Camera Lens Christmas Gift Guide

• Lens type: Telephoto Zoom
• Maximum aperture: f5-6.3
• Minimum focus: 280cm
• Minimum aperture: f22

A lightweight version of Sigma’s popular telephoto zoom lenses for DSLR cameras, this is a versatile lens perfect for all types of travel and action photography. Wildlife, sports and nature photographers will especially love the super zoom range, dust and splash proof mount, and portability - a combination that ensures not a second of action is missed, while the built in OIS helps to reduce camera shake for a smooth finish. With an HSM motor for fast and accurate autofocus, the Sigma 150-600 shares some of the features of the larger sports lens, providing a more affordable option that still provides top notch results.

• Lens type: Standard zoom
• Maximum aperture: f1.8
• Minimum focus: 0.28m
• Minimum aperture: f16

For the everyday photographer using a APS-C format DSLR, it’s hard to go past the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 lens. The lightweight lens stands out for its design, and it’s the first wide to standard zoom lens with a lightning-fast f1.8 aperture. The aperture is bright, constant and provides a consistent depth of field, which is handy if you’re shooting in low-light situations. With a 27mm-52.5mm zoom range, the lens is incredibly versatile and could be used for landscapes, travel photography and portraiture.

• Lens type: Standard zoom
• Maximum aperture: f2.8
• Minimum focus: 0.38m
• Minimum aperture: f22

If you’re a fan of Nikon Z mirrorless cameras, you’ll love this lens. Compatible with the high-end range, the Nikon Z 24-70MM f2.8 has a zoom range that’s ideal for everyday, street and travel photography. The versatile lens features a fast f2.8 maximum aperture, so you can count on it to perform in the most low-light situations. The lens has a rugged, weather-sealed build and a built-in stepping motor for speedy stills, making it the perfect choice for life on the road. Finally, its programmable control ring allows you to adjust exposure settings while you’re shooting.

Top tip: Wondering how to choose a lens for a mirrorless camera? Contact your nearest Ted's store, and our friendly staff will make sure any lens you buy is a match for your camera.

• Lens type: Standard zoom
• Maximum aperture: f1.8
• Minimum focus: 0.45m
• Minimum aperture: f16

A revamp of a classic, the Nikon AF-S 50mm f1.8G lens works with both FX and DX format Nikon DSLRS. Ths prime lens has a “nifty fifty” focal length and an affordable price point. It boasts a speedy f1.8 maximum aperture, which produces beautiful portraits with plenty of bokeh. The lens features fast and quiet autofocus that allows you to shoot without startling your subjects, and Nikon’s super integrated coating helps to reduce flare.
This budget zoom lens is brilliant in low light, and ideal for landscapes and travel photography.

• Lens type: Telephoto zoom
• Maximum aperture: f4.5-5.6
• Minimum focus: 1.75m
• Water resistant

With its long telephoto focal length, the Fujifilm XF 100-400mm WR is a favourite among sports and wildlife photographers. It features a five-stop optical image stabiliser to reduce camera shake and blur, and a premium optical design that snaps sharp and detailed images at all focal lengths. The lens has a water- and dust-resistant design as well as a protective fluorine coating, so it’s great for outdoor shoots. Plus, it weighs in at just 1.4kg, so it’s easy to carry on hikes and wildlife safaris.

• Lens type: Wide angle
• Maximum aperture: f2.8
• Minimum focus: 0.18m
• Minimum aperture: f22

If you lean towards landscape or street photography, this ultra-wide prime lens could be your perfect partner. Made with professionals in mind, the Fuji XF 14mm f2.8R has a premium optical build for edge-to-edge sharpness and minimal lens distortion. Its f2.8 maximum aperture and powerful depth of field mean it’s ideal for low-light scenes and handheld shooting. As for aesthetics, its sleek, old-school design works well with Fuji’s retro-style X-series cameras.

• Lens type: Standard zoom
• Maximum aperture: f2.8
• Minimum focus: 0.38mm
• Minimum aperture: f22

The Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 G2 lens is a solid choice for photographers looking for an all-in-one, everyday zoom lens. Compatible with both full-frame and APS-C format DSLRs, the lens performs well for landscapes at its wide end, and portraits and travel shots at its long end. Its f2.8 aperture allows for a shallow depth of field at all focal lengths, and the VS stabilisation means you can use the lens without needing a tripod.
If you shoot on the go, you can rest easy knowing the lens has a rugged and weather-resistant build.

• Lens type: Standard zoom
• Maximum aperture: f2.8-4
• Minimum focus: 0.2m
• Minimum aperture: f22

Suitable for Micro Four Thirds cameras, the Panasonic Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4 is one of the most versatile zoom lenses on the market. With its wide to short telephoto range, you can leave it on your camera when you’re shooting landscapes, snapshots and portraits. The f2.8-4 aperture is quick, and great for low-light scenes as well as isolating subjects. Power Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) drastically reduces camera shake, while the linear autofocus motor is as fast as it is silent. The lens is dust-, splash- and freeze-proof, so it’s a good lens to use out in the field.

• Lens type: Telephoto zoom
• Maximum aperture: f2.8
• Minimum focus: 0.7m
• Minimum aperture: f22

Designed for professionals, the Olympus 40-150mm f2.8 lens is compatible with Micro Four Thirds cameras - like the much-loved Olympus OM-D range. With an 80-300mm equivalent zoom range, this telephoto lens is brilliant for sports and wildlife photography. Its constant f2.8 aperture does some of the legwork for you, freezing fast-moving subjects and reducing background blur. It produces sharp and detailed images, and has a weather-sealed build. Despite its focal length, it’s very portable, making it a great lens for hikers and adventurers too.

• Lens type: Telephoto zoom
• Maximum aperture: f3.5-6.3
• Minimum focus: 0.22m

With a 24-400mm equivalent zoom range, this lens skyrockets the everyday zoom lens to exciting new heights on the Micro Four Thirds format. Whether you’re shooting landscapes or sports, the Olympus 12-200mm is a trusty sidekick that makes framing oh-so-easy - so you never have to worry about changing lenses or lugging a heavy kit around.

Despite the incredible zoom, this lens is also amazingly compact and portable - and tough as nails to boot, with a rugged dust and splash-proof construction.

A camera lens is the perfect Christmas gift for the photography enthusiast who’s already found their dream camera and is building out their kit. Luckily, the wide range of lenses on the market means that you’ve got plenty of options that balance quality, cost, and performance. Read our guide to choosing the best lenses to get the full lowdown on lens selection, or drop into your local Ted’s Cameras store for tailored expert advice.