One question we get asked about all of the time is “what is the best walkabout lens?”.
This got us thinking about why the usual answer is a zoom lens with a large focal range and what other alternatives are out there.
What is a Walkabout Lens?
In order to be able to answer this question we must first think about what we mean by walkabout lens. Well most people want to know what is the most flexible lens to carry around with you when you do not know what you are going to be shooting. You may head to a friends house, go to a bar, take a drive into the country, but if you were only taking your camera body and one lens what would it be.
Most people think that a lens such as the kit lens that comes on many entry level dslr cameras is the best option. With a focal length of around 18-55mm it is easy to see that the flexibility of this range allows you to comfortably shoot landscapes as well as portraits for example. However we believe there are better walk about lenses out there.
The 18-55mm Kit Lens Can Take Great Photos, Especially Outdoors
The big problem that most people encounter with their kit lenses is the small aperture. While ‘walking about’ all too often i find myself indoors or in a low light situation where i need a lens with a large aperture. As a result for my walkabout lens I opt for a prime or fixed focal length lens with a large aperture.
I think that too many people rely on zoom lenses far too much. It is very easy to fall in to the trap of thinking it is essential to need a zoom lens with a range of 18-200mm so that you can capture ‘any’ scene that unfolds in front of you. What many people seem to forget is that we are all fitted with our own zoom mechanism – our feet.
There are actually very few instances where you simply cannot get the shot you want if you only have a prime lens. In fact I am a firm believer that when using a prime lens you are, by default, forced to give a lot more thought to the composition of your photographs.
I think it is fair to say that zoom lenses make us lazy but equally so prime lenses force you into a creative mind set, which ultimately makes you a better photograph.
So what lens do I use as a walkabout lens? Well the lens that is on my current dslr most of the time is the Canon 50mm f1.8 prime lens. If you haven’t already you should definitely check this lens out.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the comments over at my place.
I agree, the 50mm is a great walk-around lens, and the only time I use it is when I’m not using my L 70-200. I tell people not to get too comfortable with the kit lens. I quit growing as a photographer when I got into that rut.
Hi Rick,
you must be have strong arms if you use the 70-200mm as a walkabout!
The thing i like about the fifty is the lack of zoom – i feel it forces me to think so much more about the composition compared to when I have a zoom at my disposable.