What's the Best Lens for Your Type of Photography?

Selecting the right lens as a photographer is akin to choosing the perfect paintbrush for an artist. It's the tool that shapes our vision, allowing us to capture the world in unique and captivating ways. However, with a myriad of options available, finding the best lens for your specific needs can be a daunting task. Fear not, for we've curated a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the lens landscape across various shooting types and budgets.

The Idea

Portraits

Budget Option:

For Canon EF: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM - This nifty fifty offers excellent image quality at a budget-friendly price, making it a go-to choice for portrait enthusiasts on a tight budget.
For Nikon F: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G - Similar to its Canon counterpart, this lens delivers stunning portraits with beautiful bokeh, all without breaking the bank.
For Sony E-mount: Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 - Sony's affordable prime lens is perfect for capturing striking portraits with creamy backgrounds, ideal for beginner portrait photographers.
For Fuji X-mount: Fujinon XF 50mm f/2 R WR - This compact prime lens delivers sharp portraits with a pleasing bokeh, making it a versatile choice for Fuji shooters.

Mid-Range Option:

For Canon EF: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art - This Sigma masterpiece offers exceptional sharpness and stunning bokeh, making it a favorite among portrait photographers seeking premium quality at an affordable price.
For Nikon F: Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD - Tamron's 85mm prime lens combines superior image quality with image stabilization, making it an excellent choice for portrait shooters who demand versatility.
For Sony E-mount: Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 - Sony's mid-range portrait lens delivers exquisite image quality with fast and accurate autofocus, perfect for capturing captivating portraits in any lighting condition.
For Fuji X-mount: Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8 - This third-party gem offers impressive optical performance at a fraction of the cost of its counterparts, making it an attractive option for portrait photographers on a budget.

Cub Tip:

Don't be afraid of 3rd party brands like Sigma and Tamron. They've been making lenses for major mounts for decades, and often offer superior image quality to the native counterpart. In DSLR mounts like Canon EF and Nikon F, Sigma's Art Series and Tamron's G2 lenses are cheaper and sharper than their full-frame 1st party bretheren.

Expensive Option

For Canon EF: Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM - Canon's legendary portrait lens is renowned for its unparalleled image quality and buttery-smooth bokeh, making it a must-have for professional portrait photographers.
For Nikon F: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E ED - Nikon's flagship portrait lens boasts exceptional sharpness and stunning background blur, making it a top choice for photographers who demand nothing but the best.
For Sony E-mount: Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM - Sony's premium portrait lens sets the standard for optical excellence, delivering breathtakingly sharp images with creamy bokeh, perfect for capturing stunning portraits with unparalleled detail.
For Fuji X-mount: Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 WR - Fuji's top-of-the-line portrait lens offers exceptional image quality and beautiful bokeh, making it a favorite among portrait photographers who demand the utmost in performance and versatility.

Landscapes

Cheap Option

For Canon EF:Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM - This compact and lightweight lens is ideal for capturing expansive landscapes with excellent sharpness and detail, making it a great choice for budget-conscious photographers.
For Nikon F:Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G - Nikon's affordable wide-angle prime lens offers impressive image quality and versatility, making it a solid option for landscape photography on a budget.
For Sony E-mount:Sony E 20mm f/2.8 - Sony's compact wide-angle lens is perfect for capturing sweeping landscapes with crisp detail, making it an excellent choice for photographers looking to explore the great outdoors without breaking the bank.
For Fuji X-mount:Fujinon XF 18mm f/2 R - This wide-angle prime lens offers excellent image quality and a compact design, making it a versatile option for landscape photographers on a budget.

Mid-Range Option

For Canon EF:Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 - Tamron's versatile zoom lens offers excellent sharpness and image quality across its focal range, making it an ideal choice for landscape photographers seeking flexibility without compromising on performance.
For Nikon F:Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art - Sigma's flagship zoom lens delivers stunning image quality and optical performance, making it a top choice for landscape photographers who demand the utmost in quality and versatility.
For Sony E-mount:Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS - Sony's wide-angle zoom lens offers exceptional image quality and optical stabilization, making it an excellent choice for capturing breathtaking landscapes with ease.
For Fuji X-mount:Fujinon XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS - Fuji's wide-angle zoom lens offers outstanding image quality and optical stabilization, making it an ideal companion for landscape photographers who demand versatility and performance.

