The Best Camera Lens for Everyday Use | Friday Favorites

Families
Small Business
Newborns
follow Neyssa Lee

I am Neyssa Lee a Seattle area photographer, mother of six, who is planning obsessed, who help you see the beauty, love and joy, in your own family’s chaos. Learn more by heading to my ABOUT ME page.

Small Business
What to Wear
Maternity
Friday Favorites
more categories

Hi, I'm Neyssa

Being a photographer I get plenty of questions about camera gear. (Don’t worry if you’ve asked me, I LOVE when people ask me for camera recommendations, as it usually means they want to take photos. And wouldn’t the world be a better place if everyone was taking more beautiful pictures? But I digress).

What camera should I buy? Which lenses are good ones? What’s your favorite camera strap?

To help with that first question, I created the Ultimate Camera Buying Guide to get you started.

When talking about which lens is the “best” there are so many questions I’d have to ask you to give you my opinion. What do you like to photograph? What type of camera body do you have? What is your budget? The list goes on.

I thought I would share the best camera lens for everyday use.

If you were looking to upgrade your camera lens from the kit lens, I’d recommend the 35mm lens.

There are several options, you can either go with your manufacturer (i.e. Canon, Nikon, etc) or you can go with another company like Sigma. I chose Sigma for this lens because, at the time, I did not think I’d be using it as often as my other lenses. The Sigma version was $600 less than the Canon and had great reviews. I’m happy to report that I LOVE my lens.

35mm Lens | F/2.2, ISO: 100, Shutter Speed: 1/2000
Sigma 35mm Lens | F/2.2, ISO: 100, Shutter Speed: 1/2000

This lens on my camera when I’m just with my family 85% of the time.

The 35mm focal length is a great all around focal length. I’m able to use it so much for my personal use and for family portrait sessions as well.

The 35mm lens is great for indoor photography around the house.

I use this lens exclusively for newborn portraits. However, I also love it to capture my kids playing, baking, reading, snuggling, sleeping, in the house. I’m able to get fairly close or back up for a wider scene.

35mm Lens | F/2.0, ISO: 800, Shutter: 1/1000
35mm Lens | F/2.0, ISO: 800, Shutter: 1/1000

The 35mm lens is also great for outdoor adventures.

My family loves to go for little hikes or just take trips to the river. When I bring my “big camera,” or DSLR, but I do not want to bring my full camera bag, I will snap on the 35. I can get the wider shots that show off the location while also being able to capture images closer up without having to back up very far.

If we were at the zoo, pumpkin patch, or some other place where other people might be, this lens is great for me capturing my kids without having to leave their sides.

35mm Lens | F/2.0, ISO: 200, Shutter: 1/5000
35mm Lens | F/2.0, ISO: 200, Shutter: 1/5000

So if you’re looking to upgrade your lens but want to make sure you’ll use it a ton, I recommend the Sigma 35mm lens (double check that you’re getting the correct mount for your camera body).

Comments +

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CONNECT

elsewhere:

stay a awhile + read

THE BLOG

subscribe to the

Newsletter

Check out my 

INSTA