Find what you are looking for

or search by

Topics

Article
Article

Article

e-Book
e-Book

e-Book

Video
Video

Video

Campaigns
Campaigns

Campaigns

Architecture
Compact Cameras

Compact Cameras

Architecture
DSLRs

DSLRs

Architecture
Videography

Videography

Architecture
Astrophotography

Astrophotography

Architecture
Mirrorless Cameras

Mirrorless Cameras

Architecture
Architecture Photography

Architecture Photography

Architecture
Canon Technologies

Canon Technologies

Architecture
Low Light Photography

Low Light Photography

Architecture
Photographer Interviews

Photographer Interviews

Architecture
Landscape Photography

Landscape Photography

Architecture
Macro Photography

Macro Photography

Architecture
Sports Photography

Sports Photography

Architecture
Travel Photography

Travel Photography

Architecture
Underwater Photography

Underwater Photography

Architecture
Photography Concepts & Application

Photography Concepts & Application

Architecture
Street Photography

Street Photography

Architecture
Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

Architecture
Lenses & Accessories

Lenses & Accessories

Architecture
Nature & Wildlife Photography

Nature & Wildlife Photography

Architecture
Portrait Photography

Portrait Photography

Architecture
Night Photography

Night Photography

Architecture
Pet Photography

Pet Photography

Architecture
Printing Solutions

Printing Solutions

Architecture
Product Reviews

Product Reviews

Architecture
Wedding Photography

Wedding Photography

Tips & Tutorials >> All Tips & Tutorials

Beyond The Kit Lens: Wide Angle and Standard Options

2021-08-26
4
3.66 k
In this article:

A kit lens is usually bundled with your first interchangeable lens camera, whether it is a DSLR or mirrorless camera. For those who are new to photography, these kit lenses are great; they cover wide angle to telephoto range, allowing them to learn how various focal lengths affect their photos. But as some of you progress on in your photography journey, you may discover a niche that you want to specialise in. For example, if you want to focus on landscape photography, you would want to invest in a dedicated wide-angle lens.  

 

In this first of a two-part series, we will explore the wide-angle and standard lens options for the four Canon lens mounts, exploring not only the native choices but also how some lenses can be attached to another mount via an adapter. For example, the EF-M mount can accept both EF and EF-S lenses with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS M.  

 

To find out what options you have for telephoto and macro lenses, click here.  

 

For easy reference on which mount can accept which lenses, here’s a handy table:  

Ultra Wide-Angle and Wide-Angle Choices 

For reference, ultra-wide-angle refers to 24mm or wider, while wide-angle refers to 35mm and wider. 

EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM (equivalent to approximately 18mm-35mm in 35mm format) 

Suited for EF-M cameras such as the EOS M50 Mark II, this lens delivers a super wide field-of-view of 18mm (in 35mm format) at its widest setting, allowing photographers to capture a wide expanse of the landscape in a very compact package. 

EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM (equivalent to approximately 16mm-35mm in 35mm format) 

Delivering an equivalent of 16mm (in 35mm format) when it is zoomed out with a large aperture of f3.5, this lens is designed for photographers who have an EF-S mount camera such as the EOS 850D or mounted on an EF-M mount camera like the M50 Mark II via an adapter. The zoom range also offers flexibility for you to crop out unnecessary elements in the frame while keeping the resolution of the shot.  

 

Its designation of an L lens says it all; this lens is a prime option for full-frame DSLR users who want a well-designed lens that allows them to capture breathtaking wide-angle shots. It also has a constant f4 aperture at all focal lengths. If you find the f4 aperture limiting, there is the EF16-35mm f/2.8L IS USM. While designated as an EF lens, it can easily be mounted on an EF-S camera or EF-M body (via an adapter), though the crop factor will mean that at its widest it will only be 26mm. 

 

The latest RF lens to join the line-up is the RF14-35mm f/4 L IS USM, which gives RF photographers a native ultra-wide-angle option. Before this lens was released, RF users would have to mount the EF equivalent via an adapter to shoot ultra-wide-angle shots.  

 

Standard and Portrait 

EF-M32mm f/1.4 STM (equivalent to approximately 50mm in 35mm format) 

With an ultra-large aperture of f/1.4, you can expect some creamy bokeh out of this lens meant for EOS M cameras. When mounted, this lens gives an equivalent field-of-view of approximately 50mm, making this a versatile walk-about lens. At 235g, it wouldn’t weigh you down either. When paired with a lightweight EOS M body, this combination makes it great for street photography. 

 

EF-S24mm f/2.8 STM (equivalent to approximately 38mm in 35mm format) 

This pancake lens may give a field-of-view of 38mm when mounted on EF-S and EF-M cameras, but don't let its diminutive nature fool you. The large f/2.8 aperture is also versatile enough to let you shoot in low-light conditions. 

 

For many full-frame photographers, this is a must-have in their arsenal of lenses. Lightweight, compact and affordable, this 50mm lens gives great value for money. For EF-S and EF-M photographers, this lens becomes a large aperture 80mm portrait lens for their cameras. There is also an f/1.4 and f/1.2 variant. 

 

The RF version of the 50mm lens is almost as compact and light when compared with the EF50mm version. It's not hard to see why this is a lens that almost all RF photographers will have in their camera bags. 

 

Depending on the mount of the camera you are using, your choice of lenses is vast. On top of that, using an appropriate adapter will open up even more options for you. Some adapters are multi-functional, such as the EF-EOS R Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter, allowing you to mount EF and EF-S lenses on an RF body, and slot in a neutral density filter.  

 

Click here to read the second part of this series, detailing options for telephoto and macro lenses.  

 

For similar articles: 

 

Share your photos on My Canon Story & stand a chance to be featured on our social media platforms