33 Most Popular DSLR Lenses Among Our Readers
Last week we released a list of the 10 most popular DSLRs judged according to what our readers have been buying on Amazon over the last 3 months*. Today we’re turning our attention to the most popular DSLR lenses.
As usual – Canon and Nikon lenses were by far the most popular so I’ve divided them into two lists and included 3 other lenses from other manufacturers that were purchased enough to get a mention.
Canon Lenses
1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens
2. Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
3. Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras + Lens Cleaning Kit
4. Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras
5. Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
6. Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras
7. Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
8. Canon 40mm EF f/2.8 STM Lens
9. Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens
10. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM 1-to-1 Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Nikon Lenses
1. Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
2. Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
3. Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR
4. Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
5. Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens
6. Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Nikkor Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon DX-Format Digital SLR Cameras
7. Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S Nikkor Zoom Lens For Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
8. Nikon 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
9. Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
10. Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens
Other Lenses
Not many other brand lenses featured in the last quarter. The exceptions were:
1. Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras (also available for Nikon, Samsung and Sigma DSLRS)
2. Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD LD Aspherical IF Macro Zoom Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras (also available for Nikon and Sony DSLRs)
3. Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lens with built in motor for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Also see our most popular Compact Camera Systems list.
*Note: these lists were compiled from reports supplied to us from Amazon.com where we are affiliates. One of the ways dPS is able to cover its costs and be a sustainable business is that we earn a small commission when readers make a purchase from Amazon after clicking on our links (including those above). While no personal details are passed on we do get an overall report from Amazon about what was bought and are able to create this list.
21 Responses to “33 Most Popular DSLR Lenses Among Our Readers” - Add Yours
July 2nd, 2012 at 7:16 am
It’s interesting how the Nikon list nearly mirrors the Canon list in terms of focal lengths. However, I do know that Nikkor 35mm to be very popular among Nikon shooters, and Canon’s version isn’t quite up to par. It’s also interesting that the new Canon 40 “pancake” made that list after only being on the market for a short while.
July 2nd, 2012 at 10:32 am
These are interesting and helpful articles and it is a good thing that you describe your methods at the end, but the headline is really misleading and the results do not really describe the most popular “whatever,” except perhaps by happenstance.
These data don’t really tell us much about which lenses get the most use by those who read this blog. The data tell us which lenses are bought the most often by people who click through to Amazon from this site and make a lens purchase.
As an example, you don’t see any kit lenses on this list, because most people who buy a camera get a 18-55mm lens. Nikon people aren’t buying that lens not because it’s not a good lens, but because they already have it.
Almost everyone who wants to pursue photography will want to pick up a few prime lenses, if for no other reason that everyone tells them they need them. I have several myself, but the lens that gets the most use by far, is the Nikkor 18-200mm.
So, I think that people should consider these factors before jumping to any conclusions.
I would define the most popular lenses as those that spend the most time on the camera and not those that are purchased by clicking through to Amazon from a photography site.
July 2nd, 2012 at 10:45 am
I am a newbie to D-SLR photography having recently purchased a Canon EOS Rebel XS / 1000D (I heard this was a good beginners camera).
I previously enjoyed taking macro photos with my FujiFilm S6500 fd and the results were not too bad.
What would folks recommend for a beginner wanting to get into macro photography?
July 2nd, 2012 at 11:19 am
are the other ten lenses going to be added to this list at some point
July 2nd, 2012 at 11:33 am
The Nikkor 35mm DX lens in amazing. I got it for Father’s Day (so I could shoot my daughter’s first dance recital) and I am impressed with how sharp it is. I used it over the weekend to shoot fireworks and was impressed with its speed. I wish they would make some other DX primes with this quality and that cost.
July 2nd, 2012 at 6:25 pm
I’m a bit skeptical in not seeing the Tamron 90mm Macro. Probably it’s because everyone has one.
July 2nd, 2012 at 9:16 pm
It’s shame newest Sigma 50mm isn’t in the list. One of the best lenses at the moment.
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:11 pm
I’m surprised that 3 of my 5 Canon Lens didn’t make the list. They are my “workhorse” 100-400mm f4.5-5.6, the Canon 60mm f2.8 Macro, and the Canon 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 wide angle lens.
July 4th, 2012 at 4:16 am
I own 4 of the top 10 NIkon lenses and love them all! Great lenses!
July 4th, 2012 at 11:55 am
I have the 50mm f/1.4 and the 24-70, looking to get the 70-200 asap! Love the 24-70, it is such a versatile lens. It should definitely make any photographer’s must – have list in my opinion. Thanks!
July 4th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Where’s the Sony lenses?
July 5th, 2012 at 5:25 am
Would you consider analysing this further by polling subscribers as to their most used lenses?
Wayne, if you want to get into macro cheaply you can put a reverse mount on an old good quality prime lens. Next step up is a macro 50 / 60mm the problem with which can get quite close to objects with impications for lighting and can also frighten bugs away. The best long term solution is probably a mid-range macro 90 /105mm. Things to look out for are whether the front element rotates (problem with polarisers if it rotates) and whether and to what extent the lens extends during focusing.
July 6th, 2012 at 7:25 am
I’ m surprised one of the most popular lenses by Canon did not make it, could be it’s price. All professionals want this one in their bag, Canon’s 85mm f/1.2 lens. This baby can create beautiful bokeh!
July 6th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Is there such a thing as the BEST macro lens for a nikon d60?
July 7th, 2012 at 7:07 pm
I don’t have any of them. Using legacy non-DX
Nikon on Fuji S2 Pro. My all-time favorites are 24mm f2.0, 85mm f1.8, portrait, 105mm macro 1:1. Wish I had 200mm micro1:1 “butterfly” lens. You can get great glass used for less. DPSS recent travel portrait article proves short lens (35mm) can take great portraits. John Ireland above seems to love his.
July 7th, 2012 at 11:29 pm
Slowolf, I do love the new DX prime 35mm. One thing I never really appreciated until I got a good prime was how much it frees you up. Most of the time traveling I just leave this lens on and take a couple of steps in or out to zoom. More often I just think of different shots and framing now, but I never have to worry about the light.
July 8th, 2012 at 7:35 am
I only own the canon 50mm 1.8 II from this list
Cant afford most of them
September 1st, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Is it possible to use Nikon lenses in Canon SLR?
October 30th, 2012 at 2:33 am
Hi, am in need of a SLR D90 camera, any one will to help me acquire one I will really appreciate.
Thanks in advance
Stephen
Nairobi, Kenya
December 14th, 2012 at 7:38 pm
I don’t have any experience with Nikon’s range of lenses but I am a bit surprise by the list because some of the more popular lenses from the Canon range of the 90s was not reflected on this list! Yes, the cheapest and most popular is and should be the 50mm f/1.8ll followed by the 50mm f/1.4, but what about the 35mm f/2, 28mm f/2.8, 85mm f/1.8 & 28mm f/1.8. Those were once some of the must have prime lenses. They may not have the best optical performance, but considering their price they gave an adequate; or in some cases, at certain f-stops, approaching closely those of the most expensive lenses. A case in point; the 50mm f/1.8ll, the cheapest lens in Canon’s range, at f/5.6-11, can go almost toe to toe with Canon’s 50mm f/1.2, considered one of the most costly lens in the Canon range.
January 13th, 2013 at 2:55 am
I am always surprised at the lack of Pentax coverage…wonderful cameras and compatibility with a long long list of lenses which include some real gems…
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