The Best Lens for Product Photography - 2024 Review

Having the best lens for product photography will enable you to photograph products in the best way possible. If you are a product photographer and want your photos to be as good as possible. You must make sure you have the right equipment.

By doing this, it becomes easier for your photos to sell a product or service.

Meanwhile, if you have just started your online business, and you are looking to take amazing photos of your products. You have identified the camera you need, but you wonder, is there a particular lens I should use?

Well, the truth is a camera will only be as good as its lens. Therefore, you need to pay close attention to the lens you purchase.

Product photography, especially for eCommerce, is the single most crucial aspect of your online campaign. This is because this is how you will create an impression on your targeted visitors.

These are the people who have also ordered before, so they have a standard in what they expect from the items they buy.

If you don’t produce a standard of photos that match their expectations. It’s unlikely the product will sell as well as you expect it to perform.

By taking great photos, you can take your business to a whole new level of profitability.

In this post, I will give an overview of what I think are the five best lenses for product photography. Therefore, you can find out which one will work best for your situation and needs.

The 5 Best Lenses for Product Photography

Rank	Title	Item Name	Price (from)	Amazon Rating	Amazon Link
1	Best Product Photography Lens	Canon 100mm, Nikon 105mm, and Sony 90mm Macro lens	$574	4.7	Canon Nikon Sony
2	Beginner Product Photography Lens	Canon, Nikon, or Sony 50mm Lens	$120	4.8	Canon Nikon Sony
3	Best Third-Party Lens for Product Photography	Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro	$579	4.6	Canon Nikon Sony
4	Best Telephoto Lens for Product Photography	The 70-200mm f/2.8 Lens	$1,498	4.5	Canon Nikon Sony
5	Close-Focusing Lens for Product Photography	Nikon AF-S DX 85mm f/3.5G Micro	$796	4.5	View on Amazon

Contents

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So, what is the best lens for product photography?

To clarify, there is no single lens that will suit everyone. I have selected the five best lenses based on what people choose and use successfully to get the job done.

Before I detail these lenses. I first need to outline some of the features you should be looking for when selecting a lens for product photography. Below are some of these features.

Adequate Field of View: You want to capture as much product as possible in each photo you take.

To do this, you must choose a lens that has an adequate field of view. It doesn’t matter if you want to take a wide shot or a detailed close-up.

Good image quality is essential in product photography. You need to capture as much detail as possible when taking photos of your products. This is because it will help you sell or market your product as well as build brand awareness.

Well-Constructed Lens – A lens that is well built can withstand the weight of your camera. It doesn’t matter how expensive or cheap a lens is. If it doesn’t have the right build quality, then you will struggle to use it.

Sharpness – Having a sharp lens will give you the ability to capture clear and in-focus photos of your products. A blurry image will not show the actual quality of your product.

However, this is not everything that comes with choosing the best lens for product photography.

Furthermore, as a bonus, I will include some additional information to help you decide which one is the best option for your situation.

In addition, we have reviewed the best lenses for food photography if your product is food.

Best Product Photography Lens – Canon 100mm, Nikon 105mm, and Sony 90mm Macro lens

FROM

$574

on Amazon

Amazon Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

View on Amazon

What is a macro lens?

A macro lens is a lens that can focus significantly closer than usual. As a result, this is useful in product photography because it allows you to photograph a tiny object from a greater distance.

It is funny that most people don’t realize macro lenses until they find out about product photography. It seems the petite version of lenses is often not created for macro photography.

Features of a Macro Lens

Focal Length – Macro lenses vary in focal length and the size and distance from which you can focus on a subject. The price of each will also vary. The focal length ranges from 90mm to 500mm.

One of the most significant benefits of a macro lens is its ability to give you a shallow depth of field. To clarify, it is the effect where your image is in focus, but the background and foreground are blurred.

Moreover, a macro lens gives you a crisp and clear image that doesn’t look like it has been taken using a digital camera. It adds a touch of class, making people who see your images wish they could have what you have to offer.

Creative Use – Another great feature of macro lenses is their creative use. This is because you can include hidden and almost impossible objects to photograph when taking photos using a standard lens.

For example, you can use a macro lens to create a little mini life-sized dollhouse without having to spend thousands of dollars on real estate for it. To do this, all you need is your macro lens and some imagination.

