Travel photography can be one of the most rewarding parts of your trip. Capturing those unforgettable moments and stunning views lets you relive your experiences. While many travelers focus on the camera body, choosing the right lens is just as important—it can completely change how you approach your shots. The lens you pick influences how you frame your photos, how close or far you can get, and how much detail you capture.
Picking the Right Lens for Different Destinations
The lens you choose should be based on the type of photography you’ll be doing and the destination itself. For example, if you’re exploring a city, you might want a lens that can handle both wide cityscapes and close-ups of street details. In nature, you’ll likely need something that can capture wide landscapes but also let you zoom in on wildlife or interesting textures up close.
For city photography, a moderate zoom lens with a focal length range of around 24mm to 70mm can be useful.
This range allows you to shoot wide-angle shots for sweeping vistas of buildings, streets, or markets while also letting you zoom in on smaller, intimate details. However, many travelers prefer a more minimalist approach: opting for a single 35mm or 50mm prime Canon Objektive, for example, which gives you excellent image quality while encouraging you to move around more to frame your shots.
Wide-Angle Lenses For Landscapes
When you’re traveling, one of the first things you’ll probably want to capture is the landscape around you. This could be a mountain range, coastline, or city skyline, and wide-angle lenses are the best choice for taking in as much of the scene as possible. These lenses allow you to capture a wide field of view, which is great for showing the grandeur of your surroundings.
Wide-angle lenses typically fall in the range of 16mm to 35mm. The beauty of using a wide-angle lens is that it lets you fit more into your frame, but it also allows you to play with perspective, making distant objects seem closer.
Getting the Perfect Portrait in Any Setting
Portraits are an essential part of travel photography. For this, a prime lens with a wide aperture (such as f/1.8 or f/2.8) is ideal, as it allows you to blur the background (creating that lovely bokeh effect) and focus clearly on your subject.
Lenses in the 50mm to 85mm range are fantastic for portraits. These focal lengths let you stand at a comfortable distance while still achieving that natural look. Plus, the wide aperture helps you capture great shots even in lower light, such as in markets or at sunset. The great thing about prime lenses is that they often force you to think more about composition and movement, as you can’t simply zoom in or out like you would with a zoom lens.
Finding What Works for You
At the end of the day, the best lens for your travels depends on your priorities and the type of photography you want to focus on. Regardless of whether you prefer the simplicity and sharpness of a prime lens or the versatility of a zoom lens, the key is to choose a lens that fits your needs.
By Amey MyersAmey, an intrepid traveler and avid blogger, roams the world, absorbing diverse cultures, flavors, and experiences. Her writing captures the essence of her adventures, inspiring others to explore. Amey's infectious passion for travel and storytelling epitomizes a life filled with exploration and adventure.
