A telephoto lens, also known as a Tele lens or Long lens, is a type of camera lens designed for taking photographs of subjects at moderate to far distances. They are a type of long-focus lens that use a special internal construction to give them a focal length much longer than the length of the lens itself. For further reading about the telephoto lens, you may check my post “What is a Telephoto Lens”
Telephoto lenses are commonly used when photographing sports events, wildlife, and in any other circumstances where the photographer can’t get close to the subject. They are also popular in portrait and macro photography as they produce a pleasing, natural perspective free from the distortion caused by using a wide-angle lens.
With a Canon camera, you have dozens of options as far as lenses go. You can go for name-brand Canon lenses—some of those are the best in the business—or you can go for a third-party option, some of which are just as good as Canon glass, often for less money. The following is a list of my recommended telephoto lenses.
Zoom telephoto lenses
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
The all-new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM increases the speed, performance and optical quality of the EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM while maintaining all of the characteristics that have made it a legend for professionals and advanced amateurs alike. The EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM features one fluorite and five UD elements for increased optical quality and reduced chromatic aberration. It has a minimum focusing distance of 1.2m/3.9 ft. at all zoom settings, which is useful for photographers in smaller spaces trying to get closer to a subject. It features a next-generation Optical Image Stabilizer, providing up to 4 stops of correction at all focal lengths. And as with all L-series lenses, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is dust- and moisture-resistant and designed for use in the challenging environments typical of rigorous professional use.
You may check my post for the full review of the lens.
The below photo is taken by Jasohill
The following is a sample photo video taken by the lens.
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD for Canon
Popular telephoto zoom for a variety of shooting applications, this Canon EF-mount SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens from Tamron is characterized by its bright f/2.8 constant maximum aperture, as well as sophisticated optical and physical designs. In regard to optics, an improved layout contains one XLD element and five LD elements to suppress color fringing and chromatic aberrations for notable clarity and color accuracy, and both BBAR and eBAND coatings have been applied to reduce flare and ghosting.
Complementing the optical assets, this 70-200mm f/2.8 also features an advanced Vibration Compensation (VC) system that compensates for up to five stops of camera shake for sharper handheld shooting. A ring-type Ultrasonic Silent Drive autofocus motor is also featured for responsive and accurate performance, and also affords full-time manual focus override for fine-tuned control. Additionally, the lens is also dust- and moisture-resistant for working in trying environmental conditions, and it is paired with a rotating, removable tripod foot with an Arca-type compatible base for seamless shooting atop a tripod or monopod.
The below photo is taken by Capt Kodak
The following is a sample photo video taken by the lens.
Sigma APO 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM for Canon
The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Canon is the second generation of large-aperture telephoto zoom lenses incorporating Sigma’s OS (Optical Stabilizer) anti-shake system. It offers the equivalent of shooting at shutter speeds 3 to 4 stops slower than without OS, thus allowing handheld telephoto zoom shooting even in poorly lit conditions. Its HSM ensures quiet and high-speed AF as well as full-time manual focusing.
It features a large maximum aperture of f/2.8 that remains constant throughout the zoom range, making it incredibly valuable when shooting in low light situations such as wedding or other events. It is also great when shooting fast-moving subjects such as sports when fast shutter speeds are needed to capture fleeting moments. The 70-200mm f/2.8 is fast and versatile and at a length of 7.8 (19.8cm) will be a tool that seldom sees the inside of your camera bag. The lens comes with a petal-type lens hood plus an adapter to extend its length for users with APS-c cameras.
This lens is optimized for full-frame Canon DSLRs and may also be used with smaller APS-c size sensors but it will increase the focal length to about 100-300mm with most cameras.
The below photo is taken by alkainel
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
The EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM is a lightweight, compact L Series telephoto zoom lens with Image Stabilizer. The optical Image Stabilization in the new EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens provides up to an incredible four stops of shake correction-a first for Canon IS lenses. The use of fluorite UD lens elements provides excellent optical performance in terms of resolution and contrast. These features, together with its water-and dust-proof construction, provide both the performance and portability to meet user demands.
You may check my post for the full review of the lens.
The below photo is taken by theqspeaks
The following is a sample photo video taken by the lens.
