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Best Overall - Editor’s choice | Best Budget Choice | Best Video Lens | Best Zoom Lens | Best Macro Lens |
Our Review of the Top 5 Best Lenses for Canon EOS R6 in 2022
Best Overall - Editor’s Choice - Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM
Highlights:
- This lens features a vibration shock resistance for little tremors that arise from shooting handheld.
- It comes with a control ring that makes accessing lens settings way easier.
- Wifi tech for easy connection to different media outlets.
Coming first on our list of the best Canon R6 lenses is the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM. This lens is in the standard lens category which in the simplest form implies that it is a lens with versatility.
Not only is this lens good for videography but also adequate for all kinds of photography. The wide aperture of f/1.2 ensures that this lens can work well in low light conditions and it is also astonishingly fast.
The focusing mechanism employs the Ultra sonic motor system which makes its focusing fast and quiet, even while recording. In addition, there is a full manual focus that can override the autofocus on demand. The aperture range of f/1.2 to f/16 ensures that users can access different depths of field, especially the highly demanded bokeh.
With a minimum focusing distance of 40cm, you get some form of macro capabilities. Users also get to use the control ring for easy settings set up. Additionally, you get a built-in Wifi feature for easy connection to your media.
Best Budget Choice - Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
Highlights:
- Impressive macro feature with a 0.5x mag.
- Image stabilization feature to correct ip to five stops of shake.
- It features a control ring that can be used to easily access customizable settings.
Looking for an optimal lens choice with minimal cost to you? Then this lens is right for you because it is one of the best lenses for Canon R6 despite it being a budget choice. The Canon 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is a mild telephoto lens with one of the best isolation features which makes it perfect for portrait photography.
The f/2 max aperture ensures you can use this lens in all kinds of settings including low-light scenarios. There is a need to mention that this lens exhibits one of the best bokeh features found in a lens. There is more.
This lens being a prime lens not only makes it good for portrait photography but also videography although the user will have to adjust the distance between the lens and the subject depending on need. The macro capabilities of this lens is awesome as it can give you a 0.5x magnification with a minimum focusing distance of just 34cm.
Although the Canon R6 has awesome image stabilization, this lens provides users with the option of a five-stop image stabilization feature. Also, this lens has a control ring for easily accessible settings.
Best Video Lens - Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM
Highlights:
- Advanced image stabilization feature for the best handheld video recording experience.
- Impressive macro feature options for both ends of the focal length spectrum.
- Smooth, silent and fast autofocus.
The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is a Canon R6 lens option highly recommended for video making. This lens which operates in the focal length categories between wide-angle and mild telephoto makes it perfect for video shooting especially when the user doesn’t want to keep moving while focusing on different subjects.
If you are worried about the aperture changing across the zoom range, then no need to worry as this lens wide aperture is constant across the zoom range. Thanks to the USM focusing system with full manual override, users enjoy silent focusing while recording. To top it off, you get to enjoy different depths of field especially the bokeh feature highly useful in film recording.
This lens features an image stabilization that can correct up to five stops of shakes. In addition, you get the extra features of image stabilization that helps the lens combine well with the camera to produce highly stable images and videos.
Finally, users of this lens get a customizable control ring that makes accessing settings quite easy. As for the minimum focusing distance, you get to enjoy different MFD depending on the focal length at which the lens is operating on. 21cm at the smallest focal length and 38cm at the largest focal length.
Best Zoom Lens - Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM
Highlights:
- Features a powerful 10x zoom for short and long distance shots.
- It has an impressive MFD for a zoom lens which is as low as 50cm for the wide angle.
- It comes with advanced IS that corroborates with the camera’s IS to produce nice images and videos.
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EF lenses are compatible with mirrorless cameras, and across different camera sensor sizes. This is possible because of the adapters.
For individuals interested in zoom lenses, well here is one of the best lenses for Canon R6. A zoom lens with a capability to operate at a 10x zoom. This lens can work anywhere between wide-angle and telephoto shots making it very useful for long and near distance video shoots like sports documentary or wildlife.
The Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM has an impressive maximum aperture opening between f/4 and f/6.3 depending on the zoom range. The minimum focusing distance is also different depending on the zoom range with the smallest MFD at the wide-angle range.
Like some of the other lenses in this list, it has image stabilization with five stops of correction although it takes it one step further with the dynamic IS that collaborates with the camera to produce awesome results especially when the shutter speed is low.
As for focusing, this lens makes use of the USM system which is silent and fast enough for video shoots. The Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM also has a control ring for easy settings adjustment. The control ring is especially useful for zoom lenses due to the technicality they require during operation.
Best Macro Lens - Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM
Highlights:
- A 1:1 magnification that enables users to get the best close-ups.
- Hybrid image stabilization feature to get the best of low-light shots.
- Fast and silent focusing even when shooting videos.
The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM is a lens that specializes in capturing close-ups. Another interesting fact about this lens is that it is originally meant for DSLR cameras, and with the Canon EOS R6 being a mirrorless camera, using a Canon R6 adapter for EF lenses is the only way to make the different parts of a camera work together.
The 100mm focal length of this lens gives it a huge advantage when it comes to portrait photography. This means users can get really detailed with their subjects and at the same time enjoy good bokeh. In addition, you get a fast and silent focusing mechanism with the USM focusing mechanism.
The MFD of just 30cm is one of the lowest on this list and hereby allows for closing in on subjects while the 100mm focal length ensures you can afford to stay at a good distance from the subject and still get awesome results.
Although the aperture is not widest on this list, the hybrid image stabilization ensures users can take pictures in lowlights when the shutter speed has to be low. Furthermore, this lens is built to work in any kind of weather, thanks to the dust and weather resistant coating.
