Even though there is no general rule to buying the best lens for photography, there is still the need to go in-depth before choosing the best lens. You will have to rethink the lens choice when it is about car photography. You will not get the best light and shadow combination when you are taking the best snap of a beautiful car.
A camera lens will have different parameters that you can modulate to get the perfect photo. Not all lenses have the ability to get the perfect picture from the perfect width. This is why we will be discussing some of the best lenses you can purchase to shoot your car photographs.
Reviews of the Best lens for Car Photography(Best lens for automotive photography)
Table could not be displayed.We have reviewed the best camera lenses for car photography by looking into their performances in practical life from real users around the world. The opinions given by the experts for various lenses and brands regarding the quality of photos and limitations have also been taken into account. We have made a short list of the top 10 camera lenses for car photography.
Here we will be showcasing the features of the best 10 lenses along with pros and cons so that you can choose the suitable lenses for your camera and take your car photography passion to the next level.
Fujifilm XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS (Best Telephoto lens for car photography)
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Fujifilm XF55-200mm is one of the best lenses you can use on close-range and long-distance shots. This lens is not only made of high-quality materials, but this also serves you a lot of features. In the built, you will see a nice combination of metal and plastic that makes it a great choice for long-distance shots.
As you can get from the number this lens is made for both long and short-distance photography. It has a variable zooming feature. The zoom ring feels super smooth and does have a good weight to it. The focus ring feels amazing as well. If you shoot from a very long distance and you want your car to be on focus, this has autofocus which works super fast. The image stabilization works super nice on 200 mm which is a must-have for long-distance coverage.
Unlike other lenses, the stepper motor in this camera works almost silently. There will be no noise while working with this lens.
No products found.Pros
- Made of high-quality materials
- Has superb image stabilization
- Has heavy zoom and focus rings for stable shooting experiences
- Comes with a lens hood and cap in the box
Cons
- Does need good maintenance for a better lifetime
Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Camera Lens (right lens for car photography sony)
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We all know about sony and they make the best lenses of all companies. The secret in their recipe is their camera glass. Sony SEL85F18 has the best camera glass of all. The image it produces is the sharpest and that makes it the best lens for car show photography.
If you are in the quest for 85mm car photography, then this is the right tool. With an 85 mm lens you can shoot both close-range and long-distance photos easily. It gives you the freedom of shooting both small details and long distances of your vehicle. You can maintain. On aperture 1.8, you will get tacky sharp photos of small details like side mirrors, interior and hood, and tail lights. On aperture 22, all the blurs get faded and give your car photos a big boost.
Another impressive part of this lens is the mechanics and built quality. This is made of high-quality metal. The enclosed lens does not have any mechanical noise during rough and tough usage.
Pros
- Made of high-quality materials and performs great in rough conditions
- Produces both high and low depth of field photos
- A multipurpose lens for car photography
Cons
- This is a fixed zoom lens, so you have to move to get the perfect shot
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens(best lens for car photography canon)
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Now we will see what canon has to offer for their cameras. You can use this lens on your EF mount lenses giving you the freedom of choice. Canon EF 24-70mm is called the best lens for car rollers because of the zoom capacity.
You can be stationary and this lens is going to ease the job for you. If you have just bought a canon camera and you have been using your stock lens for a very long time, you can switch your lens with this and you will see a big difference. For beginners, this lens is a great choice. It has a small gauge on the side that will indicate the focal length which helps you pinpoint the focus. You can check other canon lenses for low light.
The best feature of this lens is that you get both close-range and telephoto shooting abilities. You can shoot fast-moving objects with variable aperture and zooming capability.
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Pros
- A multipurpose lens for all types of photography
- Best lens for fast-moving cars and sports
- Does not cost a lot of money to upgrade from the stock lens
Cons
- This lens might get worse if it has not been preserved carefully
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED Zoom Lens
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We all know that there are people who still love their Nikon cameras. here is a lens that Nikon has to offer for them. It is a step up from the stock lens that comes in the camera box. If you are on a budget and you still want to upgrade your Nikon photography, this is the lens you should go for.
