The Canon Rebel T5 is a solid compact SLR entry-level camera, sporting an 18 MPx APS-C CMOS sensor with an ISO ranging from 100 to 6400. It has a 3-inch screen and a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 sec.

Must the entry-level camera shoot only entry-level images? Not. You can go far in your photography with the right Canon Rebel T5 lenses. So, let’s see which ones are the best.

Best Prime Lens For Portrait Photography

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 is constructed with 11 elements in eight groups, with an angle of view of 28.6°. The minimum focus distance is 33.46 inches, while the maximum magnification is 0,12x.

Right at the beginning of the test, I noticed that the focus area’s sharpness was phenomenal, while the blurred areas remained fully defocused. The focus system itself is fantastic and creates incredible results easily.

However:

If you shoot with a bright background, you could spot chromatic aberration, but it can be mitigated post-processing.

The aperture is solid at the maximum opening but fully shines above an f/2, where I could see all of the pixels, even in the corners of the image. One flaw I noticed is the color fringe that appears at the maximum opening, which is removable.

The lens is quite heavy for its class, but it doesn’t stop it from being the best Canon Rebel T5 prime lens. The finish of this optics is of solid quality, yet it is too smooth for my taste because it tends to collect marks and scratches reasonably quickly.

Best Wide-Angle Lens For Landscape Photography

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 is constructed with 19 elements in 12 groups, with seven-blade diaphragms. The lens sets the minimum focus distance at 0,35m, and the maximum magnification sits at 0,17x.

Its image stabilizer compensates for shakes even under dim lighting, so you wouldn’t have to worry if the aperture opening is large enough to let enough light inside.

I could achieve great stills and videos hand-held at slower shutter speeds without any trouble. Despite not being the most expensive in class, I was impressed by the image quality this lens produces.

Furthermore:

Its versatility is another reason why it is the best Canon Rebel T5 wide-angle lens. Another awesome thing is autofocus, which is responsive, accurate, and silent so that it can also be used for videos.

Of course, versatility in terms of focal length means a compromise in weight. The lens is hefty; unfortunately, it doesn’t come with the lens hood in the package.

Overall, the design feels sturdy and solid, so you can take the lens into the unexplored wilderness without worrying too much.

Best All-Around Lens For Everyday Photography

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 is constructed with 16 elements in 12 groups. The angle of view ranges from 74° 20′ to 11° 30′, with a maximum magnification of 0,21x. The lens has six diaphragm blades and sports dedicated image stabilization.

The first thing I noticed is this lens’s overall sharpness in images. The aperture provides fantastic results at an f/3.5, and it gets somewhat sharper if you stop a notch down.

However:

The maximum opening is limited if you intend to shoot night photos exclusively. Image stabilization does a fine job of ensuring quality images in lowlight situations. Moreover, the autofocus is another reason why it is the best all-in-one Canon Rebel T5 lens.

It is silent and fast. Thus you can use it for streaming videos. The focal length is incredibly versatile so that you can shoot everything from architecture to sports events.

The overall picture quality is pleasing to the eye, with solid bokeh backgrounds. The design is reliable for its price range, and it feels like it can withstand a certain degree of dust and moisture.

Best Telephoto Lens For Wildlife Photography

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 has an optical design of 20 elements in 13 groups, along with nine diaphragm blades.

The lens is moisture-resistant and has an angle of view of 16°25′-4°8′. Close-up magnification sits at 0,26x, with the minimum focus distance set at 2,2m. The first thing anyone notices with this lens is the enormous size expected from a telephoto lens of its range.

However:

If you are willing to take that compromise, you will get great gear. The image quality of these optics is reasonably sharp at all focal lengths and f-stops. Moreover, VC ensures you get high-end results under dim lighting, even without a tripod.

The sharpness is excellent from 150-500mm and solid at 600mm. I mainly shot at 1/2000 sec with ISO 400 or 1/250 sec. I was impressed by the number of details this glass preserves, even small pieces, which is the best Canon Rebel T5 telephoto lens.

Furthermore, its image quality is on par with much more expensive lenses for a quarter of the price. The colors also look neat and vibrant, and the focus system on the lens is responsive enough not to miss essential wildlife shots.

Best Macro Lens For Macro Photography

Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 sets a minimum focus distance of 0,16m and has a maximum magnification of 0,27x.

