If you’re looking for the best lens for baby photography, then this article is for you. After reading this, you’ll have a great understanding of the best lens for baby photography and why it’s so good.

To take your baby photography venture to the next level, you need the best baby and newborn photography lenses. Moreover, those in the photography world say it is not the camera or the lens, it is the photographer.

However, it certainly does not hurt if you have the best tools at your disposal.
Choosing the best lens for baby and newborn photography can be challenging. There are numerous lens options available for baby and newborn photography.

You will need different lenses to capture the many styles and shots typical for baby and newborn photography.

Remember you will be photographing people. Therefore, you will need a portrait lens. A macro lens is vital for capturing the tinier details like fingers, toes, or eyelashes.

The first thing you need to do is determine what kind of photography you’re interested in. Do you want to take pictures of your baby’s face, body, or surroundings?

For instance, some people love taking pictures of their baby’s face as they sleep. That’s the perfect time for a soft-focused portrait. Other people prefer to capture their baby with their entire body and environment on display.

If you are looking for a mirrorless camera, check out the best mirrorless camera for beginners review.

The 5 Best Lenses for Baby Photography

Overall Best Lens for Baby Photography – Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 Lens

What is the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 Lens?

This lens has an f-stop of 1.8 and a zoom of 50mm; this makes it ideal for taking baby pictures and other photographic work that requires close to your subject.

Further, it also has a straightforward layout with the focus and aperture rings on the outside. Therefore, allowing you to adjust them quickly with just one hand. The barrel is lightweight, making it easy to carry around with you at all times.

Above all, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 lens is a great all-purpose lens that is particularly suitable for single-use photography. Therefore, making it the best all-around lens for most scenarios.

Moreover, it also has a sturdy build quality, with no zoom creep or shift of any kind during handling. Further, the glass is also one of the sharpest in its class, so you will have excellent results every time you use this lens to shoot pictures.

This was the best runner-up in our best food photography lens review.

Features of the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 Lens

The lens has a fast f-stop of 1.8, which gives you fast, clear focus in low light situations while still maintaining the ability to take pictures in daylight. Certainly, making it ideal for night/darkroom photography and any other time when you need to produce sharp images quickly.

In addition, it is also compact and lightweight, making it suitable to carry around with you at all times. This means you will no longer have to worry about taking a heavy lens everywhere you go.

Further, there are also benefits for portability when compared to using a more bulky lens. Consequently, this is the kind of lens you can have with you for all your baby photography needs.

The lens also features an attractive black finish with a rubberized exterior and a well-damped focusing ring. As a result, this helps minimize camera shake when shooting and helps to prevent it from affecting your images.

The optics are of high quality, which means this lens produces sharp images every time you use it.

Why Do I Recommend the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 Lens for Baby Photography?

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 lens has all the essential features to enable you to take great pictures of your baby and get the best quality you are looking for.

This lens has an f-stop of only 1.8, which makes it suitable for low-light situations. Therefore, you can still get the sharpness you want in your photos during times like night photography or while working with limited light sources.

In addition, the lens also features a fast f-stop of 1.8, which helps to improve the focusing speed of the eye quickly in low-light situations. This is especially important for taking indoor shots as it builds up your confidence that the lighting will be correct for proper focus on your subject.

This lens has an attractive black finish with a rubberized exterior and a focusing ring that is well-damped, helping to minimize camera shake during shooting and allowing you to maintain a stable, sharp image every time you use it.

Best Lens for Baby Portraits Photography – Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Lens

What is the Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Lens?

This Nikon 35mm lens has an f-stop of 1.4 and a zoom of 35mm. This makes it ideal for taking baby pictures and other photographic work that requires you to be close to your subject.

In addition, it has a straightforward layout with the focus and aperture rings on the outside, allowing you to adjust them quickly with just one hand. The barrel is lightweight, making it easy to carry around with you at all times.

The Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G lens is a great all-purpose lens that is particularly suitable for baby photography.

Moreover, it has a sturdy build quality, with no zoom creep or shift of any kind during handling. Further, the glass is also one of the sharpest in its class, so you will have excellent results every time you use this lens to shoot baby pictures.

Features of the Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Lens

Most importantly, the lens has a fast f-stop of 1.4, which gives you fast, clear focus in low light situations while still maintaining the ability to take pictures in daylight.

However, like any baby photography lens, it is also able to shoot at full aperture. This means that you will be able to take fantastic shots in low-light situations. Moreover, it gives your subject an ethereal quality, which looks great when taking pictures of kids or babies.

The Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G lens is a lightweight and well-balanced lens for cameras with smaller sensors. Therefore, making it a perfect choice for DSLRs with APS-C-sized sensors.

