When shopping for lenses, you may notice that certain lenses are classified or even recommended for a certain genre of photography. You might see sports, travel, wedding, or even wildlife as the typical use of some lenses. What if you are looking to get into or already shoot food photography, what lenses should you be looking at?
Coming from Skyler Burt over at We Eat Together, Burt shares four lenses that he recommends for anyone looking to get into food photography. Do you need to get all four lenses? While Burt may carry these in his camera bag, you do not need to get all four. Burt goes through each lens along with why it’s one of his recommended lenses and how he uses it. If you have been shooting for some time and shoot in other genres like portraits, there’s a good chance you may already own one of these lenses. The first one is the Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens, which is a great lens and is recommended in many circles for portraits and other genres. Even though Burt uses Canon camera and lenses, he focuses his list to lenses that are great across the board no matter what camera system you use. Check out the video for the other lenses that he recommends.
What is your favorite lens for food photography and why?
My most common food lenses are the Sigma 16-35/1.8 and Canon 50/1.4. I find wider lenses more useful for hand held natural light style photography. You can only really use 50mm or longer lenses with tripods, studio lights, and a very large work space.
I too specialize in food images and agree with most of your choices. My list consists of the 100/2.8L/IS, 50L, 24LII and have recently added the 85/1.4L/IS. The 50L is a great lens and I love to use it on food shoots. I would suggest renting the new 24-70/2.8LII, it is sharper and a bit more contrast than the original.
I have to say, I really dislike articles that are only video. I've only got time to catch up on stuff at work and I'm not able to sit and watch videos (which I bet have 30-40% filler content).
I've previously owned all Canon 50mm lenses, now use the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART and in my opinion the Sigma is better in every way except weight.
Good lens choices though in terms of focal length.
I've always had the impression, people like the ART lenses because they're sharper but, since the alternatives are also sharp, the difference is negligible. In what other ways do you find the Sigma to be better?
Price. A very important factor. Also they usually have less CA than their competition.
Price is important but has nothing to do with "better". CA, on the other hand, while correctible in post, can be important. Thanks!
From my experience I've found the AF to be faster and more accurate, the CA is reduced, and it's sharper.
Canon TS-E 90mm F/2.8L Macro