DSLR Lens recommendations under $500

Thursday, December 17, 2009 Posted in Photography Tips

One of the most common question I receive is, “What lens would you recommend?” or “What are some good affordable camera lenses?”.
Here are my good, affordable Digital SLR lens recommendations under $500 for starters, hobbyists or parents.

First of all, I’m a Canon user but I’m not a Nikon hater so I’ll try to help you out too.

1. The kit lens. Usually the 18-55mm with variable f3.5-5.6 lens. Foggedabout it! Ain’t worth it. Just buy the DSLR body and start out with one of the lenses below.

2. 50mm 1.8

Everyone knows about this lens. In both Canon or Nikon you can get it for around $100. You can get some nice images with this lens and it’s so worth it at that price.

Canon 50mm 1.8 price check: Adorama or B&H

Nikon 50mm 1.8 price check: Adorama or B&H

3. 50mm 1.4

I love this lens! This is an upgrade to the 50mm 1.8. Both Canon and Nikon. I believe Nikon has a newer version. The old one is Nikon 50mm 1.4D and the new one is Nikon 50mm 1.4G Help me out here Nikon friends!

Canon 50mm 1.4 price check: Adorama or B&H

Nikon 50mm 1.4 price check: Adorama or B&H

4. 85mm 1.8

Canon or Nikon. I love this lens! I tried the Canon 85mm 1.2 the focus was way too slow for my taste so I prefer this.

Canon 85mm 1.8 price check: Adorama or B&H

Nikon 85mm 1.8 price check: Adorama or B&H

5. Canon 28-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS

I can’t say that I love this lens but it’s a good lens that gives you a versatile range. For me, I just didn’t like the image quality straight out of the camera.

Canon 28-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS price check: Adorama or B&H

6. Tamron 28-75mm 2.8

Third party lens. Make sure you’re buying one specified to Canon or Nikon. This is a nice all-purpose lens. I’ve tried it and seen photos taken with this lens.

Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 price check for Canon: Adorama or B&H

Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 price check for Nikon: Adorama or B&H

I’m sure there are more lenses under $500 but I have hands on experience with these lenses. If you would like to suggest other lenses or have any thoughts to add please leave a comment.

The reason why I recommend Adorama or B&H is because they both have great services and quality that I can count on and trust. FYI, I have no ties with them other than that’s where I get all my gear from and I like them.

And as always, having the latest camera or lens isn’t going to make you a better photographer. Learning to see and understand quality light and using it to your advantage is so important. But of course first, read the manual, learn your camera, get comfortable with it and keep shooting!

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17 comments

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Loren Rodgers - Another vote for the 85. I LOVE this lens, even on a crop sensor like to 50D.

Recently, I’ve been shooting a lot with my Sigma 20mm f/1.8. On a crop sensor, this becomes a very usable focal length.May 14, 2010 – 1:08 pm

[Reply]

Mary Rogers - Thanks for posting this Peter. I found it very helpful. I currently just use the kit lenses on my Canon T1i but would like to expand my collection. My brother in law has the 50mm 1.8 and that thing is awesome!! I would really like to get that one and really close zoom lens. This one is out of my price range at the moment but its kinda what I want.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=70-200mm&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=14595214379913743362&ei=KdLsS7GrBoKClAeqqoEM&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=image&resnum=7&ved=0CEIQ8gIwBg#

Anyway, thanks for the info! :) May 14, 2010 – 12:32 am

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Tommy Han - I think the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is a good one too. I mean you’re getting a nice wide angle lens with a fixed aperture of 2.8. Not bad for a $500 lens. Canon’s 17-40 f/4 is a lot more expensive than this. Plus you’re gaining a full stop with Tamron.May 13, 2010 – 11:53 am

[Reply]

Peter Bang Reply:
May 13th, 2010 at 1:13 pm

thanks for adding the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 Tommy! One of my friends also bought it recently and told me he really likes it!

[Reply]

Sarah Patch - Ok. Thanks!December 31, 2009 – 4:58 pm

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Sarah Patch - Thanks Peter, very helpful! Was already thinking of buying one of the 50mm. Is the 50mm 1.4 really that much better than the 50mm 1.8 that it’s worth more than double the price? Is the only difference a little bit more depth of field?December 27, 2009 – 9:24 pm

[Reply]

Peter Bang Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 10:04 am

Hi Sarah. In my opinion the 50mm 1.4 is worth it in the long run since you’re shooting weddings and such. The build quality is better, focuses faster and sharpness and colors are better.

[Reply]

Jeff - I am just a hobbyist and recently got a Canon Rebel (1000d) and since it was a gift I got the packaged deal. I am looking for a quality telephoto lens that won’t break the paycheck. Any ideas? Also I have a question about Infared photography, is there a way of doing it with out voiding the warranty on the camera by having it modified?

Thanks,December 18, 2009 – 2:17 pm

[Reply]

Peter Bang Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

Hi Jeff, thanks for writing. I’ve not had any hands-on experience with telephoto lenses other than the 70-200mm 2.8 IS. I don’t know what your budget is but some options that I know of are 75-300mm 4-5.6, 28-200mm 3.5-5.6, or the 70-200mm 4.0. Can’t say that I can recommend any of them but here’s a good resource for lens reviews for Canon I go to often. http://www.the-digital-picture.com/

[Reply]

Sehyung Kim - Sigma has a newer version of 17-35/2.8-4.0 lens that’s just about $500. It’s hard to find, but it’s a GREAT lens, especially for the price. It has HSM, Sigma’s version of USM and has manual focus override and at 2.8-4.0 aperture, it’s plenty fast for the zoom range. Sample images: http://baw5t0n.xanga.com/564306966/gehry–night/December 18, 2009 – 10:44 am

[Reply]

Peter Bang Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 5:18 pm

awesome shots sehyung! thanks for sharing.

[Reply]

Elise - That was so helpful! (especially that they’re all under $500)
Do you think you could post a few example pictures, so we could see the quality of the lenses?December 18, 2009 – 8:57 am

[Reply]

Peter Bang Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 9:43 am

Thank you guys! I’m glad you think it’s helpful.
Elise, let me know which specific lens example you’d like. Maybe I can try to do that. In the latest engagement post of Lauren and Jeremy most of the indoor shots are done with the 50mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.8, and the b&w close up of the two of them outside is 85mm 1.8. The ones by the water are all 70-200mm 2.8 IS.

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Kara - THIS may just be your best post yet (and that’s saying something since I’m obsessed with your pictures). Thanks for the tips!!December 17, 2009 – 5:38 pm

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Paul Barrios - Dude my NIKKOR 85mm 1.8 is my favorite lens. I want the latest 50mm 1.4 because Nikon has the new nano coated glass which has some amazing results. Both my 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses have it and it rocks.December 17, 2009 – 2:25 pm

[Reply]

Life in 85mm » Peter Bang Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia Wedding Photographer - [...] If you’re starting out and need some recommendations on what lens to get I wrote a post on some affordable lenses I’d recommend. [...]May 11, 2010 – 5:41 pm

Me and my boy » Peter Bang Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia Wedding Photographer - [...] a blog post for hobbyist on some lenses under $500 that I’d [...]December 29, 2009 – 1:52 pm

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