Budget Friendly Canon Rebel T1i Lenses for Photography & Video

The Canon EOS Rebel T1i (Canon EOS 500D) is compatible with 24 EF-S lenses. There are also third party lens options from Sigma, Tamron, Samyang, and more.

EF lenses, designed for full frame cameras, can also be used. The downside is that they’re larger, heavier, and more expensive.

My recommendations are focused on small, light, and inexpensive lenses that are fun to use. Every type of photography will be covered so you can start learning and capturing memories.

Lens Acronyms

Image stabilization is the feature you want.

If you’re planning on shooting video, gets lenses that have an STM motor.

• IS - Image stabilization. This is helpful for reducing the effects of camera shake, producing sharper images.
• IF - Internal Focus. The lens will not extend or retract when focusing.
• L - Luxury. They will have a red ring around the front of the lens. These are the highest quality lenses, designed for professional use.
• USM - The lens has an UltraSonic Motor.
• STM - The lens has a stepper motor, which is quieter than an USM lens. Better for video.
• EF-S - The lens has been designed for use on a camera with an APS-C sized sensor, like the T1i.
• EF - Indicates it is a full frame lens. They can be used on the T1i.
• I, II, or III - Signifies the generation of the lens.

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Best Value - Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS

• Kit lens on most entry level cameras.
• Cheap and easy to find.
• Represents 37.5% of the EF-S lenses released.

Canon released 9 different versions of the 18-55mm. Part of this was to reduce costs, so Canon could sell cheaper DSLR kits than Nikon or Sony.

• EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM (2017)
• EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM (2013)
• EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II (2011)
• EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III (2011)
• EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (2007)
• EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II USM (2005)
• EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II (2005)
• EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM (2004)
• EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 (2004)

Get a version with image stabilization (IS). They’re the better versions. You probably won’t even have to pay a premium to get one.

The 18-55mm focal range covers all the most popular focal lengths. It’s a fun lens to capture landscapes, architecture, street, vacation, portraits, and group photos.

They were the kit lens with almost every EF-S camera. There’s millions of them. If you pay attention, you can a used lens with IS for the same price as one without.

The slow aperture means it’s not the best choice for low-light, sports, action, or wildlife photography. Look at a 55-250mm or 70-300mm if you need more reach. For low-light, the 50mm f1.8 STM will be a better choice.

Low Light & Portraits - Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM

• Good for low light. (Indoors)
• Can blur backgrounds.
• Affordable portrait lens.

The 50mm f1.8 STM is my favorite EF lens. It’s the last version of the lens. Two more were made before it.

It’s a full frame lens, so it will act like a short telephoto lens on the T1i. That makes it a great choice to shoot portraits with.

Low light won’t be a problem thanks to the fast 1.8 aperture. You’ll also be able to blur backgrounds and isolate your subject.

Watch out for the previous, all black version. It’s all plastic, including the lens mount. One wrong bump and that lens could be ripped off the camera.

Walk around ‘pancake’ - Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM

One of 3 EF-S prime lenses. The other two are macro lenses.

It’s known as a ‘pancake’ lens because it’s as thin as a pancake.

The small size helps it stay discrete and the focal length is perfect for travel and street photography. You can tuck the camera away inside a coat or pocket. People will take less notice versus if you have a large zoom.

Entry Level Sports and Wildlife - Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6

• Great for sports and wildlife in daylight.
• Relatively small and light.
• Cheap and easy to find.
• 58mm filter threads.

There are three versions, all with image stabilization (IS). It’s affordable as it was bundled as the second “kit” lens with many cameras.

The 250mm of reach is enough to start shooting bird and sports. It’s light and small enough to fit into a normal bag. It won’t be a burden to carry around. You’ll have no problems hand holding the lens.

I strongly recommend buying everything used. Especially with this lens because everyone always wants more reach.

The Canon 100-400mm, Tamron 150-600mm, or Sigma 150-600mm are going to start around $600. The problem with these lenses is that they are large and heavy. They can’t be easily hand held and won’t fit into normal bags.

The Better Telephoto - Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS

• 50mm more reach.
• Better optics.
• Excellent value.
• 58mm filter threads.

It’s slightly better than the 55-250mm at everything. You’ll notice the difference if you want to shoot birds or action on the other end of a field.

People will start to take notice because of the size. If you’re around people, expect an occasional curious questions. Don’t worry though, most people are friendly.

It’s an EF lens, which means it can be used on a full frame camera. That’s great if you ever intend to upgrade to a full frame body.

