Best of the Rest

Now that you have your Canon DSLR digital camera, you want the best value lenses. I recommend Canon lenses only for their quality, ability to last a long time and their resale value. Whether you are starting out in photography or are a seasoned amateur, it’s important to have a variety of lenses so that you are prepared the make the best quality photograph. The Best Value lens recommended is the Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-85mm. If you want to start with just one lens, this is a great all-around lens in the mid-range category.

The 24-85mm is a moderately fast lens at its widest angle, 24mm and goes to f/4.5 when you zoom the lens to 85mm. However, you will need to have a super wide-angle lens to cover areas below 24mm and a telephoto zoom lens to cover areas above 85mm. The Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-300mm IS (Image Stabilization) lens is ideal for covering events from a distance or for stage performances. And if you want a super fast lens, then consider the Canon 70-200mm f/4 IS lens that gives you the addition of four extra stops in addition or in place of the less expensive 70-300 mm.

I did not recommend any digital only lenses as they will only work on Canon DSLRs that have a 1.6x multiplication factor. In fact, all lenses listed in the Best Value category will work with Canon’s SLR's (film cameras) for extreme conditions. Lastly, I think the Canon 50 mm f/1.4 is an essential lens for low light or some portrait photography. It is one of the fastest lenses for the money that Canon makes and makes a great addition to the variety of your lenses.

Remember, digital cameras will last about 3-5 years, but your lenses can last 15-20 years or more as long as you take care of them. Furthermore, your lenses are your most important investment in your photography business or hobby. I like to think of camera lenses like speakers for a stereo system. It always pays to get great quality speakers, as they will allow your stereo to sound better. And when you have great quality lenses for your DSLR, your photographs will be sharper and more impressive. In fact, you always want to get the fastest lens (i.e. the lower number aperture) you can afford. The best is when your aperture is the same low number throughout the range of operation. This makes a huge difference in low light situations, which is where you often make the best photographs.

When you use any Canon DSLR that does not have a full frame image sensor, you will be faced with a lens multiplication factor of 1.6x (except on the Canon 5D and the Canon 1DS Mark II and Mark III). Therefore, the Canon 50mm Normal lens for low light or possibly portrait work will become a 80mm lens. Also, never ever purchase a kit lens as these are not made well and are never a good investment.