What Camera Lenses Should I Buy for Food Photography? A Guide for Beginners
So, you want to know the best lenses to use for food photography. I get it - with a market that is oversaturated with different types of lenses, and not knowing what to do can make the decision OVERWHELMING. At least, that is what I felt when I was shopping around buying the right gear. So based on my experience, here is some advice that will hopefully make your decision easier.
First question: Do you know what kind of food photography you will be shooting?
This is so important because it may direct your decision in one of several ways.
If you are going to be shooting on location and venues (a restaurant, cafe, or similar hospitality establishment) I highly recommend starting with a 24-70mm f/2.8. Why? Because you will be able to offer your client close-up photos of the food, wide framed photos of their venue, even portraits. This type of lens is considered pricey depending on what brand you go for, but its flexibility means you will be able to capture A LOT of variety. Expect to pay between $1500-$2500 for this lens.
See below for the variety of photos taken with a 24-70mm f/2.8.
If you are shooting staggered foods or food products, close to mid-close up where the focus is only on the food or product, I highly recommend going for a macro lens. I use a Canon 100mm f/2.8 L macro, which allows me to get very close up to the food, really honing in on the gorgeous textures and details that most other lenses can’t get. Expect to pay between $1000-$1500 for this lens.
See below for photos taken with a 100mm macro f/2.8.
Second question: Is this for a professional job or is this for a hobby?
If this lens is for a professional, then by all means start with the lens mentioned above. For something more advanced, then the rest probably doesn’t apply to you, so if you are an amateur or a hobbyist then read on…
Third question: Are you on a budget?
If you are not on a budget, then I highly recommend getting the lenses mentioned above, but I’m going to share some lenses that are those on a budget. These lenses are popular because they are relatively inexpensive and they have the ability to produce excellent results.
For those on a budget, a “nifty fifty” as they call it is an extremely popular choice because it’s inexpensive. Why are they typically inexpensive? Most 50mm lenses are made using inexpensive materials, but don’t be fooled by this; they are very durable and well worth the money. In fact, the 50mm is often a favourite amongst all photographers across all industries, so it’s a good-to-have lens in your kit. Expect to pay around $200 for the f/1.8 and $450 for the f/1.4 version.
See below for photos taken with a Canon 50mm f/1.4.
Fourth question: Are you a “blogger” or influencer?
Food (and lifestyle) bloggers/influencers with professional cameras is a norm, so if you are considering lenses for your hobby/profession, depending on what kind of photos you take should determine what kind of lens you use. Being a blogger or influencer you probably want to travel light, so having a compact lens is great to travel with. If you typically take food photos only, then a 50mm should be enough to get you through. If you are a blogger/influencer and you like to feature yourself, you may want to go for a wide lens so you don’t miss a detail. Consider a 35mm, 24mm, or even 22mm. Or if travelling on the heavier side doesn’t bother you, then a 24-70mm will be suitable too. The price for these lenses range from $250 to $3500 but it will depend on the camera you use.
Here below are some photos taken at various focal lengths between 22mm - 50mm.
Fifth question: Are you willing to go off-brand?
In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with using off-brand lenses, but you get what you pay for. Off-brand lenses tend to be cheaper than their branded counterparts, and some people prefer them for the variety of lens options and the price. For myself, I began my professional career with a Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 before I converted to Canon for its durability and ease of use. More off-brand lenses include but are not limited to brands like Sigma, Samyang, and Tokina. As someone who kickstarted a career with an off-camera lens, I'm a big believer that it is more than the lens that makes a photographer, so going off-brand at least in the beginning is something photographers especially those on a budget should consider. I mean, if you’re going to be doing this for the long haul you will upgrade eventually, right?
Overall, in my opinion, the best lens to get if you get nothing else is…
24-70mm f/2.8.
Why? Firstly, it has a wide range so you can capture subjects close up and wide. Secondly, though it’s considered expensive, the price range lies somewhere over the middle which means it’s also ideal for hobbyists or amateurs to transition to professional.
My point is it’s about knowing what you are shooting, and what type of lens you need when the requirements arise; you can have all the lenses money can buy but if you don’t know how or when to use them then it is pointless. I hope that this article has given you some insight into the world of lenses, and has helped you narrow the search.
If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email at my contact page.