What are good first Canon lenses for a hobbyist shooting a variety of subjects?

Asked 11/28/2010

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2 answers

I’m a Canon hobbyist and want to build a lens kit for different kinds of photography, including landscape, macro, portraits, sports, and general use. I know there isn’t a single “must-have” lens for everyone, but which lenses are commonly recommended as strong starting points, and what are they best suited for?

canon lenses portrait beginner sports

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

15y ago

2 Answers

50mm f1.8

Or faster if you're rich!
OK - so it's not literally a "must have", but I don't know anyone who has one and doesn't rave about it.
In terms of bang for your buck, you can't beat it.
I love mine, and it is always attached to one of my bodies.

I use this for everything, but especially for portraits with a blurred background.

Originally by user191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user191

15y ago

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

There really isn’t a universal “must-have” lens—what matters most is what you shoot. That said, two commonly recommended Canon options from the answers are:

• 50mm f/1.8: A classic low-cost prime with excellent value. It’s especially popular for portraits because the wide aperture helps blur backgrounds, but many people also use it as an everyday lens.

• 70-200mm f/2.8: A standard choice for sports and general telephoto work. It’s versatile, sharp, and can often be used with a 1.4x teleconverter while still performing well. Image stabilization can help for slower shutter speeds on non-moving subjects, but it also adds weight and cost.

So the best advice is: don’t look for a single mandatory lens. Start with a lens matched to your main subject. If you want the best value and portraits, the 50mm f/1.8 is a great first pick. If you need reach for sports or events, look at a 70-200mm f/2.8.