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
Spanning a flexible range of telephoto focal lengths, the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM is a Canon L-series lens characterized by its relatively compact size and versatility. Two ultra-low dispersion elements are used to greatly reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations throughout the zoom range for high clarity and color accuracy, and a Super Spectra coating has also been applied to suppress flare and ghosting for improved contrast. Also, a floating elements mechanism is employed to maintain consistent image quality throughout the focusing range for notable sharpness from 3.9′ to infinity.
Complementing the imaging capabilities, this 70-300mm also features a four-stop-effective Image Stabilizer system that minimizes the appearance of a camera shake for sharper handheld shooting. A ring-type USM and internal focusing mechanism also afford quick, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance, as well as a full-time manual focus override. Additionally, this lens is weather-sealed and has a protective fluorine coating on the exposed elements for use in trying environmental conditions.
You may check my post for the full review of the lens.
The below photo is taken by Roger’s Eye <(r)>
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
Spanning a useful telephoto range, the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Lens from Canon is a flexible zoom well-suited for a variety of subjects, ranging from portraiture to wildlife. Similarly versatile, the lens utilizes NANO USM technology that combines a fast, stills-optimized ring-type Ultrasonic Motor and a smooth, silent video-optimized Stepping Motor for all-around focusing performance to benefit multimedia image-makers. This dual-purpose AF motor also offers notably quicker performance throughout the zoom range for more responsive shooting from near to far. Additionally, also aiding both photo and movie recording, an Image Stabilizer system compensates for up to four stops of camera shake for sharper handheld shooting when working with slower shutter speeds.
Beyond its performance attributes, this lens is also characterized by its unique Lens Information Display, which clearly showcases focus distance, focal length, and stabilizer settings on a top-facing screen for easy recognition. Benefitting optical performance, the lens’ construction utilizes one Ultra-Low Dispersion (UD) element to control chromatic aberrations and color fringing for improved clarity, and, additionally, a nine-blade diaphragm is used to produce a pleasing bokeh quality for shallow depth of field imagery.
You may check my post for the full review of the lens.
The below photo is taken by captainmcdan
Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD for Canon
Whether you are shooting indoor or outdoor sports, portraits, nature, or landscapes, the Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Lens is the telephoto zoom that’s a great way to capture the images before you. This is the Tamron Anniversary lens and is the first Tamron optic that incorporates an Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) for fast, quiet, and precision autofocusing.
This Vibration Compensation (VC) lens will allow you to shoot up to four stops slower than would be possible with a non-VC lens, so you can shoot hand-held at all focal lengths without blurring whether shooting fast-moving sports from football and car racing as well as events under low lighting conditions. The SP 70-300mm is constructed with one LD (Low Dispersion) and one XLD (Extra-Low Dispersion) lens which prevents chromatic aberration, resulting in clear, high contrast, and color-accurate digital image capture.
The below photo is taken by tsgoons25
The following is a video of sample photos taken by the lens.
Sigma APO 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro for Canon
Sigma’s 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG APO Macro is a compact telephoto zoom lens. With a range that is useful for candid portraiture, capturing children playing in the backyard, amateur sports, or even wildlife at the zoo this lens is usually the lens that photographers reach for first. It’s great on vacation for capturing scenic details or even groups of flowers in a garden. The Sigma 70-300mm offers a 4 to 1 zoom ratio in a compact lens that is easily carried in your camera bag or left on the camera as you travel, and the images are magnificent.
This Tele-macro zoom lens is capable of focusing down to 1:2 (half life-size) reproduction ratio at 300mm focal length. It also has a switch for changeover to macro photography at focal lengths between 200mm and 300mm. The lens materials used in this product are lead and arsenic-free ecological glass.
The improved DG lens design corrects for various aberrations. This lens is specially coated to get the best color balance while cutting down on ghosting caused by reflections from the digital image sensor.
The below photo is taken by Phil Roeder
The following is sample of photos video taken with the lens.
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
A long-reaching telephoto zoom characterized by a sophisticated optical design and advanced image stabilization technologies, the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens is part of the esteemed L-series developed for full-frame EOS DSLRs. One fluorite element and one Super UD element have been incorporated into the lens’s construction, and both help to reduce aberrations and distortions throughout the zoom range in order to deliver notable clarity, image sharpness, and faithful color reproduction. An Air Sphere Coating has also been applied to lens elements in order to reduce lens flare and ghosting for more contrast-rich imagery. Benefitting the optical components of the lens, a four-stop effective Image Stabilizer helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake and can be dedicated to different styles of shooting. Furthermore, a redeveloped rotation-type zoom ring pairs with an internal focusing mechanism, and an Ultrasonic Motor, to deliver quick and intuitive handling to benefit handheld shooting. It is positioned as a versatile option for sports and wildlife photographers, this lens’s list of attributes makes it a viable telephoto zoom for a variety of shooting applications.
