Lens Selector

Lens Selector

Not sure which lens you need? Here are some suggestions...

portrait Portraits: When shooting individuals in a studio, mid-range primes (fixed focal length lenses), such as 50mm and 85mm, are often used. Open up to a wide aperture such as f/1.4 for pleasing background blur. A mid-range 24-70mm zoom is great when working with groups because you can easily frame the photo depending on the size of the group. When shooting individuals outdoors, a longer zoom with a wide aperture is great, such as a 70-200mm f/2.8. If you're shooting head shots, a 200mm or 300mm prime is great.
vacation Vacations: Most people rent a super zoom because they are so versatile. They can be used for almost anything including landscape, architecture, wildlife, groups, etc. Both Nikon and Canon offer great lightweight 18-200mm super-zooms with image stabilization. Or try a 70-300mm with image stabilization if you want a telephoto zoom. If you need even more range, try the Canon 28-300mm or the Nikon 80-400mm.
outdoor sports Sports - Outdoors: To photograph sports, you'll get the best results with a lens that focuses fast, has a wide aperture, and some range. Both Canon and Nikon make 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses that are great for smaller venues such as high-school stadiums. The wide aperture lets you use a fast shutter speed to stop the action, plus the background blur will isolate the subject. On bright days, the Canon 100-400mm IS is a good choice. Image stabilization is highly recommended.
indoor sports Sports - Indoors: Most gyms present a very challenging situation; the subject is moving fast and the light is fairly dim. You will get the best results using wide aperture prime lenses because they let in a lot more light than zooms. Plan on setting the ISO to 1000 or higher, aperture at f/1.8 or f/2.0, and using two lenses. Depending on the size of the facility and how close you can get to the action, arrive armed with 2 of the following: 35mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8 or f/1.4, 135mm f/2.0. Or try the ultimate indoor sports lens; the 200mm f/2!
performance Stage Performance: You definitely want a zoom so you can frame the shots. You usually can't move about while the performance is going on so you need the lens to do the work. There is usually enough light on stage to use an f/2.8 zoom as long as you have the ISO set to a fairly high setting. Image stabilization is very useful because the shutter speeds may be a bit on the slow side. Once again, a 70-200mm lens and the 200mm f/2 are at the top of the list.
market Capturing the Moment: Whether your at a celebration, an outdoor market, or any place with a lot of activity or atmosphere, take some shots with a wide angle zoom. These lenses excel in producing photographs that capture the context of the event because you can see so much activity in the image. Try the Canon 10-22mm, the Nikon 12-24mm DX, or the Nikon 14-24mm. Both Nikon and Canon make excellent 17-55mm lenses.
wedding Available Light: There are a few prime lenses with huge apertures that are great for shooting with no flash. These images capture the scene just like you see it because no flashes are used that change the light. Give this a try with the 50mm f1.2 and the 85mm f/1.2. These lenses are also useful in very large rooms where the flash won't reach the subject. Just be careful of the very narrow depth of field when the aperture is wide open.
landscape Landscapes: Wide angle lenses that are sharp corner to corner and have great contrast produce stunning landscape photos. Try the Canon 16-35mm EF f/2.8L II or the Nikon 17-35mm AF-S f/2.8D IF ED. If your camera has a cropped-frame sensor, both Canon and Nikon offer great 17-55mm lenses that produce impressive results. Great landscape primes are the 14mm, 24mm, and 35mm lenses.