Buying a new lens for your camera can feel like a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation. Do you choose the camera first, or should you prioritize the lens? Of course, buying both at the same time is another option.
Even as an experienced product photographer, I must admit that this decision is often challenging.
When shopping for a new lens, it’s important to consider what lenses you already have in your collection. Your new lens should complement your existing setup and expand the range of projects you can tackle. In other words, your new lens should add tangible benefits to your product photography business.
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1. Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS
This is one of the best lenses that I have used. It is an excellent macro photography lens which you can also use for telephoto work. I found that it produces sharp images with little field curvature.
The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS is one of the best lenses for macro photography, with its ability to double as a telephoto lens. This lens produces incredibly sharp images with minimal field curvature, making it a top choice for detailed product shots. Its color accuracy is exceptional, and the bokeh is smooth, enhancing the focus on your subject.
Pros:
- Exceptional Sharpness: Produces highly detailed images, perfect for macro shots.
- Great Color Handling: Delivers accurate colors with minimal chromatic aberration.
- Built-in Image Stabilization: Helps capture sharp images, even when shooting handheld.
- Comfortable Handling: The lens is well-balanced and feels comfortable during long shoots.
Cons:
- Pricey: Higher-end price point compared to other macro lenses.
- Size and Weight: It’s a bit bulky, which may be a consideration for some photographers.
Price: Around $998
2. Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM
The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is a premium lens that offers stunning image quality, making it a favorite among professional photographers. With its fast f/1.4 aperture, this lens excels in low-light conditions and provides a beautifully shallow depth of field, ideal for isolating subjects in product photography. The Direct Drive SuperSonic Motor ensures fast and accurate autofocus, which is crucial for capturing sharp images quickly.
Pros:
- Superb Image Quality: Delivers sharpness across the frame, even at wide apertures.
- Fast Autofocus: Reliable and quick autofocus, powered by a SuperSonic Motor.
- Weather-Sealed: Designed to withstand challenging shooting environments.
- Versatile Focal Length: Great for both product and environmental shots.
Cons:
- No Optical Stabilization: Lacks built-in stabilization, which may require using a tripod for optimal results.
- Expensive: A premium lens with a price tag to match.
Price: Around $1,398
3) Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
The Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM is a premium lens that exemplifies the best of Sony’s G Master series. With its large f/1.2 aperture, this lens is perfect for product photography, offering stunning bokeh and incredible sharpness. The wide aperture not only excels in low-light conditions but also allows for a beautifully shallow depth of field, making your subjects pop against a soft, blurred background. The autofocus is lightning-fast, precise, and silent, driven by Sony’s advanced XD Linear Motor system, making it ideal for both stills and video.
Pros:
- Exceptional Image Quality: Delivers outstanding sharpness and contrast across the frame, even at f/1.2.
- Beautiful Bokeh: The f/1.2 aperture creates a smooth, creamy bokeh that enhances subject isolation.
- Fast and Silent Autofocus: The XD Linear Motor system ensures quick, accurate, and silent focusing, perfect for both photography and videography.
- Robust Build Quality: The lens is weather-sealed, providing durability and reliability in challenging conditions.
Cons:
- Premium Price: This lens is at the higher end of the price spectrum, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious photographers.
- Heavy and Large: The 50mm f/1.2 GM is relatively large and heavy, which might be cumbersome for extended handheld shooting.
Price: Around $1,998
4) The Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R
The Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R is a stellar lens for those who are just getting started in product photography. With its wide f/1.2 aperture, this lens excels in creating a shallow depth of field, making it easier to isolate subjects. It’s an all-rounder that works well for various types of photography, making it a versatile choice for beginners.
Pros:
- Great for Beginners: An excellent lens for those new to product photography.
- Wide Aperture: The f/1.2 aperture is perfect for low-light situations and creating bokeh.
- Compact and Lightweight: Easy to carry around, making it convenient for on-the-go shoots.
Cons:
- Slower Autofocus: Not as fast as some other lenses, which may affect usability in fast-paced environments.
- No Weather Sealing: Lacks protection against the elements, limiting its outdoor use.
Price: Around $999
5) Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Dii VXD
The Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD is a versatile zoom lens that performs well in both close-up and distance photography. Its f/2.8 aperture is consistent across the zoom range, ensuring excellent image quality in various lighting conditions. The lens is also known for its fast and accurate autofocus, making it a reliable choice for product and lifestyle photography.
Pros:
- Versatile Zoom Range: Covers a broad focal range, suitable for various types of photography.
- Consistent Aperture: Maintains a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range.
