I always love buying new gear (who doesn’t?!) but I can’t always just spend a lot on a new lens without a little planning and saving.
For the times when I am itching for something new, I love discovering budget friendly lenses beyond the nifty fifty. There are quite a few lenses that are perfect for the times where I need to be challenged creatively or just need something new in my camera bag to shake things up.
I typically look for fixed aperture lenses because they complement my shooting style well. These are some my top budget lens picks for just about any type of DSLR camera, and the best news is that they are all under $500.
1. Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM
This 28mm wide angle lens is perfect for indoor low light situations with its f/1.8 maximum aperture. It is a lifestyle photographers dream and is also perfect for capturing wider images both indoors and outdoors. $459.99
2. Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
One of my favorite portrait lenses. It is lightweight and adds great depth to my images. It has beautiful, creamy bokeh and is tack sharp. $319.99
3. AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 G
Very sharp and one of Nikon’s best-valued lenses. With silent, fast focusing and beautiful bokeh, this lens is a hidden gem for both DX and FX cameras. Keep in mind that because it is a G lens, it is not compatible with film cameras. $426.95
4. Lensbaby Composer Pro with Edge 80 Optic
The Edge 80 Optic with the Composer Pro is the perfect lens for pushing your creativity and creating beautifully unique images. I love the soft creamy bokeh around the slice of focus. It does have a bit of a learning curve but is worth the extra effort to achieve the amazing images that are possible with it. $449.95
5. Lensbaby Velvet 56
This versatile lens not only creates soft velvety images reminiscent of the mid-twentieth century, it also has 1:2 macro capabilities. With a minimum focus distance of only 5″ and a maximum aperture of 1.6, it is the perfect creative lens for every photogapher. Available for SLR and mirrorless cameras. $499.95
6. Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro
This is a great prime lens for not only macro photography, but portraits as well. It switches easily between auto and manual focus, is sharp edge to edge and renders beautiful colors. $499.00
I just wanted to point out that while the Nikon G lenses will not work on the current Nikon FM10, they *do* work just fine on many Nikon film cameras including the current F6, as well as several inexpensive Nikon film cameras that can be purchased used, including the N80, the N90, the F100.