The best lens for food photography

The best lens for food photography. Canon 24-70 f4L lens

The Canon EF 24-70 f4L IS USM, the best lens for food photography

What is the best lens for food photography? There is much debate within the photography industry, what is the best kit for this or the right way to do that. Everyone wants to chime in with their 2 pence worth. It’s all in a personal preference to a point. I’d also add to that, whatever you already have for a lens will probably work well. Up until fairly recently I was using my Canon 50mm f1.8 for much of the work. My Canon 85mm f1.2L for very tight, almost macro shots, when it was used in conjunction with macro extension tubes. This lens does not like to get up close and personal normally. The macro extension tubes definitely helped it get over it’s shyness.

The best lens for food photography. Canon 24-70 f4L lens

 

Do you have some photography gear that you just don’t use any more? I sure did. The kit that was sitting around waiting to be taken on adventures, was pretty pricy stuff too. My Canon EF 28-300mm f4-5.6L and Canon EF 24mm f1.4L were two such bits of kit. They’re both great lenses and I got some use out of them, especially the monster 28-300. I had shifted my direction since buying these lenses and they rarely had an outing any more. After renting and borrowing gear for a while, it was time to get more suitable kit for the food and restaurant industry I was working in.

The best lens for food photography

 

I sold the big zoom and the 24mm prime on Ebay, which I have to say, wasn’t the most pleasant experience. Then looked around for the best prices for the kit I was going to use. I did quite a bit of research on the kit itself. What kind of focal length. Different types of IS (Image Stabilising) and how they would effect what I shoot.

As I mentioned in a previous post on the Canon 6d, I like to test drive kit before I buy. I had borrowed and rented different lenses, such as the Canon 17-40 f4L and the Canon 24-70 f2.8L. Both were very useful for the work I was doing. The 17-40 I liked a lot and was surprised how often I took it to the wider focal length. The 24-70 f2.8L was also a great lens, although I don’t feel the price justifies the product. Having said that, if you need or want the 2.8 aperture then I’m sure you’ll find a way to stump up the extra cash.

Plum and Salted Honey Galette with Sour Cream Cornmeal Crust , www.jonathanthompsonphotography.com

 

The Canon 24-70 f4L got my vote as I feel I can just about get away with 24mm at the wide end and I don’t often shoot wider than f4. The image stabiliser on this lens is awesome. I believe it’s the same as the Canon 100 f2.8L Macro lens. I can comfortably drop my shutter speed to 1/30 second, hand held, without a problem. I’ve tried it at much slower shutter speeds too, and still had a sharp image.

Another feature I’ve found very useful is the Macro setting. I’ve used it far more than I thought I would. I’ve read some reviews which state you have to get so close to use the macro option, that light can’t get to the subject. I can see how that may be the case shooting in studio with artificial light but I’ve had some very pleasing results myself.

JTP- Mushroom Macro, shot with Canon 24-70 f4L-3133

 

This new lens is pretty much the main lens on my camera during food shoots now. I also added the 100 f2.8L Macro to my bag after selling the other two lenses. I don’t really need much else for what I’m shooting most often.

So there you have it. My choice for the best lens for food photography and the Canon system. I’m sure all the other manufacturers have a similar product if you don’t shoot Canon. Once again, go with the kit that works for what you shoot. Do some research and test out the kit before investing. What others are using isn’t necessarily the equipment that best suits your photography or budget.

 

JTP-Canon 24-70 f4L

The best lens for food photography

 

 

Let me know what your favourite lens is for your photography and why do you love it.

See you next time.

apple-touch-icon-72x72-precomposed

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.