The 3 Best Camera Lenses for Canon
Whether you’re a photographer or someone looking to use photography to elevate their business, blog, or travels, there are so many lenses available to purchase that it often ends up being overwhelming to choose the perfect one.
In this blog post, I’ll be using a simplified and practical perspective to walk you through three Canon lens recommendations so you can find the best one for your unique situation.
We’ll cover the details of the 50mm, 28mm, and 85mm Canon lenses. These numbers refer to the focal length— which is essentially how far the lens is from your subject. The one you choose will depend on your budget, shooting style, subject, and ultimately your specific situation. My goal is that by the end of the blog post, you’ll know which Canon lens to either start out with or add to your growing collection.
I’ll also include links to purchase each lens at different price points and as used or new options as well. Whenever you can, I highly encourage you to buy used. Not only is it better for the environment, but it's so much friendlier on your wallet. I always buy through KEH camera because all of their equipment is quality checked and it’s so much safer than a social media marketplace or third-party auction sites. Plus, you can use coupon codes “JWSHOP” for 5% off or “JWSELL” for a 5% bonus when you sell to KEH.
One more side note— I want to challenge you to learn how to use manual mode on your camera. The truth is, you can have the nicest camera with the greatest lens in the world, but if you are not shooting in manual mode, you are not using the camera to its full capability (like knowing how to capture that blurry background effect I know you love).
With all that out of the way, let’s jump right into it with our first option:
1. The 50mm Canon lens.
The 50 millimeter is one of the most popular focal lengths and is beloved by both beginner photographers and seasoned professionals. If you want something that’s small, light, versatile, and a great standard lens, this may be the one for you.
What it’s best for:
Portrait photography
Product photography
Sit-down videos (like the ones
I make on YouTube)
This tiny-but-might lens is likely to mark its place in your top three favorites of all time as it has with other photographers around the world. Not only is this lens lightweight and petite in size compared to others, but it’s as sharp as a tack and available in several different price points so you can find the one that fits your budget. I recommend the f/1.4 but you can watch a full comparison on the f/1.2 and f/1.4 here.
Purchasing options:
Psst! Don’t forget to use coupon codes “JWSHOP” for 5% off!
Watch: 50mm F/1.2 vs 50mm f/1.4 Portrait Photography Lens Comparison
2. The 28mm Canon lens.
This is considered a wide lens, meaning that you can get more in the frame which results in you, as the photographer, not having to adjust yourself as much to secure the desired shot. I would recommend this for people who are wanting to capture more of the environment.
What it’s best for:
Vacation + travel photography
Family photography
Interior photography
Everyday video
As far as video, you're going to get a lot of your surroundings in the back. If you want it to be a lot closer up with a softer backdrop, then the 50mm would be a better option for filming. If the 28mm takes the prize, remember to use code “JWSHOP” for 5% off!
Purchasing options:
3. The 85mm Canon lens.
I know I mentioned bloggers at the beginning of this post and if that’s you, this is the lens I recommend. Even if you’re not a blogger, don’t check out quite yet— you might find that this lens could work for you, your business, or your lifestyle as well.
What it’s best for:
Bloggers
Full-body + portrait photography
I suggest this lens to those who are not limited by space. If you’re are a fashion blogger and you shoot outside with the ability to be quite far away from your photographer, then the 85mm is the way to go. Because it’s a traditional portrait lens, it’s also going to be the most flattering for full-body portraits and photos. The 85mm is also the longest focal length so you’re left with a very soft, creamy background.
Purchasing options:
Use code “JWSHOP” at checkout for 5% off!
The 85mm would also pair really well with either the 50mm or the 28mm depending on your lifestyle and what your goal is with photography in correlation to your business. At the end of the day, only you can decide which lens is best for you.
Be sure to watch my manual photography tutorial for a quick and easy way to get the most out of your camera and lens. If you have any lingering questions about cameras or lenses or photography in general, join my free photography Facebook group called Build + Bloom and instantly have access to guidance and support from over 65K photographers.
Resources:
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