Best lens combo for baby shots at hospital

KN13 wrote:

My wife and are are potentially days away from the birth of our first child (a little girl) and I want to have my kit ready for in hospital shots after my responsibilities during labor are complete (i.e. camera is not coming out until the baby has arrived and we've both had a chance to hold her). I have a 5D3 and am trying to figure out what lenses to bring with me. Given that I won't bring a flash (too bright for newborn eyes) I'm trying to maximize my fast lenses while still having enough flexibility for nice shots.

First of all, congratulations.

Second of all. SLEEP NOW. Write down what it was like. Refer to it for the next couple of years.

My initial thought is to bring these lenses:

1. 24 2.8 IS

For Mom and child together, yes.

2. 50 1.4

This for baby. Normal distance (same room) lots of portraits.

3. 70-200 2.8 IS

This for baby - if you're at distance only. Otherwise, leave at home, big and heavy.

4. 100 2.8 Macro (tokina)

What do you guys think? as an alternate I thought of bringing my 24-105 but at F4 it may be too slow for nice shots and is heavier than the 24 prime. I know the 70-200 is a beast but it just shoots so nice that I think I'd be disappointed without it.

That's it. You don't need a flash at all anyway  - there's enough light in a hospital no problem-o. In fact, it would never occur to me to bring one even if I could. It's just not necessary with your camera. Just adjust for the white balance - or fix in PP (shoot RAW). There will be lots of fluorescents mixed with LED probably.

The macro is redundant (covered by 70-200) unless you want some nice eyelash shots. I don't know how it is in hospitals anymore - my Wife does but she's off on an Alaska cruise! I'd wager that just the 24 and 50 would be enough.

The 5D MkIII is capable of perfect low-light shooting, and I bet you don't have to get much over 400 ISO and still have a fast enough shutter speed and high enough aperture (around 5.6) to keep everything in focus. I've been surprised that I can pretty much shoot at ISO 160 or so indoors (like a hospital) and keep above 1/60 and about 5.6. They keep these places well lit.

If I was doing this, I'd just bring my 24-70/2.8 II if that gives you a hint.

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