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One of the most common questions I get is which lens for food photography should I buy?
The answer to which lens should you buy for food photography comes down to how you like to photograph, your style, your budget and the stage of your journey.
Focal length and aperture are large components of lens choice. There are also many other considerations that go into each lens, so due diligence is needed when reviewing all lens qualities.
Which Lens Should I Buy For Food Photography?
Generally, there is a flow to what I recommend food photographers buy. I a recommending this based on already owning the 18-55mm kit lens that most beginners get with their starter DSLR and it goes like this!
- 60mm macro 2.8 for cropped sensors
- 35mm 1.8 for cropped sensors
- Upgrade to full-frame
- 90/100mm/105mm macro 2.8 (focal lengths changes per brand)
- 50mm 1.4 (consider selling your 60mm)
- 85mm 1.8
- 24-70mm f/ 2.8 (if you need flexibility and have the budget)
Keep Reading: Ultimate Lens Guide.
The Two Focal Lengths I recommend For Cropped Sensors
Most of the time I hear from photographers who have crop sensor cameras that the 50mm is the lens most recommended to them. My advice for these two lenses is based on your already owning the 18-55mm kit lens.
Which lens for food photography should you buy if you have a cropped sensor? The two that I recommend you look at are the:
- 60mm macro for 45-degree shots
- 35mm for flatlays and overhead shots
Having a cropped sensor means that if you are shooting the same scene as someone who has a full-frame, your image is going to be ‘cropped’. You’ll be able to fit less in the frame at the same distance.
This means the 60mm macro becomes a 90mm equivalent macro and the 35mm becomes a 50mm equivalent. These are the top two focal lengths that I recommend for full-frame users.
Keep reading: Focal Lengths For Cropped Sensor.
Ultimate Guide
Lenses For Food Photographers
Keep or Sell the 35mm and 60mm When You Upgrade?
If you upgrade to a full frame camera, you now have two lenses that are less used for food photography. So should you keep them?
The 35mm is great to keep if you think will be doing restaurant work and don’t already have a zoom lens, (like the 24-70mm). Having the 35mm focal length is good for capturing restaurant interiors and atmosphere shots. The bonus of the 1.8 f-stop is that it will help you in low light situations.
The 60mm is more redundant if you prefer a 50mm focal length and would like to upgrade this lens to the 50mm 1.4. I personally kept the Nikkor 60mm when I upgraded as I loved the quality of the lens how and it captures light.
If budget is tight, this is a lens you can resell and put the proceeds towards getting the 50mm 1.4.
Why I recommend Having a 50mm 1.4
The 60mm macro is great for cropped sensors, but the 50mm 1.4 is going to be more versatile and give you more creative freedom.
These higher apertures do come at a price however. So by the time you get to this stage of your lens journey, you might have more cash to spend.
If you need a little bit more room than the 60mm provices and you shoot natural light and are in need of higher apertures, the 50mm 1.4 lens is a great option.
NOTE: The ‘nifty fifty is the 50mm 1.8 which is very inexpensive. Another option to consider if you’re budget-conscious.
Which Macro Should You Get? The 90mm, 100mm or 105mm?
When it comes to getting a narrow macro lens, there are a couple of options and it mostly depends on the brand of lens and camera you shoot with. There are many considerations that go into each lens, so due diligence is needed when reviewing all lens qualities.
- 90mm for Sony
- 90mm for ‘off-brands’ like Tamron lenses
- 100mm macro for Canon
- 105mm macro for Nikon
- 105mm macro for ‘off-brands’ like Sigma lenses
Focal lengths from 90 – 105mm for a narrow macro are highly recommended to have in your photography kit.
Why is the 24-70mm Zoom Lens Last?
This lens comes last on my list of lenses as it’s expensive. This is more of a personal preference If you really love the flexibility of the zoom lenses and don’t mind that it’s limited to f/ 2.8 – then go for it!
In my experience, many photographers just don’t have the budget for this lens and one of the pricer macro lenses.
Keep reading: Prime vs Zoom lenses.
