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An (incomplete) list of EF lenses worth getting and lens buying guide

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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,002
Introduction/disclaimer: I'm making this list and guide to help those less knowledgeable about lenses have an easier time deciding what to get. I've compiled information for various websites and have gathered a list of lenses that have gotten the best reviews/perform well/test well. The list definitely is open to critique and feel free to suggest your own lenses/reviews! I didn't include kit lenses in the lineup because, well, most people will be looking to upgrade FROM those to newer lenses.

Here are some useful links to start stuff off:
--Good links for buying used and/or new lenses:
http://ebay.com
http://keh.com
http://adorama.com (used: http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=category&cat1=Used)
http://bhphotovideo.com (used: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Used-Equipment/ci/2870/N/4294247188)
--Compare lenses/test their sharpness here: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx
--Read reviews here: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-Lens-Reviews.aspx / http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

Now lens time...
Canon Brand Lenses:

-PRIMES-

Sub $500 (prices based off of B&H new price):

Canon EF 24 2.8 -$360
Canon EF 28 1.8 - $480
*Canon EF 50 1.8 II - $100
*Canon EF 50 1.4 USM - $380
*Canon EF 85 1.8 USM - $390

Sub $1000

Canon EF 15 2.8 Fisheye - $635
*Canon EF 100 2.8L IS USM Macro - $970
Canon EF 135 2.0L USM - $1000
Canon EF 200 2.8L II USM - $780

Price no object

Canon EF 14 2.8L II USM - $2220
*Canon EF 24 1.4L II USM - $1650
Canon EF 35 1.4L USM - $1390
Canon EF 50 1.2L USM - $1550
*Canon EF 85 1.2L II USM - $2090
Canon EF 300 4L IS USM -$1350

-ZOOMS-

Wides
Canon EF-S 10-22 3.5-4.5 USM - $800
Canon EF-S 15-85 3.5-5.6 IS USM - $760
Canon EF 16-35 2.8L USM - $1580
*Canon EF 17-40 4L USM - $780

Standards
Canon EF-S 17-55 2.8 IS USM - $1100
Canon EF 24-70 2.8L USM - $1300
*Canon EF 24-105 4L IS USM - $1070

Zooms
*Canon EF 70-200 4L USM - $660
*Canon EF 70-200 4L IS USM - $1250
*Canon EF 70-200 2.8L USM - $1350
*Canon EF 70-200 2.8L IS USM - $1550
*Canon EF 70-200 2.8L IS II USM - $2500
Canon EF 100-400 4.5-5.6L IS USM -$1590

Third Party Lenses

-PRIMES-

Sigma EF 15 2.8 Fisheye -$610
*Sigma EF-S 30 1.4 -$440
Sigma EF 50 1.4 -$500
Sigma EF 85 1.4 -$900
Tamron EF 90 2.8 -$450
Sigma 180 3.5 -$690

-ZOOMS-

*Tokina EF-S 11-16 2.8 -$600
*Tamron EF-S 17-50 2.8 -$460
Tamron EF-S 17-50 2.8 VC -$650
Sigma EF 18-50 2.8-4.5 -$200
*Tamron EF 28-75 2.8 -$500
Sigma EF 70-200 2.8 -$800

Old/Used Lenses

Old lenses are great. For their very cheap price you can get a full manual lens that out performs many of the 2000 dollar lenses for 1/10 the price. Most old/used lenses require an adapter to be used on canon slrs. These can be purchased relatively cheap on ebay or amazon. There are a TON of gems out there, some discovered, some still relatively unknown, that all will blow you away. Be aware that not all lenses do work though, be sure to double check the mount type and find the appropriate adapter. Note: do NOT buy adapters with glass elements in them, stay away from these. They degrade the quality of the picture and

Mounts that can be adapted to fit Canon dslrs:

m42 screw mount - very common
contax c/y mount
nikon mount - also popular
olympus OM mount
leica mount
pentax mount

Some, but not all, old recommended lenses. (prices vary so not listed)

Nikon 50 1.2
Nikon 85 1.4
Nikon 50 1.4
*Pentax SMC 50 1.4
*Helios 44-2
Olympus Zuiko 28 2.8
Carl Zeiss C/Y 50 1,7
Pentax Super-Takumar 50 1.4

(Note: stared lenses are popular and recommended on this board time and time again)
(Note: more used/old lenses will be added to this list by members in posts below)
(Note: EF-S lenses can ONLY be used on cameras with a crop sensor (APS-C size) and cannot be used on a full frame camera)

Lens Buying Guide

First, start with your budget. How much money do you have to spend?

