SLR Lenses
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens for Canon EF
- EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
- One XLD Element, Five LD Elements
- eBAND, BBAR, and Fluorine Coatings
Other Buying Options
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR Lens (Refurbished by Nikon USA)
- F-Mount Lens/FX Format
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
- ASP/ED, AS, ED, and HRI Elements
- Nano Crystal & Super Integrated Coatings
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Lens (Refurbished by Nikon USA)
- F-Mount Lens/FX Format
- Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16
- Super Integrated Lens Coating
- Silent Wave Motor AF System
Tokina atx-i 100mm f/2.8 FF Macro Lens for Nikon F
- F-Mount Lens/FX Format
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/32
- Multilayered Coating
- 1:1 Magnification, 11.8" Min. Focus
Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens for Nikon F
- F-Mount Lens/FX Format
- Aperture Range: f/4.5 to f/45
- Three Low Dispersion Elements
- eBAND and Fluorine Coatings
Other Buying Options
Pentax HD-DA 16-50mm f/2.8ED PLM AW Lens
- K-Mount Lens / APS-C Format
- 24.5-76.5mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
- Extra-Low Dispersion Glass
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art Lens for Nikon F
- F-Mount Lens/FX Format
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
- Three SLD Elements
- Four Aspherical Elements
Other Buying Options
Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens and TC-1401 1.4x Teleconverter Kit for Nikon F
- F-Mount Lens/FX Format
- Aperture Range: f/5 to f/22
- One FLD Element, Three SLD Elements
- Super Multi-Layer Coating
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens
- EF-S-Mount Lens/APS-C Format
- 28.8-88mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Aperture Range: f/3.5 to f/38
- One Aspherical Element
Other Buying Options
Tokina SZX 400mm f/8 Reflex MF Lens with 2x Extender Kit for Nikon F
- F-Mount Lens / Full-Frame Format
- Fixed Aperture: f/8
- Catadioptric Telephoto Lens
- Manual Focus
Pentax HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW (Black)
- K-Mount Lens/ Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/2.8-f/32
- Minimum Focus Distance: 5.1"
- ED and Anomalous Dispersion Elements
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Nikon F
- Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
- One Molded Glass Aspherical Element
- Three Special Low Dispersion Elements
- Super Multi-Layer Coating
Other Buying Options
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM Lens
- EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
- Three Aspherical and Two UD Elements
- SWC, Air Sphere, and Fluorine Coatings
Other Buying Options
Yongnuo YN 35mm f/2 Lens for Canon EF
- EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/2 to f/22
- Multi-Coated Glass Elements
- AF/MF Switch
Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens
- F-Mount Lens/DX Format
- 27-82.5mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Aperture Range: f/3.5 to f/38
- Two Aspherical Elements
Other Buying Options
Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC Lens For Canon EF
- Ultra Wide-Angle 14mm Lens
- Compatible w/ Full Frame & APS-C Cameras
- Hybrid Aspherical Lenses -- Sharp Images
- Multi-Layer Coating to Reduce Flare
Other Buying Options
Tokina SZ SUPER TELE 500mm F/8 Reflex Lens (Canon EF-Mount)
- Canon EF-Mount / Full Frame Format
- Fixed Aperture: f/8
- Catadioptric Telephoto Lens
- Manual Focus
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens
- EF-S-Mount Lens/APS-C Format
- 16-35.2mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Aperture Range: f/3.5 to f/27
- One Super-Ultra-Low Dispersion Element
Other Buying Options
Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Nikon F
- F-Mount Lens/DX Format
- 75-150mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16
- Four SLD Elements, Three FLD Elements
Other Buying Options
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM Lens
- EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22
- Two Ultra-Low Dispersion Elements
- Three Aspherical Elements
Other Buying Options
Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 for Canon EF
- Canon EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/5 to f/40
- Three Low Dispersion Glass Elements
- eBAND, BBAR, and Fluorine Coatings
Other Buying Options
Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8 Lens for Canon EF
- Canon EF Mount/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/22
- Multi-Coated Lens Elements
- AF/MF Switch
Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D Lens
- F-Mount Lens/FX Format
- Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/22
- Super Integrated Coating
- Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm
Other Buying Options
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens (White Box)
- EF-S-Mount Lens/APS-C Format
- 28.8-88mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Aperture Range: f/3.5 to f/38
- One Aspherical Element
Samyang 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC Lens for Canon EF
- EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
- Two Aspherical Elements, Two ED Elements
- Three High Refractive Index Elements
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens
- EF-S Mount Lens/APS-C Format
- 28.8-88mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Aperture Range: f/4 to f/32
- One Aspherical Element
Other Buying Options
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens + Speedlite EL-100 Creative Photography Kit
- EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/22
- Super Spectra Coating
- STM Stepping AF Motor
Rokinon AF 14mm f/2.8 Lens for Canon EF
- EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
- One Extra-Low Dispersion Element
- Two Aspherical and Four HRI Elements
The Importance of a Good Camera Lens
A good camera lens has a major impact on the quality of your photos. It gives even the most basic cameras the ability of producing great images. There are several important components to consider when shopping for a lens, including zoom capability, aperture size, focal length, quality of the glass, and more. If you’re still exclusively using the lens that came with your camera and want to improve your photography, it may be time to find out what other lenses can do for you.
Which lens is right for me?
It depends on what you’re shooting. Some common types of photography include panoramas, skyscapes, interiors, landscapes, candid family shots, portraits, sports and action, wildlife, and the night sky. Different subjects require different lenses. One important aspect to consider is focal length, which is the path the light travels on the way to your camera’s sensor. Generally speaking, big, wide scenes require lenses with shorter focal lengths, while more distant subjects require longer focal lengths. A zoom lens will allow you to use a single lens at a variety of focal lengths.
Here are various applications, and the lenses most ideally suited for them. Note that these examples use the focal length marked on the lens itself, or 35mm-equivalent. For some cameras – such as APS-C or m4/3 – you may need to apply a crop factor (see this Explora article for more information):
- For ultra-wide scenes, waterscapes, and skyscapes—a fisheye or ultra-wide angle lens with a focal length range between 8mm – 24mm
- For interiors, architecture, and general landscapes—a standard wide angle lens with a focal length range between 24mm – 35mm
- For environmental or full-length portraits, street photography, and travel—a standard lens with a focal length range between 35mm – 85mm (50mm is the most common)
- For portraits and candid shooting—a short telephoto lens with a focal length range between 85mm – 135mm
- For close sports and action—a medium telephoto lens with a focal length range between 135mm – 300mm
- For wildlife and more distant sports—a super telephoto lens with a focal length above 300mm
It’s not uncommon for versatile photographers to own multiple lenses. Check out Explora’s Purchasing Your Next Lens article for more information.