11 best lens for product photography in 2022
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With the continuous growth of e-commerce, product photography and videography have become necessities to promote products effectively. Presenting food, clothing, jewelry, and other products through colorful photos and videos will entice online shoppers to make a purchase.
Aside from installing proper lighting and utilizing great cameras, attaching the right lens creates a significant improvement to the digital outputs.
But with a lot of different options available in the market, you may struggle to find the right lens for you. Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with this updated list of the best cameras that you can use for product photography.
11 best lens for product photography in 2022
Below, you’ll find 11 lenses that are currently the best choices for product photography.
#1: Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G – best lens for product photography
- Designed for close-up and macro photography; versatile enough for virtually any photographic situation
- Maximum Angle of View (FX-format): 23°20'.Features new VR II vibration reduction technology, Focal Length : 105 mm, Minimum Focus Distance : 1.03 feet ( 0314 m)
The Micro-NIKKOR VR was designed and made by Nikon to excel in close-up and macro shooting. Its 105mm lens is ideal for taking vivid photos of food, jewelry, and cosmetics.
With the VR model, Nikon has introduced its vibration reduction (VR) image stabilization. This body-integrated stabilization opens up a large avenue for more creative macro shots, especially during handheld shoots.
Another big plus for the Micro-NIKKOR is the addition of Nikon’s silent wave motor. Due to this improvement, the lens provides excellent auto-focus capabilities even when macro shooting-making it perfect for taking close-up burst shots of your products.
For the more experienced photographer readers out there, the VR version is the revamp of the classic Micro-Nikkor. When comparing the VR to its predecessor, it may feel heavier than you’re used to due to the integration of the vibration reduction technology. Although the Micro-Nikkor VR lens is chunkier, buying it is a significant upgrade.
#2: Sony 55mm F1.8 Sonnar T FE ZA Full Frame Prime Lens – best lens for product photography
- Diaphragm Blades 9, Rounded. Lens Groups / Elements is 5/7
- Focal Length: 55mm, Filter Diameter: 49mm
The 55mm FE F1.8 ZA of Sony is one the best lens that you’ll find in the market. In fact, it has become one of the standard lenses for mirrorless cameras. Although it may seem like it’s overkill to use this lens for product photography, it’s a small price to pay to create impactful marketing materials.
Every shot taken on the Sony 55mm FE F1.8 ZA, has sharp details, accurate color reproduction, low lens distortion, and no visible vignetting. It is just simply impressive. But before you buy it, just make sure it fits your mirrorless camera first.
#3: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens – best lens for product photography
- Fast, upgraded f/1.8, compact FX format prime lens. The picture angle with 35 millimeter (135) format is 47 degree and the maximum reproduction ratio is 0.15X
- Focal length 50 millimeter, minimum focus distance 1.48 feet (0.45 meter)
The AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G great Nikon lens to use if you’re looking to shoot product portraits. It has a wide f/1.8 aperture and a 50mm focal length enabling you to shoot product portraits well, even under low-light conditions. So you’ll be able to use dim backgrounds to create dramatic effects without having to result in low image quality.
Although not zoomable, it makes up for it in clear and vivid images and creating. Again, before purchasing this lens, check if your camera is compatible.
#4: Sigma 24-105mm F4.0 Art – best lens for product photography
- Offers stable and fine image quality from wide to mid-telephoto range
- This lens has a combination of fixed aperture and a good zoom ratio that is kept as high as possible
If you want a versatile lens for product photography, the Sigma 24-105mm F4.0 Art might be the right lens for you. Because, as specified from its name, the 24-105mm lens enables you to take product photos using both wide-angle shots and macro shots.
The 24-105mm F4.0 Art is also fitted with Sigma’s hypersonic motor (HSM) that enables high-speed auto-focus with minimal noise. When combined with its built-in algorithm, this key feature will enable you to take clear digital images and videos during product shoots.
For Canon camera users, it’s important to know that this lens does not support the Peripheral Illumination Correction feature. So, if you want to remove vignettes, you’ll have to do so manually using photo editing software.
Ultimately, if you are aiming for an affordable but versatile multi-purpose lens, then the Sigma 24-105mm lens is a great choice.
#5: Nikon AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G – best lens for product photography
- 55-200mm zoom Nikon lens with f/4-5.6 maximum aperture for Nikon digital SLR cameras
- 2 extra-low-dispersion (ED) glass elements for minimized chromatic aberration and superior optics
Another great but affordable lens from the Nikon lineup, the AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G that is not only versatile but powerful as well. Its focal length of 55-200mm enables you to take product portraits and telephoto shots.
A small downside to this is its small aperture, f/4-5.6. This means that this won’t work well in low-light conditions. You can increase the exposure to reduce this problem, but a tripod is needed for this to work properly.
It is fitted with the Nikon Vibration Reduction (VR) technology that provides clear but steady images and videos, even when the camera is handheld. And compatibility matters as well, so check if your camera can work with this lens.
#6: Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 III RXD (Model A036)– best lens for product photography
- Superb optical performance, including both outstanding image quality and beautiful background Blur effects (bokeh), provided by fast f/2.8 aperture.