The lens has six elements in five groups, and its seven circular blades ensure smooth backgrounds. The angle of view is 59° 10′. The lens’s aperture allowed me to shoot indoors without too much artificial light and still get rock-solid results.

Another thing that impressed me is the sturdy and professional feel the design of this optics gives, so it is easily the best Canon Rebel T5 macro lens out there. The macro capabilities of the lens are phenomenal.

I was able to get awesome-looking shots and lock a focus on the subject 2 inches away. The focus system is highly responsive, and I didn’t have issues with missing photos or blurred images.

Moreover:

The overall image quality is fine, with vibrant yet natural colors and solid contrast. It is sharp at the maximum opening, but I stepped it down a few notches for daylight time to achieve extra sharpness.

Actionable Advice for Canon Rebel T5 Users

Understanding Your Canon Rebel T5’s Sensor and Crop Factor

Get acquainted with the crop factor of your Canon Rebel T5. As an APS-C camera, it has a crop factor of 1.6x. This means that your lens’ effective focal length is multiplied by this number. For instance, a 50mm lens gives an effective focal length of 80mm. This is crucial when considering composition and framing for your shots.

Mastering Focus for Sharp Images

Learn to use the autofocus points on your Rebel T5 effectively. Select the most appropriate autofocus point or zone for your subject instead of relying on the camera’s automatic selection. This practice will help you achieve sharper focus where you want it.

Balancing ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed

Balance the exposure triangle (ISO, aperture, and shutter speed) to suit your shooting environment. Higher ISOs allow for shooting in lower light but can introduce noise. A wider aperture (lower f-number) creates a shallow depth of field, while a smaller aperture (higher f-number) increases depth of field. Shutter speed affects motion blur; faster speeds freeze action, while slower speeds can create an artistic blur.

Utilizing Image Stabilization

If your lens has image stabilization (IS), learn to toggle it on or off depending on your shooting scenario. Use IS for handheld shots, especially in low light or when using telephoto lenses. Turn it off when your camera is on a tripod, as it can sometimes introduce unwanted movement.

Exploring Different Shooting Modes

Experiment with different shooting modes like Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual to understand how each affects your images. Aperture Priority is great for controlling depth of field, Shutter Priority for motion, and Manual for complete control over the exposure.

Maximizing Lens Performance

Understand that lenses may have different sharpness at various apertures. Most lenses are sharpest one to two stops down from the widest aperture. Test your lenses to find their sweet spot and use that knowledge to capture the best image quality.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Regularly clean your lens with a proper lens cleaning kit. Dust, fingerprints, and smudges can degrade image quality. A blower can remove dust, and a soft, lint-free lens cloth can gently clean the glass without scratching it.

Understanding Lens Focal Lengths

Become familiar with how different focal lengths affect your photography. Wide-angle lenses are great for landscapes and interiors, while telephoto lenses are better for sports and wildlife. Standard focal lengths are versatile for general use.

Practice and Patience

Lastly, practice regularly and be patient with your learning curve. Each photograph you take brings you one step closer to understanding your camera and lenses better. Keep experimenting with different settings, compositions, and lighting conditions to refine your skills.

What is the best lens for Canon Rebel T5?

Spending extra money on third-party optics is never easy, but they go a long way compared to any kit lens.

If you are unsure what the best Canon Rebel T5 lenses are, I hope this guide makes your decision somewhat more accessible.

Go by your feelings and pick any of the lenses from the list because they all work wonders with Rebel T5.

By now, you should be able to make a pretty reasonable decision and buy the right lens to boost the performance of your Canon Rebel T5. Read similar guides on this blog, such as the Canon Rebel T5i lens tutorial and the Canon 70D lens guide.

More Entry to Mid-Range Canon Lenses Guides:

• Canon EOS Rebel T2i Lenses
• Canon EOS Rebel T3i Lenses
• Canon EOS Rebel T5 Lenses
• Canon EOS Rebel T5i Lenses
• Canon EOS Rebel T6 Lenses
• Canon EOS Rebel T6i Lenses
• Canon EOS Rebel T7 Lenses
• Canon 6D Lenses
• Canon 1300D Lenses
• Canon 600D Lenses
• Canon 700D Lenses
• Canon Rebel XS Lenses
• Canon Rebel T3 Lenses
• Canon Rebel SL1 Lenses