The product photographer is responsible for taking product images for promotional purposes. Product photographers work with brands to create images that best represent the product.
Businesses use product photography to showcase their products, attract customers and increase sales. Whether you are a small business or an international corporation, product photography has become an essential part of any marketing strategy. The goal of product photography is to create visually appealing images that accurately represent your product. It’s about presenting the product in creative ways, such as against a clean background or in combination with other objects, to give potential customers an idea of how to use the product in their own lives.
How to choose a lens for product photography
The following are the main lens features to look for in your product photography:
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Camera mount type
Interchangeable lens cameras are more popular than ever before! With all of the different brands out there, it can be a little confusing trying to pick the types of camera lens mounts available. The first thing to consider is to make sure you pick up the right lens that matches the mount used by your camera.
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Prime Lens or Zoom Lens
The second thing you should consider when shopping for a lens for still-life photography is prime versus zoom. A prime lens is preferable for shooting still life genres like product or food photography. They tend to be sharper. And they don’t have the moving parts that zoom lenses require to change the focal length. These moving parts cause lens diffraction.
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Lens Aperture
A lens with a wide aperture is perhaps the most important feature to look for in a product photography lens. The wider the aperture, the more you can easily narrow the depth of field, blur the background, and create a bokeh to draw the viewer’s eye to the product. Keep your aperture around f/1.8 to f/2.8.
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Lens Focal length
For product photography, it is best to use a lens with a focal length between 50 and 100 mm. This range produces the most realistic images and natural looks. A much wider lens can distort the products.
Before you choose a lens, you first need to know whether your camera has a cropped or full-frame sensor. Your lens works differently depending on which you have. A lens on a crop sensor camera acts like its focal length multiplied by the camera’s crop factor. If your crop sensor camera has a crop factor of 1.6x, then a 50mm lens will behave more like an 80mm lens. A 50mm lens on a camera with a full-frame sensor will act like a 50mm.
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Autofocus
Make sure you pick a lens that has fast and accurate autofocus, it will speed up your product photography session
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Minimum focus distance
Find a specified minimum focus distance for your product’s photographic lens. The shorter the minimum focus distance, the more freedom you have to experiment with macro-style product photos.
Best camera Lens for Product Photography
The following lenses have gained popularity in many photographers’ camera bags for being most useful in capturing spectacular product photos. We’re sure you’ll find one or several that could quickly turn into your own best product photography lens.
For a full review click here
Product Highlights
| EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format | STM Stepping AF Motor |
|---|---|
| Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/22 | Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm |
| Super Spectra Coating |
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM was introduced in 2015. It is the third generation of Canon’s ultra-cheap autofocusing 50mm f/1.8 lenses. The focal 50mm length is convenient on both crop sensor and full frame cameras. It can be a long-term investment even if you upgrade to a larger sensor. This lens provides excellent optical quality, especially if you consider the price.
It has a metallic mount and five groups of lens elements with an optimized coating that make up the lens design. This Canon lens also features a rounded aperture with seven blades. It even offers a broad maximum aperture of f/1.8 for clearer images, in addition, it has a very fast AF from Canon’s stepping motor (STM) technology.
Specification
| Focal Length | 50mm |
|---|---|
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | 46° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 13.78" / 35 cm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.21x |
| Optical Design | 6 Elements in 5 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7, Rounded |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Filter Size | 49 mm (Front) |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 2.72 x 1.54" / 69.2 x 39.2 mm |
| Weight | 5.64 oz / 160 g |
For the full review click here
Product Highlights
| EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format | Two High Refractive Index Elements |
|---|---|
| Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/22 | Super Spectra Coating |
| Micro Ultrasonic Motor AF System | Rounded 8-Blade Diaphragm |
Although it is pricier than Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, but the small increase in its maximum aperture means significant enhancements in sharpness and bokeh quality. And for many serious product shooters, it makes a huge difference.
For many photographers, it’s simply the best Canon lens for product photography. Plus, it’s compact, lightweight, and incredibly easy to store.
Specification
| Focal Length | 50mm |
|---|---|
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | 46° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1.48' / 45 cm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.15x |
| Optical Design | 7 Elements in 6 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 8, Rounded |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Filter Size | 58 mm (Front) |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 2.91 x 1.99" / 73.8 x 50.5 mm |
| Weight | 10.23 oz / 290 g |
Photo by Depositphotos
For the full review click here
Product Highlights
| EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format | Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System |
|---|---|
| Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/22 | Rounded 8-Blade Diaphragm |
| Super Spectra Coating |
The EF 85mm f/1.8 USM from Canon is a short-telephoto prime characterized by its slightly compressed perspective for achieving flattering results. Its bright f/1.8 maximum aperture also enables isolating subjects and working with shallow depth of field techniques, and further benefits working in low-light conditions.
