The Perfect Lens for Canon 700D: Achieving Beautiful Bokeh in Toddler Cake Smash Sessions
When it comes to capturing the joy and innocence of a toddler during a cake smash session in a home studio setup, achieving beautiful bokeh is crucial. While the Canon 700D 18-135 mm lens can provide good travel photography, it may not be the best choice for indoor settings where a higher aperture is necessary to create that stunning background blur.
Understanding Bokeh
Bokeh, a Japanese term that translates to blurry or blur, refers to the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas of an image. It is often achieved by using a lens with a wide maximum aperture, typically denoted as an f-stop value. A lower f-stop number (e.g., f/2.8) means a larger opening, allowing more light to enter and creating a shallower depth of field.
Recommendations for Bokeh in Home Studio Settings
For a more professional look, consider an f/2.8 zoom lens. Both the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 and the Sigma 17-50mm, Tamron 17-50mm are excellent choices. These lenses offer a wide aperture and a versatile zoom range, making them ideal for the dynamic nature of a 1-year-old's cake smash session.
Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 Lens
The Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 is a well-regarded lens that can make a significant difference in your images. Though it may be a bit expensive, it provides a versatile focal range and a wide aperture that can create beautiful bokeh. It excels in low-light conditions and is perfect for indoor settings.
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 Lens
The Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 offers similar benefits to the Canon 17-55mm, but it is more affordable. It provides a wide aperture throughout the entire zoom range and is known for its optical quality and reliability. I personally use this lens and find it to be highly satisfactory.
Alternatives and Considerations
Another economical option is the Canon EF-S 50mm f/1.8 STM. This lens is famously known as the "nifty fifty" due to its affordability and high quality. While it does provide great bokeh, it has a very narrow field of view, making it less versatile for wide-angle shots needed in a home studio setup. Adjusting to the 50mm focal length may take some getting used to.
Canon EF-S 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
The Canon EF-S 50mm f/1.8 STM is a popular choice for its affordable price and great image quality. However, the narrow field of view might be a drawback when shooting in a limited space. Nevertheless, it is an excellent addition to any photography kit and well worth considering. For even better performance, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 STM is available, albeit at a higher price point.
About the 18-135mm Lens
While the Canon 18-135mm is a versatile travel lens, it does not offer the necessary aperture for bokeh in indoor settings. The lens has a maximum aperture of f/3.5, which, while acceptable for travel photography, falls short for creating that dreamy background blur. For a cake smash session, you will likely need to use the lens at a higher aperture setting, sacrificing some light and reducing depth of field.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you're looking to achieve beautiful bokeh for your toddler's cake smash session, consider investing in a higher aperture lens like the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-50mm, or Tamron 17-50mm. These lenses will provide the necessary light and depth to create stunning, blurred backgrounds. Alternatively, the more affordable Canon EF-S 50mm f/1.8 STM can also be a great choice, but it requires more cropping flexibility in a home studio setup.