How to Choose the Best Lenses for Canon EOS R6
Choosing a lens for a camera is mostly down to the intended use of the lens. This simply implies the kind of photography or videography the user wants to engage in. While this is a basic requirement no matter the camera brand or type, it is important to delve into the particulars of choosing a lens for the Canon EOS R6 camera.
Also read: Best Canon Lens for Video
Best Lenses for Canon Rebel T7
The Canon EOS R6 camera is a mirrorless camera type with breathtaking features. However, as most cameras are only as powerful as the attached lens(es), it is quite important to know the kind of lens that can maximize its features.
The most important implication of the Canon EOS R6 being a mirrorless camera as far as lens choices are concerned is the lens mount(1). For better understanding, a cursory view of canon lens classifications is only proper.
Canon classifies their lenses based on the type of lens mount it carries. The four kinds of lenses based on the compatible mount from Canon are:
- EF: These are lenses that are designed to work with DSLR cameras with full frame sensors
- EF-S: Lenses that are compatible with DSLR cameras with crop sensors.
- RF: These kinds of lenses work with mirrorless cameras with full frame sensors.
- EF-M: Crop sensor mirrorless cameras compatible.
While lenses with these four kinds of mounts are usually the best fit for the cameras they are made for, Canon, like most other brands, have provided a working way for lenses meant for DSLR cameras to work with mirrorless cameras through the use of their adapters. Sometimes you can even use adapters for different brands of a camera and lens.
Adapters, as their name implies, makes it possible for different lens mounts to be suitable to a particular camera which is why Canon R6 adapters for EF lenses are sought after, in a bid to use EF lenses with mirrorless cameras.
However, it is important to note that this rule is not universal and adapters can’t even work in some scenarios. Although lens adapters are very useful (considering how much some premium lenses and cameras cost), they sometimes inhibit the features of a lens. This is more common when using lenses with cameras of differing brands.
Other Criterias to Consider When Choosing a Lens for Canon EOS R6
Class of Lens
There are two classes of lens. Zoom lenses and Prime lenses. These two classes of lens have their best use cases as well as advantages. Of all their differences though, the most significant difference is the focal length.
Zoom lenses have a varying focal length or they can work across a range of focal lengths effectively. Zoom lenses are especially useful when the photographer or videographer needs to shoot distant subjects without actually having to move. Zoom lenses are common with wildlife and sports videography.
Prime lenses on the other hand have a fixed focal length. While this might seem like a disadvantage as compared to zoom lenses, they produce that extra quality in picture and are also faster at focusing. The varying depths of field prime lenses can produce due to their wider aperture range makes them very desirable for movie making and still shots.
Also read: Best Lenses for Canon R5
Lens Type
Apart from the classification of lenses, lenses are still differentiated by the focal length they can operate in. Lenses are designed to work effectively at varying focal lengths or range of focal lengths. This results in the different kinds of shots we see in photos and videos. The common lens types are:
Macro Lenses
These kinds of lenses are specialized in replicating subjects in at least a 1:1 magnification ratio. This is majorly due to their ability to focus on objects at very small MFD (minimum focusing distance). They are ideal for detailed close-ups and the capturing of very small subjects.
The use of macro lenses is not really common in videography, however, lenses with macro features are always encouraged in case there is a need for close up.
Wide angle lenses
Wide angle lenses, as the name implies have the ability to capture a wide angle of view in a shot. Wide angle lenses are usually denoted with focal lengths of 35mm and lower for full frame sensors. The smaller the focal length, the wider the angle of view.
Wide angle lenses are common due to their ability to fit a lot of information into a frame. This feature is especially useful for filmmakers and landscape photographers.
Standard Lenses
These are lenses with focal lengths within the range of 35mm to 50mm for full frame sensors. Standard lenses are good for both videography and photography. They are like the jack of all trades of lenses. In fact, they are not really perfect for a particular type of photography but they will do very well in any way you use them.
Telephoto Lenses
These are usually lenses with focal lengths greater than 85mm for a full frame sensor. Their field of view is narrower compared to the other types of lenses. These kinds of lenses can bring distant objects closer to the viewfinder. With telephoto lenses, the higher the focal length, the more distance the lens can achieve focus. These kinds of lenses are common with sports videography and wildlife.
Focus
The focus of a lens is one of the most important features of a lens. While every lens can focus, what really matters is the speed of the focus, the accompanying sound of the focusing mechanism (preferably silent), and the option of a manual override. Lenses that excel in these three departments are sure to be a fit for the Canon EOS R6 as far as focusing is concerned.
Also read: Best Lens for Canon Rebel T6
Durability
With the price that premium lenses fetch, it is only normal to look out for the durability of the lenses. Although lenses are meant to be handled carefully, there are features embedded in the lens’s build to mitigate against quick degradation. Some of the features to look out for include coatings, dust and weather resistant builds among other forms of preserving the lens life span.
Our choice is the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM but as a matter of fact, every lens on this list is good for making videos.
Yes. you can use an EF lens with the Canon R6 camera albeit with the help of an adapter for connecting the two parts.
Conclusion
In conclusion of our review of the best lenses for Canon R6, it is very important to note the key decision makers when choosing a lens for this camera. As it was mentioned earlier, a camera is only as good as the attached lens.
Even with all the lenses in our article being top-tier lenses, the Canon RF f/1.2L IS USM still stands out for its all round capabilities. I especially like the wifi capabilities of this lens because it makes monitoring shoots way easier.
What do you think of our list? Which lens will you prefer to use with the Canon R6? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
References:
- Bjorn P. (2019 August). Introduction to Lens Mounts and Adapters. Retrieved from https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/introduction-lens-mounts-and-lens-adapters