There are many factors to consider when choosing a product photography lens — like your subject’s size, lighting setup, studio space, and the distance you need from your subject. Nevertheless, there are basically just two main things that you will need from it: sharpness and the appropriate focal length.
Fortunately, there are several lenses that fit the bill. We’ve listed them down below and included different brands to help you find the best one for your camera and imaging needs.
What to look for in a lens for product photography
Here are the top elements to look for in your product-photography lens:
Wide aperture
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 blur out the background (create bokeh) to direct the viewer’s eye to the product. Look for aperture of about f/1.8 to f/2.8 to amplify your product images.
Focal length
For product photography, it’s best to use a lens with a focal length between about 50 to 100mm. This range produces the most lifelike images. A lens much wider than that can distort the products. That said, you can always get creative with wide or compressed shots, but this is a good range to stick to for product photographers.
Autofocus
Make sure the lens offers fast and precise autofocusing. Not only will this speed up the product-photography shoot, it will also help you avoid having to schedule a reshoot because the focus was off.
Minimum focusing distance
Look for a tight minimum focusing distance for your product photography lens. The smaller the minimum focusing distance, the more freedom you have to experiment with macro-style product photos. Try to aim for around one to two feet.
Best Lenses for Product Photography
The following lenses have gained their spot 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.
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM (G Master) E-Mount Lens
One of the best product photography lenses is the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM (G Master) E-Mount Lens. This top-notch portrait lens features a fast f/1.4 aperture that gives photographers full creative freedom to play around with bokeh and blurred backgrounds that strategically direct the viewer’s eye.
Additionally, the impeccable resolution promises to make those product photos pop off the screen or page. Pair that with the first-of-its-kind 11-blade circular aperture and it’s obvious this lens will wow existing and prospective clients. Fast and precise autofocus thanks to the super-sonic wave motor rounds out the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 lens features.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Format Prime Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 85mm
- Aperture Range of f/1.4 – f/16
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 2.62 feet / 80 cm
- 77mm Filter Thread Size
- 11 Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 820g (28.8oz)
- Sony FE Lens Mount
Fujifilm XF 56mm (85mm) F/1.2 Lens
Fujifilm’s XF 56mm f/1.2 lens is arguably the brand’s best lens for product photography. And it’s easy to see why. It has everything a lens needs to wow in the product photography world: a bright f/1.2 aperture for bokeh and blurred backgrounds, a prime portrait-lens focal length, and a stellar internal focusing system that guarantees sharp products that stand out.
Plus, the lens boasts everything necessary for dreamy image quality, from the one double-sided aspherical element to two extra-low dispersion elements and four front-facing convex elements. The XF 56mm f/1.2 lens impresses in full light and low light, making it the perfect all-around product and portrait lens.
Key Specifications:
- APS-C Format Prime Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 56mm (85mm on an 35mm equivalent)
- Aperture Range of f/1.2 – f/16
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 2.30 feet / 70cm
- 62mm Filter Thread Size
- 7 Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 405g (14.29oz)
- Fujifilm X Lens Mount
Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Lens
Nikon’s addition to the list of top product photography lenses is the NIKKOR Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S Lens. This workhorse of a lens delivers impressively detailed results. It’s the first NIKKOR Z lens to offer 1:1 reproduction ratio, which ensures images look bold and lifelike.
Plus, the lens’ optical design nearly eliminates chromatic aberration, guaranteeing the final product is as sharp, lifelike, and color-fringe-free as possible. The 105mm focal length is ideal for product photography, as is the impressive 0.96-feet focusing distance. Photographers can experiment with up-close and far-away product shots, while also capitalizing on the bright f/2.8 aperture to help the product shine.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Format Prime Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 105mm
- Aperture Range of f/2.8 – f/32
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.96 feet (0.29m)
- 62mm Filter Thread Size
- 9 Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 22.3 oz. (630g)
- Nikon Z Lens Mount
Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM Lens
The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM Lens is a favorite among product photographers, and it’s easy to see why. The lens—the industry’s first medium telephoto macro lens to feature a magnification of 1.4x—offers a versatile 100mm focal length for shooting up close or afar, with a fast f/2.8 aperture that gives photographers the freedom to play around with blurred or bokeh backgrounds.
