When it comes to choosing a lens, often then not, people go for a zoom, which offers a range of versatility. For more people shooting across genres, this is a cost-effective option. If you look at Amazon’s best-selling list, it showcases a mix of primes and zooms. Here is a look at some popular options for young and seasoned photographers.
Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM
A popular nifty fifty, the Canon lens offers a close focusing distance of 0.30m, and has 7 aperture blades. The design is small and compact, with simple controls, including a manual focus ring. Other than that, the build is alright, but it also focuses quickly on the R6. In addition, the images are sharp after f4, the bokeh is nice and creamy, and the colors are “rich, with deep blacks.” Given its price, this is an all-round lens that offers a balance for most young users.
Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III
The Tamron 17-70mm is an APS-C lens, which offers weather resistance, a lightweight build, and a rubber ring for grip. When paired with the Sony a6600, the lens was quick and accurate. The image quality is also great, with the 9 aperture blades delivering some nice soft bokeh. “As stated earlier, the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 Di III-A VC RXD gave me nostalgia. The colors look like old school Sony–which I really miss,” we added. It is a lens that you can carry around anywhere.
Canon EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 III
The 75-300mm was designed for film cameras and DSLRs, which offered a 120-480mm equivalent on APS-C cameras. Launched in 1999, it came with 13 elements in 9 groups, a conventional autofocus system, and no internal zoom mechanism. The device is budget-friendly and an option for many travel photographers looking for something under $150. We have not tested the lens, so we can’t comment on its performance. However, Canon did unveil a similar focal range last year for the RF system.
Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 DC DN Contemporary
The 18-50mm was introduced in 2021, an APS-C lens for Sony E-mount, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, and L-mount. The lens is compact, offering 27-75mm on an APS-C camera, and can be used for various genres, including portrait, travel, street, landscape, and everyday shooting. With 13 elements in 10 groups, the lens offers a close focus distance of 12.1cm and weighs under 300g.