Holiday Gift Guide: Lenses

Give the photographer on your list a new perspective with one of these high-quality lenses. Our selection includes recently-introduced optics for all popular DSLR and mirrorless systems.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

This updated version of Canon's premium L-series wide-angle zoom features improved edge-to-edge image quality, as well as enhanced durability and weather sealing characteristics. Ideal for landscape and travel photography, it offers a fast constant aperture throughout the zoom range. Compatible with both full-frame and APS Canon DSLRs, the lens provides an equivalent focal range of approximately 25.6-56mm when used with the latter. Minimum focusing distance is 11.04 inches. List price: $1,599.

Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM

The first macro lens designed for Canon’s EOS M mirrorless system cameras, the EF-M 28mm ƒ/3.5 Macro IS STM offers an ingenious solution for macro illumination with built-in flash. The twin Macro Lites on the left and right sides of the lens can be used together or enabled separately, and can be adjusted between dim and bright settings for creative lighting effects with macro subjects. The lens, which provides a field-of-view equivalent to 45mm and a Super Macro Mode for magnification up to 1.2x, can focus as close as 3.7 inches and includes Hybrid IS image stabilization for handheld photography. List price: $299.

Fujifilm FUJINON XF23mm F2 R WR

The FUJINON XF23mm F2 R WR is a fast prime for Fujifilm’s APS-C mirrorless cameras with an equivalent focal length of 35mm, great for landscape compositions. Most notably, the lens is dust and moisture resistant and designed to withstand below-freezing temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, making it an excellent wide-angle optic for the Fujifilm X-T2 camera, which shares these characteristics. It offers a minimum focusing distance of less than 9 inches for compositions that include prominent foreground elements and a 9-blade aperture for circular bokeh. List price: $449.

Fujifilm FUJINON XF100-400mm F4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR

Perfectly matched to the Fujifilm X-Pro2 (and compatible with all Fujifilm APS-C mirrorless cameras,) the FUJINON XF100-400mm F4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR provides an equivalent focal range of 152-609mm ideal for wildlife and sports photography, is sealed against the elements and promises up to five stops of image stabilization for handheld shooting. Twin linear motors enable fast autofocus, and the lens’ fluorine coating helps to keep the front lens element free from water and dirt. The lens is compatible with the XF1.4X TC WR teleconverter to extend the focal range to 140-560mm. List price: $1,900.

Lensbaby Twist 60

Great for close-up photography with a minimum focusing distance of 18 inches, the Lensbaby Twist 60 allows you to isolate your subject with a swirling, blurred background effect. Available as a complete lens or as an optical element compatible with Lensbaby’s Optic Swap System lenses, the 60mm ƒ/2.5 Twist 60 is designed for use with full-frame DSLR and mirrorless cameras. The effect is most pronounced when shooting wide open—stop down to increase the area of sharp focus. Available in Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts. List price: $279 (complete lens); $179 (optic only).

Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR

Affordable zoom options for telephoto subjects like wildlife and sports, the AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED and AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5- 6.3G ED VR are designed for use with Nikon's DX-format (APS-C sensor) cameras and offer a versatile range equivalent to 105-450mm. We recommend investing the extra $50 for the VR-enabled model, which provides up to four stops of image stabilization for handheld photography. List prices: $349 (without VR); $399 (with VR).

Nikon PC NIKKOR 19mm f/4E ED

Perspective control (PC) lenses, also known as tilt/shift lenses, allow you to correct keystoning and perspective distortion, making them ideal for wide-angle landscape and architectural photography. The widest of Nikon's tilt/shift lenses, the new PC NIKKOR 19mm f/4E ED is also the first NIKKOR perspective control lens that can tilt either perpendicular or parallel to shift, making it the most versatile tilt/shift optic available from Nikon. Use the shift control to create multiple frames for panoramas without moving the camera — the lens can be rotated 90 degrees for either vertical or horizontal shift movements. List price: $3,399.

Olympus M.Zuiko ED 300mm f4.0 IS PRO

At 2.8 pounds, the latest addition to the Olympus PRO line of lenses, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO, is surprisingly lightweight, especially since it delivers an effective 600mm focal length. Equally as impressive is up to six stops of image stabilization when paired with one of the Olympus 5-axis IS cameras (and up to 4 stops with other camera bodies using the in-lens stabilization mechanism). Like the OM-D E-M1 Mark II and E-M5 Mark II cameras, the lens is sealed against the elements, too, making it perfect for outdoor use. List price: $2,500.

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4.0-6.3 ASPH

With a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 200-800mm, the Panasonic LUMIX G 100-400mm Leica DG Vario- Elmar f/4.0-6.3 ASPH lens offers the longest focal length for Micro Four Thirds cameras (Panasonic and Olympus) currently available. The lens features Power OIS image stabilization, is weather sealed, provides silent zooming for video and features a 240 fps AF motor for fast AF. A two-part tripod mount makes it easy to switch between landscape and portrait compositions. The lens also has an integrated, hideaway hood. List price: $1,800.

Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH POWER OIS

Splash and dust proof, the LUMIX G VARIO 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Power OIS zoom from Panasonic delivers a 35mm-equivalent focal range of 24mm-120mm. In addition to Panasonic’s excellent power Optical Image Stabilization, the lens is also dual IS-compatible to take advantage of the new technology featured in some of Panasonic's latest cameras. The lens is equipped with an inner focus drive system and stepping motor for smooth and quiet operation. To limit optical distortion and chromatic aberration, the 12-60mm zoom utilizes three aspherical elements and an ED (Extra low Dispersion) element. List price: $500.

Pentax HD DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE

The HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE is a weather-sealed 5.5x telephoto zoom, which provides a versatile 35mm-equivalent range of 84.5-460mm. This compact lens is lightweight at less than one pound and compact at only 3.5 inches when retracted, and features enhanced autofocus that offers quiet, highspeed operation when shooting both stills and video. List price: $399.

Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art

A wide angle prime lens designed for full-frame cameras (but also compatible with APS-C-sensor cameras), the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art offers a fast maximum aperture of ƒ/1.4. Sigma states that particular attention was paid to achieving edge-to-edge image quality, with minimal spherical and chromatic aberration. The wide perspective makes it an excellent choice for landscape and travel photography. Available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts, it’s compatible with Sigma’s USB Dock, which allows you to install firmware updates and customize some performance aspects of the lens. List price: $899.

Sigma 500mm F4 DG HSM OS Sport

An impressively-priced extreme telephoto prime for wildlife and sports, Sigma’s 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport, with its f/4 maximum aperture and two-mode Optical Stabilizer, compares favorably to similar lenses from Canon and Nikon, which cost thousands more. The lens is offered in Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts, with the Nikon model also including a new electromagnetic diaphragm to improve high-speed shooting performance. The lens is compatible with Sigma’s USB Lens Dock and Optimization Pro software, allowing you to customize AF performance, focus limiters and micro-focus tuning. List price: $5,999.

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 G Master

To create the new line of premium G Master lenses, Sony employed a unique glass-molding process that results in a smooth transition between sharp and defocused areas to produce more natural, pleasing bokeh. The first lenses in the line include the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM, covering one of the most popular zoom ranges. This zoom is a must-have for Sony a7-series cameras, and is also compatible with Sony's APS-C E-mount models like the a6500, providing an equivalent focal range of 36-105mm when used with these cameras. Minimum focusing distance is 1.24 feet. List price: $2,199.

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 OSS G Master

The first telephoto zoom in Sony's premium G Master lens line, the FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS G Master is a perfect companion for the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM, which together cover a range of 24mm to 200mm. Add to your system one of two new teleconverters designed specifically for use with the FE 70-200mm — the SEL14TC 1.4x and SEL20TC 2.0x — and you have telephoto reach up to 400mm with a full-frame Sony camera, or 600mm with an APS-C model. Dual-mode image stabilization is built-in to the lens, and it's also compatible with Sony cameras that feature 5-axis stabilization. List prices: $2,600 (FE 70-200mm); $550 (telecoverters, each).

Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 MACRO VC

Tamron has been busy updating many of its most popular lenses with improved ergonomics, performance and materials, and the SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 Macro is one of the first models to benefit from these upgrades. The 1:1 macro lens is image-stabilized and moisture-resistant, and features a Fluorine coating to prevent condensation and help keep the glass surface free from smudges. Also new is XY-Shift compensation and improved focus speed. The lens is compatible with Tamron's TAP-in Console, an accessory that allows firmware updates and customization of lens functions such as focus adjustment and focus distance limiter. The SP 90mm is available in Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts. List Price: $649.

Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2

Another Tamron lens to benefit from upgraded design and performance, the SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 offers an exceptionally versatile telephoto range — perfect for sports and wildlife photography — at a great price. Compatible with both full frame and APS-C cameras, the lens is offered in Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts and has a new three-mode Vibration Compensation system for handheld shooting. Two teleconverters are available, created specifically for use with this lens, which provide 1.4x and 2.0x magnification, for focal lengths up to 1200mm with full-frame cameras or 1800mm with APS-C cameras. List prices: $1,399 (lens); $419 (1.4x teleconverter); $439 (2.0x teleconverter).

Tokina AT-X 14-20MM F2.0 DX

Available in Canon and Nikon mounts for APS-C sensor cameras, the Tokina AT-X 14-20mm F2.0 DX lens is Tokina’s fastest zoom to date, with a constant ƒ/2.0 aperture throughout its 21-30mm equivalent zoom range. A new optical design uses three aspherical lens elements and four SD glass elements, as well as nine diaphragm blades for smooth circular bokeh. Tokina’s One Touch Focus Clutch mechanism lets you switch quickly between AF and manual focus simply by snapping the focus ring forward or back. List price: $899.

ZEISS Batis 2.8/18

The latest premium Zeiss lens for Sony full-frame mirrorless models, the Batis 2.8/18 is the widest yet, joining the Batis 2/25 and Batis 1.8/85. The 18mm prime lens provides a horizontal angle of view of 90 degrees and can focus as close as 9.8 inches for dramatic wide-angle landscapes that incorporate prominent foreground elements. The lens offers weather-resistant metal construction, ideal for outdoor use, and incorporates a unique OLED that displays focus distance and depth of field that’s easy to read even in low-light conditions. List price: $1,499.

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