Got a lens question? Leave me a comment or check out my Ultimate Lens Guide.
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Caitlin
Thank you – how serendipitous! My camera was stolen from my car two nights ago – so using this as an excuse to finally upgrade to a full frame (Nikon d3400 – to a 7500) so excited to see lens suggestions!
Rachel Korinek
Hey Caitlin, I am so sorry to hear about your camera being stolen 🙁 If I may, mirrorless ist the way of the future and at this point, I recommend investing in their mirrorless system. But I know that can down to budget. So even if you get a second-hand full-frame DSLR and save a bit more for the mirrorless system. Their Z5 is a great entry-level mirrorless. The reason I say that is because you could just skip straight to getting mirrorless lenses too.
You can also check out the Ultimate Lens Post here with some more info.
Jennifer Arce
Thank you so much for this post Rachael. It’s very helpful. I have a Nikon Z6 with a 24-70 mm kit lens. I just got the 60 mm 2.8 macro, because I didn’t have the budget for the 105 mm and I preferred to wait for the Nikkor Z 105 mm macro which supposedly comes out this year. Also I prefer a 60 mm macro than a 50 mm. I don’t know if I took the best decision hahaah, but my question is: Why do you prefer the 24-70 mm 2.8 over the 4.0? I found myself not using such small apertures as in most cases I use f 5.6 or higher. So I don’t get with in food photography those lenses with such small aperture would be useful . Another example is the 50 mm 1.8 vs the 1.4. I haven’t had the chance to compare between those lenses and that’s why I’m asking. Thank you so much in advance!
Rachel Korinek
Hey Jennifer! So glad you found it helpful. I love my Z6 too 🙂 It might be a bit of a personal preference, but I think when investing in a lens for food photography, I want the higher apertures for safeguard and creative control reasons. Although I don’t tend to shoot lower than f/3.5, there are situations where I want high f-stops for low light reasons. Especially if you’re using this lens on location for a restaurant shoot or food event photography. I’ve been in tricky situations with lighting where you need that extra f-stop. Usually, the f/2.8 v f/4 comes down to budget. For me, when I paying that price, I want it to assist me in these situations. Having said that, I travelled around Italy with the Z 24-70mm lens and loved it. But it also wasn’t for clients.
In terms of the f/1.4 vs f/1.8, the quality is better with the 1.4 lens (generally). The 1.8 is called the nifty fifty due to the cost vs quality.
Jennifer
I have a Nikon D5600. I have two prime lenses, a 50 mm and a 35 mm. I want a macro lens or to use Nikon’s language a “micro.” What do you suggest?
Thanks
Rachel Korinek
I recommend 60mm for cropped sensors (105mm for full frames). The 60mm micro on a cropped sensor will be like a 90mm macro lens (which is the macro Tamron and Sony have).
Jennifer Osborn
Okay thanks very much Rachel, will there be much of a difference between the 50mm and the 60mm? These numbers are like Greek to me!
Rachel Korinek
There are a few differences. The biggest is that one is a macro (60mm). So you get more functionality with a macro lens. Apart from that, there is a small difference in focal length. So it can be redundant to have both in your kit on a full-frame. I recommend the 60mm macro (over the 50mm) for cropped sensors as you get close to a 50mm focal length but also the macro capabilities. If you already have the 50mm, it comes down to your budget. If you’re buying the 60mm macro, it means you’ll be using it for 45-degree shots, shots that get you up close for texture.
Carlos Lubina
Thank you Rachel for the post about lenses. I am not (yet) a genuine food photographer, but I like to cook and capture the results. So I try to use the gear I already have from portrait / travel / macro photography. I started with an old Sony A850 full frame and have used the Minolta 50 mm 2.8 macro a lot. It is really nice, but you have to be really close to the subject.
Nowadays I use the Sony A7 RII (full frame) with the same lens (and an adapter). I also have started to use Sony 24 to 105 F4. The minimum focussing distance is 38 cm and short enough to be able to come close to the subject. For low light I have used the portait lens Sony 85 mm 1.8 or the Zeiss 55 mm 1.8 handheld to capture food while traveling. I probably I don´t need more gear, but more practice with composition. 🙂
I will stick to the Sony 24 to 105 F4 unless I really need the shallow depth of field and then use the macro or the 55 mm 1.8.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions and thank you for your insights about lenses.