The awesome stuff

Use in reverse close-ups – Macro lenses can be used in reverse close-ups, which is very useful when capturing small items.
They can give an incredible view that relates to real life.
Use for other things – Macro lenses can also be used to create attractive images by blurring the background and allowing the focal point to stand out.
There is also the option of using the macro lens for close-ups of flowers and much more.
Call me crazy, but that is what I would do.

What we don’t like

A wider aperture can make it hard to catch things in focus.
A wider aperture also makes it more challenging to take photos of people as their features will be out of focus.
High cost – Macro lenses are costly, and many consumers may not afford one due to their high cost.

The macro lens is used to capture the details and quality of a product. It would be best if you chose a lens that can be used for this.

This is why I recommend you get a macro lens if you are serious about getting your product photography up to par with some of the best in the business.

This stands out from other lenses because it allows me to capture close-up images with vivid detail. This is why I recommend it for product photography.

The ability to focus on a tiny subject will allow you to photograph items that are typically hard to photograph. It’s a great way to add a touch of class to your images.

The macro lens will also give you the ability to create miniature life-sized scenes. This is very useful for various scenarios where an item can be shown in miniature, whether on a table, on display, or as part of your product.

Beginner Product Photography Lens – Canon, Nikon, or Sony 50mm Lens

FROM

$120

on Amazon

Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

View on Amazon

What is the 50mm Lens?

The 50mm lens is an ideal choice for a beginner. It’s affordable and will allow you to take some high-quality images of your products without spending too much money.

Warning: Before you go and buy a 50mm lens, you need to understand it is not a macro lens. This means that it cannot focus on small subjects like a macro lens can.

However, it does have the ability to give you a shallow depth of field. This is a great feature that will allow you to keep your product in focus while also including more elements in your scene.

The 50mm lens is classified as “normal” because it can work at various distances. Standard lenses are valuable in many scenarios as they can show a whole scene without being able to zoom in or out.

Features of a 50mm Lens

The 50mm lens has a fixed focal length.

The 50mm lens is best used for taking portrait images of people and close-up objects. It’s an excellent choice for beginners as it is affordable and has a decent focal length that makes it easy to take some pretty good photos.

While it is not a macro lens, the 50mm lens can still capture detailed images. It also has the ability to give you a shallow depth of field.

The awesome stuff

Very affordable – As mentioned above, the 50mm lens is very affordable.
You will be able to capture some great quality photos without spending much cash.
It’s also an excellent choice for portrait photography in general, especially if you are looking to take professional portraits without the cost of hiring a professional.
Convenience – The 50mm lens is very convenient compared to other lenses due to its size and the fact that it is not too heavy.
It is also not too complicated to use and can be quickly put on without any problems.
Creative Use – Having a 50mm focal length will allow you to capture some very creative images.

What we don’t like

As mentioned above, the 50mm lens is not a macro lens. This means that it cannot focus on tiny objects.
It also has limited zoom capabilities and will not allow you to take close-up photos of your product.
The 50mm lens can only be used at distances of one meter or less from the subject.
It also has a fixed focal length which means it can only be used in one position.

Best Third-Party Lens for Product Photography – Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro

FROM

$579

on Amazon

Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars

View on Amazon

What is the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro?

The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro is one of the top choices for beginners and professionals alike for third-party lenses. This is because it has a good build quality, good optics, and is very affordable.

It is the cheapest true macro lens available in the market. However, do not let the price fool you into thinking it produces some cheap quality photos.

Moreover, this Sigma lens produces fantastic quality photos. The handling of this lens is sturdy, mainly because it has a large, easy-to-spin focus ring.

Features of the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro

The Sigma 105mm focal length macro is best used for taking close-up photos of products to showcase their quality.

In addition, the lens’s minimum focus distance is only around 45 cm, which is very close for taking close-up photos of smaller items such as jewelry or similar things.

The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro is aimed at budget shooters.

However, it offers quite a bit of quality for the price. So, it will be worth your while if you want to try your hand at some product photography without spending much money.

The lens has a reasonably big focus ring, making it easy to quickly and accurately change settings.

It also has a maximum aperture of 2.8, making it optimal for taking photos in dim light.
The lens is sturdy and reliable because it has been built using high-quality glass.

