Your First Three Lens Purchases

Written by: Tiffany Joyce

Most new D-SLR camera owners find themselves pushing the capabilities of their kit lens in very short order. More than anything we want a collection of lenses that will accommodate just about any circumstance in which we find ourselves taking photographs. While no single lens can do it all, you will find that there aren’t many tasks that this trio of lenses cannot face.

One – A wide angle lens that can double as a “walking around” lens, or a high-quality standard zoom lens. I own a Canon EOS 7D, and two of my favorite options for a “walking around” lens are the 17-55mm f/2.8 and the 24-70mm f/2.8L (other camera brands provide lenses in similar focal ranges). While the former doesn’t quality as an “ultra” wide-angle lens, it still does a great job at capturing landscapes. The focal range of the latter is flexible enough to be considered a go-to primary lens for many professional photographers.

Two – A telephoto lens. You can’t go wrong with one of the high-quality 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses out there, but even the sub-$600 70-300mm f/4-5.6 image-stabilized lenses currently on the market are excellent options, as long as you’re not shooting in dim lighting situations.

Three – A high speed 50mm *or* a macro lens. The very first new lens I purchased was my 50mm f1.4. It handles fantastically in low light levels and creates beautiful bokeh. Plus, it was considerably less expensive than most of the other lenses I had on my wish list. However, if you’re really into macro photography and wish to add one to your arsenal, the 60mm f/2.8 comes highly recommended and is in a similar price range of $300-$500.

With these three lenses in your collection, you will find yourself ready to face with confidence any photographic challenge that comes your way. For help choosing the right lens for you, check out LensHero.

Photo Credit: Tiffany Joyce

Previous Post: 6 Tips For Wildlife Photography