NIKKOR 24-70mm was not only designed for photography but was also developed for videography. The autofocus and image stabilization works very well with any Nikon camera you have. For your ease of use, there is a gauge that shows you the focal length of the lens. It is very handy if you are not looking through the viewfinder and still want tacky sharp photos.
The overall construction is promising for regular usage. The rings feel super smooth and do give you the ability to shoot for a very long period.
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Pros
- Has a very good build quality with good grips on the rings
- Can be used with mirrorless and DSLR cameras at the same time
- Comes with a hood for outdoor shooting
Cons
- The overall built quality is not too good for rough conditions
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens(right lenses for car photography nikon)
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Now we enter the realm of prime lenses. Prime lenses are the best lenses that will give you the sharpest photo and the best image quality that you can get from a camera. Nikkor 50mm is the right lens for car photography Nikon if you are up for shooting the interior of your car. You can find all the sharp details that will be appealed to the viewers.
The best part of a 50mm lens is the way it presents the subject. Because of the 50mm locked zoom, your photo subject will be a lot more appealing to the eyes. The shallow depth of field will be more prominent. This Nikkor 50mm also has a gauge that will help you get the professional and the most accurate focus without even looking through the viewfinder.
This lens is the perfect lens for you if you shoot at night. You will get night bokeh texture and the perfect lighting even if the condition is too dark to capture.
Pros
- A perfect lens for low-light photography
- A very lightweight and compact lens to carry
- You get autofocus and stabilization
Cons
- You can not get super wide photos with it
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard Lens
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Canon EF 50mm ultrasonic lens is the latest iteration of their prime lenses, making it a perfect lens for 50mm lens car photography. This is, even more, shallower than their previous successor. This lens is able to give you the sharpest photo in a budget range. Canon 50mm f/1.4 is one of the best lenses for car photography if you are shooting indoor photos or getting tight shots.
If you have ever used a prime lens, you know what these lenses can do. You will get the tightest shot with the best depth of field. Shooting the car interior is going to give you the best feeling of life. You will rarely see prime lenses that have this gauge on the side to assist you in focusing on the perfect spot.
It is also worth mentioning that this is made of high-quality material that you can see in most of the expensive lenses on the market. gears are super smooth and automatic focus does not have any sound that might bother you.
Pros
- Made of high-quality dense materials
- Produces the sharpest image with a very shallow depth of field
- Generates super sharp photos
Cons
- Taking wide photos with this lens is almost impossible
Samyang SYIO35AF-E 35mm f/2.8 Ultra Compact Wide Angle Lens
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If you want to go super portable and want to reduce the weight of your photography rig, this is the lens you should go for. SYIO35AFis the perfect lens with this shallow depth of field in this budget for 35mm car photography. We all know that sony cameras are a bit expensive. This could be the perfect lens to have for additional versatility.
Samyang SYIO35AF is an extremely small and compact lens that you might not have seen coming from a sony camera manufacturer. This lens is going to give you the most interesting result if you are shooting the interior of your vehicle. If you are a professional car photographer, this lens is going to fill up your need for a perfect prime lens.
The overall construction feels rigid. There are no moving parts as there are high-quality glasses stacked on each other.
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Pros
- This lens is super compact and you can carry it easily
- gives you a very sharp photo that surely is going to inspire you
- Build to last long without any kind of fungus or fogging
Cons
- This is not that suitable for the video.
Sony SEL2470GM E-Mount Camera Lens
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We can call it a high-range OEM camera lens coming straight from sony. We all know that sony designs the highest quality lenses for their cameras. Sony SEL2470GM is one of the best lens for car photography as you will be going for the best result from a lens of this price range. You might not need a secondary lens if you have got the best camera you can utilize.