Second, what kind of lens do you need? What will you be using it for?
Wide (sub 28mm), standard(28mm-85mm), telephoto(85mm+), all around zoom, tele zoom, wide zoom.

Do you want something that is fast (good in low light)?
If yes, you probably want to go with a prime because they offer a faster f stop. If no, you could probably go with a zoom.

Do you want a prime or a zoom?
zooms have more flexibility, primes have a longer focus throw and are usually faster than zooms

What lenses do you already have?

Do you mind using a full manual lens?
If you don't, buying an older lens will save you money while still getting a superb piece of glass. Some people want a lens that works with Canon's autofocus system for photography.

Answering all these questions will help narrow down what kind of lens you really need. Check the lists above, read some reviews, compare quality, and you should be able to find a lens that matches your needs perfectly! Happy hunting!
Feb 25 2011 11:21AM
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SkiJay.
Posts: 1550 - Karma: 653
threads
Dec 5 2011 1:10PM
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ginga
Posts: 74 - Karma: 19
would the 50mm 1.8 work out as a good lens to follow or shoot skiing if not what primes would you guys suggest? looking for a prime lens that doesn't cost too much.
Dec 6 2011 8:45PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
a 50mm will be difficult to shoot with for follow cams. some people say 17mm should be your maximum focal length, some people say 24mm should be. it really depends, but if your not to skilled with a glidecam or the camera itself yet, then a 50mm on follows would be terrible. if you need something really really cheap, check out the 8mm or 15mm rokinon. they arent great, but they get the job done. if you have a little bit of extra money, check out the tamron 17-50. great walk around lens.
Dec 6 2011 10:58PM
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ginga
Posts: 74 - Karma: 19
yea kind of thought 50mm would be too close for following. thanks for the advice. i may just save up for the 17-50.
Dec 6 2011 11:10PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
Gonna bump this as we all see people asking what lens to get. STICKY
May 20 2012 12:59PM
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
is this the recommended takumar 50mm 1.4?

Click for larger image

also how good would the old nikon 50mm 1.2 be on a 500D? i found one on ebay for the same price as the above lens, £90
May 20 2012 1:18PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
Yes. that is the best Takumar 50mm. It goes Super Takumar, SMC Takumar, and then the S-M-C Takumar. I just got mine in last week. I love it so far.
May 20 2012 1:26PM
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
sweet thanks very much. thinking of asking for one for my birthday next week, wanted one for ages.

any advice on the nikon though from anyone?
May 20 2012 1:32PM
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mmallender.
Posts: 5805 - Karma: 936
any feedback on the canon ef 20mm f2.8 usm?
May 21 2012 6:26PM
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POW-WOW
Posts: 1464 - Karma: 46
Thanks a lot OP! Already had you at 10/10 but this is going to help me so much.
May 21 2012 6:31PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Actually, the Super-Multi-Coated (commonly abbreviated as S-M-C) is the version BEFORE the SMC version. Optically they're EXACTLY the same; they produce the exact same image. The helicoid is just very different (and to me less good). The SMC version has a rubber focusing ring, whereas the S-M-C version has an all metal helicoid, which I much prefer. Also, the S-M-C version looks much nicer.
May 21 2012 6:45PM
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ZachMcCarthy1
Posts: 469 - Karma: 432
. And well done jamie
May 22 2012 11:49AM
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POW-WOW
Posts: 1464 - Karma: 46
First, start with your budget. How much money do you have to spend? Under $300

Second, what kind of lens do you need? What will you be using it for?
standard(28mm-85mm), I'm planning on shooting skiing, hunting, fishing, sports, longboarding, and whatever else

Do you want something that is fast (good in low light)?
If yes, you probably want to go with a prime because they offer a faster f stop. If no, you could probably go with a zoom. I don't know much about this but whatever is cheaper(flexible)

Do you want a prime or a zoom?
zooms have more flexibility, primes have a longer focus throw and are usually faster than zooms
I think I want a prime? I won't be doing much shooting from a distance, or really close.

What lenses do you already have? Canon 28-80 .38mm/1.3ft shitty kit lens

Do you mind using a full manual lens?
If you don't, buying an older lens will save you money while still getting a superb piece of glass. Some people want a lens that works with Canon's autofocus system for photography.
I don't mind using a full manual at all, I would really like one of these old, cheaper ones even if it doesn't work with autofocus.

