Although baby photography is quite delicate, the internet doesn’t offer many valuable guides to ease searching for high-quality optics.

With that idea in mind, I have created a complete guide on choosing the proper lens suitable to your needs.

Canon, 85mm f/2, has an optical design of 12 elements in 11 groups, with nine rounded diaphragm blades. It has an angle of view of 28° 30′, with a minimum focus distance of 1,15 feet and a maximum magnification of 0,5x. The macro reproduction ratio is 1:2, and the lens sports optical image stabilization that offers up to five stops of shake correction. The beautiful f/2 aperture is one of the reasons why I put it on the lens for baby photography.

I captured great-looking images with strong subject isolation and creamy background during the testing phase. The picture quality is excellent, even at the maximum opening, so it quickly falls under the type of quality you would expect from the “L” series lens.

Another good point regards optical image stabilization since it does a rock-solid job in stabilizing shots when you don’t use the tripod, and due to the nature of this specific photographic need, the chances are that the tripod is off the grid.

I have always liked Canon’s color palette, and this lens is no exception because it offers good coloring with a solid contrast. The 85mm is a very usable focal length for both portraits and broader angles, so it is a substantial investment. The autofocus is accurate but pretty slow (which is the case with many “macro” lenses), and the motor is relatively loud. The design of this best Canon lens for newborn photography is solid, with plastic being the primary material, but it means the lens is light and compact.

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 offers an optical design of 18 elements in 12 groups, with nine rounded diaphragm blades. The angle of view is 84 to 34 degrees, with a minimum focus distance of 1,25 feet and a maximum magnification of 0,24x.

The lens doesn’t have optical image stabilization, but the fast aperture compromises that and offers tremendous help in stabilizing the pictures. The main reason I decided to put it on the best lens for newborn photography list is the stunning image quality at all apertures.

Although:

It is pretty sharp at an f/2.8; it blows up if you step a few notches below. Color rendering is excellent, with vibrant and nicely saturated tones. I also like the bokeh effect the lens produces.

Although there isn’t the effect of bokeh balls, like there is on a fast prime, the background blur is more than satisfactory while retaining the subject solid sharpness and level of detail. The focus is also a positive experience, with accurate and responsive results at all times while remaining relatively silent.

The overall design of the lens is rock-solid, with high-quality materials used in the making process. It has a programmable custom button, which is an excellent ergonomic touch. Some photographers could object to the weight of the lens, and that opinion has particular merit, but for general everyday use, you won’t face any issues of that kind.

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 is one of the best Nikon lenses for baby photography. It has an optical design of 12 elements in eight groups, nine rounded diaphragm blades, and a maximum magnification of 0,12x. The angle of view is 28° 30′, and the minimum focus distance is 2,62 feet.

The lens doesn’t have optical image stabilization, but the fast aperture of an f/1.8 ensures high-quality low-light performance. I included the given Nikon on the best lens for baby photography list because it has a rock-solid design that offers dust and drip resistance and does a phenomenal job of keeping the dust and moisture out.

Design-wise:

It also has a programmable control ring with an excellent ergonomic touch, but it is also important to note that it is a “Z” mount and can’t be used on DSLR bodies. The first thing I noticed with the given lens is the excellent sharpness, even at the maximum opening, with solid contrast and a high number of details preserved. It also does an excellent job of eliminating chromatic aberrations, although they could be spotted under extremely harsh lighting.

The color palette has vivid but not oversaturated colors and good contrast. The lack of OIS is hardly noticeable, but the results could be disappointing if your lighting requires an even wider aperture. On the other hand, it is pretty light, and the cost is more than acceptable for the lens’s rich capabilities.

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 offers an optical design of 13 elements in eight groups, with nine rounded diaphragm blades and an angle of view of 46,8 degrees. The minimum focus distance is 1,31 feet, with a maximum magnification of 0,18x. Although it lacks optical image stabilization, the wide aperture opening ensures dramatically good low-light performance. The main reason I put it on the best lens for baby photography is twofold.

First, the lens’s general sharpness is exquisite, even at the maximum opening. The second reason is the bokeh effect. Sigma is easily one of the finest portrait lens manufacturers, and the results I could pull off with the given example are perfect.

The subject isolation is entirely creamy, with an intense sharpness on the subject and completely defocused backgrounds. Another vital point is excellent color transmission. The palette looks natural, without overflowing saturation.

Moreover:

Even at the maximum opening, I am yet to notice traces of distortion or chromatic aberration. From a design point of view, the build is at a professional level, with an excellent manual focus ring, and it also comes with a high-quality carrying case. Focusing itself is excellent, with a responsive and accurate system and noise level that is acceptable. The only objection I have relates to the weight since it is pretty heavy and can be tricky to use for extended periods.

The last candidate offers an optical design of six elements in five groups, with six rounded diaphragm blades and a 63-degree angle of view. The minimum focus distance is 12,01 inches, with a maximum magnification of 0,17x and a macro reproduction ratio of 1:5.9. The Pentax 35mm f/2.0 lens doesn’t have optical image stabilization. Still, the fast aperture ensures a solid performance under low light.

One of the reasons:

I included it on the best lens for baby photography list because of its overall performance in a reasonably packaged body. I noticed that the general image quality is quite good, with sharpness across the frame, even at an f/2.

However, you should bear in mind that the front element is exposed to external light sources, so it is recommended to use a lens hood to achieve a strong contrast. The cool thing about the Pentax given is how small and compact the lens is. Since it is non-intrusive, it is possible to photograph the baby without disrupting its space or being too over the edge.

The color distribution is good, with a lovely color palette and without chromatic aberration issues. The aperture does a great job of providing extraordinary low-light performance, and I didn’t have any problems. I would dare to say it is a good choice for an “all-around” lens if you don’t mind the focal length.

Verdict

As you probably know, getting your hands on the best lens for baby photography can be tricky due to the many variables you need to pay attention to.

However, as the article outlines, it is possible to do so with patience and know-how.

If you still haven’t decided which lens is best for you and need additional help, we recommend Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8.

Regardless of your preferred style or manufacturer of choice, your portfolio will be thankful if you opt out of any of the lenses from the list.

Check our other content, especially the five best lenses for portraits and the studio photography guide, as it contains excellent and helpful advice.

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