Despite the rise in popularity of the mirrorless camera, DSLRs are still in mass production and maintain a cult following among hobbyists and professionals alike. Choosing one over the other mostly comes down to personal preference.
However, once you make that choice, you need to select the right lens or lenses. Choosing lenses for a DSLR camera can be complicated due to the sheer amount available. You might be looking for a plethora of different lenses, a holy trinity set of three that covers everything, or a single one that fits your personal needs.
Here are the best DLSR camera lenses available today.
You can use this Canon telephoto lens in a wide variety of situations. However, it is primarily a lens for wildlife and sports photography because its 400mm focal length can get you close to your subject.
Tracking subjects like animals on the move or a predatory striker in a soccer game is a breeze, thanks to the excellent 3-mode 4-stop image stabilizer. Coupled with the fast USM-powered autofocus, you can shoot these images instantaneously, and the motor allows manual override at any given time. However, since its widest aperture is f/4.5, you may wish to experiment with higher ISO settings.
On the other hand, it’s also a good portrait lens, especially for taking candids where there will be a bit of distance between the lens and the subject. The nine diaphragm blades isolate your subject with a beautifully smooth, rounded bokeh. Additionally, it combats color distortion well, no matter the optical length, while the Air Sphere Coating reduces backlit flaring and ghosting problems.
- Rotating zoom ring
- Air Sphere Coating
- Lens hood with side window for filter adjustment
- 3-mode, 4-stop image stabilizer
- Focal Length: 100-400mm
- Aperture: f/4.5-5.6
- Compatible Mountings: Canon EF
- Brand: Canon
- Excellent torque adjustment combats zoom creeping
- Weather sealed
- Tripod mount can be removed without detaching from camera
- Dustproof
- Widest aperture is f/4.5
- On the heavy side
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
This canon lens is a medium telephoto lens and one of the best for taking portraits. With the wide and fast f/1.4 aperture, you get excellent low-light performance and, coupled with its 9-blade diaphragm, exceptional bokeh. It’s also the first 85mm in Canon’s Luxury L-series to feature image stabilization.
This stabilizer gives the photographer much more freedom than usual. Pesky tripods and cumbersome flashes are unnecessary, and you can capture expressions more naturally and informally. Handheld wedding photography is especially a breeze, from outdoor ceremonies to indoor receptions.
The stabilizer element features an Air Sphere Coating to correct any spherical distortion and minimize backlit flare and ghosting. It also has a premium GMo aspherical element for all-around sharpness and detailed contrast. Autofocus is also fast and accurate, and you can override it with manual focus at any time.
It is a little on the heavy side, however, so shoulders may start to ache after extensive use. That said, the vivid captures of personalities and emotions with each shot are well worth it. You can even capture weddings on the beach that experience an unexpected thunderstorm, thanks to its durable weather sealing. The happy couple will enjoy timeless shots for years to come of guests clamoring for shelter as the heavens open!
- 4-stop image stabilizer
- Large f/1.4 aperture
- GMo aspherical lens
- Air Sphere Coating
- 9-blade circular aperture
- Focal Length: 85mm
- Aperture: f/1.4
- Compatible Mountings: Canon EF
- Brand: Canon
- Dust and water-resistant
- Excellent autofocus
- Manual focus override
- Lens hood included
Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM
This Tamron lens is a highly versatile and excellent budget choice perfect for wildlife and sports photography, and it’s available at a bit of a steal! It’s a 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens and is compatible with Nikon mounts. However, there are also variations for Sony and Canon DSLRs.
In addition to action shots, it also excels in portraiture, whether a planned shot or a candid face picked out from a crowd. You’ll get nice blurry backgrounds to isolate your subject, and the long optical length will pick out expressions from afar in crisp detail.
Combining different styles is a joy. You can shoot elephants while on safari before quickly capturing the awe on your child’s face from close up. This swift transition is primarily due to the fast autofocus of Tamron’s Ultra-Silent Drive technology, which you can easily override with the manual focus ring when needed. Furthermore, with four stops of exposure, the Tamron image stabilization technology, which they call Vibration Compensation, is highly effective.
The lens prevents chromatic aberration and sharpens contrast with the Low and Extra-Low Dispersion glass, giving an overall upright performance for this price range. Additionally, it has a Broad-Band Anti-Reflection coating to diminish flare and ghosting. However, panning isn’t as easy as with more premium lenses; tracking faster subjects may take a bit of practice.
- Optical design with XLD high-grade glass
- USD autofocus
- 4-stop image stabilization
- BBAR coating
- Focal Length: 70-300mm
- Aperture: f/4.0 – f/5.6
- Compatible Mountings: Nikon F
- Brand: Tamron
- Good bokeh results
- Highly versatile
- Good image quality
- Fast autofocus
Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SP Di VC USD XLD
If you are searching for the perfect lens for macro photography, the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM is a lens that you will have difficulty bettering. It is compatible with Canon EF mounts and shoots at a magnification ratio of 1:1. However, you can increase this by using a compatible APO teleconverter.
The lens restricts light dispersion inside by using LD glass elements which stop chromatic distortion. Additionally, the rounded 9-blade circular diaphragm gives smooth bokeh behind your subject, which could be a ladybug or a blooming flower. Thanks to a comfortable minimum shooting distance of just over five and a half inches and a quiet yet fast internal focussing system, you won’t disturb those subjects either. Coupled with its excellent stabilization technology, handheld shots from very short distances produce outstanding results.
