Even with all the awesome technology becoming more affordable, you still need to spend some serious money to put together a decent photography kit. Cameras might be cheap nowadays, but quality lenses are always going to have restrictive price tags. If you're new to photography and want to get your first kit, it can be a little scary to go shopping without the right knowledge. We'd like to help with a list of five budget lenses that will serve you well in your first years as a photographer.
Nifty Fifty
Whatever system you're using, there's going to be a nifty fifty to buy. A 50mm f/1.8 lens, especially the newer versions from Canon and Nikon will do a lot of good for your photography, particularly if you shoot portraits. They're the cheapest lenses you can buy and because of the brilliant optical formula, the produce image quality that is comparable to professional lenses that cost ten times at much. If you plan on buying lenses in the future, start with this one.
Check out more details about the Canon 50mm f/1.8 II here.
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM
It's designed specifically for APS-C cameras and it's on the more expensive end of budget lenses, but it still is a great buy. A zoom lens of this focal range with a constant f/1.8 aperture can only be amazing. And indeed it produces pro class results, thanks to its Low Dispersion glass elements that compensate for aberrations and curvature.
Check out more details about the Sigma 18-35mmf/1.8 DC HSM here.
Nikon 35mm f/2 AF-D
If you're a Nikon user with a full frame camera and are looking for an affordable all-round lens, look no further. This 35mm is versatile, it works very well in low-light, it's light and produces great looking images.
Check out more details about the Nikon 35mm f/2 AF-D here.
Tamron 16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD
Why buy a lot of lenses when you can just get one? This super-zoom from Tamron is insanely versatile and it's the perfect choice for photography lovers who travel a lot. It's neither the brightest nor the fastest, but the image quality is very good.
Check out more details about the Tamron 16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD here.
Tokina AT-X 16-28MM F/2.8 PRO FX Lens
If you're looking for an ultra-wide angle lens and you're on a budget, this is one of the best options to consider. It costs half of what a "premium" lens in this class does, yet the quality you can pull out of this thing far exceeds the price tag. It's definitely a winner for landscape and nature photographers who want good quality glass without breaking the bank.
Check out more details about the Tokina AT-X 16-28MM F/2.8 PRO FX here.