The Best Lenses for Canon EOS Rebel T6
The Canon EOS Rebel T6 is a popular entry-level DSLR, offers a wide range of features that make it a favorite among photography enthusiasts. To truly unlock its potential, you need the right lens.
This article will guide you through the best lenses for the Canon EOS Rebel T6, T6i, and T6s while considering various photography styles and lens specifications.
Who this Guide is For
This article is designed for anyone who owns a Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR camera and is looking to expand their photography capabilities by investing in a new lens. Whether you’re a beginner just starting to explore the world of DSLR photography, or an intermediate photographer looking to upgrade your kit, this guide will provide valuable insights into the best lenses for your camera.
The Canon Rebel T6 is a versatile camera that can be paired with a wide range of lenses for different photography styles. If you’re interested in portrait, landscape, sports, wildlife, or macro photography, this article will help you understand which lenses are best suited for these styles and why. It will also provide you with specific lens recommendations, including their features, benefits, and limitations. This information will help you make an informed decision and choose a lens that will best meet your photography needs and goals.
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Top Recommended Lenses for Canon EOS Rebel T6
Here are some top lens recommendations for the Canon EOS Rebel T6:
| Lens | Focal Length | Aperture | Image Stabilization | Autofocus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM | 50mm | f/1.8 | No | Yes |
| Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II | 18-55mm | f/3.5-5.6 | Yes | Yes |
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM | 55-250mm | f/4-5.6 | Yes | Yes |
| Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM | 10-18mm | f/4.5-5.6 | Yes | Yes |
| Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM for Canon | 18-35mm | f/1.8 | No | Yes |
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
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The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens, often referred to as the “nifty fifty,” is a must-have for any Canon EOS Rebel T6 user. This lens is known for its exceptional image quality, compact design, and affordable price. With a maximum aperture of f/1.8, it excels in low-light conditions and allows for a shallow depth of field, making it perfect for portrait photography.
However, it’s worth noting that this lens lacks image stabilization, which means you’ll need a steady hand or a tripod to avoid camera shake at slower shutter speeds. Also, with a fixed focal length, it’s less versatile than zoom lenses. But the burstiness of this lens, the way it can quickly and effectively capture stunning images, makes it a favorite among photographers.
- Features and benefits:
- Focal length: 50mm
- Maximum aperture: f/1.8
- Compact and lightweight
- Great for low light conditions and creating beautiful bokeh
- Limitations:
- No image stabilization
- Fixed focal length, less versatile than zoom lenses
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens
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The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens is a versatile zoom lens that comes as a kit lens with the Canon EOS Rebel T6. Its focal length range makes it suitable for a wide variety of shots, from wide-angle landscapes to close-up portraits. The lens also features image stabilization, which helps to reduce camera shake and ensure sharp images.
However, its maximum aperture of f/3.5-5.6 means it’s not the best for low light conditions. The image quality may not be as sharp as prime lenses, but the perplexity of this lens, the range of options it provides, makes it a great all-around lens for beginners and everyday photography.
- Features and benefits:
- Focal length: 18-55mm
- Maximum aperture: f/3.5-5.6
- Image stabilization to reduce camera shake
- Versatile zoom range for various photography styles
- Limitations:
- Not the best for low light conditions due to relatively small maximum aperture
- Image quality may not be as sharp as prime lenses
Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM Lens
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The Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM lens is a telephoto zoom lens that pairs well with the Canon EOS Rebel T6. It’s ideal for capturing distant subjects in sports and wildlife photography. The lens features image stabilization, which is crucial for telephoto lenses to reduce camera shake.
However, the lens’s maximum aperture of f/4-5.6 means it’s not the best for low light conditions. Also, it can be heavy and bulky, which might be a consideration for those who prefer a lighter kit. But the burstiness of this lens, its ability to capture distant subjects in great detail, makes it a valuable addition to your lens collection.
- Features and benefits:
- Focal length: 55-250mm
- Maximum aperture: f/4-5.6
- Image stabilization to reduce camera shake
- Great for capturing distant subjects
- Limitations:
- Not the best for low light conditions
- Can be heavy and bulky
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
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The Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM lens is a wide-angle lens that’s perfect for landscape photography and capturing large scenes. When paired with the Canon EOS Rebel T6, it allows photographers to capture expansive views that other lenses can’t.
However, its maximum aperture of f/4.5-5.6 means it’s not the best for low light conditions. Also, due to the wide-angle perspective, it can distort images. But the perplexity of this lens, the unique perspective it provides, makes it a fascinating lens to experiment with.
- Features and benefits:
- Focal length: 10-18mm
- Maximum aperture: f/4.5-5.6
- Image stabilization to reduce camera shake
- Great for landscape photography and large scenes
- Limitations:
- Not the best for low light conditions
- Can distort images due to wide-angle perspective
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens for Canon
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The Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM lens for Canon is a unique lens that offers a combination of wide angle and fast aperture. It’s a versatile choice for many situations, from landscape to street photography. With a maximum aperture of f/1.8, it performs well in low light conditions and allows for depth of field control.
- Features and benefits:
- Focal length: 18-35mm
- Maximum aperture: f/1.8
- Fast aperture for low light conditions and depth of field control
- Versatile zoom range for various photography styles
- Limitations:
- No image stabilization
- Heavier and bulkier than other lenses due to its construction and fast aperture
Understanding Camera Lenses
The official specs of the Canon Rebel T6 can be found on the Canon Camera Museum It’s important to first understand some lens terminology:
- Focal length: This is the distance (in mm) between the lens and the image sensor when the subject is in focus. It determines the lens’s field of view.
