Hey, how’s it going? I’m Andy Jones and this is episode 66 of the Photography Q&A podcast.
This week I’m going to waffle on about your lens options if you only have an 18-55 kit lens.
So that’s why the title is…
Kit Lens upgrade; which lens should I buy?
As good as the kit lens is, it’s not what you need to produce professional images. You need to take the next step and buy a second lens. One with a constant aperture that doesn’t change is you zoom in or out.
I will cover Canon, Nikon, and Sony models and prices. The Canon and Nikon models are DSLRs, and the Sony is mirrorless because they don’t make DSLRs.
If you are on a tight budget the 50 1.8 is the way to go. You’ll get tack-sharp images and be able to produce professional-quality photographs. This is one of three models I have picked out and is the only prime lens, the other two are zoom lenses.
Starting out with a 50mm lens is a great way to master your camera. Being able to use a lens that opens up to f/1.8 will allow you to shoot indoors in low light, without the need for flash. The difference between consumer and pro lenses is the amount of light they let in, and the 50 1.8 lets in lots.
If you started shooting family portraits with the 50mm you will be able to get 95% of the shots. Meaning you won’t be able to get some of the large groups into the frame. You can get around this problem by keeping the width of the group as small as possible or you can use your 18-55mm kit lens at 18 or 24mm if needed. It only takes a few seconds to change a lens take the shot and change back to the 50mm.
The 50 f/1.8 lens is easily the best bang for your buck. If you shoot Sony the 50 1.8 will cost you $248, Nikon $216, and Canon $125
The next one is the 24-105mm f/4. This type of zoom is available from Sony, Nikon, and Canon.
Its widest aperture is f/4 and that means it won’t be good for shooting in low light situations. But, pair this lens with a Speedlight flash and you can shoot anything. I’ve seen lots of wedding photographers using this lens. You could shoot all day with it if you have an on-camera flash. Don’t be put off from learning how to use flash, it’s really easy. Without a flash, I wouldn’t recommend this lens.
Nikon is the most expensive at $2100, Sony is next at $1400, and the cheapest is Canon at $1300. Add the cost of under $100 for a flash and you are good to go.
The 24-70 2.8 is the best quality lens of these three models. The aperture of f/2.8 will allow you to shoot in dimly lit situations but not to the same level as the 50 1.8.
The image quality is sharper than the 24-105, and the 24-70mm focal range is perfect for portraits and weddings.
When I started shooting weddings I didn’t use a flash, I used the available light. My lenses were 50mm 1.4 and 24-70mm 2.8. The 24-70 was used until the dancing started, then out came the 50mm. The results were ok, but after two weddings I bought a flash and just used the 24-70.
I shoot Canon and bought this lens new in 2006, and in 16 years it’s been faultless. The only downside is the weight, it is a heavy lens.
Nikon sells this lens for $2100, Sony for $2000, and Canon for $1900. It’s worth every penny.
When you put a professional lens on your entry-level camera you will be blown away by how much faster the autofocus is. Now I have only picked out three lenses and as you know there are hundreds more. Third-party manufacturers like Sigma, and Tamron produce amazing lenses too. For your second lens, you need one that will allow you to shoot almost everything you need it to do. Choose a focal range and read the online reviews for all the different manufacturer's models.
Don’t forget that buying used is also an option. Make sure you buy from a dealer with a good track record. Dealers check out used equipment and rate them, they also offer a guarantee. Buying used from private sellers is a dangerous way to go, especially when you are shelling out hundreds or thousands of dollars with no guarantee.
If you are thinking about upgrading your kit lens I hope you found this helpful.
That’s it for this episode, if you have any questions you can find me on the Facebook page or Instagram, links are in the show notes.
Ok, have a great week, bye for now.