Must-Have Lenses for Your Canon Full-Frame Camera

The Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8L USM III is a premium workhorse lens that will satisfy your landscape photography urges. As well as a versatile wide zoom range, this Canon wide-angle lens for full-frame has a fast constant aperture of f2.8, which means at all times you will have the same aperture at your disposal, for excellent depth of field control and low-light performance. This lens features a high-quality L-series optical design, premium lens coatings and a ring-type USM focus, which is quick and quiet in performance.

If you own a Canon EOS R Mirrorless camera and are looking at the RF range of lenses, a comparable option is the Canon RF 15-35mm f2.8 L IS USM. This wide-angle lens for full-frame features a very similar zoom range, constant maximum aperture, and USM-style focus motor. It does have one crucial addition though, which is Image Stabilisation. Built-in Stabilisation obviously improves your handheld shoots in all lighting conditions, making this one even more suited to available-light shooting. A feature common to Canon RF lenses, the 15-35mm lens features a control ring for you to adjust either aperture, shutter speed, ISO or exposure compensation, as you see fit.

For your everyday photography purposes, you need a good standard zoom lens, and the EF lens range has numerous suitable options. The Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L USM II is the lens that we are discussing today. This one is really suited to general-purpose shooting, with regards to its wide to normal zoom range, which is perfect for landscapes, portraits and snapshots, as well as its sturdy build which includes dust and moisture sealing. You can head out into the world with confidence with this lens, knowing it will do the job with no complaints.

The Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8 L IS USM is the comparable lens for the full-frame Canon Mirrorless range, and once again it adds Image Stabilisation to the mix. The lens features a constant f2.8 maximum aperture to pair up with the stabilisation system, so you can go out from dawn to dusk shooting, knowing blur has less chance of ruining your shots. A great lens for a full-frame mirrorless camera, this lens also features a fast Nano-USM AF motor, customisable control ring, as well as premium L-series optics for sharp and detailed results.

The 70-200mm zoom range is a popular choice for photographers of all levels, from enthusiasts to seasoned pros. If you want to learn how to photograph weddings or events, you are simply not prepared without one of these lenses in your gadget bag. There are a few varieties available for the EOS DSLR range, with the top-of-the-line model being this Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS USM III. This must-have Canon lens features a fast constant maximum aperture, very effective Image Stabilisation system and durable dust and drip-proof sealing. The lens has been treated to Air Sphere Coating, which delivers unprecedented protection against flare and ghosting.

For the EOS R system, the Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM zoom lens is the one to look for. This zoom lens for full-frame cameras is remarkably compact for its zoom range. It is full-featured, with a fast maximum aperture, 5-stop Image Stabilisation, and dual Nano USM motors, which provides autofocus which is both blisteringly fast and smooth.

This brings us to the best Canon prime lenses for full-frame cameras. One of the major benefits of shooting with a full-frame camera is the lack of crop factor, meaning your lenses provide the exact focal length that is printed on them. The 50mm focal length, which we have highlighted today was once considered the standard and it is brilliant for generally purpose photography. The Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens is the DSLR-compatible prime lens that we think should be in every EOS DSLR kit. With its bright f1.4 maximum aperture, you can produce stunningly shallow depths of field and beautiful bokeh in your photographs. A budget-friendly prime lens, the 50mm f1.4 produces incredible image sharpness as well as fast and reliable performance.

The RF range has a similar option, being the Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L USM. This lens also has an ultra-bright f1.2 maximum aperture, L-series build quality and fast and accurate USM AF motor. Once again, this prime lens for full-frame cameras includes a customisable control ring, so it can slot into your personal workflow to help you get the most from your photography.

As we mentioned in our guide to Macro Photography, to successfully get up close and personal with smaller subjects requires the help of a dedicated Macro lens. The Canon EF 100mm f2.8 L Macro lens is the pick of the EF range, featuring 1:1 magnification and 30cm closest focus. The long focal length and f2.8 maximum aperture allow you to produce shallow depths of field, while Image Stabilisation is also included so you can produce some of your Macro images handheld without stressing too much about camera shake.

For the RF range, we are taking a look at a slightly different type of Macro lens, the Canon RF 100mm f2.8 L IS USM Macro. Featuring a versatile telephoto focal length of 100mm, this macro lens for mirrorless cameras has a bright f2.8 maximum aperture which will help you produce beautiful background blur on your macro photos.

This lens features the versatile telephoto focal length which has proven popular in previous similar optics, which it pairs with a fast f2.8 maximum aperture to produce excellent background blur. Once again, this lens features stabilisation, a dust and water-resistant design, and its inclusion of Dual Nano USM AF motors means it performs quickly and quietly when focusing, so you can unleash the video modes of your EOS R Mirrorless cameras with great success.