- Aperture: This refers to the opening in the lens that lets light into the camera sensor. It’s measured in f-stops; a lower f-stop means a larger aperture, which allows more light in.
- Image stabilization: This feature helps to reduce blur caused by camera shake.
- Autofocus vs manual focus: Autofocus lenses focus automatically, while manual focus lenses require you to adjust the focus manually.
There are several types of lenses, each with its unique characteristics:
- Prime lenses: These have a fixed focal length, offering high image quality and large apertures.
- Zoom lenses: These offer a range of focal lengths, providing flexibility.
- Wide-angle lenses: These have a short focal length and a wide field of view, ideal for landscape photography.
- Telephoto lenses: These have a long focal length, perfect for capturing distant subjects.
- Macro lenses: These are designed for close-up photography.
What Type of Lens Does the Canon Rebel T6 Use? (Lens Compatibility)
The Canon EOS Rebel T6 uses the Canon EF and Canon EF-S lens mount. Any lens with this mount will be compatible with the camera.
Canon EF lenses are designed to cover a full-frame sensor and can be used on any Canon EOS camera, while EF-S lenses are designed specifically for APS-C cameras like the Rebel T6. EF-S lenses take into account the smaller sensor size and often offer features more suited to these cameras, like wider angles of view.
For example, if you’re considering the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens, you can check its specifications. You’ll find that it has an EF mount, which means it’s fully compatible with the Canon EOS Rebel T6.
Remember, while third-party manufacturers like Sigma and Tamron also produce lenses with the Canon EF/EF-S mount, it’s always a good idea to check the lens specifications or consult with the manufacturer or a trusted retailer to ensure compatibility.
Best Lenses for Different Types of Photography
Different types of photography often require different lens characteristics to achieve the best results. For instance, portrait photography typically benefits from lenses with a focal length between 50mm and 85mm. These lenses provide a flattering perspective and allow for a shallow depth of field, which helps to isolate the subject from the background.
A lens with a wide aperture, such as the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, is excellent for this purpose as it allows more light to reach the sensor, enabling beautiful bokeh and excellent low-light performance.
On the other hand, landscape photography often requires wide-angle lenses, such as the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM. These lenses have a short focal length, providing a broad field of view to capture expansive landscapes. Similarly, sports and wildlife photography typically benefit from telephoto lenses, like the Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM, which have a long focal length to capture distant subjects in great detail.
Macro photography, which involves capturing close-up details, requires specialized macro lenses that can focus closely and often have a narrower aperture to maintain sharpness across the entire subject. Each of these lenses offers unique characteristics that make them ideal for their respective types of photography.
Portrait Photography
For portrait photography, a lens with a focal length between 50mm and 85mm is ideal. These lenses provide a flattering perspective and allow for a shallow depth of field, which helps to isolate the subject from the background.
For instance, imagine you’re attending a friend’s wedding, and you’ve been asked to take some informal portraits of the guests. You’d want a lens that can capture the expressions and emotions of the people, while also blurring the background to keep the focus on the subject. A lens like the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM would be perfect for this situation.
Landscape Photography
For landscape photography, wide-angle lenses are the go-to choice. They allow you to capture expansive views and provide a great depth of field.
As an example, suppose you’re on a vacation in the Grand Canyon. You’d want to capture the vastness of the landscape, the intricate details of the rock formations, and the vibrant colors of the sunset. A wide-angle lens like the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM would be ideal for this.
Sports and Wildlife Photography
For sports and wildlife photography, telephoto lenses are a must. They allow you to capture distant subjects in great detail.
Let’s say you’re at a soccer match or on a safari trip. You’d want to capture the action from a distance, freezing the players in motion or capturing a lion chasing its prey. A telephoto lens like the Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM would be excellent for these scenarios.
Macro Photography
For macro photography, a macro lens is necessary. It allows you to capture close-up details that are often missed by the naked eye.
A scenario where you would do macro photography would be in a garden full of blooming flowers, and you want to capture the intricate details of the petals or the dew drops on a leaf. A macro lens like the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM would be perfect for capturing these close-up details.
Stopping Motion
“Stopping motion” in photography refers to the technique of capturing an image while freezing the action in the frame. This is achieved by using a fast shutter speed, which reduces the amount of time the camera’s sensor is exposed to light.
For example, if you’re photographing a fast-moving subject like a sprinting athlete or a bird in flight, you might use a shutter speed of 1/1000th of a second or faster. This quick exposure time doesn’t allow for any motion blur, resulting in a sharp image where the action appears to be frozen in time. This Reddit post goes over lens suggestions
However, using a fast shutter speed reduces the amount of light that reaches the sensor, which can result in underexposed images, especially in low-light conditions. This is where artificial lighting can come into play. By adding additional light sources, such as flash or continuous lights, you can compensate for the reduced exposure time.
For instance, a photographer might use a flash with a high-speed sync feature, which allows the flash to fire at faster shutter speeds. This can provide the necessary light to properly expose the image while maintaining a fast shutter speed to stop motion. It’s a delicate balance between shutter speed, light, and often, the ISO setting, to achieve a perfectly exposed image with motion effectively stopped.
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