Collecting photography gear as a budding photographer can feel a little overwhelming. Lenses, in such cases, are undoubtedly the most crucial element for your camera. For a beginner kit, selecting the right lenses to suit your photography style can be a nerve-wracking sport, especially if you want to try your skills in a different photography niche.
Different lenses offer various qualities and work differently under select background and light conditions. Therefore, you must carefully choose which lenses to buy for your kit. Here are some of the best lenses for a beginner kit.
1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STMÂ (Overall Winner)
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is one of the best lenses for a beginner kit. Professionals highly recommend it. An extended focal length of 50mm works over a wide field of vision and is versatile in wide-angle photography ranging from close focus portrait to open landscapes. The lens gives an equivalent of 80mm focal length on APS-C cameras and 50mm on full-frame ones. Â
The Canon 50mm f/1.8 offers a diverse range of angle views, a focusing distance of 0.35m, and a maximum 0.21x magnification. The fast aperture of f/1.8 works great in low light while seven circular blades keep the focus on the subject clear and sharp to produce neat bokeh.
A stepping motor (gear-type STM) smoothly runs the autofocus to give noise-free, silent shots. This STM technology is highly functional for dramatic scenes that change swiftly, ensuring that you don’t miss a moment of your shot in your movie or stills. Canon EF is lightweight and portable for a traveling kit.
2. Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is built exclusively for full-frame Canon EF-mount cameras although it works considerably well with APS-C models. With APS-C models, the lens gives a focal length equivalent to 56mm.Â
With a maximum aperture of f/1.4, the lens captures a great deal of light making it shine in low light conditions. The lens is equipped with advanced technology like HSM (Hypersonic Motor) and an inner focusing system.
The HSM ensures that the autofocus works rapidly and eliminates the surplus noise and grain, so the autofocus adjusts smoothly and quietly without disruptions. The FLD and SLD aspherical glass elements remove axial and chromatic aberrations from photos and give clear, sharp photos. The lens can close in on an object up to a distance of 30cm while the nine diaphragm blades give a mesmerizing bokeh effect perfectly.
3. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G
Nikon’s AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is one of the best portrait lenses that also delivers the sharp, cutting-edge clarity of a medium telephoto lens. Having a focal length of 85mm, it captures objects at a minimum distance of 0.85m. The standard focal length of the lens gives a different angle of view for FX and DX-format DSLRs.
In DX, the focal length is equivalent to 127.5mm, while in FX, it is 35mm. The lenses incorporate a circular nine-blade aperture to give a well-defined, clearly rounded bokeh effect to the photos. A fast f/1.4 aperture captures maximum light in a short time, which gives outstanding results in low light conditions.
The Silent Wave Motor (SVM) enhances the autofocus by lowering the noise while PGM designed aspherical lens corrects other aberrations. The Nano Crystal Coat reduces the ghosting and flare for better clarity and sharpness, producing high-contrast photos.
4. Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USDÂ
The Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD is a highly compatible lens that works with almost all camera brands. However, it is most popular with Canon’s DSLRs. Its competitive and professional features suit macro photography best. A 90mm focal length precisely locks in minute details and snaps subjects into focus for a clear and sharp image.Â
An aperture range of f/2.8 to f/32 gives you the artistic freedom to adjust to any measurement in any background from dim low light to bright exposed fields. The fast aperture focuses on the object and gives a clear bokeh to the ‘macro portrait.’
Tamron lenses have relatively easier control over the adjustments. On the barrel, a sliding focus ring allows you to smoothly switch from autofocus to manual focus without any noise or supplemental adjustments.
5. Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 SAMÂ
The Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM is lightweight while still offering the same features of otherwise bulky lenses. It works with Sony’s Alpha range. The standard focal length of 35mm, which gives a 75mm focal length equivalence in APS-C cameras. The maximum aperture of f/1.8 gathers details of the subject outstandingly in low light backgrounds.
At the same time, you can also tune down the aperture to f/32 to minimize the light exposure in brightly lit fields. A built-in smooth autofocus motor (SAM) functions in place of ordinary autofocus.
It guides the focusing element group to drive or rotate the focus, so the focus on the object is smooth, and the picture produced is clear, sharp, and crisp. The structure of the lens is compact and light, which helps it land on our list of best lenses for beginner kits.
6. Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM
Sigma has achieved a top rank in manufacturing high-quality lenses with innovative designs and functions and the Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM is no exception. The Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) AF System is one of the key features of Sigma that boast the latest technology they use. HSM gives effortless and quiet autofocus, while optical stabilization reduces the blur from the camera shakes.
Four FLD and one SLD glass elements give a clear and sharp contrast to the photos. The maximum aperture ranges from f/3.5 to f/6.3, which works decently in low light conditions. The broad focal length range of 18-300 mm allows you to capture clear portraits as well as crisp and refined telephotos. With a maximum focus close-up of -39cm/15.3 inch and magnification ratio 1:2, you can take sharp and detailed macro shots.
7. Pentax DA 50mm f/1.8 (Budget Winner)
The Pentax DA 50mm f/1.8 has all the standard features for a perfect companion to your camera kit. The wide focal length of 50mm can be employed in diverse fields.
The 50mm f/1.8 delivers a focal length equivalent to 76.5mm in 35mm format, and the circular blades work alongside the powerful aperture to create beautiful bokeh. Pentax DA, apart from the traditional features, offers a unique perspective angle for shooting.
By using a 35mm focal length and f/2.4 aperture, you can shoot at eye level. The transferrable shake reduction mechanism of the lens lends image stabilization to the camera, which eliminates the blur and edits out unnecessary noise. The focus ring can be turned to switch from autofocus to manual focus smoothly and quietly.
Finding Lenses for a Beginner Kit
Selecting the right lenses for your beginner kit can be tricky. There are many factors that you should take into account before choosing a lens. Whether it’s ditching your lame kit lenses or exploring new styles, these curated options are great to start with.
