goes down, it's time to put on a flash or two or three and bounce them off the ceiling if it's of a neutral color. You don't have to use the flash as the primary light source, but as a secondary light that provides only a little bit of extra light. The only time I use fast prime with no flash at night is when I want to capture a certain mood, for example my son going to sleep with only the nightstand lamp turned on; or my wife reading a book under a lamp; or sitting by a fireplace with the fire going, etc.. For these 24mm/1.4 and high ISO is great. When my son was born, the best thing to use was a macro lens so that I could get close and a bounce flash to get enough shutter speed and DOF. If you really don't want to use flash because of health concern, it's your baby after all, I would recommend you get something like 24/1.4. If you think you would use the flash, I would say get external flash and a macro lens. When your baby gets older you can get whatever other lenses you may need at that time.

I have a 4 year old and I am using both fast primes and flash for indoors shots (together with a camera that can handle high ISO). A fast prime is often enough in the daytime, but I prfer to have some control of the light; in many room, windows are only on one side and light may therefore cast shadows depending on the position of the subject. I use prime for speed and thin depth of field.

I'd get a Sigma 30/1.4 first and a flash later...

I have a few fast primes and a flash and think they both have their place. There are many times when the flash is the best solution.

This shot of my granddaughter was taken with bounced flash (+diffuser) and a 17-55IS. The intensity was adjusted to where it just provided fill light.

1/125s f/2.8 at 43.0mm iso400

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 HSM

End of discussion.

996gt2 wrote in post #11122933
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 HSM

End of discussion.

actually, once you see results like this you'll ditch that sigma 30mm and buy a flash !

RPCrowe wrote in post #11120538
A bounced flash with a reflector diffuser will more often give you better lighting than available light.

I use an older 550EX or a 420EX with a Joe demb Flash Diffuser Pro ( dembflashproducts.com )

My flash images look like natural light...

IMAGE LINK: http://rpcrowe.smugmug​.com …d7Vf#858914758_​ZTMxQ-A-LB

While that's not harsh, it's still flash looking, and I don't think I'd compare it to natural lighting. Her sleeves just picked up too much of it, and everything looks a little cool.

gonzogolf wrote in post #11119453
I agree with Taylor. Even if you get enough light, its often bad light. Get a flash and learn how to use it properly and you can make any lens work for you.

Agree with both. I got sigma 30mm f1.4 for my 1dmk2 and I still like to use bounce flash. Makes the images look so much better. Here is a recent shot @f1.8. I typically use it at f1.4 and it is super sharp as good or better than 135L and I got 300mm f2.8 IS to compare with.

Always have a hot shoe flash with a rotating head on your camera. Period.

You don't always have to use it, but you will find it helpful a lot of the time. Fast glass high iso will only take you so far.

bounced

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waterrockets wrote in post #11124791
While that's not harsh, it's still flash looking, and I don't think I'd compare it to natural lighting. Her sleeves just picked up too much of it, and everything looks a little cool.

The reason her sleeves picked up too much is because it was shot using an external flash connected to the hotshoe. Even with a flash diffuser, the flash is too direct. I have a LumiPro flash diffuser which sits there collecting dust. I only like to use bounce flash or off camera flash now that I've learned how to use it. Put those in the direction of natural light and you'll be hard pressed to realize it is flash. If things are cool, you can use a gel. If the OP has off-colored walls, finds flash lighting too cool or whatever, then he could use gels that he knows works for his home.

Natural light does not mean it's good light.

twoshadows: Yeah, those bounces look great. Much more natural than the boy above with purple streaks in his hair.

I would've missed so many indoor shots of my kids if I didn't have a decent external flash. Heck, I would've missed shots if I didn't have a pop-up flash too. You can't expect your kids to be in the right place, at the right time of day, and with adequate light every time they do something special you want to capture. Buy an external flash, learn how to balance the flash with the ambient light, and start capturing every moment.

shaftmaster wrote in post #11125735
I would've missed so many indoor shots of my kids if I didn't have a decent external flash. Heck, I would've missed shots if I didn't have a pop-up flash too. You can't expect your kids to be in the right place, at the right time of day, and with adequate light every time they do something special you want to capture. Buy an external flash, learn how to balance the flash with the ambient light, and start capturing every moment.

yes, sometimes I feel sorry for those people that don't have a decent external flash and miss those children shots, they only grow up once you know. Then I think, hey, you can get an ETTL flash for only $60, they really have no excuses. Then I feel better