DO NOT Buy the Canon EF 75-300MM f4-5.6 III

This is widely considered the worst lens Canon has ever made.

It is a full frame lens that was designed for use on 35mm film SLRs. It was bundled with many early DSLRs.

It’s immediately noticeable that the lens isn’t sharp. The 70-300’s are much better lenses.

Fast Standard Zooms

These lenses are upgrades compared to the 18-55mm.

The continuous f2.8 apertures combined with better optics, make them ideal for use indoor and low-light shooting.

I would want one of these to shoot events or weddings.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

This lens will transform you T1i into a professional setup, if you’re willing to pay for it.

It’s ideal for events and weddings because the 2.8 aperture and high quality optics used. You can shoot it wide open, without having to worry about chromatic aberration or other flaws appearing.

You can keep it if you ever decide to upgrade your camera to a 7D mark II or 90D. Or an adapter will allow it to be used on a newer R-mount mirrorless camera.

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD

The Canon 17-55mm isn’t twice as good, but the Sigma is around half the price.

Where you lose out is on build quality. Avoid lenses that have noticeable cosmetic wear.

Sigma made this lens with multiple mounts. Don’t buy a Nikon F-mount version by accident.

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

This is an attractive and affordable travel lens. It’s prefect if you only want one lens.

When traveling, you might not be able to back up further. That’s where the 15mm wide end shines over a 18-55mm. You’ll be surprised at how much wider 3mm is.

However, if you’re not traveling, I think a 18-55 and 55-250mm combo would be better.

Macro Lens - Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

• 1:1 magnification.
• Internal focus.
• 52mm filter threads.

The 60mm f2.8 is a true macro lens, capable of reaching 1:1 magnification. It’s a great focal length of table top photography.

There is no focus limit switch, which makes it difficult to use as a portrait or general lens. When it misses focus, you’re going to notice the delay as the focus racks.

It also isn’t weather sealed, so it might not be the best choice to take into the field.

If you need more working distance, there is the much more expensive Canon EF 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM.

Best Wide Zoom - Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM

This is the best best zoom available for Canon EF-S. If you’re interested in landscapes or architecture, this is the lens you want.

If you want to go wider, you’ll need to upgrade to a full frame camera. The 1.6X APS-C crop factor is just too big of a disadvantage.

The Other Wide Zoom - Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

It is larger, heavier, and older than the 10-18mm, though the maximum aperture is faster.

Primes (The full frame hard sell)

Canon would rather sell full frame camera and lenses because it’s more profitable.

Instead of building out a full lineup of APS-C lenses, Canon would point people to EF lenses.

They’ve come down significantly in price. They can now be good deals, especially if you plan to get a full frame camera like one of the Canon 5D models.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

A lens designed specifically for portraiture.

I’m shocked at how cheap they’ve gotten, though it’s still probably too much lens for the camera.

Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM

You’re going to be standing far away from your subject with this lens.

It’s a great price for what you get.

I think it would be better with a full frame camera. Keep it in mind as a future upgrade option.

Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM

It has the equivalent full frame field of view of 32mm. That’s not wide enough.

I feel like that’s the biggest downside of the Canon EF-S system.

Sorry it’s basically here to tell you to upgrade or use a zoom.

Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC

Watch out, this was sold in multiple lens mounts.

It’s also manual focus. That shouldn’t be a big issue, as the depth of field is going to be large, even at f2.8.

The bulbous front lens element means you won’t be able to use lens filters.

Super Zooms (Aren’t very good)

Convenience comes at a cost. Just because a lens is big and heavy, doesn’t mean it’s good.

All of these have mediocre image quality, with the worst of it being on the ends of the focal range.

I wouldn’t recommend buying any of them. I think 95% of people would be happier with a 2 lens kit.

Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS

Has Sigma gone too far?

There’s also a Nikon F-mount version.

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

It’s a lens that exists.

You now know it exists.

Expensive Sports, Action, and Wildlife Lenses

These are the next step up from the 70-300mm.

I would recommend upgrading your camera before purchasing one of these lenses. The 9 AF points of the T1i, just isn’t good enough. For tracking subject, you want more AF points that cover as much of the frame as possible.

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2

The G2 is a big improvement over the first version of the lens.

Most likely the best price to performance. Everyone is switching to the RF mount, causing prices to plummet.

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary DG OS HSM

There is also a sport option that has an improved build quality.

This should be in the same price range as the Tamron.

Canon EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS II USM

This one is going to be more expensive.

Image quality will be a bit better and it is lighter.