When giving advice on “Which lens should I buy” this is one of those do-as-I-say-not-as-I-did and learn-from-my-mistakes sort of things.
This question comes up again and again, in moms’ groups on Facebook, in photographers’ groups, and in emails and messages I receive from clients and other photographers seeking advice.
If any of the following apply to you, listen up!
- you want to get out of auto or program mode on your camera
- you want to able to take photos in low light
- you want to be able to get those blurry backgrounds
- you want to be a pro photographer
- you already are taking clients as a photographer
- you know you’re already outgrowing that kit lens
Which lens should I buy? Often the question is phrased something like, “Is it really worth spending the extra money on the Canon/Nikon lens when I can get the *insert lower cost brand here* for so much less?”
And the answer is YES.
Invest in quality lenses from the start, and you will likely never need to replace them.
If I could go back and change anything about my journey into photography, I would have invested in better lenses from the start.
See, I had the kit lens that didn’t open wider than f4.5 (not good for low light or blurry backgrounds – known as bokeh), and I had the budget brand zoom lens that would back-focus on one side and front-focus on the other. And I had the budget prime lens that started out amazing… then eventually wouldn’t focus at all.
And then guess what I had to do? Replace those lenses, essentially buying the same thing twice.
Another 24-70.
Another 35mm.
Ouch.
You know what I’ve never had to replace? My Canon lenses.
Well, except for the 50mm 1.8, because I keep dropping them, but that’s a story for another day. And that’s the one lens I’d say – if you’re a Canon user – go ahead and grab it because it’s cheap, and actually performs well, if you don’t throw it down the stairs. 😉
Want to see the other top two areas I believe you should be investing your money early in your photography career? It’s in the second email when you grab my free PDF HERE outlining my favourite tried and true workflow essentials.
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