Additionally, it’s a good lens for action photography, and you can create sharp in-the-moment images in vivid detail. The Hyper-Sonic Motor is silent and swift and will help your autofocus track and capture fast-moving trains, jumping pets, or stampeding wild animals.
- Super Multi-Layer Coating
- 4-stop image stabilization for still and moving subjects
- Focal Length: 105mm
- Aperture: f/2.8
- Compatible Mountings: Canon EF
- Brand: Sigma
- Can use slow shutter speeds even in dim light
- Can use it with an APS-C sensor
- Splashproof
- Affordable
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro
If you are looking for a classic 35mm with a wider aperture than usual, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G is a good choice. It is a little on the heavy side for this type of lens, but it does feature a robust aluminum barrel, and the aperture is an ultra-fast f/1.4.
It’s a great choice if you travel and need a Jack-of-all-trades lens. It will capture excellent-quality landscapes and close-up portraits while it excels in street photography. You can record city breaks handheld both day and night, indoors or outdoors, because this lens takes excellent dim-light images. You can capture all the neon lights and evening ambiance of any city you visit, including interior shots at restaurants or museums.
There is no LD element in this lens. Instead, it fights chromatic aberration using a single aspherical element, and the Nano-Crystal Coating, the mark of a serious Nikon lens, combats ghosting and flare.
The internal-focussing system is hushed and has a swift Silent Wave Motor autofocus with full-time manual override. However, as it is a prime lens, there is no zoom feature. So, you will need to move into position the old-fashioned way. Be sure to pacify any large cats if you decide to do this while on safari!
- High-speed f/1.4 aperture
- Robust barrel
- Silent autofocus
- Focal Length: 35mm
- Aperture: f/1.4
- Compatible Mountings: Nikon F (FX)
- Brand: Nikon
- Easy to use handheld at night
- Excellent for street photography
- High-quality images
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G
With many camera companies pricing their lenses out of the reach of many hobbyists, third-party manufacturers like Tamron offer fantastic alternatives at lower prices.
If you are looking to buy a set of holy trinity lenses, this 70-200mm from Tamron is a great choice to include and is compatible with Nikon FX mounts. The 5-stop Vibration Compensation (image stabilization to most people) is superb, and the rapid autofocus is one you can trust. This lens will give you sharp and detailed portraiture, landscape, architecture, and action images that you can be proud of. However, if you need to zoom even further, for example, when bird-watching, you can seek a compatible teleconverter.
It’s a durable, well-built lens that still manages to remain lightweight and transportable. It will undoubtedly prove to be a bit of a bargain for amateurs and professionals alike.
- Focal Length: 70-200mm
- Aperture: f/2.8
- Compatible Mountings: Nikon FX
- Brand: Tamron
- Excellent build quality
- Lightweight
- Excellent image stabilizer
- Sharp quality images
- Smudged corner details with fully-open aperture
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 for Nikon
Sigma’s reputation has grown in recent years, and they are no longer just a third-party lens manufacturer. Their Art range lenses have created a buzz in the photography world, and the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art lens is no different. It’s a lens designed for full-frame DSLRs, and this one is compatible with Canon EFs, but it is also available for Nikon F and Sigma SA mounts.
For those with a keen interest in capturing the heavens, a 14-24mm ultra-wide angle lens is perfect for astrophotography. It’s also an excellent choice for landscapes and architecture. It shoots dramatic mountain ranges and abstract buildings in vivid detail. In fact, it’s difficult to find any problems with the optical quality of this lens. Images are sharp, and there is no evidence of chromatic aberration or other distortion. This quality is apparent even at full zoom, with picture edges having sharp enough detail to compete with most premium-priced lenses.
Although a little heavy, it is still comfortable to hold and use and is robust and weather sealed. It’s an excellent addition to any lens set and will prove to be a lot of fun to use.
- Fixed lens hood
- Fast f/2.8 aperture constant at any zoom range
- Swift Hyper Sonic Motor autofocus
- Ultra-high-precision molded glass aspherical lens element
- Focal Length: 14-24mm
- Aperture: f/2.8
- Compatible Mountings: Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma SA
- Brand: Sigma
- Fully weather sealed
- Seamless zoom
- Smooth focus
- On the heavy side
- Incompatible with screw-on filters
Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM
FAQ
Q: What Lenses Make Up a Holy Trinity Set?
A holy trinity set of lenses covers all photography styles. They are all zoom lenses, which offer more versatility, but you will need to compromise on the quality that prime lenses give. The ideal maximum aperture should be f/2.8 to allow low-light shooting.
An ultra-wide angle lens covering anywhere from 10 to 35mm takes care of landscapes, architecture, and astrophotography. You can even use them to get creative with portraits, weddings, or parties.
A 24-70mm gives you more intimacy with portraits and landscapes and is generally an all-around lens. It’s an excellent choice for travelers requiring versatility and the one to choose if you only want to take one on vacation with you.
A 70-200mm or higher lens completes the set. It lets you get creative with candid or close-up portraits, compressed landscapes, and unusual architectural angles. Additionally, you get excellent action shots, thanks to the optical length, when capturing sports events or wildlife.
Q: Is It Better to Have a Good Camera or a Good Lens?
The lens has such a significant bearing on image quality that it is hard to suggest that a premium camera is more important. It is easier to spot image deficiencies produced by a low-quality lens on a high-quality camera than spotting one made on a substandard camera using a high-quality lens.
Lenses are also more durable and often only need the elements replaced after a time. Therefore, you can use your lenses with many camera bodies.