F2.8 might not seem too shallow for detailed photography, but this is going to be the best choice for you. You will see the differences in photos that there is no weird distortion in the images. If you are coming straight from the stock lens that you get with the camera, you will be amazed to see the photo quality. There are less noise and grains in the photos.
The overall built quality is kept as the photo quality is considered as high as possible. The rings are super smooth and there is no unusual sound or movements on the autofocus ring.
Pros
- Made of high-quality materials and glasses
- One lens is good enough for long-range and short-range photography
- Photo quality comes out super nice
Cons
- This is an expensive lens for beginners
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm(best lens for car photography nikon)
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For sportscar lovers, NIKKOR 18-140mm is going to be the best lens with OIS. Keep in mind that this is a budget-oriented zoom lens that is also capable of taking nice images from close range. Even if you use a budget-range Nikon camera, it is going to give you the best photo quality at a very budget range.
though there are not a lot of special features, it has enough controls to give you tacky sharp photos. Focus acquisition is simple and easy. Even if you are a beginner, you can easily operate this lens without any special treatment or training. There are indications on the ring to help you decide what focal length you are going to use for photography. On super narrow 18 mm length, you can generate acceptable bokeh for cinematic photos and videos.
It is also worth mentioning that this lens is optically stabilized. You can shoot fast-moving cars and you will not see any blurs even if the lighting condition is super low.
Pros
- Has special stabilization to compensate for vibration and shakes
- A great upgrade for beginner photographers
- There are not too many things to control
Cons
- The build quality of this lens is questionable
Panasonic LUMIX G II Vario Lens,100-300mm
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If you own a Lumix camera, you are going to love this lens. Panasonic LUMIX G II Vario Lens,100-300mm has the best features to offer for your camera. The glass and electronics and hardware is amazing for the money you are paying for. The best feature of this inexpensive lens is the Power IOS at this price range.
There is no other camera lens in the commercial market that has these much to offer at this price range. Some photographers also consider this lens as their best lens for sports photography. The incredible 100 to 300 mm zoom range is going to give you the high benefits of shooting cars that are moving at a very fast pace. The power OIS is going to help stabilize the photo naturally.
If you pair this lens with your favorite Panasonic camera, you will see a major jump in the photo quality as well as in the performance of your camera. As this lens is coming from Panasonic, it is able to bind with a Lumix mirrorless with ease. It has been designed with dustproof and splashproof quality that is perfect for rough weather conditions.
Pros
- A great inexpensive camera lens made by camera manufacturers
- Power OIS works great on shaky footage
- Perfect for sports or live-action snapshots and videos.
Cons
- You will not get a shallow depth of field with it
How to Choose the best lens for car photography
You can not just choose a lens on our list that is going to work on your condition, camera, and lights. You have to make sure that you are buying the one that is made for your best camera for car photography and going to fill up your needs. There are only a few camera body manufacturers but there are a lot of camera lens manufacturers. Some lenses are made just for Lumix cameras and some are made only for Canon cameras. It may be mentioned that buying conditions for the best lens for automotive photography are almost the same as for the best lenses for car photography.
Before you jump into more specific discussions, you have to make sure that you are purchasing a lens that is made for the camera you own.
How good are the glasses?
On an aftermarket camera lens, the most important thing you have to ensure is that you get the camera lens that is made of the finest materials. The glasses that are used on a camera lens are going to show a huge difference in the picture quality and noise reduction. A good lens is never going to result in weird distortion, bad picture quality, or unexpected grains. Also, remember that the best lens for car photography will always give you the best picture quality. is giving you picture quality that is worth the cost.
It is also worth mentioning that a lens with better glass will cost a lot of money. Make sure that the lens is made of good-quality glasses.
Is there any visible distortion in the sample image?
We have already mentioned that bad glasses will produce a lot of noise and distortion in your photo. If you can avoid bad lenses, you are going to save a lot of hassles and a waste of money.