I'm going to be getting a t2i or a t3i.
Thanks and +K for help!!!
May 28 2012 5:51PM
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bo0b
Posts: 2964 - Karma: 994
sticky?
May 31 2012 5:40PM
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POW-WOW
Posts: 1464 - Karma: 46
Don't make me make a thread on this... really need help thanks!
May 31 2012 7:03PM
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S.C
Posts: 3068 - Karma: 2,281
save $50 more and get a tamron 17-50 non-vc used. awesome lens and much better focal length on a aps-c sensor
May 31 2012 7:37PM
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POW-WOW
Posts: 1464 - Karma: 46
Thanks man! Already had you at 10/10. In the quick research I just did I found that because of its weight in will be less stable, and I don't have much for stabilization just a handle thing and a shitty tripod do you think it will be a problem?
May 31 2012 7:56PM
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bo0b
Posts: 2964 - Karma: 994
have any of you used an old canon EOS 35mm on a digital/how is it?
Jun 9 2012 11:26AM
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BennyBagels
Posts: 494 - Karma: 2,684
threads
Nov 4 2012 3:38AM
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JibbaTheHutt
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,597
wondering if anybody could give me some advice,im interested in purchasing a wide angle found a used sigma 12-24mm for £150 ($240) i was wondering if that is a good deal? and if the lens its self is worth having?
Jan 11 2013 4:09PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
sounds like a good deal, haven't used that specific lens but sigma makes good lenses and for $240.
Jan 11 2013 4:36PM
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JibbaTheHutt
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,597
it says its for sony alphas, are there adapters i can get a hold of for my 600d?
Jan 12 2013 1:56PM
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Julian.F
Posts: 2738 - Karma: 1,280
new here. not sure where the 18-55 kit lens that came with my t4i stands but what would be a solid upgrade? help much appreciated
Jan 12 2013 10:10PM
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
depends what you want to use your camera for and many other things. dont be quick to ditch the kit lens though, its not THAT bad for photos, especially if you're new to photography. try making a thread about it for more detailed feedback
Jan 13 2013 9:39AM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
what would you guys recommend, i have enough to buy a decent lens
i have a tokina 11-16 and a canon 55-250 i really want a 50mm prime, but then i also want a tamron 17-50 or something like that....or get a mic?
Feb 3 2013 9:14AM
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HWW
Posts: 3084 - Karma: 3,436
i have recently been using a sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6, and i'm wondering what there is to advance to if i want to shoot pics of airplanes from far away. what kind of prices would i be looking at for even more zoom, and what are the limits on the zoom? thanks.
Feb 3 2013 10:33AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
Well the longer you go the more expensive it gets, exponentially.
And the price can easily double or triple or more for one or two stops of extra aperture.

You could look at manual tele lenses, it's hard at first but that's how everyone did it in the old days.
Old tele's are often overlooked.
Feb 3 2013 11:47AM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
My first though would be mirrorless with a vintage tele, not sure of the quality(I've heard that the extreme sides of FL's aren't very good, but you can get some 400mm's for $100 on ebay I know that much. giving you 800mm with your mirrorless, or just stick said m42 400mm on your current body.
Feb 3 2013 12:07PM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
anyone? 50mm 1.4 or tamron 17-50?
Feb 3 2013 3:47PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
I wouldn't get a mic yet, why do you want the 50 1.4? do you need the speed? why do you want the tamron? and what proportion do you do photos to video?
Feb 3 2013 4:00PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
Get the 50mm 1.8

Then ponder about other purchases.