The interior of the lens is also made of an ED glass element, which is responsible for reducing color aberration and softening the image. Resulting in sharp, high-contrast photos with beautiful color fidelity.

In addition, it is free of distortion and flare, even when shooting directly into a light source.

The autofocus system in this Nikon 35mm lens has a built-in CPU that allows it to be used with most newer Nikon DSLR cameras.

Why Do I Recommend the Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Lens for Baby Photography?

This Nikon 35mm lens is a great choice for shooting baby pictures and other types of portrait photography. It has a fast f-stop of 1.4, allowing you to take pictures in low-light situations without losing quality.

In addition, it is well-balanced and lightweight, making it easy to use, even when holding it for long periods of time while taking pictures.

Above all, the image quality and sharpness produced by this lens are also excellent. It is one of the sharpest in its class. Combine this with the lack of distortion and flare, which will lead to wonderful results every time you take photos with this lens.

The autofocus system in this Nikon 35mm lens has a built-in CPU to be used with most newer Nikon DSLR cameras. This means that you will not have to hunt around for adapters to use with older cameras.

Macro Lens for Baby Photography – Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens

What is the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens?

Firstly, the 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens is designed for smaller, light-weighted camera bodies such as DSLR.

Usually, macro lenses are mainly used to take close-up shots of fingers, toes, and eyelashes. Therefore, it is very common for photographers to use this lens when they want to record the details of these small objects in macro shooting.

This lens is affordable and has a very durable construction that can withstand the elements such as dust, rain, and snow.

Features of the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens

The image stabilizer of this lens makes it a great choice for shooting in low-light conditions where appropriate handholding is needed especially when shooting at slow shutter speeds.

This lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.98 feet to 1.6 feet, equivalent to 0.3 meters to 0.5 meters. Therefore, you can get up close and personal with your baby when you are shooting macro shots.

The autofocus system of this lens is designed for super-telephoto lenses, so it is very fast in both standard and macro focusing situations and when doing close focusing on small objects like eyelashes and toes.

The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens is a great macro lens for all types of photographers. Moreover, it is small and lightweight, which makes it very easy to use when handheld.

Why Do I Recommend the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens for Baby Photography?

The 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens is a great macro lens for baby photography because it is lightweight and compact, making it easy to use.

Since this lens has an image stabilizer, you can use shutter speeds as low as 1/30th of a second. This gives you more flexibility in situations where you want to shoot at lower light levels.

The autofocus system of this lens is very fast and accurate, so you do not need to continuously hold down the shutter button when taking close-up shots of your baby’s face.

This lens also features an internal focus system to reduce chromatic aberration. The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens makes it a perfect choice for portraiture photography, especially when shooting in low-light situations.

In addition, the macro and close-up shooting capabilities of this lens make it a good choice for shooting baby pictures and other portraits. Therefore, the sharpness and clarity of the images this lens produces will give you high-quality portraits every time you take photos.

This lens is a strong contender for the best lens for baby photography and is the perfect lens for portraits.

A macro lens is perfect too for product photography as reviewed in the best lens for product photography.

Best Lens for Outdoor Baby Photography – Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens

What is the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens?

If you love taking photos of your babies outdoors and around the house or outside, you need to use a wide-angle lens. The Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens is one of the best wide-angle lenses for outdoor baby photography.

We reviewed this lens in our best food photography lenses.

The amazing image quality of this lens makes it amazing. Even when shooting indoors, it outdoes its price tag.

Features of the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens

Wide-angle focal length – great for capturing a more natural, shallow depth of field effect.
Image Stabilization – makes your shots stable and blur-free even when you handhold your camera.
Minimum F-Stop – f/2 means sharp images using a small aperture, which gives you beautifully blurred backgrounds.
Wide Maximum Aperture – f/2 lets in more light into the lens, bringing out the sharpness of your image
Shallow Depth of Field – This is the main reason why wide-angle lenses are great for baby photography.
The canon lens is great for outdoor baby photography, and the 35mm focal length makes it perfect for shooting indoors.

Why Do I Recommend the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens for Baby Photography?

This lens is light enough and long enough to shoot portraits as well. It has a minimum focal distance of 0.87 ft., which is great for shooting close-ups.

It also comes at a very reasonable price and will be great for those on a tight budget.

The Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens is the best lens for baby photography if you want to shoot in low light conditions because of the maximum aperture of f/2.

It is useful for taking portraits as well. If you want a longer focal length, this lens is perfect.
The vintage look it gives your baby’s images is also a bonus.

