The 7 Best Canon EOS 40D Lenses
This is a list of the 8 best lenses for the Canon EOS Rebel 40D. A wide variety of focal lengths for several types of photography are mentioned. In addition to the recommended lenses, each choice will have more alternatives for lower or higher price ranges.
There are plenty of options available that virtually every photographer will be able to find something they’d want in their camera bag.
Best Canon Rebel 40D Lenses:
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- Best All-Around Zoom: Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
- Best Telephoto Zoom: Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS
- Best Prime Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
- Best Lens for Portraits: Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
- Best Lens for Sports & Wildlife: Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
- Best Lens for Landscapes: Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
- Best Lens for Macro: Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Best All-Around Zoom Lenses
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM: The quality of this lens is in line with Canon’s full-frame L-series, but it is designed for APS-C sensor cameras that use the EF-S mount. It is a significant step up from the zoom included with the EOS Rebel 40D.
A shallow depth of field with a fantastic background blur is available through the entire zoom range because of the constant large maximum aperture. Camera shake is countered thanks to the built-in image stabilization.
If you were required to reduce all of the Canon lenses offered to just one to use on your camera, this would be the best choice.
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Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD: Image stabilization makes it possible to shoot razor sharp images at up to 4 stops slower than compared to not having optical stabilization. With the fast aperture and excellent zoom range, the lens can be used for all kinds of photography from portraits to landscapes.
Based on enthusiastic customer reviews, people highly recommend this lens. It could end up being the go to choice for your camera.
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Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM: With an equivalent zoom range of 24-136mm in full frame format, it is an excellent choice for general everyday photography. It is also one of the most useful options for a single lens to bring with you when traveling.
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Best Telephoto Zooms
Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS: This is similar to having three zoom lenses packaged together. The 16.6x zoom ratio means all focal lengths from wide angle to telephoto are covered. Designed with 17 elements in 13 groups, four of which are FLD and 1 SLD element, means the lens is able to get high-quality, sharp crisp shots, without the need to worry about aberrations.
The enormous zoom range does have the cost of being large and heavy. There are other lenses that could be a better choice to dedicate all day lugging around in combination with the Canon EOS Rebel 40D.
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Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS: Here is a lightweight and compact lens that still includes a good zoom range. With 4 stops of stabilization it truly is a solution that supplies impressive performance at a budget friendly price. This is an excellent solution to avoid unnecessary size and weight.
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Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III: Smaller and lighter weight than the lenses mentioned earlier, which is a benefit if you would prefer not to bring a hefty camera. The focal length is equal to 120-to-480mm on every EOS Rebel camera as they use Canon APS-C sized sensors.
Also, it is actually quite inexpensive, because it does not have built-in stabilization. This is one of the best lenses to use outdoors with plenty of ambient light.
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Best Primes
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM: This is one of the top lenses produced by Canon as it offers great image quality, but still comes in a lightweight and portable build. The fast f/1.8 aperture makes this standard focal length a good option for low light photography. A must have lens for all photographers that can find a use in any camera kit.
Stay away from the previous version as the motor that powers the focusing system is noisy and slow. You might not be happy with the result of hoping to save a lttle bit of money.
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Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM: The smallest and slimmest lens manufactured for the EF-S mount. A true “pancake” wide angle lens that makes it an exceptional pick for travel photography as the size cannot be matched. It can take photos as close as 6 inches (16 cm).
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Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM: An astounding creation demonstrating what modern optical engineering is capable of. Shot wide open, images are razor sharp, from corner to corner. The HSM (hyper-sonic motor) provides quiet, accurate, and fast autofocus.
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Best Lenses for Portrait Photography
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM: Many would consider this the most liked lens for portrait photography offered by Canon. The fast f/1.8 aperture is a good choice for working in low light and can create a shallow depth of field, with appealing bokeh, to draw attention to the subject. For wedding photographers, this is a key lens to own.
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Sigma 50mm F1.4 Art DG HSM: A real professional level lens that definitely is an excellent choice for portrait photography as well as street, landscape, and studio work. Amazingly sharp from corner to corner wide open with hardly any vignetting or distortion.
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Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM: Very close to the Canon 85mm f/1.8, but has a "" narrower field of view. Just like the other two lenses, it is ideal for low-light shooting in a compact package that’s easy to manage.
Manufacture of this lens has concluded, so obtaining a new copy could be challenging. You can still find plenty of used copies available. Check a variety of sites to find the lowest price.
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Best Lenses for Sports & Wildlife
Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2: This 2nd gen lens represents a great improvement from Tamron. Image quality level has gotten much better throughout the entire zoom range while still offering an outstanding build quality. Exceptionally accurate and fast autofocus is controlled by an ultrasonic silent drive motor. With this on your camera, you’ll find you experience no problems taking great action or wildlife shots.
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Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary DG OS HSM: The Sigma boasts a streamlined and lightweight construction considering it is a hyper-telephoto lens. Furthermore the hyper sonic motor and optical stabilization, it contains an accelerometer that helps to improve photographs when panning. As an additional perk, there’s usually a promotional deal that is comprised of additional items along with free shipping if you buy the lens. That’s fantastic seeing as free camera gear is very hard to pass up.
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Canon EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS II USM: Undoubtedly, this lens has superior image performance than the other two. However, that performance is attached to a hefty price tag that dwarfs that of the camera. One of the several fantastic features this lens has is a rotation-type zoom ring that has adjustable torque adjustments allowing the lens to be set up to your personal liking.
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Best Lenses for Landscape Photography
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM: This lens is a wide focal length that is surprisingly compact and light, weighing just 14.3oz (405g). There is a manual focus override, even when set to AF, that makes it faster to achieve critical focus. If you plan on going on hikes with the Rebel 40D, this lens is a very good selection as it will be able to fit in almost any camera bag.
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Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC: Utilizing a integrated petal-type lens hood, this ultra-wide lens is a lower cost alternative. A good choice for not solely landscape photography but additionally for astrophotography and real estate. It can focus as close as 14 cm (10.8 inches), but that will cause exaggerated distortion effects.
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Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art: The widest lens in the Sigma Art series lineup, the 20mm f/1.4 has got a professional construction quality. Featuring 15 elements in 11 groups with a Low Dispersion and 5 Special Low Dispersion glass elements, axial chromatic aberration, field curvature, and spherical aberration have all been minimized.
It is a somewhat heavy and big piece of glass. Don’t count on it to be well balanced when on the camera.
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Best Canon Macro Lenses
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM: The first to be designed for the EF-S mount, it is a true macro lens, capable of obtaining 1:1 magnification. It was designed with internal focusing, which means the front element will not move when focusing. You’ll enjoy the sharp photos created by this lens. It’s an excellent pick to use with the EOS Rebel 40D because of the reasonable price and small size being tough to beat.
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Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM: A professional L-series lens with internal focusing and optical stabilization. It is a great choice to take out into the field because it is weather sealed. Invest in this lens and you will not need to go looking for another solution.
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Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP A/M 1:1 Macro: With a recessed front element and an excellent working distance, you will probably never be required to use the hood. However, it does not have an internal focusing system, therefore the lens will extend when focusing on close subjects.
One more potential limitation if you want to use it as a portrait lens is that it does not have any kind of built-in optical stabilization. That will not be a major problem if it’s used with flash.
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