what lenses for the beach, while managing a 2yr old?

[SP77]

Heading to the beach next week. :smile:

My wife will be handling our 4 month old, and I'll be handling our 2yr old who's undoubtedly going to be running around. Thing is, since I'll be watching her, I need a setup that's agile enough that I can instantly grab her if needed without having a big camera rig coming down and knocking her right in her face while I'm grabbing her, which I'm undoubtedly probably going to have to do at some point. Last year I shot only film with my F100 and got a lot of great photos, didn't have to manage anybody (just one kid then and my wife handled her), and also no worries about dust or sand getting in the camera since it's film. This year I've got my D200 to try out though where I'm more worried about sand and other beach gunk getting in the camera. So I guess I'd probably want to stick with a weather sealed lens, no?

I'm thinking a prime.

The 35mm f/1.8G and the 50mm f/1.4G are both sealed in the back and plenty small, light, and agile, just no zoom. My 17-55 is sealed too but I'm worried that's too big of a lens and that it might come flying down if I have to grab her quick and give her a concussion. Seriously. If I need to grab her I need to grab her and I'm not going to have time to tuck the rig behind my shoulder first. The 18-55 kit lens would probably work great here, but no dust seal in the back. Had no problems with a non-sealed 28-105 on my F100 last year, but film gives you a fresh frame every shot so no worries about that stuff besides whatever piles up on the lens.

As much as I'd like to, I'm probably going to have to leave the big stuff at home for when our kids are older and can be watched from a distance rather than needing someone within 6 feet of them at all times like they are now is what I'm thinking.


Any advice, recommendations, or thoughts?


Thanks. :smile:

 

[SWsabre]

Steve,

Based on your needs I think the 35mm f1.8 will be perfect.

Have fun at the beach :smile:

 

[clew]

Don't sweat it too much, they'll recover. I whacked my 3 year old in the head with my 70-200 earlier this year and that's a LOT bigger than a 17-55. She's still a little gun shy of that lens, though! (I'm kidding---I felt TERRIBLE).

Seriously, I think the 35 is an excellent option. Plus, if you drop the whole rig in the ocean, you're only out $800 or so. Whereas, you'd be pushing $1500 if dropped the 17-55 + D200 in the pond.

Which beach, by the way? We're headed to Port A on the 23rd.

 

[avyoung]

Hi Steve,

I bought a waterproof point and shoot for just this kind of occasion. Their prices have come down quite abit these days, you should consider one. Getting in the water shots or movies underwater are neat and different than the usual slr shot.

I would bring the 35/1.8.
Have fun!

 

[StinkyD]

Don't sweat it too much, they'll recover. I whacked my 3 year old in the head with my 70-200 earlier this year and that's a LOT bigger than a 17-55. She's still a little gun shy of that lens, though! (I'm kidding---I felt TERRIBLE).

Seriously, I think the 35 is an excellent option. Plus, if you drop the whole rig in the ocean, you're only out $800 or so. Whereas, you'd be pushing $1500 if dropped the 17-55 + D200 in the pond.

Which beach, by the way? We're headed to Port A on the 23rd.

Too funny.

Another vote for the 35.

 

[BourbonCowboy]

I'd go with the 28-105 again. The prime will limit you to one focal length - which is too limiting, IMHO. Just be careful with the camera/lens and you should be fine.

My 2nd choice would be an 18-70 or 18-55.

 

[clew]

You get a heck of a lot more DOF control with the 35. Plus it's great for semi-wide beach shots and you can get close up (especially on kids) to get environmental portraiture. The zoom would perhaps be a little more versatile, but you can get creative with a single focal length, too. Great for sunset photos with the pop-up flash for a little fill.

 

[davidnholtjr]

I would take the 35mm and just use your feet to zoom.

Have fun at the Beach.

Heading to the beach next week. :smile:

My wife will be handling our 4 month old, and I'll be handling our 2yr old who's undoubtedly going to be running around. Thing is, since I'll be watching her, I need a setup that's agile enough that I can instantly grab her if needed without having a big camera rig coming down and knocking her right in her face while I'm grabbing her, which I'm undoubtedly probably going to have to do at some point. Last year I shot only film with my F100 and got a lot of great photos, didn't have to manage anybody (just one kid then and my wife handled her), and also no worries about dust or sand getting in the camera since it's film. This year I've got my D200 to try out though where I'm more worried about sand and other beach gunk getting in the camera. So I guess I'd probably want to stick with a weather sealed lens, no?

