If you’re a product photographer, then you would appreciate the need for a great product photography lens. Product photography is a field of photography that involves taking pictures of products, usually for commercial purposes. A product photography lens is a type of lens that is specifically designed for this purpose.
There are many different types of product photography lenses available on the market. Each type of lens has its own unique set of features and benefits.
When choosing a lens for product photography, it is essential to consider the kind of products you will be photographing, the desired effect you wish to achieve, and your budget.
The type of lens that you end up using will depend on the sort of product that you’re photographing. So, a typical product photography lens category will have several lenses under its parameter.
A good product photography lens will be able to capture all the details of your product, from the small details to the overall shape.
A bunch of great lenses is available on the market for shooting product photography/ leading brands, including Sony, Canon, Nikon, Tamron, Sigma, and Tokina.
Today we’re going to look at the top ten best Canon lenses for product photography. We’ll look at a short review of each of these lenses and their utility in product photography and take a quick look at their pros and cons.
Also note, I’ve listed both EF and RF lenses so make sure you choose a lens type compatible with your Canon camera.
In a hurry? Here’s a quick rundown:
- ⭐ Best Overall Canon Lens for Product Photography
- 🪔 Best Canon Lens for Traditional Product Photography
- 🪔 Best Canon Lens for Close-Up Product Photography
- 🪔 Best Canon Lens for Wide-Angle Product Photography
- 🪔 Best Canon Lens for Versatile Product Photography
- 💸 Best Budget Canon Lens for Product Photography
How to Choose the Best Canon Lens for Product Photography?
Macro product photography: For shooting small products in high detail, a macro lens is a must-have. The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro and the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM are both excellent options for this type of photography.
Traditional product photography: For capturing detailed shots of products and creating a shallow depth of field, a portrait lens is a good option. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM and Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM are all great options for this type of photography.
Wide-angle product photography: For capturing large groups of products or for shooting in tight spaces, a wide-angle lens is a good choice. The Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM and the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM are both excellent options for this type of photography.
Zoom and versatile product photography: For shooting products from different angles and compositions, a zoom lens is a good choice. The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM and the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM are both great options for this type of photography.
Table of Contents
10 Best Canon Lenses for Product Photography
1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Last updated on 2023-09-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Image stabilization: No
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 159 g (0.35 lb)
- Diameter: 69 mm (2.72″)
- Length: 39 mm (1.54″)
- Sealing: No
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a top lens for shooting product photos. This standard lens is designed to shoot a legal perspective of the scene in front.
This lens is trendy among street photographers and portrait photographers using a crop camera (because of the 35mm format effective focal length of 80mm on a crop camera).
My Pros With This Lens:
- A fast aperture of f/1.8 for beautiful bokeh.
- Fixed aperture lens, fewer things to fiddle with.
- Features Stepping motor autofocusing technology for fast focus lock.
My Cons With This Lens:
- The fixed focal length means you must move your legs to zoom in or out.
- Not very versatile when it comes to shooting different products.
- STM motor is silent but can be slower to lock focus.
Last updated on 2023-09-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
Last updated on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Focal length: 24 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF-S
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 125 g (0.28 lb)
- Diameter: 68 mm (2.68″)
- Length: 23 mm (0.91″)
- Sealing: No
The EF-S 24mm is a wide-angle lens for landscape and panoramic shots. But one more usage of this lens is in shooting products.
But what kinds of products are we talking about. The lens’ wide field of view allows for a wide-angle capture when standing close to the subject.
That means you can capture a scene with several small products like wine bottles, shampoo bottles, or cosmetics lined up from a close distance.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Compact size, pancake design
- Fast f/2.8 aperture for excellent shallow DoF effect.
- Incredibly light. It’s easy to transport and carry while mounted on your camera.
- Superb image quality.
- Very inexpensive and should be easily bought by even beginners on a tight budget.
My Cons With This Lens:
- Built quality isn’t the best, so be careful when using it outdoors.
