Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens
The first ultra-wide angle zoom for Canon’s EF-S cameras. Gives a zoom range equal to a 16-35 on a full frame camera with surprisingly good image quality.
Lenses Reviewed
Wide Angle Lenses
Lenses for when you want to take it all in.
< 22 mm
< 35 mm
Wide angle lenses let get more in the frame. However, because they have a wide angle of view, you have to get up close to things to fill the frame, and being this close creates a lot of distortion.
For some this distortion is an unpleasant thing, for others, it's a great way to put their spin on the world.
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens
A pro quality ultra-wide angle zoom that delivers reasonable image quality with a constant f/2.8 aperture. That said, the 2007 design is dated and more modern designs (e.g. EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM and EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM III) significantly out perform it.
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
A very solid ultra-wide angle zoom that delivers very good image quality with solid features including, a 4 stop IS unit and weather resistant construction (with a front filter).
Normal Lenses
They "see" the world the way we do.
22-55 mm
35-70 mm
Lenses with a "normal" angle of view render the world with about the same perspective as we see it with our eyes.
These are popular with many photographers because they don't substantially distort the world they're trying to capture. Of course, at the same time, they can also be somewhat boring because of this.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Lens
The classic general purpose zoom that delivers great image quality, but at the expense of weight and focal range. This lens also uses a novel reverse zoom design combined with a large hood that provides optimal shading at all focal lengths.
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens
A very versatile general purpose zoom that delivers sold image quality in a weather resistant package with a constant f/4 aperture and a 3-stop IS system.
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens
A versatile general purpose zoom that delivers more flexibility than its L counter parts, but at the cost of image quality, a constant aperture, and weather resistance. The 1998 design isn’t as good as more modern lenses, and the first generation IS system is limited to 2-stops.
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM
The Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM offers solid image quality in a well built package that comes with the novelty of being a diminutive pancake design and at a low price point.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens
Canon’s least expensive lens, and also one I can’t recommend. The image quality isn’t bad, but the AF system has trouble delivering focus. It’s successor the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a much better built and preforming lens.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Canon’s EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a decently preforming normal prime that’s reasonably well built and priced very affordably.
Telephoto Lenses
For when getting close is getting too close.
> 55 mm
> 70 mm
Telephoto lenses have a narrow angle of view. The first consequence of this is that they magnify what they're pointed at, a distant object appears larger and closer. This can be extremely useful when photographing things you can't approach, or things that are too dangerous to approach.
A second aspect of the narrow angle of view is that because you have to be further away to maintain the same composition, they flatten a scene.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Lens
The 70-200 for the weight conscious photographer. This lens provides the same range, and most of the image quality of it’s f/2.8 counterpart for half the weight and an inch less length.
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
A major overhaul of Canon’s vernerable 100-400 L zoom that’s better across the board. Better image quality, better weather sealing, better IS and faster AF. A go to lens for many wildlife and action photographers.
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens
A venerable workhorse for many bird and wildlife photographers, the original 100-400 is a story of compromises. It’s decent optical quality is countered by a fragile zoom mechanism and 2-stop IS system.
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Hands On Impressions
Canon’s EF 600mm F/4L IS USM is one of their largest super-telephoto lenses. It’s big, heavy, and most importantly expensive, but when it comes to image quality it’s hard to beat it.
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG APO HSM Macro Lens
A reasonably good preforming macro lens at a slightly unusual focal length (150mm), though it still provides an f/2.8 aperture. Now supplanted by a newer design.
Lenses for the EOS M
Small light lenses for Canon's APS-C mirrorless camera platform.
Canon EF-M
11-200 mm
18-320 mm
Canon launched the EOS M platform in 2012 with a new smaller mount designed for APS-C mirrorless cameras. Thought the platform has had an initial rocky start, Canon has continued to support and develop the cameras and lenses.
Because the EF-M mount is thinner than previous DSLR mounts, one additional feature is that many DSLR lenses can be adapted to the camera.
Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
The standard zoom for the EOS M and M2, this lens provides reasonably good image quality in a small EF-M mount package designed for the EOS M platform.
Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Lens
One of my favorite lenses for the EOS M cameras. Image quality is excellent, and the small package makes handling on the small M cameras great.
Fotasy FD-EOS M Lens Adapter
Have old FD manual focus lenses? Want to mount them on an EOS M? This is an inexpensive way to do that.
Miscellaneous Lenses and Lens Accessories
Lenses that don't fit in other categories and the accessories that go with them.
Canon Extender EF 1.4x III
Canon’s Extender EF 1.4x III offers improved image quality and extended AF capabilities over it’s predecessor.
Canon Extender EF 1.4x II
Canon’s second generation of 1.4x teleconverter provides an improvement in image quality and AF performance over it’s predecessor. Increases the focal length of the lens it’s mounted to by 40%, and reduces the aperture by a stop.
Canon New FD 50mm f/1.8 Lens
A look at a classic Canon lens from the 70s, made usable again on modern mirrorless cameras (like the EOS M). The venerable Gauss design still holds up well in spite of it’s age.
Kenko Extension Tubes for Canon AF
Kenko’s Canon EF/EF-S extension tubes are an easy and inexpensive way to improve your macro capabilities, see how I think they stack up in this review.