Contrary to popular belief, selecting the right DSLR lens is a more important buying decision than the DSLR camera body. You choose a lens according to what type of photography you want to shoot, and then buy the camera that is compatible with that lens. Before you buy a lens for your favorite photographer as a holiday gift, or before you add a lens to your wish list, know what kind of photography he or she plans to pursue: landscape, portrait, nature, sports, macro, etc.

 

You’ll also find The PhotographyTalk Digital Camera Lens Buying Guide very helpful, as there are lenses that are only compatible with full-frame DSLRs or APS-C, or cropped-sensor, DSLRs.

 

Since there are hundreds of lenses available for DSLR cameras, this PhotographyTalk Holiday Gift Guide highlights some of the most popular and useful.

 

ALL-PURPOSE, OR GENERAL USE, LENSES

 

For many hobbyist DSLR photographers, especially those new to the format, an excellent choice is an all-purpose lens. These lenses typically offer a very wide focal-length range, so the photographer is able to capture virtually every kind of photography. You may also see these lenses described as super-zooms.

 

Tamron: Tamron has an outstanding reputation for making all-purpose lenses with a variety of mounts to fit Nikon, Canon and Sony DSLRs. Its most well known is the AF 18–270mm f/3.5–6.3 Di II VC PZD. One of the attractions of this Tamron super-zoom lenses is its very large focal length range in a compact body, making it easier for DSLR beginners to enjoy the shooting experience as well as the results.

 

Nikon: Nikon entered the all-purpose lens competition with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–5.6G ED VR during June 2012. It offers the widest focal length of any Nikon lens for photographers shooting with the company’s DX-format DSLRs.

 

Canon: For the professional photographer, Canon makes the EF 28–300mm f/3.5–5.6L IS USM lens in this category. Its focal-length range is not quite as wide because professionals are less likely to need the wider angle to 18mm.

 

MODERATE ZOOM LENSES

 

Many of these lenses are also good first choices for new DSLR photographers, since they provide a focal-length range from wide angle to just a bit of telephoto. Professionals also use these lenses for landscapes and portraits.

 

For the hobbyist on your holiday list, consider these moderate zoom lenses:

• Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM

• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24–85mm f/3.5–4.5G ED VR

• Sony 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6

 

Your favorite professional photographer would love to receive one of these lenses:

• Canon EF-S 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM

• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24–120mm f/4G ED VR

• Sony 16–105mm f/3.5–5.6

 

TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENSES

 

A telephoto zoom lens would fill a “stocking hung by the chimney with care” very nicely, although you may need a bigger nail. Both hobbyists and professionals prefer these lenses for portraits, action, nature, sports and travel photography.

 

For hobbyists:

• Canon EOS 70–200mm f/4L IS

• Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70–300mm f/4.5–5.6G IF-ED

• Sony 70–300mm f/4.5–5.6

 

For professionals:

• Canon 28–300mm f/3.5–5.6L IS USM

• Nikon 70–200mm f/2.8G VR II

 

WIDE-ANGLE ZOOM LENSES

 

Both amateurs and professionals, who like to shoot landscapes, exterior and interior architecture and other subject matter that requires a very wide angle, will be pleased to receive any of these lenses as a holiday gift.

 

For hobbyists:

• Canon EF-S 10–22mm f/3.5–4.5 USM

• Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–55mm f/3.5–6.3G VR

• Sony DT 11–18mm f/4.5–5.6

 

For professionals:

• Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM

• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14–24mm f/3.5G ED

• (Sony) Carl Zeiss 16–35mm f/2.8

 

Access PhotographyTalk’s vast library of DSLR zoom lens reviews, so you are sure to buy the right lens for the perfect holiday gift. Listed below are a few of these reviews.

• The Tamron AF 18–270mm f/3.5–6.3 Di II VC PZD Zoom Lens: Every Beginner DSLR Photographer’s Next Step after a Kit Lens
• 2 New Nikon Zoom Lenses with More Versatility for Digital Photography Pros and Enthusiasts
• 9 Features of the Sony DT 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 SAM Zoom Lens that Makes it a Top Choice for the Everyday Digital Photographer
• Brett Harkness Canon Photography Review: The Canon EF 24–70mm 2.8 L USM Lens
• 8 Features of the Canon EOS 70–200mm f/4L IS Zoom Lens That Make it a Cut Above Most General-Purpose Lenses
• 11 Top-Performance Features of the Sony 70–300mm f/4.5–5.6 Telephoto Zoom Lens
• Brett Harkness Canon Photography Review: The Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Zoom Lens

 

Visit Amazon.com or Adorama.com for your best prices on many of these DSLR zoom lenses, for example:

The Tamron AF 18–270mm f/3.5–6.3 Di II VC PZD superzoom lens is available from Amazon for $649.00 and from Adorama for $549

 

In addition, Tamron is offering a $100 mail-in rebate for this lens from 10/1–12/31/12, so it’s the perfect item to put on your holiday gift list. Learn more about the rebate at http://www.tamron-usa.com/lenses/assets/rebates/Rebate_oct12_dec12.pdf.

 

The Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM is just $519.95 from Amazon and for $389 from Adorama

 

The Nikon 70–200mm f/2.8G VR II is $2.399.00 at Amazon and from Adorama for $2,399.00 with a free filter bundle

 

The Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM is available from Amazon for $1,499.00 and from Adorama for $1,499.00

Image credit: elitsa / 123RF Stock Photo

 

Your feedback is important to thousands of PhotographyTalk.com fans and us. If this article is helpful, then please click the Like and Re-Tweet buttons at the top left of this article.