- No built-in image stabilization
Last updated on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
Last updated on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Lens Features:
- Lens type Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 24–70 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 805 g (1.77 lb)
- Diameter: 89 mm (3.48″)
- Length: 113 mm (4.45″)
- Sealing: Yes
The thing we like about the 24-70mm is that it’s very versatile. It covers an extensive focal length range of 24mm to 70mm.
On an APS-C camera, the focal length becomes effective from 38.4mm to 112mm. That means you can shoot a range of products, from automobiles to wine bottles, using this lens.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Excellent focal length range of 24-70mm.
- A fast static aperture of f/2.8 across the focal length range for shallow DoF.
- This L series lens means it’s very well built and weather resistant.
- Features Canon’s ultra-sonic motor-powered autofocusing.
- Features one super UD and two UD elements in its construction.
My Cons With This Lens:
- Image stabilization is missing in this lens.
- Very expensive and is out of the reach of a beginner product photographer.
Last updated on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 50 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Maximum aperture: F1.4
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 290 g (0.64 lb)
- Diameter: 74 mm (2.91″)
- Length: 51 mm (1.99″)
- Sealing: No
We love the 50mm prime. This lens is unique because it offers a maximum aperture of f/1.4.
My Pros With This Lens:
- A fast aperture of f/1.4 for superb bokeh.
- The rounded 8-blade aperture assists in better background blur.
- Features Canon’s ultra-sonic motor-powered autofocusing for a near-silent fast focus lock.
- It comes with Super spectra coating for better contrast and sharpness.
- Inexpensive lens costs under four hundred dollars.
My Cons With This Lens:
- Fixed focal length prevents the lens from zooming in and out. You’ve to move with your legs.
5. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro
Last updated on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Lens Features:
- Lens type Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 100 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes (4-stop Hybrid IS)
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F32
- Weight: 625 g (1.38 lb)
- Diameter: 78 mm (3.06″)
- Length: 123 mm (4.84″)
- Sealing: Yes
An actual macro lens is a great tool when shooting small products like watches, jewelry pieces, accessories, and other items.
They’re also great when highlighting minor aspects of large products.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Offers a short telephoto focal length.
- Very versatile for shooting portraits as well as product photos.
- An actual macro lens offers a 1:1 magnification of small items.
- Optical image stabilization is built-in for steady shots even when hand-holding the lens.
- Rounded 9-blade aperture diaphragm for excellent bokeh.
- Weather-sealed construction so you can shoot outdoors without any issues.
My Cons With This Lens:
- It is on the pricier side, and entry-level photographers will feel the pinch of the price tag.
Last updated on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6. Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
Last updated on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format: size 35mm FF
- Focal length: 85 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Lens mount: Canon RF
- Weight: 500 g (1.10 lb)
- Diameter: 78 mm (3.07″)
- Length: 91 mm (3.56″)
The reason we love the 85mm macro is that it serves as a product lens and also as a portrait lens. The 85mm focal length is perfect for portraits. Because this is a macro lens.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Not very costly. The lens is moderately priced.
- Offers 1:2 magnification.
- Built-in image stabilization offers steady shots even when hand-holding the camera.
My Cons With This Lens:
- This is an R series lens, and you will need an adapter so that the lens works with EF series cameras.
- STM autofocusing motor is accurate but is slower than USM AF motors.
Last updated on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
7. Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM
Last updated on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 85 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon RF
- Maximum aperture: F1.2
- Weight: 1195 g (2.63 lb)
- Diameter: 103 mm (4.06″)
- Length: 117 mm (4.62″)
- Sealing: Yes
What’s better than an 85mm f/2 lens? An 85mm f/1.2L, of course! This is a versatile lens that offers a stunning f/1.2 aperture.
The 85mm will work as a product photo lens; when you need it, it’s a beautiful portrait focal length. If you have more space budget, go for the RF 85mm f/1.2L.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Offers a 1:2 magnification from a working distance of a foot (1.15′).
- The rounded 9-blade aperture diaphragm will ensure that the lens can capture stunning bokeh.
