Affordable Canon Rebel T3i Lenses for Photos and Video
The Canon EOS Rebel T3i (Canon EOS 600D) was designed to use EF-S lenses.
EF lenses, for full frame cameras, can also be used. The downside is that these tend to be larger and more expensive than EF-S lenses.
Used Rebel T3i bodies can be found for less than $100. I’m not going to recommend expensive lenses because they should also include an upgrade.
My recommendations are going to be focused small, light, inexpensive, and fun lenses.
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Best Value (Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6)
Any version of the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 with IS is going to be the best deal possible. IS stands for image stabilization. This will help you get sharp images.
The 18-55mm focal length is the commonly used focal range. Not only will you be able to take landscapes, architecture, street, vacation, portraits, and group photos, but you can have lots of fun doing it!
These are the cheapest and easiest to find lenses. They were the kit lens with almost every EF-S camera, there’s millions of them. If you pay attention, you can a used lens with IS for the same price as one without.
It’s not the best choice for low-light, sports, action, or wildlife photography. A f1.8 lens will be better for low-light, and a telephoto kit zoom will cover the rest.
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Telephoto Zooms
Kit lens bundles would be sold with one or two lenses. The second kit lens would be a telephoto zoom.
These are the cheapest lenses that open the door to sports, action, and wildlife. If you don’t want your photos to be a blurry mess, get a lens with IS.
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6
All three versions of this lens have IS.
It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s close. Alternative Canon lenses will be film era lenses without IS. The cheaper third party lenses most likely will not have optical image stabilization.
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Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS
This offers a step up in terms of reach. Great price to performance.
It’s also a EF lens, which means it can be used on a full frame camera. This is one that makes sense to
For instance, a used Canon 5D mark II is around $250.
DON’T BUY THE Canon EF 75-300MM f4-5.6 III
This is widely considered the worst lens Canon has ever made.
It is an EF lens, that was made for 35mm film cameras. Canon included it as the second kit lens with early DSLRs.
It isn’t sharp. It’s extremely overpriced for what it is.
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Standard Zooms
These are upgrades compared to the 18-55mm kit zoom.
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD
Sigma made this lens with multiple mounts. Don’t buy a Nikon F-mount version by accident.
These should be less than half the price of the Canon 17-55mm. There isn’t a huge drop off in image quality.
The build quality isn’t the best on these lenses. Avoid beat up lenses with noticeable cosmetic wear.
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Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
It’s the equivalent of a full frame 24-70mm f2.8L, but for APS-C. Great price to performance used…
But, it’s expensive compared to the T3i. I would likely look to upgrade the camera before purchasing this lens.
The versatility and constant aperture make it a great single lens to use. I would expect it to cover the use cases for 90% of people.
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Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
This is a great affordable travel lens. It’a an attractive option if you only want to take one lens.
Extra telephoto range is always helpful, your feet might only be able to take you so far.
It should have better image quality and will be smaller than a super zoom.
I honestly think most people would be happier with the 18-55mm and 55-250mm kit combo. The camera is going to handle better and be more enjoyable to shoot.
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Wide Zooms
If you want to go wider, you’ll need to upgrade to a full frame camera. The 1.6X APS-C crop factor is just too big of a disadvantage.
There are only two options.
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
I would suggest trying to get this one as it is slightly faster, with a larger zoom range, and similar price.
The downside is that it is larger, heavier, and older. (2004)
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Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
A newer design from 2014.
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Primes (The full frame hard sell)
There are 3 EF-S prime lenses. Two are macros.
Canon did this on purpose. Entry level APS-C Rebel cameras were meant to drive people to upgrade to more expensive full frame bodies and lenses.
The 1.6X crop factor can be an advantage if you need more reach for wildlife or sports. If you’re into landscapes or architecture…
Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
Canon’s fun pancake lens. It’s ideal for travel and street photography.
It will be a much different experience than using a 18-55mm kit lens. The smaller size of the 24mm is noticeable.
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Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
My favorite Canon EF lens. Specifically, the second version, with the metal mount.
The first version of the lens is all black, because it’s all plastic. One bad bump, and that lens could be toast.
There also isn’t much of a price difference between them.
It’ll likely be too much of a telephoto on the Rebel T3i to walk around with. It would be good for portraits.
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Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
A lens designed specifically for portraiture.
I’m shocked at how cheap they’ve gotten, though it’s still probably too much lens for the camera.
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Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM
You’re going to be standing far away from your subject with this lens.
It’s a great price for what you get.
I think it would be better with a full frame camera. Keep it in mind as a future upgrade option.
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Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
It has the equivalent full frame field of view of 32mm. That’s not wide enough.
I feel like that’s the biggest downside of the Canon EF-S system.
Sorry it’s basically here to tell you to upgrade or use a zoom.
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Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC
Watch out, this was sold in multiple lens mounts.
It’s also manual focus. That shouldn’t be a big issue, as the depth of field is going to be large, even at f2.8.
The bulbous front lens element means you won’t be able to use lens filters.
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Super Zooms (Aren’t very good)
Convenience comes at a cost. Just because a lens is big and heavy, doesn’t mean it’s good.
All of these have mediocre image quality, with the worst of it being on the ends of the focal range.
I wouldn’t recommend buying any of them. I think 99% of people would be happier off with a 2 lens kit.
Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS
Has Sigma gone too far?
There’s also a Nikon F-mount version.
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Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
It’s a lens that exists.
You now know it exists.
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Expensive Sports, Action, and Wildlife Lenses
These are the next step up from the 70-300mm mentioned above. You will want to upgrade before purchasing one of these lenses.
Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
The G2 is a big improvement over the first version of the lens.
Most likely the best price to performance. Everyone is switching to the RF mount, causing prices to plummet.
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Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary DG OS HSM
There is also a sport option that has an improved build quality.
This should be in the same price range as the Tamron.
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Canon EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS II USM
This one is going to be more expensive.
Image quality will be a bit better and it is lighter.
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Macro Lenses
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
A true macro lens, that can reach 1:1 magnification, and the first to be specifically designed for the EF-S mount. The front element does not turn during focusing, as it was created with an internal focusing system. You’re going to like the razor sharp shots taken by this lens. It is a great pick to use on the EOS Rebel T3i because of the compact size and reasonable price being hard to outdo.
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Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
With image stabilization and internal focusing, it’s obvious why this is a top of the line pro L-series lens. It is weather sealed, and that means it is a great option to have out into the field in difficult conditions. Purchase this lens and you’ll not need to go searching for another solution.
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Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP A/M 1:1 Macro
With a recessed front element and an excellent working distance, you’ll probably never need to attach the hood. However, it doesn’t have an internal focusing system, therefore the lens will extend when focusing on close subjects.
One other potential drawback if you want to use it as a portrait lens is that it does not have integrated image stabilization. Working with flash will stop that from being a major problem.
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