I'm thinking a prime.

The 35mm f/1.8G and the 50mm f/1.4G are both sealed in the back and plenty small, light, and agile, just no zoom. My 17-55 is sealed too but I'm worried that's too big of a lens and that it might come flying down if I have to grab her quick and give her a concussion. Seriously. If I need to grab her I need to grab her and I'm not going to have time to tuck the rig behind my shoulder first. The 18-55 kit lens would probably work great here, but no dust seal in the back. Had no problems with a non-sealed 28-105 on my F100 last year, but film gives you a fresh frame every shot so no worries about that stuff besides whatever piles up on the lens.

As much as I'd like to, I'm probably going to have to leave the big stuff at home for when our kids are older and can be watched from a distance rather than needing someone within 6 feet of them at all times like they are now is what I'm thinking.


Any advice, recommendations, or thoughts?


Thanks. :smile:

 

[Domdog31]

I leave tomorrow for a vacation to Miami/Florida Keys. I am bringing the D90 - 24-70, 105VR, 85 f/1.4 and SB900. But during the day when we are on the beach lounging/swimming l wont bring my D90 out....

I have a canon P&S with a nice slick waterproof case......too risky to bring a DSLR especially with a 2yr old around I am sure your hands will be sandy and wet most of the time....But hey its up to you....


I am still trying to skim my bag - and thinking if I should add the Sigma 70-200 to my bag...as of now I am leaving it home because of the size and weight in my carry on

 

[jimeast]

Camera at the beach

The four month old will take naps I suspect an is probably not too mobile yet. You should easily be able to manage a mid range zoom (28-105 is great) If it's sunny you may find yourself cranking down on the aperture if you have a 35, so the fast aperture may not be as critical as it would in other venues.

My wife always managed to get lots of pictures when we had our "babies" at the ocean; so you should find yourself with lots of opportunity.

Also, if you want another type of strap, try the Black Rapid, it will let you carry a child, run around, etc... without the challenges a normal strap gives you.

 

[BruceEvans]

Hi Steve,

I bought a waterproof point and shoot for just this kind of occasion. Their prices have come down quite abit these days, you should consider one. Getting in the water shots or movies underwater are neat and different than the usual slr shot.

I would bring the 35/1.8.
Have fun!

Exactly.

Bruce

 

[Strid]

The beach is a large place. Bring a zoom, dawg! Seriously though, 35mm can easily get too short if the subject is far, depending on what you want to shoot of course. I'd just bring an el cheap-o 18-xxx and not care if I dropped the whole thing in the water or got sand in the zoom mechanism and so on.

 

[Big Daddy]

Steve,

One thing to consider is the vastness of a beach and the opportunity for candids -- not necessarily of your own family. Thus IMHO I think a zoom would be more versatile. If I'm not mistaken, you still own an 18-135? That would give excellent range and performance at a brightly lit beach (except when the sun goes down, but will you be there as a family when that happens?).

It isn't sealed at the lens mount. You could help it out by running a thin strip of gaffer tape around the lens mount after the lens is mounted on the camera. Obviously it makes changing lenses more cumbersome but perhaps you wouldn't be changing much in the circumstances you describe.

The problem with the above set-up is going to be sand getting in via the barrel moving in and out. It's not likely to damage your camera but could mess with the helicoids of the zoom. The 18-135 is at least cheap to replace should disaster hit, but this is clearly where a prime has an advantage at the expense of flexibility.

Usually with a small child at the beach that you alone have to watch, you won't allow significant separation between you and your kid. That means the prime can work well. However, there are definitely times when you won't be in arms distance, e.g. if your daughter plays with a group of supervised kids at a sand castle. Or when she's roaming around further away from the edge of the water. A shorter prime will still work as you can move around, but a zoom could be handy to get some portraits of the li'l one as she plays. You can even get some background blur by racking the zoom out.

