Sorry if this is a really dumb question but I just got a Panasonic S5II and I have no idea what I am doing. I want to take nice portraits of my kids playing in the backyard but the kit lens is just okay. I keep reading that prime lenses are better for that blurry background look but there are so many options and I am totally lost.
Here is my situation:
- Budget is around 600 bucks max
- Mostly shooting outdoors in my yard in Oregon
- Want that really blurry background (bokeh I think it is called?)
Is there a specific focal length I should look at? Like a 50mm or 85mm? I really dont know where to start.
Regarding what #1 said about the Panasonic 85mm f1.8... I actually bought that exact Panasonic LUMIX S 85mm f/1.8 for my S5II last year and ended up returning it. Unfortunately, I had issues with the autofocus hunting when my kids were running around, and the purple fringing in bright outdoor light was not as good as expected. If you want that blurry background without having to stand too far back in your yard, I would look at these instead:
- Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm f/1.8
- Really affordable at around $350, and the wider view makes it much easier to keep fast kids in the frame.
- Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art
- Try to find a used one to fit your $600 budget. The autofocus is incredibly fast and the f1.4 aperture gives you amazing bokeh. Don't worry about being new to this, the S5II is a beast once you get the hang of it. Let me know if you need help setting up the face/eye tracking!
TL;DR: Get the Panasonic LUMIX S 85mm f1.8! I use it constantly for my own kids in the yard and the bokeh is absolutely amazing!
Just catching up on this thread. When I first got my S5II, I struggled to get those blurry backgrounds too. Unfortunately, some of the popular focal lengths like 85mm are not as good as expected when you are actually chasing fast kids in a normal yard. I had issues with constantly backing up into the fence just to get them in the frame... For your budget, I highly recommend going with a 50mm instead.
- Distance: A 50mm lets you stand much closer to your kids, which is way easier for grabbing their attention.
- Cost: The Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm f1.8 is only about $350 new. You save some serious money.
- Bokeh: You still get that creamy background, just make sure there is some distance between your kid and whatever is behind them. Hit me up if you want some tips on setting up the autofocus for kids, it can be kinda tricky at first!
Saw this thread earlier and figured I'd jump in. Honestly, chasing kids in a backyard is a totally different game than studio portraits. If you feel like the 85mm is too tight and the 50mm feels a bit plain, have you thought about how much space you actually have to move around when they are running? In my experience over the years, the sigma options are super reliable for focus speed, which is key for kids.
- Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art
- This one is stellar if you want to include more of the background, though you have to get a bit closer.
- Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary
- Super compact, really nice rendering, and way easier to carry around while running after little ones. Are you looking for that super compressed portrait look where the background is just a wash of color, or do you want to see a bit more of the yard in the shot too? That makes a huge difference in which focal length is gonna make you happiest.