Expensive Option

For Canon EF: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM - Canon's flagship wide-angle zoom lens delivers unparalleled image quality and optical performance, making it a top choice for professional landscape photographers who demand nothing but the best.
For Nikon F: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED - Nikon's legendary wide-angle zoom lens sets the standard for optical excellence, delivering breathtakingly sharp images with stunning detail, perfect for capturing expansive landscapes with unparalleled clarity.
For Sony E-mount: Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM - Sony's ultra-wide zoom lens offers exceptional image quality and optical performance, making it an ideal choice for capturing sweeping landscapes with breathtaking clarity and detail.
For Fuji X-mount: Fujinon XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR - Fuji's premium ultra-wide zoom lens delivers stunning image quality and optical performance, making it a favorite among landscape photographers who demand the utmost in quality and versatility.

Street Photography

Cheap Option

For Canon EF: Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM - This compact and lightweight lens is perfect for discreet street photography, offering excellent image quality and versatility at an affordable price.
For Nikon F: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G - Nikon's affordable prime lens offers excellent image quality and fast autofocus, making it an ideal choice for capturing candid moments on the streets.
For Sony E-mount: Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS - Sony's budget-friendly prime lens delivers stunning image quality and optical stabilization, making it a versatile option for street photographers looking to capture the essence of urban life.
For Fuji X-mount: Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR - This compact prime lens offers excellent image quality and a discreet design, making it an ideal choice for street photographers who value portability and versatility.

Mid-Range Option

For Canon EF: Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art - Sigma's fast prime lens offers exceptional image quality and a wide aperture, making it an excellent choice for street photographers who demand premium performance without breaking the bank.
For Nikon F: Tamron SP 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD - Tamron's versatile prime lens offers excellent image quality and optical stabilization, making it a top choice for capturing candid moments on the streets with ease.
For Sony E-mount: Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 - Sony's mid-range prime lens delivers stunning image quality and fast autofocus, making it a favorite among street photographers who demand the utmost in performance and versatility.
For Fuji X-mount: Viltrox AF 33mm f/1.4 - This third-party gem offers impressive optical performance and a wide aperture, making it an attractive option for street photographers seeking premium quality at a reasonable price.

Expensive Option

For Canon EF: Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM - Canon's flagship prime lens delivers stunning image quality and exceptional low-light performance, making it a top choice for professional street photographers who demand the best.
For Nikon F: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G - Nikon's premium prime lens offers exceptional image quality and a wide aperture, making it an ideal choice for capturing the vibrant energy of the streets with unparalleled clarity and detail.
For Sony E-mount: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM - Sony's premium prime lens sets the standard for optical excellence, delivering breathtakingly sharp images with beautiful bokeh, perfect for street photographers who demand nothing but the best.
For Fuji X-mount: Fujinon XF 35mm f/1.4 R - Fuji's flagship prime lens offers outstanding image quality and a wide aperture, making it a favorite among street photographers who demand premium performance and versatility.

Fast Moving Subjects

Cheap Option

For Canon EF: Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III - This budget-friendly telephoto zoom lens offers decent image quality and reach, making it a suitable choice for capturing fast-moving subjects on a tight budget.
For Nikon F: Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED - Nikon's affordable telephoto zoom lens delivers impressive image quality and reach, making it an ideal choice for capturing fast-moving subjects without breaking the bank.
For Sony E-mount: Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS - Sony's budget-friendly telephoto zoom lens offers good image quality and optical stabilization, making it a versatile option for capturing fast-moving subjects at a distance.
For Fuji X-mount: Fujinon XC 50-230mm f/4.5-6.7 OIS II - This lightweight telephoto zoom lens offers decent image quality and reach, making it a budget-friendly choice for capturing fast-moving subjects with ease.