Helping to achieve high color fidelity and contrast, a Super Spectra coating has been applied to individual elements and serves to minimize reflections, lens flare, and ghosting. Additionally, a ring-type USM is employed to deliver quick and quiet autofocus performance along with full-time manual focus control.
Specification
| Focal Length | 85mm |
|---|---|
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | 28° 30' |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 2.79' / 85 cm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.13x |
| Optical Design | 9 Elements in 7 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 8, Rounded |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Filter Size | 58 mm (Front) |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 2.95 x 2.81" / 74.93 x 71.37 mm |
| Weight | 14.99 oz / 425 g |
Photo by Depositphotos
Product Highlights
| RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format | Smooth and Quiet Auto Focus |
|---|---|
| 1.4x Magnification with Autofocus | Optical Image Stabilization; Hybrid IS |
| Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/32 | Control Ring for Direct Setting Changes |
| Minimum Focusing Distance: 10.2" | Weather-Sealed Construction |
| Super Spectra Coating | 9-Blade Diaphragm |
Engineered specifically for full-frame EOS R-series cameras, the RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM Lens from Canon combines a medium-telephoto field of view with a sleek design and close-focusing performance.
Designed for close-up imagery, this autofocus lens is an ideal choice for portraits, products, and macro subjects.
Featuring a fixed 100mm focal length, a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture, fast, highly-precise autofocus, and a spherical aberration control ring, Its close focus design enables working with subject matter as close as 10.2″ away, and a Super Spectra coating minimizes ghosting and flare when working in strong lighting conditions.
The lens also features optical image stabilization, along with Hybrid IS, to suppress up to five stops of camera shake for cleaner, steadier shooting.
Specification
| Focal Length | 100mm |
|---|---|
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32 |
| Lens Mount | Canon RF |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | 24° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 10.2" / 26 cm |
| Maximum Magnification | 1.4x |
| Optical Design | 17 Elements in 13 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
| Filter Size | 67 mm (Front) |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 3.2 x 5.8" / 81.5 x 148 mm |
| Weight | 1.6 lb / 730 g |
Photo by Depositphotos
For the full review click here
Product Highlights
| EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format | Super Spectra and Fluorine Coatings |
|---|---|
| Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22 | Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System |
| One Super UD Element, Two UD Elements | Weather-Sealed Construction |
| Three Aspherical Elements | Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm |
Ranging from wide-angle to portrait length, this lens is distinguished by its constant f/2.8 maximum aperture to benefit working in difficult lighting conditions and to afford greater control over the depth of field.
This redesigned EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens from Canon ups the ante for optical performance for a professional standard zoom lens. It has one Super UD lens element and two UD lens elements that minimize chromatic aberrations in the periphery at wide-angle, as well as reducing color blurring around the edges of the subject.
In addition, two types of aspherical lenses are combined to help reduce spherical aberration over the entire image area, as well as through the full zoom range. Optimized lens coatings help ensure exceptional color balance while minimizing ghosting.
A ring-type USM and high-speed CPU with optimized AF algorithms ensure silent, fast autofocusing. The lens is constructed with improved dust sealing and water resistance, while fluorine coatings on the front and rear lens reduce fingerprints and smearing.
Specification
| Focal Length | 24 to 70mm |
|---|---|
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | 84° to 34° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1.25' / 38 cm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.21x |
| Optical Design | 18 Elements in 13 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9, Rounded |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Filter Size | 82 mm (Front) |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 3.48 x 4.45" / 88.5 x 113 mm |
| Length at Maximum Extension | 5.63" / 143 mm |
| Weight | 1.77 lb / 805 g |
Photo by Depositphotos
Product Highlights
| F-Mount Lens/FX Format | Super Integrated Coating |
|---|---|
| Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16 | Silent Wave Motor AF System |
| One Aspherical Element | Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm |
- The Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR is a standard prime lens designed for Nikon F-mount cameras. Here are some of its important features and product highlights:
- Aperture: The lens has a maximum aperture of f/1.8, which makes it an ideal choice for low-light photography and creating shallow depth-of-field effects.
- Auto-Focus System: The lens uses an advanced Auto-Focus (AF) system that is both fast and silent. This feature is especially useful for capturing candid shots and shooting videos.
- Optical Design: The lens features a high-quality optical design that includes 7 elements in 6 groups. The use of aspherical elements helps to minimize distortion and aberrations, while the Super Integrated Coating reduces flare and ghosting.
- Compact and Lightweight: The lens is relatively small and lightweight, making it easy to carry around and use for extended periods of time.
- Compatibility: The lens is compatible with a wide range of Nikon F-mount cameras, both full-frame and APS-C sensor sizes.