Whenever you are purchasing a lens, make sure that there are great customer reviews about the lens manufacturers and good reviews from professionals.
Consider the zooming capacity wisely
The zoom capacity on a lens generally depends on a figure that is generally described by mm. The lower the number will be, the wider the image will be. With an 18mm lens, you can shoot things that are close to your lens, and with a 300mm zoom lens, you can shoot things that are far from you.
You will find most zoom lenses that have variable zooming distance. These are now popular among versatile photographers. You can shoot wide photos from distance as well as close shallow depth of field photos with a low f-stop setting.
And there are prime lenses. This is a 50mm lens for car photography if you want the tightest shots with the best bokeh. If you look through the market, you will see that most of the prime lenses have a 50mm fixed length. You have to turn the aperture wheel to work on the depth of field. These are fun to shoot and work great with car interior photos and detail shots.
How does it perform in low-light conditions?
Though it is not necessary to shoot in the low light condition, the picture quality of a lens can be determined by the photos you get in low light conditions photo. That means some lenses are better than others for shooting in low-light conditions.
How much does it cost?
If you have gone through this best camera review, you can now say that the price of a camera lens varies the picture quality a lot. in case, you are just beginning to switch up camera lenses, you can go on a budget that is below a thousand dollars. If you are already a professional, you know what lens you should buy, and then you can go for expensive lenses. Do not fool yourself with the cheapest lenses for car photography by reducing the budget a lot.
The overall built quality
Make sure that the lens you are buying is going to last a long time. A better-built quality is not only going to give you a premium feel on hand, but it will also make sure that you are able to use the lens for a long time. It is always preferred to have a lens with a rugged and weatherproof design as much as possible.
FAQ on Best lens for car photography
What lens is best for car photography?
There is no such thing as the best lens for product or fashion photography. For car photography, you have to have several lenses to get the perfect framing and perfect angle. You have to have a zoom lens so that you can get both close-range wide frames and long-range shallow-depth photos.
You might also like to have a prime lens as prime lenses are the best choice for a better shallow depth of field. So you have to buy a prime lens for interior photography and a zoom lens for wide photos. buy the right lens for car photography if you are concerned about the right investment.
Is a 50mm lens good for car photography?
If you are a photographer starting with car photography, the best thing to do is to keep both types of lenses. A prime lens is an excellent lens to experiment with. As prime lenses are locked to a 50mm focal distance, you can tune the aperture down to f/1.8 or below.
If you have already got a stock zoom lens with the camera, you can buy a prime lens which is going to be the perfect choice for close-range photography. The shallow depth of field is always considered more decorative.
Is a 35mm lens good for car photography?
The simple answer is yes, a 35 mm lens with a wide aperture setting is a nice combination that every car photographer should try in their career. Aperture generally starts from f/1.5 or less and that can go high as f/4.2 or higher.
With a wide open aperture, it is possible to get very clear and sharp images to describe the details of the car parts in shallow depth of field and blurry background. Many spectacular car photos can be taken with 35 mm lens even in low light conditions.
How do you photograph a car like a pro?
Generally, there is no such idea as what setting you should go to for a specific type of photography. The only thing you have to consider is what is the lighting condition and how you can get the best out of the lighting situation. First, make sure that you are on the right focal length. Use manual focus to get sharper photos. Get the exposure and white balance right before you press the shutter button. With more experience, you will be able to get better photos in challenging situations as well. For more information, you can check out the tips for car photography.
Conclusion
Just like another form of art, car photography is an art. A car is always designed by engineers and artists with geometrical architectures. If you can see and capture the right frame with the perfect light and shadow combination, you will be able to get the most out of the camera and lens.
We recommended some of the best lenses you can find in the market. You should buy a lens that you have never had an experiment with the focal length and zoom. You will see the difference in photo quality, and improvement in your photo captions.
So folks, what do you think about this review? Let us know your feedback or suggestion below.
Related article: How to take care of camera lenses.
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