Best Third Party Lenses For Canon And Nikon

Find Out More About This Lens Here

If you are a brand name purest then this post is not for you. However...if you are willing to look beyond your Canon, or Nikon brand, and are willing to save some money in the process to gain some lenses that offer excellent performance, than you are in for a treat!

We are going to cover a variety of lenses that cost less than a thousand dollars. Some will cost so little you won't believe your eyes! All of these lenses will vary in build quality and some will have trade-offs. You have to decide which is the right one for you.

Let's get started with our third party lens shoot out. Photo to the right is a Sigma Art Lens that offers superb quality that you can read about below.

1. First up is the most expensive lens of our lineup. At $949 you just might find this lens worth every penny. It is the  Sigma 311101 50mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Canon Cameras It is very sturdy and has an aperture range of F1.4 to F16. It has excellent build quality and many say it outperforms the Canon 1.4 in any way, at a lower price. Click the link provided and see all the specs for yourself. For Nikon cameras click Here
2. Next up is the  Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras At around $499 it is nearly half the price of the bigger brother above. It features a plastic barrel and metal mount, no image stabilization and weighs 1.11 pounds. Useful for those who are looking for a fast normal lens with quick auto focus. It is large and heavy for a 50mm 1.4 however, so if you are looking for small and lightweight this is not for you. You will save $100 off by using our provided link. You can order the Nikon version of this lens Here
3. Here is the Sigma 635101 24-105mm F 4.0 DG OS HSM Zoom Lens for Canon EF This lens is very versatile and high quality. The Nikon link is Here I am going to put a video of this lens vs. the Canon 24-105 f4 and I want to see what you guys think. Canon the Sigma kick Canon Butt? Please leave your comments on this blog.
4. Looking for the ultimate 'Vacation Lens?' If you are planning a vacation and don't want to lug around a million lenses with you, okay maybe not a million but you get the idea. Wide angle, portrait length ect, then this  Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 VC PZD All-In-One Zoom Lens for Canon DSLR, Model BOO8E Filter Size 062mm is the one for you. You can view the Nikon version Here Save $200 off with our link. Both versions are not recommend for sports that require fast auto focus.
5. Telephoto on a budget for Nikon.  Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lens with built in motor for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Up to 300mm for a lens that won't break you bank.
6. Last but not least. This is the cheapest 50mm 1.8 prime I have ever seen so far brand new. Less than half the price of the Canon "Nifty Fifty." This little lens by Yongnuo is definitely worth checking out and you can't beat its price Yongnuo 50mm 1.8

 So there you have a handful of lenses that can prove to be a great value to you for years to come. No matter what your type of photography surely at least one of these lenses can be added to your arsenal. Before you think about trading out that crop sensor DSLR body you own, thinks of upgrading your lenses first. That way when you do decide to go full frame you already have lenses for it and you can use your crops sensor body as a backup, especially if you are going to become a wedding photographer.

This video will show the Sigma 24-105vs. Canon 24-105.






 Who won? You be the judge. Here is the link again for the Sigma 24-105 for Canon cameras. Here is the link for Nikon

Well goodbye for now, we hope you enjoyed our lens buying guide and comparison. Check out our other blog Photography For Beginners where show you how to use the equipment you buy. Nothing worse that having great equipment and not knowing how to use it.

DSLR Buying Guide For Beginners

Hello, if you are looking for a DSLR Buying Guide For Beginners, welcome to Digital Photography Gear. We feature
great gear and all related accessories related to photography, videography, film making, etc. We are here to help you choose the best equipment for your individual needs, such as cameras, DSLR's, camcorders, lenses, filters, memory cards, carrying cases, lights, stands, flashes and more.

DSLR Buying Guide For Beginners isn't just for newbies, seasoned veterens looking to upgrade their DSLR and other equipment will find Digital Photography Gear very useful in picking out their next equipment. Once you purchase equipment, you will want to learn how to use it at our Photography For Beginners Blog. Don't worry, even if you are not a beginner you are sure to find the blog very useful.

So you want to find a camera and lens combination, for beginners, enthusiasts, or full blown pro photographers/videographers? Let's start with simple affordable setups, then work our way up to the very high end. First up is,

1. Canon T3 DSLR This camera and lens package feature the 18-55mm IS II Lens and also the Canon EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens. This camera is considered consumer but provides many professional features. It offers ease of use and high quality sharp images as long as tried and true reliable Canon performance. It is a great package for photography enthusiasts or to start off your photography career.
2. Nikon D3100 This DSLR is entry level but a great and affordable choice of camera body. It possesses excellent image quality along with simplicity. It lacks some advanced features but is very high quality with less confusing functions and settings. 
3. Canon EOS 60 D 18MP This camera is a step above entry level, while not spending thousands of dollars for the super high end. This camera does not have the magnesium allow body but still feels very solid. Exterior buttons and controls on this camera add to ease of use. 
4. Nikon D7000 16.2 MP The D7000 is a camera that a beginner as well as professional can use. It offers excellent image quality with a 16.2 megapixel sensor, with addition of 1080p HD video recording that is a great bonus feature.
5. Sony A77 24.3 MP The Sony A77 steps up to full frame 24.3 mega pixel sensor that enables it to rival some of Canon's best full frame DSLR's for a fraction of the price. Your can easily use this camera for professional use. Whether you want it for portrait photography, landscape, wildlife or whatever, there isn't anything I can think of that you can't do with it.
6. Canon 7D Mark II Build quality featuring a magnesium alloy body and excellent heavy duty weather seals make this a go anywhere adventure camera. You can take this on your road trip, wildlife adventure, or on your trip to Mt. Kilimanjaro if you want. Excellent image quality and easy to use controls are what you can expect from this camera as well as ruggedness.
7. Canon EOS 6D 20.2 MP Step up to a full frame Canon DSLR without spending nearly $4,000 for a Canon 5D Mark III.
8. Nikon D810 36 MP The Nikon D810 is a newer version of the D800 is a little more refined. External buttons are plentiful enough to keep from having to hunt in the electronic menu. At 36 mega pixels one of the highest in its class. Also measures seem to have been taken to dampen shutter sound, it sounds quite different from the previous D800. This DSLR shoots 1080P video for 30 minutes continuously and is good for film making.
9. Canon 5D Mark III Okay the Canon 5D is the professional 'go to' camera for tons of pros out there. Let's see why. It is full frame with a 22 mega pixel sensor, not the highest out there. It boast 6 frames per second continuous shooting, 61-point auto focus system that is the absolute best auto focus system you can get for a DSLR for under $4,000, a 3.2 inch LCD, 100% viewfinder coverage and so much more. 

We hope you found our DSLR Buying Guide For Beginners camera list useful in selecting the right camera for yourself. You must weigh cost vs. benefit. Sometimes the most expensive camera is not always the best for your particular intended use. The links to the cameras above will save you some money, also be sure to check out Photography For Beginners Facebook Page where we share tips and how-to info regarding your new or existing equipment.

Well we are out for now, but be sure to check out our camera lens selection/reviews on our next post. Be sure to subscribe to this blog for automatic updates. Happy shooting and filming, we hope you enjoyed digital photography gear.