What Lenses Are Good For Which Subjects?

It can be difficult to decide which lens is best to use for different types of photography, so here is a guide to help you choose in the first instance which lenses will work well for some key subjects in photography. 

Of course, this can also be down to personal preference or a certain effect that you are going for, but as a starting point, here are some recommendations for which lens to use in certain photographic situations: 

Architecture - A fast zoom lens such as the SP17-50mm f/2.8 will be ideal for letting plenty of light into the camera, and an ultra wide zoom like the SP 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 will help you to fit all of the vast structure into the image. 

Candid - All in one zooms will give you a great variety of focal lengths to play with for subjects near and far, while a fast zoom lens with a good focal range will also prove useful for getting up close to those far away subjects without you being too conspicuous.

Cityscapes - All in one zooms will prove useful for zooming out to capture wide vistas and zooming in to isolate groups of buildings. Fast zooms will be ideal for letting more light into twilight scenes, while an ultra wide zoom like the 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 will enable you to fit more of the skyline into the image. 

Concert performances - A telephoto zoom will be ideal for getting close to the action if you're sitting near the back, while an all in one zoom like the 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 will give you more range if you're nearer the front. Not all venues allow interchangeable lenses to be used, however so do check before you head out with your equipment. 

Events and receptions - A fast zoom will be ideal for things like this as they will let more light into the frame when shooting indoors, possibly in quite gloomy conditions. 

Family and friends - An all in one zoom will give you the versatility to shoot close up singular portraits or large groups of people while not having to change lens, and a fast zoom will be ideal for shooting indoors or in low light. 

Interiors - Fast zooms are ideal for letting in lots of light indoors, while an ultra wide zoom lens will be great for photographing a large portion of the room in one shot. 

Indoor and sideline sports - An all in one zoom will be great for photographing the action close to you, as well as what's going on over at the other side of the court. A telephoto zoom like the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 will be ideal if you're quite far back from the action to start with. 

Landscapes - An all in one or fast zoom will be ideal, giving you the versatility to shoot relatively wide or crop in to a particularly interesting piece of the landscape. An ultra wide zoom is great for photographing wide vistas.

Life size close ups - A macro lens is the way to go for any close up photography. The shallow depth of field they can achieve will help bring the subject of the image to the forefront. 

Motorsports - All in one zooms or a telephoto zoom will be great for this type of photography as often you can't get very close to the action. An all in one zoom like the Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 will prove ideal for pit and trackside images, too. 

Nature and wildlife - A telephoto lens like the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 or an all in one zoom will be ideal for photographing shy creatures such as deer or foxes. A macro lens will be useful for shooting foliage, flowers and other natural subjects that are really detailed when looked at closely, such as fungi. 

Outdoor/ Stadium sports - An all in one or telephoto zoom will be great for getting action shots of athletes or football players from way up in the stands. 

Photo journalism - A fast zoom will be great for photographing in dully lit areas, plus the reach of the lens is great for pulling the subject closer to you. A telephoto zoom could also be useful if your subject is far away. 

Portraiture - Fast zooms will be ideal for capturing all the light possible in an image, especially if natural light is being used. Macro lenses are also useful for portraits of single subjects.