The 8 Best Canon Rebel T2i Lenses
Here are the 8 best lenses for the Canon EOS Rebel T2i. A variety of focal lengths for different kinds of photography are covered. In addition to the recommended lenses, each choice will have other alternatives for lower or higher prices.
Every photographer will be able to find something they’d want in their camera bag.
Best Canon Rebel T2i 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 Video: Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS 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 lens was designed for the EF-S mount which is found on cameras that feature APS-C sensors. The construction quality is almost like what you would expect to see from Canon’s full-frame L-series. It is a big step up from the zoom included with the EOS Rebel T2i.
The large maximum aperture is constant through the entire zoom range making it possible for a shallow depth of field and beautiful background blur. Camera shake is reduced thanks to the built-in image stabilization.
If you needed to narrow down all of the Canon lenses available to one to use, this is going to be the best option.
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Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD: Built-in optical image stabilization means you can shoot tack sharp images at up to 4 stops slower than with no optical stabilization. With the fast aperture and great zoom range, the lens is suitable for all kinds of photography from landscapes to portraits.
Judging by the excellent customer reviews, people highly recommend this lens. It could end up being your first choice.
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Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM: With an equivalent zoom of 24-136mm in 35mm film format, it is a fantastic selection for general photography. It is also one of the ideal selections for a travel lens.
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Best Telephoto Zooms
Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS: This is like having two zoom lenses put together together. With a 16.6x zoom ratio, everything from telephoto to wide angle are available. Constructed with 17 elements in 13 groups, four of which are FLD and 1 SLD element, means the lens is able to get sharp crisp, high-quality images, without having to worry about distortion.
The sizeable zoom range will come at the price of it being somewhat heavy and large. There are other lenses that will be a better choice to dedicate a day lugging around with the Canon EOS Rebel T2i.
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Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS: Here’s a lightweight and portable lens that still includes a large zoom range. With 4 stops of stabilization it’s a product that provides impressive results at a very affordable price. This is a good pick to avoid unwanted weight and size.
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Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III: Lighter weight and smaller sized than the other recommendations mentioned earlier, which is often a benefit if you would like to not haul around a heavy kit. The focal length is equal to 120-to-480mm on a Canon APS-C sensor, which all EOS Rebel cameras contain.
Without stabilization, it’s more cost effective. This lens is best used outside with ample amounts of ambient light.
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Best Prime Lenses
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM: This is one of the top lenses manufactured by Canon as it provides excellent picture quality, but still comes in a portable and lightweight package. A timeless focal length that is built with a large f/1.8 aperture means that this is an ideal selection for low light shooting. An excellent lens for all photographers that can find a place in any camera kit.
Do not buy the older version due to the fact the motor that controls the focusing system is slow and loud. You may not be happy with the outcome of trying to save a marginal amount of money. This is doubly true if you are intending to capture video.
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Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM: Out of all the choices created for the EF-S mount, this is the smallest and slimmest. The size can’t be beat as it is a true “pancake” wide angle lens that means it is the best pick for travel photography. It has the ability to capture images as close as 6 inches (16 cm).
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Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM: An amazing creation showing what modern day optical engineering is capable of. It takes tack sharp pictures from corner to corner, even when shot wide open. The hyper-sonic motor (HSM) provides quiet, accurate, and fast autofocus.
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Best Video & Vlogging Lenses
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM: Among all the Canon lenses, this is the most appropriate option for video. The ultra-wide-angle zoom range is great for creating videos and vlogging. The stepping motor (STM) facilitates smooth and dependable autofocus that isn’t going to cause any noise which can ruin audio recording. Furthermore, it is compact and light enough to not feel heavy while mounted on the Canon EOS Rebel T2i.
Consider that you can purchase the Portrait and travel kit that includes the 50mm f/1.8 STM. The combination is a great choice if you would like to end up with two of Canon’s best lenses, while also saving a little bit of money.
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Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8: It is convenient to switch from MF to AF without removing your hand from the focus ring thanks to the one-touch focus clutch mechanism. The lens is also a pretty good pick to do astrophotography since it has a f/2.8 aperture.