 

[jpfigueiredo]

My idea of nice photos at the beach are with a tele, but maybe you're not willing to let your 2yr old go that much further from you. :biggrin:
I was thinking of a 55-200mm, since it's light and you don't want to worry about it too much. But then again it's not sealed, so... :smile:

 

[SP77]

Thanks all for the suggestions. Keep them coming - lots of good ideas so far. :smile: Will reply more later when I have time. Right now I have the house ripped apart cleaning up and spraying for ants while my wife and sis-in-law are out with our kids, heh heh.

 

[vinman]

Steve - how about a totally different line of thought...

Instead of worrying about using a smaller lens to prevent camera/child collisions, get a Rapidstrap. When you bend over, it won't swing forward and you can avoid those needless waterside concussions! That potential solution would enable you to use your good zoom for the best possible results.

For beach shots, get a good polarizer and/or a couple of ND filters. If you want to shoot close to wide open, you'll need something to cut the light a little...

Also, it's now summer. I don't know where you plan on beaching, but we went two weeks ago down here in SC. The one day it wasn't raining, the beach was breezy, but no blowing sand, and almost no blowing mist off the water. This will vary greatly depending on where you are, though. Most of SC's beaches aren't terribly windy, but go a few hours north to the Outer Banks, and it's an absolute windfest. I was really paranoid about taking my D700 out to the beach, but using a little common sense (keeping it covered when not used, making sure to watch my orientation when there was a little mist blowing, and not beating my ten month old too badly with it) I was able to keep it bone dry and totally clean. While I'm not a big fan of the polarized look, that is one place where it helps tremendously. Plus, you can count on about a stop of loss which helps when the light is too strong to open up as much as you'd like...

 

[Mike vanburg]

I know this is going to sound a bit odd, but the best beach outing pictures I ever took was with the 70-300 on DX. Got great sand and water pictures of the kids, and even managed some OK surfer stuff as they got closer to shore.

 

[Big Daddy]

... Instead of worrying about using a smaller lens to prevent camera/child collisions, get a Rapidstrap. When you bend over, it won't swing forward and you can avoid those needless waterside concussions! That potential solution would enable you to use your good zoom for the best possible results. ...

Good point!

I like the ND suggestion as well. It's a bit more work while watching a kid (putting it on, and then maybe removing it). It'll also allow some use of fill-flash while within the camera's 1/500 or 1/250 sync speed depending on which body he brings. Though Steve's D40 can run the flash at almost any shutter speed with the right "trick."

The question often boils down to how much "hassle" will the camera gear be while watching kids and enjoying oneself. That'll vary with each shooter -- e.g. for me, part of enjoying myself at a relaxing spot is tensing myself up by taking photos with more complex gear and techniques I'm trying to learn (I'm hopelessly weird?).

(The cynical parent in me says, "taking little kids to the beach is never relaxing." :biggrin: )

 

[vinman]

(The cynical parent in me says, "taking little kids to the beach is never relaxing." :biggrin: )

+1

Taking kids to the beach HAS to be all about them. The only two things that are relaxing on the beach are your mate and your adult beverage of choice - not necessarily in that order, though!

:biggrin:

 

[mdnativ]

Steve,

I take my 3 young kids (9, 7 & 5) by myself to Dewey Beach, DE a lot. Over the years, I learned there is a time to have fun with the kids, watch the kids then take pictures of the kids.

I usually take them out early with a DSLR and get some shots before it gets too crowded and hot. Then I pack it in and enjoy the time. You will get wet, I suggest a waterproof disposable or P&S for those times.

What kind of strap do you have? I sling my DSLR over my shoulder but I have problems when I have to reach down. A Black-Rapid or similar type strap would do really well here.

As for lens selection, my mantra is travel light - freeze at night. I'd go with the 35 f/1.8 or the 16-85. I don't have the latter but it's the same focal length as my 18-70mm. It takes great pictures with enough light.

Your wife will be 100% engaged with your infant which leaves you with your toddler. Tell your toddler to run from the waves, that will keep her from getting her feet buried during the back wash so she won't lose balance when the next wave comes in.

Expect a lot of crying the first time that happens, they won't like the taste or stinging eyes from ocean water. Priceless memories for me.

Good luck and enjoy.... :smile: