Unfortunately for photography beginners, simply buying a good camera is not enough. Once you’ve carefully selected the right camera to learn on, you then need to think about which lenses you will need. This is frustrating news when you’ve already spent hours picking out the perfect camera, but the good news is that I’ve created this lens buying guide to make things a little easier for you. Let’s take a look at the best photography lenses for beginners. 

Prime Lens 

As you can probably guess from the name, this is the main lens you will need for your new camera. A prime lens is a fixed focal length lens which allows you to capture a wide range of subjects; it’s something of a jack-of-all-trades. 

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 is lightweight, affordable and performs very well in low lighting. Nikon also offers a similar lens for its own cameras, and it weights just 5.5oz.

Wide Angle Lens 

A good quality wide angle is a staple for any photographer because they are great for shooting landscapes, cityscapes and architecture. It can take a while to learn how to use this type of lens but it’s worth your time because you can use your wide angle lens to create truly breathtaking visual content. 

The Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM lens creates beautiful, sharp and realistic photographs from just 6 inches away. It’s also very lightweight at just 4.4oz and it’s affordable, too. This lens feels like it was designed with beginners in mind. 

Zoom Lens 

Zoom lenses are perfect for event, journalism and nature photography because they allow you to take close-up shots without having to physically move closer to the action. Personally, I like the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD because they make multiple versions for many popular camera brands. The lens is great to learn on because it allows you to play around, take creative shots and it works as an ultra-telephoto lens, too. 

For those with Sony cameras, consider the uber-versatile 55-200mm f/4-5.6 DT. It’s a little on the heavy side but it’s so versatile that if you’re travelling you may only need to bring this lens with you anyway. With a minimum focus distance of just 37 inches, it will allow you to create a wide range of beautiful shots. You’ll feel like a pro in no time at all. 

For more on photography, check out this essential equipment list for beginners or my guide to the best destinations for photography lovers around the world.