- Versatile: With its standard focal length of 50mm, the lens is versatile enough to be used for a wide range of photography styles, including portraiture, street photography, and landscapes.
- Value for Money: The lens is relatively affordable compared to other lenses in its class, making it a great choice for both beginners and professionals.
- Overall, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR is a versatile, high-quality lens that offers great value for money. Its fast aperture, advanced AF system, and high-quality optical design make it an ideal choice for a wide range of photography styles.
Specification
| Focal Length | 50mm |
|---|---|
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | 47° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1.48' / 45 cm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.15x |
| Optical Design | 7 Elements in 6 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7, Rounded |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Filter Size | 58 mm (Front) |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 2.84 x 2.06" / 72.1 x 52.4 mm |
| Weight | 6.53 oz / 185 g |
Photo by Depositphotos
Product Highlights
| F-Mount Lens/FX Format | Silent Wave Motor AF System |
|---|---|
| Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16 | Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm |
| Super Integrated Lens Coating |
- The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Lens is a fast, medium telephoto lens designed for use with Nikon DSLR cameras. Here are some of its main features:
- Fast f/1.8 aperture: This lens has a maximum aperture of f/1.8, which allows for fast shutter speeds and excellent low-light performance. It also creates a shallow depth of field that can help separate your subject from the background.
- 85mm focal length: The 85mm focal length is popular among portrait photographers because it allows you to get a tight crop of your subject without getting too close. It’s also great for shooting sports, concerts, and other events where you need to be a bit farther away from the action.
- Silent Wave Motor (SWM): The lens features a fast and quiet SWM autofocus system, which makes it great for shooting video as well as stills. The SWM also allows for manual focus override.
- Lightweight and compact: The lens is relatively small and lightweight, making it easy to carry around and use for extended periods of time.
- High-quality optics: The lens has a high-quality optical design that includes 9 elements in 9 groups, with one extra-low dispersion element to reduce chromatic aberrations and improve image quality.
- Compatible with Nikon’s FX and DX-format DSLRs: The lens is designed to work with both full-frame (FX) and crop-sensor (DX) Nikon DSLRs, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of photographers.
- Overall, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Lens is a versatile and high-performing lens that is well-suited for portrait, event, and low-light photography.
Specification
| Focal Length | 85mm |
|---|---|
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | 28° 30' |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 2.62' / 80 cm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.12x |
| Optical Design | 9 Elements in 9 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7, Rounded |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Filter Size | 67 mm (Front) |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 3.15 x 2.87" / 80 x 73 mm |
| Weight | 12.35 oz / 350 g |
Photo by Depositphotos
Product Highlights
| Full-Frame | f/2.8 to f/32 | VR Image Stabilization |
|---|---|
| Fast Macro Prime Lens | OLED Lens Information Panel |
| 11.4" Minimum Focus | Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm |
| 1:1 Magnification | Weather-Sealed Construction |
| Nano Crystal and ARNEO Coatings | Dual-Motor Multi-Focus STM AF System |
The Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S lens is a versatile macro lens that is designed to capture stunning close-up images with exceptional clarity and detail. It is compatible with Nikon’s mirrorless Z mount cameras and boasts a range of advanced features that make it an ideal choice for professional photographers and enthusiasts alike.
One of the key features of this lens is its 1:1 magnification ratio, which allows you to capture images at life-size proportions. This means that you can get incredibly close to your subject and capture intricate details that might otherwise be missed with other lenses.
Another standout feature of the Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S lens is its built-in Vibration Reduction technology, which helps to stabilize the lens and reduce camera shake. This is particularly useful when shooting in low light conditions or when using slower shutter speeds, as it can help to prevent blurry images.
The lens also features a high-quality optical design, with a total of 16 elements in 11 groups. This includes one ED (Extra-low Dispersion) element and one aspherical element, which work together to minimize chromatic aberrations and other optical distortions, resulting in sharp, clear images with accurate color reproduction.
Other notable features of the Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S lens include a smooth, quiet autofocus system, a customizable control ring for adjusting aperture, ISO, or exposure compensation, and a durable, weather-sealed construction that makes it suitable for use in a range of environments.