If you are looking for a wide-angle lens that will perform well both indoors and outdoors, the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens is the best option for you.

Best Wide-Angle Lens for Baby Photography – Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens

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What is the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens?

If you are looking for a lens that performs well both indoors and outdoors, the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens will be great for you.

The amazing image quality of this lens makes it amazing. It has an ultra-wide aperture range of f/1.4 to f/16, making this lens perfect for low-light conditions. It’s great for wildlife, too.

The focal length of this lens is 24mm, which is equivalent to 90mm in terms of field coverage. This would make it great for those action shots of your baby at a distance.

It has vibration reduction (VR), which minimizes the effect of camera shake when you’re taking pictures with this lens. This lens has a minimum focus distance of 36 inches, which makes it ideal for close-up shots of your baby.

Features of the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens

The lens’ super-low dispersion (SD) glass and fluorine coatings greatly improve your photo quality by reducing chromatic aberrations and reflections, which reduce contrast.

The Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens is an excellent choice for those looking to get better quality shots with their baby photography lenses.

It does not have image stabilization. However, for a wide-angle lens, it’s OK not to have it.

The lens can be used for full-frame cameras, which means you can use this lens with 35mm DSLR cameras such as those made by Nikon and Canon.

It is an APS-C crop sensor compatible lens. Specifically, it is compatible with full-frame cameras with an APS-C-sized sensor but a smaller field of view (35mm).

Why Do I Recommend the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Baby Photography?

For its price, this is one of the best lenses you can get for photographing your baby. It is sharp at f/1.4 and can focus extremely close. One of the reasons it’s so good for shooting baby photography, especially when your baby is very young and still small.

It has a fast and accurate autofocus, which would make it a great choice for you if you’re looking to step up your baby photography game and take higher-quality pictures.

This lens is user-friendly, provides the highest image quality, and is reasonably priced.
Bottom-line, this is a lens that was made with your baby photography needs in mind!

Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Photography Lenses

Which lens is the best for maternity and newborn photography?

It would be best to look for a lens with the best number of focal length and aperture combinations.

A lens with a wide-angle field of view (where you get to capture everything in your shots, not just what is right in front of you) and an ultra-wide aperture (around f/1.4 or f/2) would be the ideal choice.

Also, since these lenses are usually used indoors, they must be sharp at their widest angle.

What camera do professional photographers use for baby photography?

Professional photographers are more likely to use expensive DSLR cameras such as the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV or Nikon D5 FX rather than a mirrorless camera or an SLR. This is because they can get the image quality that makes them stand out in their industry.

An expensive DSLR would also let you shoot in RAW format, allowing you greater control over the quality of your photos.

It also allows for high-quality video shooting, which can be nice when taking pictures of your baby that show how they move.

What lens should I use for baby photography?

If you are new to the field, you may opt to get a kit lens.

For example, if your budget is tight and you are on a limited budget for your baby photography lenses, this might be what you should get for now.

Baby photography lenses are usually made with quality that is rarely seen in other photography products. You would not want to buy an expensive lens that doesn’t live up to its expected quality.

What settings should I use for newborn photography?

Usually, newborn photography is done in low-light conditions.

When shooting indoors, you would want to shoot with a lens with a wide aperture, which means it is not f/16. This lets in more light to the camera sensor, giving the photos more definition and making them sharper when printed or viewed online.

When taking pictures outside, it’s best to shoot at a wider aperture (f/1.4, f/2.8) to let in as much light as possible.

Shoot with a fast shutter speed, which will also help you prevent blurry shots if your baby moves suddenly. Also, the higher the ISO, the more you can reduce it in post-processing and still use it for printing or online viewing. Alternatively, you may opt for image-stabilization lenses.

Is 35mm good for newborn photography?

35mm is a great choice if you are starting because it gives you a wide field of view.

This will be particularly useful when shooting a group of children in an area so that all of them can be captured simultaneously.

However, some photographers prefer using the 24mm lens because of its versatility and affordability.

A wide-angle lens will help you get more shots, where if you used just the 24mm lens, then your baby will only be seen from the waist up or feet up.

Final Thoughts on the Best Baby Photography Lenses

Baby photography lenses are a great way for you to step up your baby photography game.
They allow you to take better photos and make a world of difference when taking an image of your baby.

For the price, you really cannot go wrong with any of these lenses. They are all great value for what you pay and will make a great addition to your home or professional photography equipment.

With any of these lenses, you can capture stunning photos of your baby!

They have very fast autofocus, have a beautiful bokeh, and are sharp at the widest aperture.

How did you like our review of the best baby photography lenses?
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Happy shooting!