Best Lenses for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV & 5D Mark III
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Canon EOS 5D Mark III are both powerful and popular full-frame DSLR cameras that are widely used by professionals and enthusiasts alike. These cameras are known for their incredible image quality, exceptional autofocus performance, and robust build quality. However, the key to getting the most out of these cameras lies in pairing them with the right lenses.
Both the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Canon EOS 5D Mark III are compatible with Canon’s EF mount lenses. This means that these cameras can be used with a wide range of lenses from Canon as well as third-party manufacturers. With so many options available, choosing the best lenses for your Canon EOS 5D Mark IV or 5D Mark III can be a daunting task. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best lenses for these cameras across a variety of photography genres.
Portrait Photography
When it comes to portrait photography, a lens with a wide aperture and a focal length of 85mm or longer is generally preferred. One of the most popular choices for portrait photographers using the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV or 5D Mark III is the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM lens. This lens is well-known for its incredibly shallow depth of field, creamy bokeh, and excellent low-light performance. The wide aperture of f/1.2 allows photographers to create beautiful background blur and isolate their subjects, making it an ideal choice for portrait photography.
Another excellent option for portrait photography on the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and 5D Mark III is the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens. This versatile telephoto zoom lens offers a range of focal lengths, allowing photographers to frame their subjects exactly as they desire. The fast f/2.8 aperture provides great low-light performance and stunning background blur, making it a fantastic choice for portraiture, especially for outdoor shoots or events.
Landscape Photography
For landscape photography, wide-angle lenses are a must. The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens is a popular choice among landscape photographers using the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV or 5D Mark III. This lens offers a versatile range of focal lengths, allowing photographers to capture everything from sweeping vistas to intimate details. The fast f/2.8 aperture ensures excellent low-light performance, while the high-quality optics deliver sharp, detailed images with minimal distortion.
Another excellent option for landscape photography on these cameras is the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens. This standard zoom lens covers a useful range of focal lengths, making it a great all-around choice for landscape photography. The fast f/2.8 aperture allows for great low-light performance and beautiful background blur, while the high-quality optics ensure sharp, detailed images with excellent color and contrast.
Macro Photography
Macro photography, which involves capturing close-up images of small subjects, requires a lens with a high magnification ratio and excellent close-focusing capabilities. The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens is a popular choice for macro photographers using the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV or 5D Mark III. This lens offers a true 1:1 magnification ratio, allowing photographers to capture incredibly detailed images of tiny subjects. The fast f/2.8 aperture provides excellent low-light performance, while the Hybrid Image Stabilization system helps to reduce camera shake when shooting handheld.
Another excellent option for macro photography on these cameras is the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo lens. This unique lens offers a magnification range from 1x to 5x, allowing photographers to capture extreme close-up images with stunning detail. While this lens has a fixed focal length and no autofocus capability, it is a fantastic choice for dedicated macro photographers looking to capture the smallest of subjects.
Sports and Wildlife Photography
When it comes to sports and wildlife photography, a lens with a long reach and fast autofocus performance is essential. The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens, mentioned earlier as an excellent option for portrait photography, is also a popular choice for sports and wildlife photography on the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV or 5D Mark III. Its fast f/2.8 aperture and versatile focal range make it a great choice for capturing action from a distance, while the Image Stabilization system helps to reduce camera shake when shooting handheld.
For photographers looking for even more reach, the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens is an excellent choice. This telephoto zoom lens offers a long focal length range, making it well-suited for capturing distant subjects in sports and wildlife photography. The fast and precise autofocus performance, along with the Image Stabilization system, makes it easier for photographers to track and capture fast-moving subjects.
Wide Aperture and Low-Light Photography
For photographers who enjoy shooting in low-light conditions or who want to achieve a shallow depth of field, lenses with a wide aperture are essential. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens is a popular choice for wide aperture and low-light photography on the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV or 5D Mark III. This lens offers an incredibly wide aperture of f/1.2, allowing photographers to create stunning background blur and isolate their subjects, even in challenging lighting conditions.
Another excellent choice for wide aperture and low-light photography on these cameras is the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM lens. This wide-angle prime lens offers a fast and versatile f/1.4 aperture, making it an ideal choice for low-light shooting and achieving beautiful background blur. The high-quality optics and precise autofocus performance make it a fantastic all-around lens for a variety of photography genres.
Conclusion
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Canon EOS 5D Mark III are both incredibly capable cameras that can produce stunning images in the right hands. However, to truly unlock their potential, it is essential to pair them with the right lenses. In this article, we have taken a look at some of the best lenses for these cameras across a variety of photography genres, including portrait, landscape, macro, sports, and low-light photography. Whether you are a professional photographer or an enthusiast, investing in high-quality lenses will help you to achieve the best possible results with your Canon EOS 5D Mark IV or 5D Mark III.