Night photography does not pertain to astrophotography per se, but also to other genres such as events, street, or wedding photography, where a bright aperture may be required. With most photographers leaning towards Canon while purchasing their cameras, we decided to help you find the best lens for your varying needs. A bright aperture will not only make night photography better but can also lead to exceptional bokeh during the day. Here is a look at our top four picks.
Canon RF 35mm F1.4 VCM
A 35mm lens is perfect for various genres, and the f1.4 further makes it an ideal choice for photographers. The lens is designed with 14 elements in 11 groups, including 2 UD lenses and 2 Aspherical lens elements. It features a minimum focusing distance of 0.28m, a maximum magnification of 0.18x, and 11 aperture blades. The weather-sealed lens has exceptional focusing capabilities, and it is quite sharp. In addition, the color rendering is something photographers will appreciate, as it will need less post-processing time.
Canon RF 50mm F1.2 L USM
The aperture f1.2 is a costly one for many lenses, but it is something that many into night photography will appreciate. The Canon 50mm f1.2 has a 77mm thread, 15 elements in 9 groups, and a close focusing distance of 0.40m. The lens weighs 950g and measures 89.8 x 108.0mm. In addition to its weather sealing, we loved its bokeh, fast autofocus, build, texture, and its aperture ring. As we said, “In many ways, this is perhaps the perfect prime lens within a standard workable focal length that they’ve put out in years. I’m thrilled that they launched the system with this lens.”
Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM
An 85mm focal length is perfect for many photographers. The Canon RF 85mm L series is another such example, where precision meets innovation. The lens features a 0.85m minimum focusing distance, one Aspheric element, and one UD lens, as well as dust and weather-resistant coatings. It also features 0.12x magnification, 9 aperture blades, and weighs 1.19kg. Some of the things it’s good at include autofocus, colors, sharpness, and build. As we said in our review, “With the Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM, Canon has created another stellar lens in a widely popular focal length. Is it bulky? Sure. Heavy? Absolutely. But damn does this lens deliver some truly stunning results.”
Canon RF 135mm f1.8 L
The Canon 135mm is not just for portraitists but also for event and food photographers who need a longer focal range. Designed with 17 elements in 12 groups, the lens has a minimum focusing distance of 2.29 feet, 9 aperture blades, and 5 stops of image stabilization. Some of the things we liked included its close focusing ability, colors, focus, and weather resistance. In fact, we found the lens to have some of the best image quality.