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Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD: Here is another wide-angle zoom that is full of optical tech. An internal focusing system makes it possible to use a petal-type hood which will do a better job of preventing glare than a standard hood. Noiseless functionality is made certain by a HSM (hyper sonic motor).
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Best Portrait Photography Lenses
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM: Many people would consider this lens the most desirable lens for portraits created by Canon. The wide f/1.8 aperture is suitable for working in low light and can produce a shallow depth of field, with beautiful bokeh, to draw attention to the subject. This should be a requirement for wedding photographers.
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Sigma 50mm F1.4 Art DG HSM: A terrific lens that is well suited for portrait photography ın addition to street, landscape, and studio work, with a professional level construction quality. There is minimal distortion or vignetting and it is especially sharp from corner to corner, even wide open.
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Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM: Very close to the Canon 85mm f/1.8, but is built with a slightly longer focal length. Similar to the other two lenses, it is very good for low-light shooting in a small body that is easy to manage.
This is a discontinued lens, so finding one in stock may be challenging. Many used copies are still available for purchase. Check a few sites to obtain the most competitive price.
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Best Sports & Wildlife Lenses
Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2: This 2nd generation lens represents a large advancement from Tamron. Photo quality level has improved across the complete zoom range and having a superb construction quality. An ultrasonic silent drive motor powers the autofocusing system which is truly precise and fast. With this on your camera, you’ll find you experience no difficulties capturing amazing action or wildlife shots.
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Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary DG OS HSM: The Sigma is built with a compact and lightweight construction for a hyper-telephoto lens. In addition to the hyper sonic motor and optical stabilizer, it contains a built-in accelerometer that helps to improve images when panning. As an additional perk, there’s usually a promo deal that is a bundle of additional items along with free shipping when you get the lens. That’s very good because free camera gear is really hard to turn down.
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Canon EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS II USM: Unquestionably, this lens has superior image performance than the other two. With that said, top quality performance is attached to a substantial cost that is significantly bigger than that of the camera. Among the notable features this lens has is a rotation-type zoom ring that has configurable torque settings allowing the lens to be set up to your personal taste.
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Best Lenses for Landscape Photography
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM: Tipping the scales at only 405g (14.3 oz), this lens is a wide angle that remains lightweight and compact. Even when set to autofocus there’s a full-time manual focus override, that enables perfect focus to be achieved. If you intend on taking your Rebel T2i with you on hikes, this lens is a superb solution as it is likely to fit into practically every camera bag.
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Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC: This is a budget ultra-wide-angle lens with an integrated petal-type hood. A great solution for not only landscape photography but also for real estate and astrophotography. Images can be shot as close as 10.8 inches (14 cm), but the results will have very noticeable distortion.
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Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art: The widest lens in the Sigma Art series, the 20mm f/1.4 offers a professional build quality. Made with 15 elements in 11 groups with a Low Dispersion and 5 Special Low Dispersion elements, spherical aberration, field curvature, and axial chromatic aberration are essentially gone.
It is a rather sizeable and heavy piece of glass. Do not expect the lens being nicely balanced when mounted on the camera.
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Best Canon Lenses for Macro
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM: A real macro lens, that can attain 1:1 magnification, and the first to be specifically built for the EF-S mount. It was built with internal focusing, meaning the front element won’t turn. You are going to love the sharp images created by this lens. It is an excellent option to use on the EOS Rebel T2i because of the compact size and reasonable price being difficult to match.
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Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM: With stabilization and internal focusing, it is clear why this is a top of the line professional L-series lens. It is weather sealed, and that makes it a terrific pick to bring out into the field in difficult conditions. Invest in this lens and you’ll never need to go searching for another option.
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Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP A/M 1:1 Macro: With an outstanding working distance and recessed front element, you’ll probably never be required to attach the lens hood. Having said that, it does not have an internal focusing system, so the lens will extend when closely focusing on a subject.
A further possible downside if you would like to use it for portraits is that it doesn’t have built-in optical stabilization. However, if you use a flash that won’t be a concern.
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