- Fast Autofocus: Accurate and quick autofocus, ideal for both product and portrait photography.
- Lightweight: Easier to handle compared to other zoom lenses in its class.
Cons:
- Build Quality: While decent, it’s not as robust as some higher-end lenses.
- No Image Stabilization: Lacks built-in stabilization, which might necessitate a tripod for certain shots.
Price: Around $899
6) Nikon NIKKOR Z 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro is a high-performance lens tailored for Nikon’s mirrorless cameras. This macro lens is perfect for capturing the intricate details of products, with its sharpness and color accuracy being second to none. The built-in vibration reduction system ensures that your shots remain crisp and clear, even at slower shutter speeds.
Pros:
- Exceptional Sharpness: Provides outstanding detail, perfect for macro photography.
- Vibration Reduction: Built-in stabilization helps maintain sharpness, especially in handheld shooting.
- Excellent Build Quality: Robust and weather-sealed, making it durable for various conditions.
- Great Color Reproduction: Delivers true-to-life colors with minimal distortion.
Cons:
- Premium Price: On the higher end of the price spectrum.
- Weight: A bit heavy, which may affect portability.
Price: Around $1,000
7) Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S is a versatile and compact lens that is ideal for product photography. Its fast f/1.8 aperture allows for beautiful background blur, making your subjects pop. This lens is known for its sharpness and reliable autofocus, which is essential for capturing products in various settings.
Pros:
- Compact and Lightweight: Easy to handle during long shoots.
- Fast Aperture: f/1.8 aperture is great for low-light conditions and creating a shallow depth of field.
- Sharp Across the Frame: Delivers consistent sharpness, even at wide apertures.
- Weather-Sealed: Built to withstand challenging environments.
Cons:
- No Image Stabilization: Does not feature built-in stabilization, which might require a tripod.
- Limited Focal Range: As a prime lens, it’s not as versatile as zoom options.
Price: Around $600
Where Should You Buy Your Lens?
If you have a local photography store, and they offer good prices, there is absolutely no reason why you should not shop with them. After all, supporting local businesses is very important. As a photographer, you probably find that a lot of your work comes from the local community.
One of the main benefits of shopping locally is that you can talk to a professional. If the lens or camera you would like to buy is in stock, you can also try it out.
But, shopping online is now the new normal for most of us. Before I buy any equipment for my studio, I like to check out the best deals online. That applies to studio lighting and everything else I need for my profession as a product photographer.
In the US, the best sites to check for deals on both cameras and lenses are Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. Before I order anything for my studio, I always check all three sites for the best offers.
How Many Lenses Should I Have?
I think that most product photographers have at least a couple of lenses. Let’s be honest, lenses and cameras are not the only things you need to invest in when you want to launch a photography business or photography website.
One option is to buy second lenses. Perhaps you know a photographer who has just a new lens and would like to sell one or two of his old ones. If so, there is absolutely nothing wrong with picking up a second lens. You may even be able to bag yourself a bargain.
When someone asks me about buying lenses, I always tell them to take their time. Make sure you get value for money. Your lens should be as versatile as possible.
The problem with product photography is that you never know what your next assignment is going to be. One minute you are photographing skincare products and the next minute you are expected to photograph a car.
Your collection of lenses needs to be as flexible and versatile as possible. When you have been involved in product photography for a while, you realize that many different disciplines of photography come into play.
Why Are Macro Lenses Important?
Mastering macro photography is essential when you are a product photographer. Almost all of my past and current clients want to showcase the finer details of their products.
The best way to do that is by using macro photography. I think that good quality macro photograph of a product is what sets it apart from another one. It allows the customer who is thinking about buying the product to distinguish all of the finer details.
Even though another seller may be selling a similar product, if your seller has high-quality macro photos of his product, it will sell better. Don’t forget that we buy with our eyes. Showing more details adds value to a product.
If you would like to know more about product photography, check out my other content on this site. We all need tips and advice from time to time.
My article on the Best Product Photography Tips gives you valuable information about this genre of photography. I have also put together more specific content including information on how you can create eye-catching product videos for your customers.
if you’re looking to increase your online conversion but still feel you are not sure where to start – check out these resources below:
2 thoughts on “Best Lenses for Product Photography (Our List)”
Thanks for sharing great information about Lenses…!!
Your passion for photography shines through in every post. Your blog is truly inspiring and motivates me to keep pursuing my own photography goals.
Very helpful advice within this guide artiϲle!
It’ѕ the little changes which will make the greatest changes.
Thanks a lot for sharing!