Overall, the Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S lens is a high-performance macro lens that offers exceptional image quality, advanced features, and a versatile focal length that makes it ideal for a wide range of photographic applications
Specification
| Focal Length | 105mm |
|---|---|
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32 |
| Lens Mount | Nikon Z |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | 23° 10' |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 11.4" / 29 cm |
| Maximum Magnification | 1x |
| Macro Reproduction Ratio | 1970-01-01 01:01:00 |
| Optical Design | 16 Elements in 11 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9, Rounded |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
| Filter Size | 62 mm (Front) |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 3.3 x 5.5" / 85 x 140 mm |
| Length at Maximum Extension | 5.5" / 139.7 mm |
| Weight | 1.4 lb / 630 g |
Photo by Depositphotos
Product Highlights
| E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format | AF/MF Switch; Internal Focus |
|---|---|
| Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16 | Focus Hold Button |
| One XA Element and Three ED Elements | Physical Aperture Ring; De-Click Switch |
| Nano AR Coating | Rounded 11-Blade Diaphragm |
| Linear Super Sonic Wave AF Motor | Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction |
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens is a high-end prime lens designed for Sony E-mount cameras. It is specifically designed for portrait, fashion, and wedding photography, but can be used in a wide range of photographic applications.
The lens has a maximum aperture of f/1.4, which allows for a shallow depth of field and excellent low-light performance. The lens has 11 circular aperture blades that produce smooth and creamy bokeh, making it ideal for portrait and artistic photography.
The lens is made with high-quality materials and features a weather-sealed design, which allows it to be used in harsh conditions. The lens is also dust and moisture-resistant, making it perfect for outdoor photography.
The lens features a Nano AR coating, which reduces ghosting and flare, and provides excellent contrast and clarity. The lens also has a Direct Drive SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) system that delivers fast and accurate autofocus.
Other features of the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens include a focus hold button, a customizable focus hold button, and an aperture ring. The lens comes with a lens hood and a soft carrying case.
Overall, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens is a high-quality lens that delivers exceptional image quality and performance. Its fast aperture, beautiful bokeh, and excellent low-light performance make it an ideal lens for portrait, fashion, and wedding photography.
Specification
| Focal Length | 85mm |
|---|---|
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 |
| Lens Mount | Sony E |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | 29° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 2.62' / 80 cm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.12x |
| Optical Design | 11 Elements in 8 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11, Rounded |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Filter Size | 77 mm (Front) |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 3.52 x 4.23" / 89.5 x 107.5 mm |
| Weight | 1.8 lb / 820 g |
Photo by Depositphotos
Product Highlights
| E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format | Nano AR Coating |
|---|---|
| Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22 | Direct Drive Super Sonic Wave AF Motor |
| 1:1 Magnification Ratio; Internal Focus | Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization |
| Minimum Focus Distance: 11" | Sliding Focus Ring for AF/MF Selection |
| Aspherical, ED and Super ED Elements | Focus Hold Button; Focus Range Limiter |
The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens is a high-end macro lens designed for use with Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras. It offers a versatile focal length of 90mm, which is suitable for a variety of close-up and macro photography applications. The lens features a maximum aperture of f/2.8, which allows for excellent low-light performance and depth of field control.
One of the key features of the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens is its built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, which minimizes camera shake and ensures sharper images. It also features a Direct Drive SSM autofocus system that provides fast and accurate focusing, making it ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects.
Other notable features of the lens include a dust and moisture-resistant construction, a focus limiter switch that lets you set a range for faster autofocus performance and a customizable focus hold button that can be programmed to control a variety of functions.
Overall, the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens is a high-quality macro lens that offers excellent image quality, fast and accurate autofocus performance, and a range of advanced features that make it a top choice for professional photographers
Specification
| Focal Length | 90mm |
|---|---|
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Lens Mount | Sony E |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | 27° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 11.02" / 28 cm |
| Maximum Magnification | 1x |
| Macro Reproduction Ratio | 1970-01-01 01:01:00 |
| Optical Design | 15 Elements in 11 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9, Rounded |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
| Filter Size | 62 mm (Front) |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 3.11 x 5.14" / 79 x 130.5 mm |
| Length at Maximum Extension | 5.12" / 130.1 mm |
| Weight | 1.32 lb / 602 g |
Photo by Depositphotos
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Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed the article, in case you have any questions just drop them below & I will be happy to answer you.
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Hey you, I’m not a professional photographer but, most of the time I got some photos. You have delivered a comprehensive overview of camera lenses. All the lenses that you mentioned have such great details but if I want to choose one, I would choose RF 100mmf/2.8 Macro Is USM. This is just a personal choice. One of my friends has this lense and he is happy with it. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the comment
I think it’s cool to know which lenses are best for product photography. It’s nice to have a guide to help me choose the right lens for my camera. It’s impressive to read the different types of lenses and what they’re good for. It’s also good that the author gave some recommendations and explained the pros and not much cons of each lens from different brands like canon, nikon, sony, etc.
Im into product reviews btw, but I don’t think I can handle the complications of learning how to use pro cameras. Maybe someday, when I want to start going into product photography, I will try it. Overall,you got a nice informative blog.
Thanks, glad you like the article.