Are you looking for the best Canon 5D Mark IV lens?
If you have a 5D camera, chances are you are trying to get your hands on quality lenses.
Since there are not too many in-depth guides to help you decide, I have come up with a list of the five best Canon 5D Mark IV lenses to ease your search.
Canon 5D Mark IV has a 30.4 MPx CMOS full-frame sensor with a 61-point autofocus system and 41 cross-type sensors. The ISO ranges from 100-32000.
It sports seven fps continuous shooting and a 3.2 inches full-time touch screen. The body is weather-sealed, with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connections.
Since we are acquainted with the camera, let’s check out the best Canon 5D Mark IV lenses.
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 Lens | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Lens | Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Lens |
Captivatingly sharp portraits with beautiful bokeh, this lens captures every detail and adds a touch of magic to your images. | Versatile telephoto zoom lens for capturing breathtaking moments from a distance, delivering stunning clarity and rich colors. | Unleash your creativity with this prime lens, offering exceptional image quality and a wide aperture for stunning low-light shots. |
5.0 | 4.9 | 4.8 |
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 Lens
Captivatingly sharp portraits with beautiful bokeh, this lens captures every detail and adds a touch of magic to your images.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Lens
Versatile telephoto zoom lens for capturing breathtaking moments from a distance, delivering stunning clarity and rich colors.
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Lens
Unleash your creativity with this prime lens, offering exceptional image quality and a wide aperture for stunning low-light shots.
Best Prime Lens For Portrait Photography
It does a fantastic job of focusing and capturing the light as long as you aim your crosshairs right on your target.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 offers an angle of view of 40º, 27º, and 46º, a minimum focusing distance of 1.15 feet, and a maximum magnification ratio of 0.21x. The lens is constructed with six elements in five groups and has a stepping motor for smooth autofocus operations.
The picture quality of the lens is splendid. When I shot at the maximum opening, I achieved excellent results in terms of sharpness. The contrast looks quite well, and the distribution of colors is dynamic.
Moreover, the maximum aperture means the picture quality will satisfy even under dim lighting. I consider the given focal length the best for portrait photography. I used it for shooting in the streets as well.
The bokeh effect is solid, with creamy backgrounds and amicable separations, making this optics the best Canon 5D Mark IV lens for portraits. Moreover, the minimum focus distance means one can get close to the subject and make solid macro photos.
During the testing:
I spotted soft corners, especially at an f/1.8. Another shortcoming is the lack of image stabilization. Luckily, the fast aperture reduces the need for OSS, but it would be a nice touch.
Although the design is plastic (with the metal mount), it doesn’t feel cheap and can withstand harsher use.
Pros
- Focal length
- Fast aperture
- Sharp images
Cons
- Lack of image stabilization
Best Wide-Angle Lens For Landscape Photography
The Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 is a weather-resistant lens in a compact package with an extensive aperture opening.
Canon EF 35mm f/2 is constructed of 10 elements in eight groups. It has a diagonal angle of view of 63 º. The closest focusing distance is 0.79 feet.
I like the 35mm since it makes a solid compromise between wide lenses for landscapes and interiors without distortion.
Moreover:
It gets quite a good shallow depth of field. You can also expect the bokeh effect from this type of lens.
Although it isn’t in the “L” primes category, it is still remarkable. Optical image stabilization is a great asset, too. I shot stills handheld, at ½ sec of shutter speed (in burst mode), and got a good batch of sharp pictures. The general image quality is outstanding, with excellent color rendering.
The image stabilization works wonders for interior photography, even under dim lighting, thanks to a full aperture. Another reason this is the best Canon 5D Mark IV lens for wide angles is the design.
Despite not being in the “L” range, it is heftier than the competition, with elegant lines. It is also compact and portable, which is another plus.
Pros
- Focal length
- Image stabilization
- Fast aperture
Cons
- Lack of zoom
Best All-Around Lens For Everyday Photography
The lens packs a super Spectra coating lens element that suppresses flare and ghosting. It provides solid photo quality, even when shooting from hands.
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 is the lens with impressive image stabilization. I managed to get sharp handheld pictures at 300m, at 1/25th sec.
Image stabilization means that the loss of light from the aperture can be compensated with the shutter speed. Autofocus is responsive and accurate for still images, while the Nano focus feature can be used for continual fast focusing, especially for videos.
I like the bokeh effect, which can be used for portraits. The general image quality is excellent, with overall performance sitting above average. I liked the color rendering, as well as the strong contrast.
However:
I noticed slight aberrations and distortion at the telephoto end. The 300mm reach means the lens can efficiently deliver extraordinary wildlife and sport-event pictures.
The lens has a manageable weight, less hefty than the “L” series, yet its design is still sturdy and sleek. The focus ring of the lens suffers from a sloppy design. It is easy to touch it by accident. When you put all pieces together, it still makes the best Canon 5D Mark IV all-in-one lens.
Pros
- Focal length
- Image stabilization
- Picture sharpness
Cons
- Limiting aperture
Best Telephoto Lens For Wildlife Photography
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 is an excellent choice for various types of photography, some of which include sports, wildlife, and astrophotography.
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III is constructed with 13 elements in nine groups, with a diagonal angle of view of 32 to 8 degrees. The closest focusing distance is 4.9 feet. It is a high-magnification lens with a solid compromise between price and performance. I first noticed the intelligent design of these optics.