Rachel Korinek
You’re so welcome Carlos! You’ve got quite a bit of gear so I would try to use what you have. Which you seem to have a range of focal lengths that will help you out. The one you’re missing is a narrow macro. So a 90mm Tamron or Sony or the 105mm Sigma macro lenses are something I would consider if you’re looking for more up close shots with that zoom/crop feeling. You can read more about that focal length here. I do recommend either renting or borrowing someone you know first if that option is available to you!
Isabelle
Hi Rachel, I have a cropped sensor and a Tamron 28-75mm as well as a 60mm macro. Would you still recommend getting a 35mm before upgrading to full frame? Thank you!
Rachel Korinek
Hey Isabelle! Is the f-stop on that 2.8? If that’s the case, don’t get the 35mm. You have access to it in your zoom and f/2.8 is a great aperture to help you in low light and for creativity purposes. Save your cash for another lens or a camera upgrade.
Isabelle
It is 2.8. Thank you Rachel, very clear! This whole series of articles is absolutely brilliant!
Rachel Korinek
Perfect! You definitely don’t need the 35mm in that case.
Karen
Hello Rachel,
Thanks a lot for all this information, it is extremely helpful. I have an old Nikon camera a D5200. Currently I only have the kit lens and the 35mm. I rented the 60mm macro lens as a possible addition. I really liked it. I was able to produce better images with my camera. But I have also considered getting a new camera, maybe a Z5. I read that the size of the sensor affects the quality of the image, specially when you scale it up for printing purposes. I know that full frames tend to be heavier and I have some disabilities. Also do you recommend the same type of lenses for a mirrorless camera with the adapter or is there a mirrorless lens equivalent?
What do you suggest? Thanks a lot!
Rachel Korinek
Hi, Karen! You’re so welcome. I am so glad you found it helpful. That’s definitely true in terms of the sensor and megapixels. Mirrorless is the way of the future and I am investing in Nikon’s Z series. I have their Z6 currently. The good news is that I’d still recommend the same focal lengths and apertures whether it’s DSLR or mirrorless. I personally use an F-mount adapter, but if you’re just starting to acquire more lenses and you need to reduce weight as much as possible, I’d seriously thinking about getting the Z5 and starting to invest in mirrorless lenses. Right now, you’ll find a lot of mirrorless lenses that will match the above, the 105mm Z lens hasn’t been announced yet but it’s coming.
Elizabeth
Hi Rachel! Thank you for this post – I’m loving this lens blog series! I have a Sony a7iii mirrorless and I’m wondering, do these lens recommendations also apply to my mirrorless camera? Are mirrorless lenses different from DSLR lenses?
Elizabeth
Also, what’s the best place to resell an old lens? Any places you recommend? 🙂
Rachel Korinek
That can depend a little on where you are located in the world. Some camera stores do sell second-hand lenses, for me personally I have sold a bunch on Facebook Marketplace.
Rachel Korinek
Hey Elizabeth, I cover the focal length and aperture of a lens so that it can cover all brands including mirrorless lenses. I have a mirrorless Nikon, and if I were to upgrade to all Z mount (mirrorless lenses) then I would still go with these focal lengths.
Elizabeth
Okay, thank you so much Rachel! And I will look into Facebook marketplace!
Lauren Martin
I’m just a newbie, and I think I’m going to settle for a 35mm for the meantime, and save up for a 24-70mm f/ 2.8 in the future. Photography can be pretty expensive, but I can’t really stop since I fell in love with it. Thanks for the tips.
Rachel Korinek
I am so glad to hear that Lauren! It sure is expensive and I hope that my knowledge will help new photographers buy the right gear the first time. Even it if takes a little longer to save up. Wasting money on gear that won’t serve us is such a hassle. Enjoy x
Gayathri
Hi Rachel,
I read through your entire series of blog posts on lenses to buy for food photography and it was so helpful. I feel like I’m a lot more knowledgeable than I started.
