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Brian Walker
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Choosing the best budget-friendly travel lenses.
When it comes to travel photography, you don't want to spend a fortune on gear. You simply want something that will do the job without breaking the bank and will not weigh you down while traveling. Canon makes some pretty good lenses that are affordable and will work well for budget-conscious travelers. In this post, we'll show you five of our favorites! So if you're looking for an affordable lens for your next trip but don't want to sacrifice quality, let us help you choose the best budget-friendly travel lenses.
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens is a budget-friendly, standard prime lens that is compatible with all Canon EOS DSLR cameras. It has a focal length of 50mm, which is considered a "normal" lens, making it great for capturing a wide range of subjects, including portraits, landscapes, and street photography.
In terms of price, the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM lens is relatively affordable, with a price point of around $125. The lens is lightweight, weighing only 0.36 pounds, and compact, measuring 2.7 inches in length and 2 inches in diameter, making it easy to carry around and pack in a camera bag or backpack.
Pros of using this lens for travel photography:
- The fast f1.8 maximum aperture allows for low-light photography and beautiful bokeh, which is great when shooting in low-light conditions or when trying to create a shallow depth of field.
- The 50mm focal length makes it a great all-around lens that can be used for a wide range of subjects and situations, from portraits, landscapes, and street photography.
- The lens is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around and pack in a camera bag or backpack for travel.
- The lens price is relatively affordable, making it a good option for budget-conscious photographers.
Cons of using this lens for travel photography:
- The lens doesn't have image stabilization, which can be useful when shooting in low light or when using slower shutter speeds.
- The lens doesn't have a wide-angle view, which can limit the types of landscapes or architecture you can capture.
- The lens is not weather-sealed, making it less suitable for use in harsh weather conditions.
- The lens's build quality is not as robust as more expensive lenses, which can be a concern if you plan to use it in tough conditions.
Overall, the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM lens is a budget-friendly and versatile option for travel photography. Its fast aperture and normal focal length make it a great choice for capturing a wide range of subjects and situations. Its affordable price point and easy-to-pack size make it a great option for budget-conscious travel photographers. However, it is important to keep in mind the lack of image stabilization and weather sealing, as well as the build quality.
Price: $125
Weight: 5.64 oz / 160 g
Diameter: 1.8 inches
Length: 1.4 inches
The Canon EF-S 24mm f2.8 STM lens is a budget-friendly, wide-angle lens that is designed specifically for Canon APS-C format DSLR cameras. It has a focal length of 24mm, which is equivalent to 38mm in 35mm format, making it a great option for capturing wide landscapes, architectural scenes, and group photos.
In terms of price, the Canon EF-S 24mm f2.8 STM lens is relatively affordable, with a price point of around $149. The lens is lightweight, weighing only 0.29 pounds and compact, measuring 2.7 inches in length and 2.8 inches in diameter, making it easy to carry around and pack in a camera bag or backpack.
Pros of using this lens for travel photography:
- The wide angle of view allows you to capture more of the scene in one shot, making it great for landscapes, architectural scenes, and group photos.
- The fast f2.8 maximum aperture allows for low-light photography and beautiful bokeh, which is great when shooting in low-light conditions or when trying to create a shallow depth of field.
- The lens is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around and pack in a camera bag or backpack for travel.
- The lens price is relatively affordable, making it a good option for budget-conscious photographers.
Cons of using this lens for travel photography:
- The lens is not weather-sealed, making it less suitable for use in harsh weather conditions.
- The lens doesn't have image stabilization, which can be useful when shooting in low light or when using slower shutter speeds.
- It is only compatible with Canon APS-C format DSLR cameras, which means it's not compatible with full-frame cameras.
- The lens's build quality is not as robust as more expensive lenses, which can be a concern if you plan to use it in tough conditions.
Overall, the Canon EF-S 24mm f2.8 STM lens is a budget-friendly and versatile option for travel photography. Its wide angle of view, fast aperture, and lightweight design make it a great choice for capturing wide landscapes, architectural scenes, and group photos. Its affordable price point and easy-to-pack size make it a great option for budget-conscious travel photographers. However, it is important to keep in mind the lack of weather sealing and image stabilization, as well as the limited compatibility with full frame cameras and the build quality.
Price: $149
Weight: 4.41 oz / 125 g
Diameter: 2.69 inches
Length: 0.9 inches
The Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III lens is a budget-friendly, telephoto zoom lens that is compatible with all Canon EOS DSLR cameras. It has a focal length range of 75-300mm, which allows you to zoom in on distant subjects and capture detailed shots of wildlife, sports, and nature scenes.
In terms of price, the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III lens is relatively affordable, with a price point of around $199. The lens is lightweight, weighing only 1.28 pounds, and compact, measuring 3.6 inches in length and 3.1 inches in diameter, making it easy to carry around and pack in a camera bag or backpack.
Pros of using this zoom lens for travel photography:
- The 75-300mm focal length range allows you to zoom in on distant subjects and capture detailed shots of wildlife, sports, and nature scenes.
- The lens is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around and pack in a camera bag or backpack for travel.
- The lens price is relatively affordable, making it a good option for budget-conscious photographers.
Cons of using this lens for travel photography:
- The aperture range of f/4-5.6 is not as wide as other lenses, which can limit the amount of light that enters the lens and make it less suitable for low-light conditions.
- The lens doesn't have image stabilization, which can be useful when shooting in low light or when using slower shutter speeds.
- The lens's build quality is not as robust as more expensive lenses, which can be a concern if you plan to use it in tough conditions.
- The lens can be slow to focus, which can make it less suitable for capturing fast-moving subjects.