A glass material was used for the first element group. Combined with micro USM, the autofocus delivers fast and accurate results. The motor is reasonably quiet, so it is convenient to use the lens for videos.
A slim exterior and smooth zoom make the lens a beautiful, ergonomic piece of equipment. I tested the lens for shooting birds (which tend to move a lot). I often had to refocus to catch my subjects. I was impressed by the focus, responsiveness, and accuracy.
Moreover:
The images appeared tack-sharp, with little to no vignetting at the telephoto end. The general image quality is satisfactory, with solid color distribution and excellent contrast. Unfortunately, the lens lacks image stabilization.
If you want to do astrophotography, I recommend using a tripod. The lens is not heavy, yet the design is firm and sturdy.
Pros
- Focal length
- Great design
- Fast focus
Cons
- Lack of image stabilization
Best Macro Lens For Macro Photography
The depth of field with the lens is one of the nicest I have seen recently, with a mesmerizing bokeh effect.
- Lens Type: Telephoto
- Mounting Type: Canon EF
- Focal Length Range: 85mm
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.85 meters
- Weight: 0.94 pounds
- Dimensions: 2.83 x 2.95 x 2.95 inches
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 has a ring-type ultrasonic monitor with the closest focus distance of 2.8 feet. I was amazed by the fast aperture of the lens.
The first thing I noticed was an excellent performance under dim lighting. It comes as a specialized lens made explicitly for macro work. I tested it for product photography (watches, cups, books), and it delivered flawless results.
The depth of field is impressive, with a significant bokeh effect that melts in the background. Moreover, the images are razor-sharp, even at an f/1.8. I even used it as a portrait lens, which outshined many other primes. The 85mm focal length means you can put more into the frame while retaining the bokeh effect.
Since the aim of the lens is macro work, it doesn’t fare well in sports, action, or wildlife. Another reason for that is the lack of a zooming option.
However:
It does a splendid job shooting close-ups, so it is easily the best Canon 5D Mark IV macro lens. I also like the high-e design, elegant lines, and beautiful exterior.
Pros
- Focal length
- Focusing
- Beautiful bokeh
Cons
- Lack of zoom
Optimizing Lens Usage with Your Canon 5D Mark IV
When you’ve chosen a lens for your Canon 5D Mark IV, it’s important to understand the capabilities and limitations of your gear. Here are some practical tips on getting the most out of your photography experience:
Learn the Sweet Spot: Each lens has an aperture setting at which it performs best, known as the “sweet spot.” Typically, this isn’t at the widest or narrowest aperture. Experiment with your lenses to find this sweet spot for the sharpest images.
Manage Your Expectations with Aperture: Remember that a wider aperture (lower f-number) provides a shallower depth of field, which is great for portraits but may not be ideal for landscapes. Conversely, a smaller aperture (higher f-number) increases depth of field, keeping more of your scene in focus.
Focus on Focal Length Awareness: Your lens choice determines your field of view. A prime lens (fixed focal length) will encourage you to move around and explore creative angles, while zoom lenses offer versatility without the need to change your position significantly.
Maximize Image Stabilization: If your lens has image stabilization (IS), use it to your advantage, especially in low-light conditions or when shooting at slower shutter speeds. However, remember to turn it off when using a tripod, as it can introduce unnecessary vibrations.
Embrace Manual Focus: There are scenarios where autofocus may struggle, such as in low contrast or busy scenes. In these cases, switching to manual focus can give you more control and precision.
Utilize Lens Hoods: Lens hoods aren’t just for protection; they prevent lens flare and improve contrast in your photos. Always make it a habit to attach the lens hood, especially when shooting outdoors.
Keep Your Lenses Clean: A dirty lens can significantly degrade image quality. Use a lens pen or a soft, lint-free cloth to keep your lenses free from fingerprints and dust.
Understand the Impact of Filters: While the Canon 5D Mark IV has excellent dynamic range, using a polarizing filter can help manage reflections and a neutral density filter can enable slower shutter speeds for creative effects like motion blur in bright conditions.
Study Your Lens’ MTF Chart: Most manufacturers provide a lens’ MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) chart, which shows how well a lens can reproduce fine details. Analyzing this chart can help you understand how your lens performs at various apertures and positions within the frame.
Calibrate Your Lens: Some lenses may require calibration to ensure the autofocus is accurate. Use your Canon 5D Mark IV’s AF Microadjustment feature to fine-tune the focus if you notice consistent front or back focusing issues.
By implementing these tips, you’ll be able to enhance your photography and get the most out of your lenses for the Canon 5D Mark IV.
What is the best lens for Canon 5D Mark IV?
Canon continues to dominate the camera market. Understandably, many photographers want to get “D” series cameras.
If you were perplexed about the best Canon 5D Mark IV lens, I hope the guide has helped you. I created it with the idea of helping both professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Whichever Canon 5D Mark IV lens you pick, your work will immensely improve.
By now, you should be able to make good decisions and get the lens best suited for your needs. However, comment below if you still have trouble choosing the best lens. I will do my best to help you even more.
Also, you can read other guides on this blog, such as Canon 90D lenses or the best lenses for Canon 70D.
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