Additionally, the built-in optical image stabilizer promises up to five stops of shake correction to ensure a sharp and focused image. Meanwhile, the highly precise autofocusing system further ensures those products are crystal clear.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Format Prime Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 100mm
- Aperture Range of f/2.8 – f/32
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.86feet (0.26m)
- 67mm Filter Thread Size
- 9 Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 1.6 lbs (730g)
- Canon RF Lens Mount
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR
Product photography greatly benefits from a “normal” lens that offers the same angle of view as our own eyes. This is where 50mm lenses come in. For Nikon DSLR shooters, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR lens is simply perfect for capturing just what products look like in real life rather than distorting them with wider-angled lenses.
This versatile prime lens is ideal for photographers of all skill levels — even beginners, thanks to its affordable price tag. Amateurs can easily start off with this NIKKOR glass and shoot stunning product shots with bokeh effects using the maximum aperture of f/1.8. When you’re not shooting product photos, the lens can be used for portraits, street photography, and many other subjects.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Format Prime Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 50mm
- Aperture Range of f/1.8 – f/16
- Autofocusing Enabled
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 17.7″
- 58mm Filter Thread Size
- 7 Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 185g (6.6oz)
- Nikon F Lens Mount
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Since 50mm lenses have become incredibly popular for product photography, the majority of Canon users have sworn by the 50mm f/1.4 USM lens. Although pricier than the f/1.8, the seemingly small increase of the maximum aperture means significant enhancements in sharpness and bokeh quality. And for many serious product shooters, it makes a world of difference.
Even when you’re not shooting products and still life, this lens is ideally suited to other photography styles, including portraiture and low-light photography. For many photographers, it’s simply the best Canon lens for product photography. Plus, it’s compact, lightweight, and incredibly easy to store, so you’ll be shooting with it for years — and getting your money’s worth.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Format Prime Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 50mm
- Aperture Range of f/1.4 – f/22
- Autofocusing Enabled
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 15”
- 58mm Filter Thread Size
- 8 Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 290g (10.2oz)
- Canon EF Lens Mount
Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS
Product photography is often all about the details, and a macro lens is particularly useful in highlighting intricate features. With a fixed focal length of 90mm, this highly-recommended Sony lens is ideal for both aspiring and professional photographers. Its maximum aperture of f/2.8 allows you to really single out details by blurring out all the rest.
As a bonus, this Sony lens features circular aperture blades that help create rounder bokeh lights and more attractive out-of-focus blur. There’s also a focus hold button that allows you to lock the focus and save time in achieving tack sharp images. And with its image stabilization feature, you won’t have to worry about camera shake that’s usually more noticeable at longer focal lengths.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Macro Prime Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 90mm
- Aperture Range of f/2.8 – f/22
- Autofocusing Enabled
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 11.02”
- 62mm Filter Thread Size
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 602g (21.23oz)
- Sony E Lens Mount
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro ()
The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM is a macro lens that is specifically made for capturing magnificent close-up shots. It’s best for more experienced shooters, since the lens’ constant telephoto focal length can be challenging to use. But once you’ve gotten used to taking macro shots from a distance, it can help yield really creative results as you enjoy the freedom to focus on the smallest details.
Macro lenses like this one are ideal for photographing jewelry and other items that you would want to zoom in on and use a very shallow depth of field. Thanks to Canon’s proprietary L-series lens technology, you can easily capture sharp, print-quality images.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Macro Prime Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 100mm
- Aperture Range of f/2.8 – f/32
- Autofocusing Enabled
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 12”
- 67mm Filter Thread Size
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 625g (22.0oz)
- Canon EF Lens Mount
Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II Tilt-Shift Lens
Although tilt-shift lenses (or perspective control lenses) are mostly used in architectural photography, many photographers harness their unique abilities to take better product photos.
This Canon tilt-shift lens is popular for providing shooters with the opportunity to change the focal plane and, in turn, the shape of their depth of field. Aside from allowing you to do creative shots, it offers manual control over how much of the surface area you want in focus and a wide-angle field of view that’s useful for photographing bigger items from a closer vantage point.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Wide-Angle Prime Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 24mm
- Aperture Range of f/3.5 – f/22
- Manual Focusing Enabled
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 8.2”
- 82mm Filter Thread Size
- 8 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 780g (27.5oz)
- Canon EF Lens Mount
Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR Lens
This NIKKOR lens for FX-format Nikon DSLRs suits a variety of applications, including product photography. It’s one of the best Nikon lenses for product photography due to its medium telephoto focal length.