I’ve been doing food photography for about 6 months now, and recently discovered my lens has fungus growing on it. It was a 18-135mm macro. I had it inspected and was told they will remove as much as they can but it’s gone too deep to completely recover the lens. I’ve owned this lens for 10 years, along with my Canon 550D cropped sensor camera.
Given the conditions I was thinking of buying a new lens. In your blog post you recommended a 35mm prime and a 60mm macro for a cropped sensor camera. I couldn’t find a 35mm anywhere in Sri Lanka and since a 60mm macro isn’t as versatile, I then looked into zoom lenses. I was wondering if a 24-70mm zoom lens would work for me?
Would love to know what you think.
Regards
Rachel Korinek
Hey Gayathri! I am sorry to hear about your lens getting mold. Hopefully, they can restore it! The pro 24-70mm 2.8 is a great lens, It’s just not something I recommend to everyone due to the considerable cost. If it is within your budget, it will be a great option for you. I don’t agree that a 60mm isn’t as versatile. In fact, I think macro lenses are more versatile as you can get up closer to your food if you wish. The thing to keep in mind is that if you do get the 24-70mm, you will still need a macro lens. Which on a cropped sensor would be the 60mm. I have a full-frame now, but I still use the 60mm more than the 50mm as you can see in this post. Does that help!?
Gayathri
Hi Rachel.
Yes thank you!
My reluctance to buy the 60mm macro was because I’m someone who loves shooting wider scenes than getting up close and I work in a smaller space. That being the case I was unsure how useful a 60mm alone would be for me.
Regardless it appears none of the stores have a 60mm lens in stock at the moment.
My other option was to upgrade my camera body to a full frame and work for some time with the 50mm 1.8 lens till I could afford another upgrade? Do you think that is wise?
I was split between the canon RP + an EF mount adapter or the 6D mii as they are very comparable in features. Would love to know what you think?
Rachel Korinek
For sure! The thing about a macro lens is that it’s not just for macro photography. At narrower focal lengths, it will allow you to have a better minimum focusing distance than other narrow lenses (like the 85mm) which is needed in smaller spaces. It will come down to how you think you will use it, but every photographer will need a narrow lens to reduce distortion. Even if you do like larger scenes, a client could easily ask for a tighter shot and you will need a lens that can do that. If you can rent lenses, then yes that could be an option! I don’t like to be stuck with one lens as one lens can’t do everything. So example, I had to shoot a large drinks scene with space for text. I used a 135mm lens to reduce distortion and had to shoot in a studio space for the extra room/focusing distance. THere is no way I could have done this job without that lens. Long story short, I wanted to share that because having just one lens can really make things difficult when you have client work.
Gayathri
I totally agree. Thank you so much for the detailed reply! I definitely do plan on getting a new macro lens the minute my budget allows it 🙂
Rachel Korinek
Let me know how you go! Excited for you 🙂
Donna
Hi, I am thinking of purchasing the Nikon Z6 with the NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 lens and wondered in your opinion if this lens could replace the 105mm and the 50mm? That is if I could get away with purchasing just one lens to start with.
Rachel Korinek
Hi Donna! That is so exciting! I love the Z6. The 50mm and the 105mm are very different lenses that do different things. Ideally, you will need both for food photography. You can always start with one and then save up for the other. If you’re more into flatlays, get the 50mm. If you like texture and 45-degree angles the 105mm is the best. I’ve linked to a blog post about each focal length so you can see which one you think works best for you!
Taher Safari
Hi there, thanks for this awesome article. When I buy a new camera body, my first lens for that body always would be the macro lens. Currently, I am using 5DS R, A7RIV, K3 III and Z9. For all of these bodies I have macros lens…
Rachel Korinek
Wow! Such a collection of bodies, which one do you like the best? And I agree, a macro lens is essential. So glad you have a macro lens options for all those bodies.
adam ogbaga
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