I am going to be reviewing Canon EF mount lenses only, and that’s because EF-S lenses don’t fit on full frame cameras, but EF lenses fit on every Canon EOS camera, so my thought here is that if my readers are trying to get as good as they can be, and potentially grow a business, they are going to be creeping toward the best gear they can afford, which will be full frame bodies. For that reason, I don’t want to recommend gear that will become the hassle of rebuilding your lens kit if and when you move to a full frame body. For more on the bodies, check out my Camera recommendation post. EF-S lenses, are almost always cheaper, because they are targeted at a more consumer-level buyer, so just understand my self-imposed limitations as I approach this in the way that I am choosing to. Even “budget” lenses might be a little costly on this list, but as I have explained in this article on my journey through all my gear purchases over the years, and probably elsewhere around the site, lenses are your best investment in this game, you’ll never regret getting a good one… or five.
As with my other review pages, I won’t list every last spec on these lenses, those can be found when you click through, so I’ll be writing my rationale for why these lenses made my list.
GENERAL PURPOSE:
Budget Pick
Canon EF 17-40mm f4L
I have been tempted by this lens many a time, it’s got a great price, although it’s probably not a “budget” lens technically speaking. As with any “L” series glass that is listed below, you’re looking at the best of the best, but this is a fantastic usable range that includes the popular 35mm focal length, and an amazing price for an L lens – one of the cheapest.
What it’s good for: Landscapes, Portraits, Real Estate, Architecture, Food, Street, Documentary, Photojournalism, Fashion, Fine Art, Weddings.
Value Pick
Canon EF 24-105mm f4L IS II
This gets the spot because of its extended range. Though not as wide as the 17-40, this one has a lot more to offer on the long end, and the included image stabilization will help with handhold-ability. This is a very popular lens for photographers and videographers alike.
What it’s good for: Landscapes, Portraits, Street Photography, Documentary, Photojournalism, Food, Street, possibly Sports, Fashion, Fine Art, Weddings.
Pro Pick
Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L II
I owned one of these a few years ago, and I loved it. I ended up selling it because I was moving away from zooms and toward primes, and then I kind of moved back a few years later. This is the top spot for general purpose in my book because it has a respectable range, but what it lacks in focal length under the 24-105, it crushes it in aperture. A 2.8 aperture really makes the difference when shooting in adverse conditions.
What it’s good for: Landscapes, Portraits, Street Photography, Documentary, Photojournalism, Food, Street, possibly Sports, Fashion, Fine Art, Weddings.
TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS:
Budget Pick
Canon EF 70-200mm f4L
This is a great way to get some L series glass, too. The narrower f4 aperture and lack of IS are what makes this model one of the more affordable L series lenses. This would be a great outdoor lens because the range is good, and in fact, very good for portraiture as well as sports
What it’s good for: Portraits, Outdoor Sports, Outdoor Candids, Wildlife, Fashion, Fine Art, Weddings.
Value Pick
Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 Di VC USD G2
This is not a Canon EF Lens, but it does have a Canon EF mount on it, and thus makes the cut. I don’t recommend a lot of third party lenses, but they can be a great way to get respectable glass on the cheap. This one is basically an off-brand copy of my Pro Pick for this category, but at a far more attractive price.
What it’s good for: Portraits, Sports, Candids, Wildlife, Fashion, Fine Art, Weddings.
Pro Pick
Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS II
The mothership. I’ve had a version of this lens since very early in my career, and it is what I would call my “Desert Island” lens, that is, if I was going to be on a desert island and had to bring only one lens, this would be it. It’s a jack of all trades: fantastic for portraiture, sports, wildlife, indoor, outdoor, you name it. This is the lens I trust the most and I don’t leave home without it.
What it’s good for: Portraits, Sports, Candids, Wildlife, Fashion, Fine Art, Weddings.
WIDE ANGLE ZOOM LENS:
Budget Pick
Canon EF 16-35mm f4L IS
I transitioned to this lens a few years after I sold my aforementioned 24-70. 16mm on a full frame camera. is. extremely wide. This lens impresses and is a great walk around lens at 35mm, too. I find that, at half the price of the 2.8 version, an f4 is usable on a wide angle lens for a few reasons: A) wide angles are easier to stabilize handheld than telephotos, B) this model has IS, and C) my 5D Mark IV has great high ISO noise control, so if I need to crank it up a little to make up for a less-than-amazing aperture, I can survive.
What it’s good for: Landscapes, Group Portraits, Portraits, Architecture, Weddings, Food, Street, Fashion, Fine Art.
Value Pick
Tamron 15-30mm f2.8 Di VC USD
This, like the previous off-brand recommendation, will fit an EF mount and save you a few bones because it’s third party. Still an impressive range with a great aperture and IS, this lens fits perfectly as the value pick, and its features make it very tempting.
What it’s good for: Landscapes, Group Portraits, Portraits, Architecture, Weddings, Food, Street, Fashion, Fine Art.
Pro Pick
Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8L III
See:Budget Pick review, then imagine me gushing about why a 2.8 aperture is better.
What it’s good for: Landscapes, Group Portraits, Portraits, Architecture, Weddings, Food, Street, Fashion, Fine Art.
PORTRIATURE:
Budget Pick
Canon EF 50mm 1.8
This is frequently the lens I recommend to new shooters. It is phenomenally cheap for an aperture of this size. Of course, we’re not pulling a fast one on Canon, they make up for the great aperture with a sickly build quality to bring us this price point, but it’s a great entry lens. I own and use the slightly more expensive 50mm 1.4 lens that is much sturdier and a little faster, too, but the 1.8 is decidedly more “budget.”
What it’s good for: Portraiture, Fashion, Food, Fine Art.
Value Pick
Sigma 135mm f1.8 ART
Taking home the value pick once more is the newly-on-its-game Sigma. Not always a respected brand, Sigma is killing the lens game lately with its redesigned ART line. This is an incredible aperture, and though it’s a little tight of a focal length for most people (especially on an APS-C camera), it’s a great price for that impressive aperture. This lens will cream backgrounds into blurred nothingness.
What it’s good for: Portraiture, Fashion, Food, Fine Art.
Pro Pick
Canon EF 85mm f1.4L IS
I dethroned the oft-top-spotted 85mm 1.2 for this new offering from Canon. This version of the 85mm traded a stop of light for image stabilization, and I think it’s super intriguing. 1.4 is still a very wide aperture and it’s easier to control than 1.2 also. I did own the 1.2 for a time, loved it, but sold it to be able to afford the 5D Mark IV. I found it a little superfluous because I already had 85 and 2.8 IS within my 70-200 2.8L IS, so it wasn’t easy but I parted ways with it. The 1.4, is just as tempting for people in my situation, who already technically have an 85, but would prefer the smaller size, portability, and epic sharpness of a prime lens.
What it’s good for: Portraiture, Fashion, Food, Fine Art.
