I’m often asked by other DPs or photographers which lens is best for shooting in ultra-low light conditions. While some of the best lenses for low-light shooting are certainly quite expensive (Zeiss Ultra-Speed lenses, for example), there are also some great, affordable options that are especially suitable for shooters using digital SLRs or interchangeable-lens cameras.
My picks for the top ten low-light lenses are based on a variety of factors, including price, build quality, image quality, and overall value. Please note that some of the lenses listed below may not work with your camera mount. If you shoot with a mirrorless camera (such as the GH3) you should be able to use any of these lenses on your camera, but there are some Micro Four Thirds lenses that of course won’t work with Canon DSLRs or other larger sensors camera. Keep in mind that these are by no means the only lenses you can use in low-light conditions. There are definitely some other great low light lenses out there, so be sure to do your homework, but regardless, here are my personal picks of 10 affordable low light lenses, in no particular order:
Canon 50mm 1.4 – $339
This is a lens that many people probably already have in their kit. Not only is this lens from Canon one of the most popular, it’s also extremely cost-effective considering the quality you get from it. Canon also has a cheaper version of this lens, the F1.8, but I found this lens to be a better quality lens both in terms of the images it produced and the build quality. Canon also has an excellent 50mm 1.2L lens, but I didn’t include it on this list (even though it’s an incredible lens) because from an affordability perspective, the 1.4 is hard to beat.
Voigtlander 17.5 mm 0.95 – $999
Arguably one of the most popular and important low-light lenses in the Micro Four Thirds format. At F0.95, this lens makes it almost possible to see in the dark and can be a lifesaver in extremely low light conditions. The build quality of the lens is also excellent, which was very important to me when choosing a lens as I wanted to know if it would be durable. After all, now your camera body is effectively obsolete the day you bought it, but your lenses will stay with you for many years to come. When shooting wide open with this lens, it’s a little soft – especially when focusing at infinity, but nonetheless, it’s not something you can’t fix.
Sigma 18-35 1.8 – $879
This is the only zoom lens on the list, and it’s here for good reason. It is currently the fastest parfocal zoom lens for DSLR, F1.8. Normally when I want to buy an ultra-low light lens I look for one with a maximum focal length of 1.4, but in this case I can make an exception considering it’s a zoom lens. Having an 18-35mm lens that allows you to shoot in low light conditions is an absolute dream. If you haven’t shot with this lens or seen it in person, you will definitely want to as it’s quickly becoming very popular.
Sigma 30mm 1.4 – $499
Sigma makes some pretty amazing lenses, and they’re often priced very competitively. While there’s no shortage of fast-aperture 35mm lenses, many of them can be quite pricey, especially compared to the often cheaper 50mm lenses. For those who are looking for a great lens in the 35mm range but don’t want to spend a fortune, this 30mm lens from Sigma could be an excellent choice as it produces beautiful images with very nice bokeh Image and very suitable for a reasonable price. However, for full frame photographers, please note that this is an APS-C lens, so it will suffer from vignetting on the 5D.
Rokinon Who 35mm 1.5 – $489
I’m a huge fan of Rokinon cinema lenses. I own almost every lens in their theater lineup, but this is my favorite lens and the one I use the most. In addition to the fact that this lens is capable of producing gorgeous images and performs well in low light, it can certainly be used as a cinema lens as well. While Rokinon also sells a non-theatrical version of this lens, if you’re shooting video, this is your best choice. I really like the smooth, click-free aperture ring, and not having to worry about adding a follow focus gear is a huge plus. Unlike many fast aperture 35mm lenses, this one is actually very sharp, even wide open.
Rokinon Film 85mm 1.4 – $349
For many shooters, this lens is a no-brainer, and considering the price point, this lens is an absolute steal. I’ve been shooting with it personally for a year now and I’m constantly amazed by its quality. It can be a little soft when shooting wide open, but that’s nothing to worry about as it starts to sharpen when you get around f1.8. Like the 35mm version, it’s designed as a cine lens, but a non-cine version is also available if you’re interested. In terms of value for money, this lens is probably the best value on this list.
Zeiss 50mm 1.4 – $699
You probably knew that Zeiss lenses would end up on this list sooner or later, because after all, they do make some of the best lenses in the world. The only reason there aren’t more Zeiss lenses here (including anything in their ultra-fast range) is simply because they’re so expensive. The 50mm is one of their more affordable lenses and a great alternative to the Canon 50mm I listed earlier. The build quality of Zeiss lenses is second to none and once you shoot with one of them, it’s hard to go back to others. So while there are plenty of fast 50mm lenses on the market, if you need one that will last for many, many years and deliver unprecedented image quality, it’s definitely worth the investment.
SLR Magic 25mm 0.95 – $799
I really like SLR Magic – they’re a relatively small lens manufacturer that’s really pushing the limits of modern lenses, not to mention they have a pretty good handle on what shooters like you and me are looking for in their lenses. sky. This lens perfectly represents what they are capable of as a company, as it is one of the fastest (if not the fastest) 25mm lenses available. Most 25mm lenses that are considered fast are only F1.4 at best, which is still great for most situations, but for those situations where you’re shooting in almost no light, this lens will be your best friend. But remember, this is for Micro Four Thirds cameras, so if you have a Canon or Nikon camera, you’re out of luck!
SLR Magic 12mm 1.6 -$599
This was one of the first lenses I purchased for the GH3 and one of my favorite lenses to date. Like other SLR Magic lenses, it’s very well made and truly feels like a cine lens in every way. Image quality is excellent, very clear even wide open. The colors of this shot are beautiful and it does have a cinematic feel to it. It’s not an optically perfect lens, which is one of the best things about it. My problem with a lot of modern lenses is that they look too clinical and ultimately to get that cinematic look you want to shoot with something distinctive – I promise you, that’s exactly what this lens does! Like the 25mm above, this one is built for Micro Four Thirds cameras, so be warned.
Nikon 50mm 1.4 – $469
I know there are already several 50mm lenses on this list, but this lens had to be included for one main reason – it’s completely manual. If you like manual glass lenses (I know I do), then the 50mm Canon I listed at the top of this article may not be for you since it is electronically controlled. While there are other affordable manual lenses in this focal length (like the Zeiss listed above), this offers a great option for those who prefer the Nikon brand or simply have a larger budget. The lens is very sharp and colors are rendered beautifully, like many other Nikon manual lenses.
wrap up
Having a fast lens for shooting in low light conditions is just as important (or in some cases more important) than having a camera that can shoot clearly at high ISO. Any of the above lenses are great options for low-light shooting, but ultimately when you decide which lens to buy, you should ask yourself what you’re actually going to be shooting with it, and how long you want to keep the lens. If you want a durable all-around camera, the Zeiss 50mm is an excellent choice. Or maybe you’re on a tight budget but it’s still important to have a cinema lens, in which case a Rokinon lens might be your best option. Everyone has different needs, but the purpose of this list is to give you a starting point to help you judge which lens or brand will best meet your needs and budget.
For those who want to purchase any of the lenses mentioned above, Be sure to check out Adorama.com – They are an affiliate of the website and have great prices on everything!
Be sure to check out my recent article – 10 tips for shooting with available light.