The awesome stuff

This Sigma lens is very affordable and is very easy on a budget.
It is one of the best lenses in its category: macro lenses.
The 105mm lens can give you a shallow depth of field due to its macro capabilities.
It is an excellent choice if you want to take professional portraits and take great photos without any extra costs.
The wide aperture is another excellent feature of this lens. This means that the lens will allow you to take photos in low-light encounters.
The lens has a tilt-shift feature that allows you to control the angle of the lens and create some exciting effects.

What we don’t like

The Sigma 105mm does not have a mechanical aperture, which means you will have to rely on the light directly in front of the lens to get the shot right.
This might not be convenient if you want to take photos of a product that might benefit from dim lighting.
The lens is relatively slow to autofocus.
It will take a few seconds before the photo you are looking for will be in focus. This can often cause you to miss the perfect moment to take your shot because you were too focused on the scene’s background.

I recommend the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro lens because it is one of the best options in its category. It has a good build quality, a wide aperture, versatile use, and is very affordable.

The lens is not too heavy to hold for more extended periods and will allow you to take some great photos that you can share with friends and family.

It also has some excellent optical capabilities that will allow you to take some fantastic quality photos.

The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro lens is also a great choice because it is not too expensive. Therefore, it makes it a great option if you are just getting started in the world of product photography.

For those who are on a budget, this lens offers good quality at an affordable price.

Best Telephoto Lens for Product Photography – The 70-200mm f/2.8 Lens

FROM

$1,498

on Amazon

Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

View on Amazon

What is the 70-200mm f/2.8 Telephoto Zoom Lens?

The 70-200mm f/2.8 Telephoto Zoom Lens is one of the best lenses for product photography because of its versatility, superb quality, and ability to perform in all lighting conditions.

This lens can perform well even in low light settings thanks to its fast aperture of 2.8 and built-in diaphragm function, reducing vibration.

It is portable, which makes it easy for you to take it with you wherever you go. Likewise, it also comes in a very compact yet elegant package, making it very convenient to carry around.

The lens will give you the ability to take close-up photos of your product or even zoom in on your subject without any problems.

Features of the 70-200mm f/2.8 Telephoto Zoom Lens

It has a maximum aperture of 2.8, which means that it will bring out natural colors in your photo and have a shallow depth of field.

It also has a variable maximum magnification of 1:3.8 to 1:5.6, which allows you to take photos of your product from all sorts of angles and distances.

The lens focuses close, which means that as your camera gets closer to the subject, you will have a clearer image in focus.

It has an internal focus system, which means that the focusing mechanism is located within the lens itself rather than on the camera’s body.

The lens is also weather-resistant, which means that you can shoot in the rain, snow, and other unfavorable weather situations without any problems.

The awesome stuff

The lens is straightforward to use. There is no manual focusing, so using it is pretty intuitive and straightforward.
It focuses fast and smoothly.
It offers a clear shot every time you take photos with this lens, even in low light conditions.
It has an autofocus feature that allows it to switch between multiple auto-focusing modes during operation.
The fast aperture of 2.8 will allow you to take photos in low light situations without any problems.
The lens has a variable magnification, so you can take photos from various distances without losing quality.
It also has two switches, which will allow you to zoom in and out smoothly.
The lens is also weather-resistant, which means you can use it in the rain or other inclement weather conditions with no problems.

What we don’t like

The lens is pretty heavy at around 2.5 pounds (1.13kg), making it difficult to go for extended periods without a tripod and a shoulder bag.
The lens won’t focus in low light, so you will need to bring a flash if you want to take photos of your product in dark settings.
The slow aperture of 2.8 will be more noticeable in low-light situations, where the lens cannot hand out bright enough light.

In addition to being the best long lens for product photography. The 70-200mm f/2.8 lens can also be used to take photos of landscapes, sports, and wildlife in good lighting conditions without any problems.

With a telephoto lens, you can take close-up photos that let your subject shine through while still getting a clear shot of it from a distance.

This makes it especially useful when taking photos of products in relatively dim lighting conditions.
Certainly, its ability to keep distance will help you get rid of distractions around you, giving your photo more focus.

It also has a tilt-shift feature that allows you to control the angle of the lens and create some interesting effects for your photos.