Mid-Range Option

For Canon EF: Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 - Tamron's versatile telephoto zoom lens offers excellent image quality and optical stabilization, making it an ideal choice for capturing fast-moving subjects with precision and clarity.
For Nikon F: Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports - Sigma's flagship telephoto zoom lens delivers stunning image quality and fast autofocus, making it a top choice for photographers who demand premium performance.
For Sony E-mount: Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS - Sony's mid-range telephoto zoom lens offers outstanding image quality and optical stabilization, making it a favorite among photographers who demand versatility and performance.
For Fuji X-mount: Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8 - This third-party gem offers impressive optical performance and a wide aperture, making it an attractive option for capturing fast-moving subjects with precision and clarity.

Expensive Option

For Canon EF: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM - Canon's flagship telephoto zoom lens delivers exceptional image quality and optical performance, making it a top choice for professional photographers who demand nothing but the best.
For Nikon F: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR - Nikon's premium telephoto zoom lens offers stunning image quality and optical stabilization, making it an ideal choice for capturing fast-moving subjects with unparalleled precision and clarity.
For Sony E-mount: Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II - Sony's flagship telephoto zoom lens sets the standard for optical excellence, delivering breathtakingly sharp images with beautiful bokeh, perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects with unparalleled detail.
For Fuji X-mount: Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR - Fuji's premium telephoto zoom lens offers outstanding image quality and optical stabilization, making it a favorite among photographers who demand the utmost in performance and versatility.

Low Light Event Photography

Cheap Option

For Canon EF: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM - This budget-friendly prime lens offers excellent low-light performance and versatility, making it an ideal choice for capturing events with limited light conditions without breaking the bank.
For Nikon F: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G - Nikon's affordable prime lens delivers stunning image quality and fast autofocus, making it a top choice for low-light event photography on a budget.
For Sony E-mount: Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 - Sony's budget-friendly prime lens offers exceptional low-light performance and optical stabilization, making it a versatile option for capturing events in challenging lighting conditions without compromising image quality.
For Fuji X-mount: Fujinon XF 35mm f/1.4 R - This compact prime lens offers excellent low-light performance and a wide aperture, making it an ideal choice for capturing events with stunning clarity and detail in low-light conditions.

Mid-Range Option

For Canon EF: Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art - Sigma's versatile zoom lens offers exceptional low-light performance and image quality, making it an ideal choice for capturing events with precision and clarity in challenging lighting conditions.
For Nikon F: Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 - Tamron's mid-range zoom lens delivers outstanding low-light performance and optical stabilization, making it a favorite among photographers capturing events in low-light environments with exceptional detail.
For Sony E-mount: Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 Sony E Mount - Tamron's versatile zoom lens designed for E-Mount. Fast 2.8 wide open, quiet but quick AF motor, and a solid performer all around.
For Fuji X-mount: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary in X-Mount - Sigma's great all arounder for multiple mounts, but also in Fuji X. Tack sharp and compact. This is a versatile solution for those on a bit of a budget.

Expensive Option

For Canon EF: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM - Canon's flagship zoom lens delivers exceptional low-light performance and optical performance, making it a top choice for professional photographers capturing events in challenging lighting conditions.
For Nikon F: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR - Nikon's premium zoom lens offers stunning low-light performance and optical stabilization, making it an ideal choice for capturing events with unparalleled precision and clarity in low-light environments.
For Sony E-mount: Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II - Sony's flagship zoom lens sets the standard for optical excellence, delivering breathtakingly sharp images even in challenging low-light environments, perfect for event photography.
For Fuji X-mount: Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR - Fuji's premium zoom lens offers outstanding low-light performance and image quality, making it a favorite among photographers capturing events with exceptional clarity and detail in low-light conditions.

Conclusion

Conclusion Selecting the best lens for your photography involves considering factors such as shooting type, budget, and optical performance. Whether you're capturing portraits, landscapes, street scenes, or fast-moving subjects, there's a lens out there that suits your needs and preferences. By exploring options across different price points and lens mounts, you can find the perfect tool to bring your creative vision to life. Remember, it's not just about the gear—it's about the stories you tell through your lens. Happy shooting!