Lens Buying Guide: Tailoring Your Lens Choices to Your Photography Style

The lens you select can significantly impact the images you produce. To enhance your photographic skills, it's vital to choose a lens that suits your needs and passions. By understanding what to look for, whether you're aiming to capture expansive landscapes, striking portraits, or intricate macro details, you’ll be well on your way to finding the ideal lens.

To choose the perfect lens for your needs, consider these important aspects for different shooting styles.

Portrait Photography

When photographing portraits, the goal is to capture the subject's essence, and the right lens plays a crucial role in achieving this. A lens in the 50mm to 85mm range is often the best choice, providing a natural look without the distortion that can occur with wider lenses. Selecting a lens with a wide aperture, between f/1.8 and f/2.8, allows for a shallow depth of field, which blurs the background and draws attention to the subject. Prime lenses are particularly well-suited for portrait photography because they offer superior sharpness and clarity, making them a popular choice for both professional and beginner photographers.

Top 5 Lenses for Portraits

FujiFilm X F50mm F/1.0 R WR X Series Lens

Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM Lens

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM Lens 

Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena 

Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III G2 VXD Lens - Sony FE 

View our full guide: Best for Portrait - 2024 Lenses - Buyers Guide

Landscape Photography

For landscape photography, wide-angle lenses are indispensable tools for capturing sweeping vistas. Lenses with focal lengths ranging from 10mm to 35mm allow you to include more of the scene in your frame, providing a sense of scale and depth. It’s essential to choose a lens that maintains sharpness across the entire image, particularly at smaller apertures like f/8 or f/16. Minimising distortion is also crucial; lenses with low distortion will keep the landscape looking natural and true to life. Weather sealing is a valuable feature for outdoor photographers, ensuring your gear can withstand tough conditions while shooting in nature.

Top 5 Lenses for Landscapes 

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm F4.0 PRO Lens

Laowa 10mm f/2.8 Zero-D FF Lens for Sony E Mount Auto Focus

Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM Ultra Wide Zoom Lens

Nikon Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Lens

Tamron 17-50mm f/4 Di III VXD (Sony E) 

View our full guide: Best for Landscape - 2024 Lenses - Buyers Guide 

Sports Photography 

In sports photography, a telephoto lens is a must-have for capturing fast-moving action. Focal lengths between 70mm and 400mm are ideal for getting up close to the action while maintaining image quality. Look for lenses that feature image stabilisation to counteract camera shake, which is especially important at longer focal lengths. Lenses with a wide aperture (f/2.8 or f/4) will enable you to achieve faster shutter speeds, essential for freezing motion in fast-paced environments. Fast autofocus is also crucial, as it enables you to track moving subjects effectively, ensuring you don’t miss key moments during the action.

Top 5 Lenses for Sports

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM M2 Lens 

Panasonic Lumix S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Macro OIS Lens

Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S Lens

Tamron AF 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III-A VC VXD Lens - Fuji X-Mount

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens 

View our full guide: Best for Sport - 2024 Lenses - Buyers Guide

Macro Photography

Macro photography offers a chance to explore intricate details, and a dedicated macro lens is essential for this genre. A lens with a 1:1 magnification ratio allows you to get up close to your subjects, whether it’s a flower, an insect, or everyday objects. Consider a lens with a wide aperture which will enhance your ability to create a shallow depth of field, emphasising your subject against a beautifully blurred background. Pay attention to build quality and features like image stabilisation, which can help you achieve sharper results at close distances.

Top 5 Lenses for Macro Photography

Panasonic Lumix S 14-28mm f/4-5.6 Macro Lens 

Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Lens - Canon EF

OM System M.Zuiko ED 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS PRO Lens

Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens

Nikon Nikkor Z 105mm Macro Lens 

View our full guide: Best for Macro - 2024 Lenses - Buyers Guide

Best for Everyday

For everyday use, versatility is key. A zoom lens with a focal length range such as 18-50mm, 28-70mm or 24-105mm allows you to adapt to various shooting scenarios without frequently changing lenses. Portability is essential; choose a lightweight lens that you can carry comfortably throughout the day. Additionally, consider the lens's durability, especially if you plan to use it in different environments. A lens with a wide maximum aperture is also beneficial for low-light situations, helping you capture clear images when lighting conditions aren’t ideal.

Top 5 Lenses for Everyday

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens for Sony E- Mount

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Lens - Sony E-Mount

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens 

Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS Standard Zoom Lens 

Nikon Nikkor Z 24-200mm f4-6.3 VR Lens

View our full guide: Best for Everyday - 2024 Lenses - Buyers Guide

Matching Your Style with the Right Lens

Selecting the right lens is a journey that blends technical understanding with your personal artistic goals. By focusing on what matters most for your specific photography style, whether it's capturing the grandeur of landscapes, the intimacy of portraits, or the fine details in macro, you’ll be equipped to make informed decisions. As you explore different lenses, keep in mind that investing in a good lens is often more impactful than upgrading your camera body. The perfect lens is the one that complements your style and helps you tell your story through images.

Shop Lenses at Camera House

Seek advice from Camera House’s knowledgeable staff in-store and online to find the camera equipment that’s right for you! Check out our shipping information online and enjoy free regular delivery on orders over $99, or view our store locator to visit a Camera House store near you.

Browse the full 2024 Lens Buyers Guide Collection