The lens is straightforward to use and is compatible with most cameras. Above all, you can get great results no matter what kind of camera you have at home.

It will allow you to take better photos of your product while still keeping things within your budget.
This lens is also good if you want to get into the world of macro photography.

Close-Focusing Lens for Product Photography – Nikon AF-S DX 85mm f/3.5G Micro

FROM

$796

on Amazon

Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

View on Amazon

What is the Nikon AF-S DX 85mm f/3.5G Micro?

The Nikon AF-S DX 85mm f/3.5G Micro lens is an excellent choice for product photography because of its extremely close focus ability.

This lens can reach a minimum distance of 2 inches (5cm) from the subject with no problems, which allows you to take some awesome close-up photos of your product.

This lens is also very lightweight, so you will not find it difficult or awkward to hold it for long periods while taking photos. It weighs just over 2 pounds (0.9kg), so it is comfortable to carry around with you.

The lens is also compact, making it easy for you to carry it around with you wherever you go.

Features of the Nikon AF-S DX 85mm f/3.5G Micro

It is an autofocus telephoto lens with a maximum aperture of f/3.5.

The lens has a constant maximum magnification of 1:1, similar to that of the other DX lenses in this line.

It does not require a camera body with an autofocus motor, which means that it can be used with non-AF bodies.

The lens is also compact and small, making it easy to use and carry around wherever you go.

It comes with a motor for automatic focusing, which will enable you to focus quickly and accurately on the subject of your choice.

The awesome stuff

The lens is very lightweight and will not be difficult or awkward to hold for long periods.
It has a variable magnification, which means that you can take photos from all sorts of distances without needing to compromise quality due to low light conditions.
It is also weather-resistant, which means that you can shoot in all kinds of weather situations without worrying about it damaging the lens.
The lens can be used for a variety of other photography needs, not just product photography.
It offers a clear image at all times, even when shooting in low light and with minimal lighting.
The lens is also very compact, which means it can be easily stored away and carried around with you.
It has an internal focus feature that allows you to capture images from all sorts of distances without sacrificing quality.

What we don’t like

This lens does not come in a kit, nor is it compatible with any other camera types aside from Nikon cameras.
The lens is also slow at f/3.5, which means it will struggle in low light situations where it cannot go wide open and capture sufficient light.
It also has a slow focusing speed, which can get annoying when taking photos of moving subjects.
The lens will also focus only down to 2 inches, which means you will not take photos of larger objects with it.

The Nikon AF-S DX 85mm f/3.5G Micro lens is a bargain, as it is inexpensive and packed with features that will make your photography experience more enjoyable.

This lens is an autofocus telephoto lens that can reach a minimum of 2 inches from your subject without any problem, which means that you can take some awesome close-up photos of your product.

This lens is also very lightweight, so you can carry it with you wherever you go without any problems.

Similarly, the lens is also compact and small, making it easy to use and carry around wherever you go.

It will provide great quality images from all distances without giving up any of the features found in more expensive lenses.

The motorized focus system makes it easy for you to focus quickly and accurately on the subject of your choice.

You can also take photos with this lens in all kinds of weather conditions without having to worry about the lens damaging it.

The lens also offers a variable magnification for sharper photos.

Final thoughts about the best lens for product photography

Consider other factors that might affect your product photography. Even with the best camera and lens, lousy lighting and unsteady hands will ruin the photo.

Investing in some studio lights, editing software, tripod, and drapes will give a boost to your product photos.

When looking for a good product photography lens, remember that the most expensive lenses do not necessarily result in the best photos. Look over the pros and cons we have listed here to compare the lenses and discover the one that suits your needs.

I have listed the features to look out for when choosing a lens for product photography. Please make sure you pay close attention to these lens features and ensure the lens you select meets all or most of them.

Do not be fooled by searching for a fast lens if you are only interested in product photography. Your subject is not moving or going anywhere. Therefore, you do not need the fastest lens in the market.

However, if you want a multi-functional lens, consider balancing the different needs you have to match your selected lens.

Which is your pick for the best lens for product photography? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Happy shooting!

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The Best Lens for Product Photography – 2024 Review18 min read

The 5 Best Lenses for Product Photography

So, what is the best lens for product photography?