The lens gives you clear shots and quick yet silent AF with Nikon’s Internal Focus system. You’ll also capture great product images under low light since its f/1.8 maximum aperture is fast for the category.
Aside from its IF technology, this Nikon lens boasts other essential imaging features. It incorporates Silent Wave Motor technology, which offers precise and quick AF without any noise. There’s also the M/A system that uses a dedicated ring on the lens for faster changes in focusing.
The 85mm AF-S lens even offers a 127mm field of view when you use it on a Nikon DX-format camera. This feature helps produce colorful and detailed images for product and food photography.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Medium Telephoto Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 85mm
- Aperture Range of f/1.8 – f/16
- Autofocusing Enabled
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 2.62”
- 67mm Filter Thread Size
- 7 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 350g (12.3oz)
- Nikon F Lens Mount
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
With great image quality, the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens is a great camera lens for product photography. It’s an ideal lens for shooting jewelry, too. Just like the EF 50mm f/1.8 II before it, this prime lens captures stunning images even with a lower price tag. But what sets it apart from its predecessor is a sturdy construction and quick, silent focus motor.
A metallic mount and five groups of lens elements with optimized coating 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 without using your camera’s flash.
The lens makes shooting products much easier since its 50mm focal length gives you a full image area. Plus, it’ll help you take brief yet memorable photos with very fast AF from Canon’s stepping motor (STM) technology.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Prime Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 50mm
- Aperture Range of f/1.8 – f/22
- Autofocusing Enabled
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 13.78”
- 49mm Filter Thread Size
- 7 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 160g (5.6oz)
- Canon EF Lens Mount
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Lens for Canon EOS Cameras
This 35mm lens from Sigma works well with both full-frame and APS-C cameras, making it a versatile lens for product photography. It’s also the first lens under the brand’s ART line. This means you can capture more creative and stunning product images with it.
The EOS mount lens achieves quick and silent autofocus, as well as excellent optics with a Hypersonic Motor (HSM) and floating internal focusing. It also features special glass elements for less axial and chromatic aberrations in your image. And if you’re shooting in low light, the lens offers a large maximum aperture at f/1.4. It even gives you beautiful highlights through its depth of field range.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Wide-Angle Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 35mm
- Aperture Range of f/1.4 – f/16
- Autofocusing Enabled
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 11.81”
- 67mm Filter Thread Size
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 665g (23.5oz)
- Canon EF Lens Mount
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens
Don’t let its simple design fool you: this Canon EF-S lens delivers high-quality product photos. You’ll get great results with the Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) element and special coatings on the lens. It also features Image Stabilizer technology for less blur while you’re shooting. The technology lets you take product images in low light or at long zooms with up to 3.5 stops of slow shutter speed.
The lens even achieves quick and precise AF for your stills through its Stepping Motor (STM). The motor works silently so it won’t disturb your subject during shoots. And if you want to shoot product images in different focal lengths, the lens boasts a 55-250mm (88-400mm) range.
This Canon lens is compatible with the brand’s APS-C cameras, which is great if you use one for product photography. Your camera bag will also have enough room for it since it’s portable and light.
Key Specifications:
- APS-C Telephoto Zoom Lens
- Focal Length of 55-250mm
- Aperture Range of f/4 – f/32
- Autofocusing Enabled
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 2.79”
- 58mm Filter Thread Size
- 7 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 375g (13.2oz)
- Canon EF-S Lens Mount
Product Photography Lenses: Frequently Asked Questions
Prime lenses vs telephoto lenses vs macro lenses for product photography: Which is best?
If you’re wondering whether you need a prime, telephoto, or macro lens for product photography, you’re not alone. The industry has infinite great options to choose from, and here’s the good news: It’s hard to go wrong with most lenses. Each style of lens offers an advantage when it comes to product photography, so it really comes down to personal preference. What do you want your final images, and overall brand aesthetic, to look like? Here’s what you can expect with each option:
- Prime lenses deliver that signature crisp, lifelike aesthetic with details that virtually pop off the page.
- That said, a telephoto lens offers more versatility when it comes to composition. It’s also easy to use for other types of photography, such as weddings, events, or sports, so you may get more bang for your buck.
- If you want to get up close with your product with a super-blurred background, go the macro-lens route.