Overall, the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III lens is a budget-friendly option for travel photography. Its telephoto zoom range allows you to zoom in on distant subjects and capture detailed shots of wildlife, sports, and nature scenes. Its affordable price point and easy-to-pack size make it a great option for budget-conscious travel photographers. However, it is important to keep in mind the limited aperture range, the lack of image stabilization, and the build quality, as well as the slow focus speed.
I recommend this lens because it’s affordable and has the ability to take high-quality photos in most lighting conditions, making it perfect for traveling photographers on a budget.
Price: $199
Weight: 1.06 lb / 480 g
Diameter: 2.8 inches
Length: 4.8 inches
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens is a high-end, standard prime lens that is compatible with all Canon EOS DSLR cameras. It has a focal length of 50mm, which is considered a "normal" lens, making it great for capturing a wide range of subjects including portraits, landscapes, and street photography.
In terms of price, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens is considered a high-end lens, with a price point of around $399. The lens is lightweight, weighing only 0.9 pounds, and compact, measuring 2.9 inches in length and 2.9 inches in diameter, making it easy to carry around and pack in a camera bag or backpack.
Pros of using this lens for travel photography:
- The fast f/1.4 maximum aperture allows for low-light photography and beautiful bokeh, which is great when shooting in low-light conditions or when trying to create a shallow depth of field.
- The 50mm focal length makes it a great all-around lens that can be used for a wide range of subjects and situations.
- The lens features Ultra Sonic Motor (USM) autofocus system which is fast, accurate, and silent.
- The lens is built with high-quality materials and has a robust construction, which is suitable for use in tough conditions.
Cons of using this lens for travel photography:
- The lens is relatively expensive and may not be accessible to all budget-conscious photographers.
- The lens doesn't have image stabilization, which can be useful when shooting in low light or when using slower shutter speeds.
- The lens is not weather-sealed, making it less suitable for use in harsh weather conditions.
Overall, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens is a high-end and versatile option for travel photography. Its fast aperture and normal focal length make it a great choice for capturing a wide range of subjects and situations. The lens is built with high-quality materials and has a robust construction, which is suitable for use in tough conditions. However, it is important to keep in mind the relatively high price point, the lack of image stabilization, and weather sealing.
Price: $399
Weight: 10.23 oz / 290 g
Diameter: 2.91 inches
Length: 1.99 inches
The Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM lens is a wide-angle zoom lens that is designed specifically for Canon APS-C format DSLR cameras. It has a focal length range of 10-18mm, which is equivalent to 16-28.8mm in 35mm format, making it a great option for capturing wide landscapes, architectural scenes, and interiors.
In terms of price, the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM lens is relatively affordable, with a price point of around $299. The lens is lightweight, weighing only 0.29 pounds, and compact, measuring 2.7 inches in length and 2.8 inches in diameter, making it easy to carry around and pack in a camera bag or backpack.
Pros of using this lens for travel photography:
- The wide angle of view allows you to capture more of the scene in one shot, making it great for landscapes, architectural scenes, and interiors.
- The lens features image stabilization (IS) which helps to reduce camera shake and blur when shooting in low light or at slow shutter speeds.
- The lens features a STM (Stepping Motor) which ensures fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus.
- The lens is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around and pack in a camera bag or backpack for travel.
Cons of using this lens for travel photography:
- The lens is not weather-sealed, making it less suitable for use in harsh weather conditions.
- The aperture range of f/4.5-5.6 is not as wide as other lenses, which can limit the amount of light that enters the lens and make it less suitable for low-light conditions.
- It is only compatible with Canon APS-C format DSLR cameras, which means it's not compatible with full-frame cameras.
- The lens's build quality is not as robust as more expensive lenses, which can be a concern if you plan to use it in tough conditions.
Overall, the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM lens is a budget-friendly and versatile option for travel photography. Its wide angle of view, image stabilization, and lightweight design make it a great choice for capturing wide landscapes, architectural scenes, and interiors. Its affordable price point and easy-to-pack size make it a great option for budget-conscious travel photographers. However, it is important to keep in mind the lack of weather sealing, the limited aperture range, and the build quality, as well as the limited compatibility with full-frame cameras.
Price: $299
Weight: 8.47 oz / 240 g
Diameter: 2.94 inches
Length: 2.83 inches
Zoom Lens/Telephoto lens
There are a lot of different factors to consider when choosing the best travel lens for your Canon camera. Budget is often a primary concern, but there are other factors such as weight, image quality, and versatility that can be just as important.
Zoom lenses/Telephoto Lens are often a good choice for travelers because they offer a lot of flexibility in terms of focal length. This can be especially useful if you're not sure what kind of photography you'll be doing on your trip. However, zoom lenses can be quite heavy, so if weight is a concern, you might want to consider a prime lens instead.
Prime Lens
Prime lenses are typically lighter than zoom lenses and offer excellent image quality. They can be more challenging to use, however, since you have to physically move closer or further away from your subject to change the focal length. Because of the fixed focal length, this can make them less versatile than zoom lenses, but if weight is your main concern, they're definitely worth considering.
Not all photographers want to break the bank when it comes to buying a good canon lens, particularly when it comes to travel photography
The reality is that not all photographers want to break the bank when it comes to buying a good lens, particularly when it comes to travel photography. Travel photography is an expensive hobby, and you can easily spend thousands of dollars on gear if you're not careful.
But don't despair! There are many affordable lenses available for entry-level travelers. In fact, there are some options that cost less than $200—and these optics still deliver excellent results for the money.
The key is finding the right combination of features and price points for your needs; then you'll be able to find your perfect lens without having to spend thousands of dollars in order to do so.
Conclusion
In the end, your needs and preferences will determine which Canon travel lens is best for you. Think about all the options and choose the one that fits your budget and style of photography the best.
We hope that our list of the best Canon lenses for travel photography has been helpful. Please share your experience with any of these Canon lenses, in the comments below.