For a 100 bucks everyone who owns a Canon should have the 1.8, It might be made from plastic more brittle then a McDonald's toy but the glass is excellent.
Feb 3 2013 4:10PM
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
or the smc 1.4. same price, better lens (however no autofocus, so take that into account)
Feb 3 2013 5:10PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
With the emphasis on excellent. It really is a GREAT lens. The best of the Canon 50mm's if you ask me.
Feb 3 2013 5:13PM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
i shoot probably 80% video or more, i want a prime for night shots, low light and i really want to play around with that super shallow depth of field the 1.4 0r 1.8 would give me! but i also want a mid range lens, and i hear great things about the tamron which is also pretty fast at 2.8...i dont really have a preference between the 1.4 or 1.8 i just have always been told to invest in my glass so if i were only to get a prime i would get the nicer one, but if i get another lens i think ill get the 1.8 for cheap
Feb 3 2013 5:21PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8863 - Karma: 31,577
how long are you thinking?
the canon 85mm 1.8 is highly regarded and is also pretty easy on the wallet
Feb 3 2013 5:22PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Bare in mind the dof at 85mm 1.8 will be extremely shallow, might be a difficulty for video, Also I've never understood the hype with the 50mm 1.8 if you already have the tamron 17-50, it's only just over a stop faster, I figure if you're getting a prime may as well spring for 1.4,
Feb 3 2013 5:38PM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
how is the tamron 17-50? really interested in that lens
Feb 3 2013 5:43PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Nice focal range, nice to have a focus ring you can use while skiing, near useless autofocus, but it's accurate, but that's doesnt matter much if you're filming 80%. 2.8 is nice to have, try it out(set your kit to 4 and double the iso for comparison) sharp enough, for my used anyway. Increases stopped down significantly at 4, more at 5.6 and a bit more at 7/8. After that I don't notice much. Focus switch is difficult to use with thick gloves on. Filter ring doesn't rotate when focusing/zooming(but barrel does extend) so it's fine with variable nd filters, and circular polarisers. Decent build quality, metal mount.
Feb 3 2013 6:29PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14477 - Karma: 10,515
I shoot Pentax so I know very few if any of you have direct experience, but I'll try anyway because I'm looking at 3rd party lenses.

First, start with your budget. How much money do you have to spend?
-- $600, I could theoretically see myself spending more though

Second, what kind of lens do you need? What will you be using it for?
-- Looking to replace my kit lens (18-55). I'll be using it for everything, most likely will be my go to lens.

Do you want something that is fast (good in low light)?
-- Yes. Low light performance is probably my #1 priority. I always seem to find myself in the shade / in low light situations.

Do you want a prime or a zoom?
-- Definitely a zoom. I've used my dad's 35 and it's nice, but too one dimensional for replacing a kit lens.

What lenses do you already have?
-- Pentax 18-55; SMC 50 f2; Bower 85 f1.4, Sigma 100-200 f4

Do you mind using a full manual lens?
-- I don't mind that much, but in this case I'm not really looking at full manual.

If you haven't figured out already, I'm looking primarily at the Tamron and Sigma. I know everyone on here loves the Tamron, but I've read mixed reviews elsewhere. Is the Sigma worth the extra $150+ for the 17-50?
Jan 7 2014 1:54PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24703 - Karma: 29,680
My zoom lens recommendations for APS-C shooters who want to eventually upgrade to full frame


Wide: Tokina 12-24 f4

Sharp, solid focal range, works down to 19/20mm on full frame before you get dark corners, not the fastest, but only 60% the price of the 11-16mm f2.8, and has possibly even better image quality in the middle of the range. Tokina also makes a 12-28mm f4, but it costs about 100$ more and gets a little bit more distorted at the wide end.

Standard: 24-70mm f2.8 OR 24-105/120 f4

whether Canon/Nikon or Sigma/3rd party. any will work great for video - even the cheaper ones, since none of these will be able to outresolve 1080p. Canon L/Nikkor Pro versions are going to give you better build quality and weather sealing, but will cost into the 1K+ range. Sigma's 24-60 f2.8 is a surprisingly good option, and costs maybe 1/6th as much as the pro Canikon versions, used.

Canon's 24-105L f4 and Nikkor's 24-120 f4 are also very good options if you'd like the longer zoom range, and dont' mind a slower lens. The IS/VR on these allow a lot of leeway in terms of the environment these lenses work well in for stills.

Long: 70-200mm zoom AND/OR 70-210 F4 beercan

Each brand has a ton of options for the 70-200mm. Research and find the best one for you. IS/VR is going to help a lot at these longer focal lengths when it comes to stills, so strongly consider this if you can.

If you're cheap, both Canon and Nikon have a 70-210 F4 that you can pick up for 100-150$ The quality is close enough to the 70-200's that you might as well just pick one up as a backup anyway.

Any bigger than this, and you're looking at the Sigma supertele zooms like the varifocal 120-400mm OS which puts you in the 650$ range.




Feb 14 2014 7:07PM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 1,333
I'm looking for a good all round lense for my T5I. 50/50 filming pictures? suggestions (I have little to no Idea)
Nov 27 2014 11:24AM
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