- Optical image stabilization is built-in, assisting steady hand-held shooting.
My Cons With This Lens:
- This is an RF lens and is native to the R series cameras. You will require an adapter to work with EF and EF-M camera systems.
Last updated on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
8. Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
Last updated on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 85 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 425 g (0.94 lb)
- Diameter: 75 mm (2.95″)
- Length: 72 mm (2.81″)
- Sealing: No
The 85mm is the right focal length for product photography and portrait photography. In that sense, the 85mm is a versatile focal length.
This lens is inexpensive and should be affordable to many photographers.
My Pros With This Lens:
- The fast aperture of f/1.8 collects a lot of light in any lighting condition.
- A shallow depth of field is easy to create with this fast aperture.
- The lens is reasonably priced, making it an easy option to invest in by most beginners.
- It is powered by Canon’s USM motor for a fast and precise focus lock.
- It is coated with a Super Spectra coating for enhanced performance in bright light.
My Cons With This Lens:
- There is no built-in image stabilization on the lens.
Last updated on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
9. Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 17–40 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Maximum aperture: F4
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 500 g (1.10 lb)
- Diameter: 84 mm (3.29″)
- Length: 97 mm (3.81″)
- Sealing: Yes
This wide zoom lens has been designed primarily for landscape and street photographers, but it also finds its usage in product photography.
The lens covers a focal length range of 17mm to 40mm, perfect for wide shots of products stacked together for larger items like automobiles and food photography.
My Pros With This Lens:
- This is an L series lens with the excellent build quality and water resistance.
- The lens’s construction consists of one super Ultra-low dispersion glass element to suppress chromatic aberrations.
- Features Canon’s USM autofocusing motor for fast and precise focus lock.
My Cons With This Lens:
- It lacks image stabilization, so you’ve to shoot at a minimum shutter speed of one over the focal length at all times to ensure that you’ve no image blur.
- Bokeh isn’t the best, with only seven blades in the aperture diaphragm.
10. Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM
Last updated on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 70–200 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F32
- Weight: 1440 g (3.17 lb)
- Diameter: 89 mm (3.5″)
- Length: 199 mm (7.83″)
- Sealing: Yes
The EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS III USM is a great portrait and general-purpose lens. When it comes to product photography, this lens works like a charm. The lens is highly versatile because it works in other genres like weddings, portraits, and headshots.
My Pros With This Lens:
- The excellent focal length of 70-200mm.
- The fast wide aperture of f/2.8 is constant across the focal length.
- Built-in image stabilization.
- It consists of Canon’s USM autofocusing motor for fast, silent, and consistent autofocusing performance.
- It is a built-in focus range limiter button.
- It comes with a lens collar for setting up on a tripod.
- Superb optical performance.
My Cons With This Lens:
- Expensive and is often beyond the reach of entry-level photographers or those on a budget.
Last updated on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Frequently Asked Questions
What Size Lens is Best for Product Photography?
A lens with a longer focal length such as 100mm or 85mm is best for capturing fine details of small products. For traditional product photography, a lens with a shorter focal length such as 50mm or 85mm is ideal for creating a shallow depth of field and isolating the subject from the background. For wide-angle product photography, a lens with a shorter focal length such as 24mm or 17mm is best for capturing large groups of products or for shooting in tight spaces.
How Many Megapixels is Good for Product Photography?
A camera with at least 20 megapixels is generally considered good for product photography.
Conclusion
It’s very important to have high-quality product photographs. With so many lenses to choose from, it can be confusing for shop owners to know which ones to use for their products.
Ultimately, it’s up to your personal preferences, but if you ask our team, we have chosen these 10 lenses that will provide you with the best pictures of your products and will help your business to stand out in the crowd.
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Nate Torres is a portrait photographer based in Southern California and is also a photography author for Photofocus.com. When he is not photographing clients he is creating educational photography content that he publishes on his website as well as his YouTube Channel. He is also the founder of Imaginated.com, a search engine of educational creators. Learn more about me here → https://www.natetorresphotography.com/about/