The below photo is taken by aftab.
The following is sample photos video taken by the lens.
Prime telephoto lenses
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
A medium telephoto L-series prime, the Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM combines a flexible focal length with a modestly bright maximum aperture to realize a relatively compact and lightweight design well-suited for sports and portraiture applications. Its advanced optical design incorporates a pair of ultra-low dispersion glass elements to greatly reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations in order to realize notable clarity and color accuracy, and a Super Spectra coating also helps to increase contrast when working in harsh lighting conditions. Benefitting the optics, a ring-type USM is employed, too, to deliver quick and quiet autofocus performance along with full-time manual focus control.
The below photo is a sample photo taken by Håkan Dahlström
The following is sample photos video taken by the lens.
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM
Versatile due to its mid-telephoto focal length and bright maximum aperture, the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM is also distinguished by its high-speed performance and intuitive handling to suit its use in a wide variety of working conditions. As an L-series lens, this tele prime, of course, features an advanced optical design; two fluorite elements are used to reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations for high clarity and color accuracy and a Sub Wavelength Coating has been applied to individual elements to suppress flare and ghosting for increased contrast and color neutrality when working in backlit conditions. The fast f/2.8 maximum aperture also enables extensive control over the depth of field for isolating subjects using selective focus, and it also benefits working in difficult lighting conditions.
Beyond the optical layout, this 300mm f/2.8 is also characterized by its four stop-effective Image Stabilizer system, which has three separate stabilization modes to suit various shooting applications. Also complementing handling is a sophisticated ring-type USM, which provides quick, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance along with a full-time manual focus override. Additionally, this lens is weather-sealed for use in trying environmental conditions and it has a removable rotating tripod collar to benefit from working on a tripod or monopod.
The below photo is taken by invisiblekid2007
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Pairing a favored super-telephoto focal length with a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture, the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM is a Canon L-series optic well-suited for outdoor, wildlife, and sports applications. The fast maximum aperture enables extensive control over the depth of field for isolating subjects using selective focus, and it also benefits working in difficult lighting conditions. Two fluorite elements are used in the optical design to help reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations for high clarity and color accuracy and a Sub Wavelength Coating has been applied to individual elements to suppress flare and ghosting for increased contrast and color neutrality when working in backlit conditions.
Beyond the optical attributes, this 400mm f/2.8 is also characterized by its advanced four-stop-effective Image Stabilizer system, which has three separate stabilization modes to suit various shooting applications. Also complementing handling is a sophisticated ring-type USM, which provides quick, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance along with full-time manual focus override. Additionally, this lens is weather-sealed for use in trying environmental conditions and it has a removable rotating tripod collar to benefit from working on a tripod or monopod.
The below photo is taken by Michael Dawes
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These are quite powerful lenses and for sure they will do greater in better i mages for some one who doing imagines for selling and it would make me some money which is good for my self and my business I really hope I can use them with my DSR came which quite old know but I hope for the best. And by the way I never knew I can use my camera for video shooting so with the lenses at hand that will be my first project
Thanks for the comment, There is an interesting post to help you learn how to shoot videos with DSLR camera. You may check it.
Love your article. I am an amateur photographer but seeing those powerful lenses in your article make me to have a feeling that one day I will have all of these machines in my disposal. I love taking pictures a lot but my phone will not allow me take enough because of low memory. Also I recently realized that same camera you use to take pictures can also be used to do Video recording. Canon camera and lenses are every good. Its also the most used in Nigeria and Africa. Hence I will save up to buy one this 2019 and I will consult you for more assistance.
Thanks
Thanks for your comment, and you are welcome at any time.
This is just what I was looking for my son plays basketball and he is pretty good at it so many times I go to the games and I am trying to get good shots of the players and of course of him . I really don’t have a good camera and was seriously looking into buying one but had not a clue what to get. Thanks to your post I have a much clearer idea of what to buy . Thank you very much for your help
Thanks