How to Capture Sharp Images Every Time
what you need to know Getting sharp images is a combination of good technique, the right settings, and proper camera handling. Here’s what you need
Recommended Lenses for Used Cameras
Choosing the right lens is just as important as selecting the camera body. Below are recommended lenses for different types of photography, focusing on second-hand options that offer the best performance for the price.
1. Budget-Friendly Lenses (Under $500 AUD Used)
For those starting out, a solid prime or zoom lens can drastically improve image quality over kit lenses.
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM – Affordable, sharp, great for portraits and low light ($200 AUD).
- Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G – Similar to the Canon 50mm, excellent for beginners ($250 AUD).
- Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS – Compact, sharp, great for Sony APS-C cameras ($450 AUD).
- Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR – Weather-sealed, fast autofocus, great all-around lens ($500 AUD).
✅ Best for: Budget-conscious photographers looking for sharpness, low-light performance, and versatility.
2. Portrait Photography Lenses (Shallow Depth of Field & Sharpness)
For capturing stunning portraits with blurred backgrounds, a fast prime lens is ideal.
- Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM – Beautiful bokeh, excellent for full-frame and APS-C ($500 AUD).
- Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8G – Sharp, great for flattering portraits ($600 AUD).
- Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 – Best-value portrait lens for Sony full-frame ($750 AUD).
- Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R – Super sharp, professional-quality bokeh ($1,100 AUD used).
✅ Best for: Portrait photographers needing excellent subject separation and background blur.
3. Landscape & Travel Photography Lenses (Wide Angle & Sharpness)
For landscapes, a wide-angle lens with good dynamic range and edge-to-edge sharpness is key.
- Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM – Great sharpness, lightweight ($1,200 AUD used).
- Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G – One of the sharpest ultra-wide lenses ($1,500 AUD).
- Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS – Lightweight, good image stabilisation ($1,400 AUD).
- Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS – Compact, weather-sealed, great for landscapes ($1,000 AUD).
✅ Best for: Capturing wide landscapes with sharp details and great dynamic range.
4. Sports & Wildlife Photography Lenses (Telephoto & Fast Autofocus)
For action shots, a telephoto lens with fast autofocus is essential.
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM – Legendary zoom lens, excellent for sports ($1,800 AUD used).
- Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR – Long reach, great stabilisation ($1,900 AUD).
- Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS – Best telephoto option for Sony ($2,800 AUD).
- Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR – Long range, sharp optics ($2,000 AUD).
✅ Best for: Photographers capturing sports, wildlife, and distant subjects.
5. Video & Content Creation Lenses (Stabilisation & Autofocus)
For video work, lenses with optical stabilisation (OIS/IS/VR) and smooth autofocus are ideal.
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM – Sharp, versatile, good for interviews and cinematic shots ($2,000 AUD).
- Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR – Excellent stabilisation, great for handheld shooting ($2,200 AUD).
- Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS – Stabilised zoom with excellent image quality ($1,500 AUD).
- Panasonic Lumix G 12-35mm f/2.8 II ASPH OIS – Ideal for GH5, lightweight and stabilised ($1,200 AUD).
✅ Best for: Videographers and content creators needing sharp, stabilised footage.
Final Lens Recommendations by Category
- For Budget-Friendly Use: Canon 50mm f/1.8 / Sony 35mm f/1.8
- For Portraits: Sony 85mm f/1.8 / Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2
- For Landscapes: Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 / Sony 16-35mm f/4
- For Sports & Wildlife: Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 / Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6
- For Video & Content Creation: Sony 24-105mm f/4 / Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8
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Recommended Lenses for Used Cameras
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Hi I'm Monique
Personal and business brand photographer and educator, super passionate about empowering business women and men to have a positive self perception, with the right tools and guidance so they can share their gifts with the world.
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Recommended Lenses for Used Cameras
Download PDF version here
Recommended Lenses for Used Cameras
Download
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