- Comfortably light weight (19.4 oz.) and compact (4.6 in). Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:2.9 (Wide); 1:4 (Tele)
The Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 is a full-frame lens built for Sony’s mirrorless cameras. Its focal length allows capturing photos and videos in both wide-angle shots and portraits for your marketed products.
One thing it does best is bokeh. Seriously, for its price range, it provides clear and sharp details of the object in focus but provides a mellow and natural blur to the background-something that can only be achieved by lenses which has two times the price.
Another thing to note is that the Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 lens does not have stabilization. But this is not really a setback due to Sony’s in-body image stabilization (IBIS).
It may not be as versatile as the Sigma 24-105mm F4.0 Art, but the Tamron can still hold its own when it comes to affordability and image quality. And this can be a good choice for product photography if you are selling large goods like furniture, accommodations, real estate, and vehicles.
#7: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm – best lens for product photography
- Includes all original accessories plus a 90-day warranty
- Compact all-in-one DX-format zoom lens that goes from wide-angle (18mm) to telephoto (140mm) for great snapshots and videos in just about any situation.
For Nikon camera owners that are looking for a versatile lens, then the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm is for you. Its focal length of 18-140mm enables you to shoot your products in wide-angle shots, portraits, and close-up shots.
Like the Micro-NIKKOR 105mm VR, this lens also has a built-in vibration reduction mechanism that enables you to take sharp images even if the camera is handheld. For product videos, the Silent Wave Motor technology of Nikon offers fast and autofocus abilities.
#8: Panasonic LUMIX G X Vario Power Zoom Lens, 45-175MM – best lens for product photography
- 90mm-350mm in 35mm equivalent zoom
- Nano Surface Coating technology minimizes reflections at entire visual light range
If you’re mainly focused on creating product videos, then the Panasonic Lumix G lens is a great tool to use. The lens offers a 45-175mm focal length, which enables you to take a wide range of shots-from telephoto shots to macro shots.
One of its main driving features is the zoom drive system that can be precisely controlled for zooming. Another key feature is the Multi-Actuator Floating Inner Focus System-a control mechanism for the lens groups inside it. This ensures quiet footages even at quick zoom shifts and focal length changes.
Before you go ahead and buy this lens, take note that this only works for the Panasonic Micro Four Thirds system cameras.
#9: Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens – best lens for product photography
- F mount lens/DX format. Picture angle with Nikon DX format 44 degree
- 52.5 millimeter (35-millimeter equivalent). Rear focusing; Manual focus override
A versatile lens of Nikon that’s great for product photography and probably the cheapest out of all the items listed here. The 35mm focal length of this lens is great for taking portraits and still-life photos but is not ideal for wide-angle and macro shots.
The lens has a fast f/1.8 aperture and the Nikon Silent Wave Motor mechanism that enables quick but silent autofocus capabilities. So this is good for both product photos and videos. Again, before buying, check if your camera is compatible with this lens.
#10: Panasonic LUMIX G Lens 25mm – best lens for product photography
- Micro Four Thirds a versatile MFT 25 millimeter lens with a natural viewing angle Suitable for a wide variety of occasions (35 millimeter camera equivalent: 50 millimeter)
- F1.7 brightness beautiful background bokeh effect from its large diameter F1.7 aperture
This is an impressive lens that was built for the Panasonic Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. It has a 25mm focal length and f/1.7 aperture that makes it possible to shoot in low-light conditions and control the depth-of-field (DOF)—making it an excellent choice for shooting product videos.
Although it provides great quality photos and videos, it still utilizes a stepper motor for its fast autofocus feature. Thus, you’ll still hear some noise when it shifts its focus. Again, this only works with Panasonic Micro Four Thirds.
#11: Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G – best lens for product photography
- Compact and lightweight DX-format close-up lens. Lens Construction (Elements/Groups) - 9 elements in 7 groups
- Maximum reproduction ratio is 1.0x. Focal length is 40 mm
The AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G is a great lens to work with for sharp and vivid macro shots of your products. One of its main advantages is its Close Range Correction (CRC) system that automatically adjusts the lens group to achieve better results. It also utilizes Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor System, so it offers fast but silent autofocus capabilities.
The only downside is that it won’t work well under low-light conditions due to its small f/2.8 aperture. Again before making a lens purchase, check for compatibility to prevent issues.
Summary
Ultimately, the best lens for product photography and videography depends on your marketing needs. You’ll need to consider your product and audience.
Think of how to showcase your product in the best way possible. For example, if you’re selling cosmetics, then you might need a lens that can take great macro shots. But if you’re selling cars or motorcycles, then a lens that takes excellent wide-angle shots might be more suited for you.
When it comes to your audience, you’ll need to consider their age and what platforms they use. Some audiences prefer great photos, while some might prefer product videos.
Did you like our list? Let us know by commenting below.
Which is the best camera for product photography?
For close-up shots, the Micro-NIKKOR 105mm is a great lens. But if you’re aiming for a versatile lens, then the Sigma 24-105mm F4.0 Art is a better choice.
What is the best lens for still-life photography?
For still-life photos, the Sony 55mm F1.8 Sonnar T FE ZA is the best lens for the job. It provides sharp details and accurate color reproduction.