Last Updated on February 2, 2023
As far as camera lenses go, the 35mm is the most versatile. You can use it for portraits, architecture, street photography, general shooting, and even for weddings and events.
While every photographer should own one, finding the best 35mm lens for Canon is often challenging. If you want to spend less time shopping around and more time photographing, check out our selection below.
4 Best 35mm Lenses For Canon
1. Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS Macro STM Lens
- Compact macro Lens with 0.5x Magnification Ratio
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.56 ft. ; 0.17M
- Control Ring for direct setting changes
When it comes to choosing lenses for your Canon camera, you can hardly go wrong with an option from the brand.
The Canon RF35mm offers the perfect balance between magnification and focus. It is a good all-round option for a variety of applications, from landscape to portrait photography.
With a maximum aperture of f/1.8, the lens is fast to snap picture so that you’ll never lose a moment. The depth of field and focus distance make it perfect for macro photography without showing any stabilization problems.
Size-wise, this lens is small and light. It can fit in your case seamlessly and even leave space for other lenses. The only downside is that auto focus doesn’t always work great when shooting macros. If you want a sharp image, use manual focus instead – although this could require more time.
Luckily, the focus ring is easy to grip, even though it could have been a quarter-inch wider.
On the bright side, the image quality is excellent for a lens in this price range. Some distortions could show up at wider apertures, but they are easy to correct with your editing software’s lens correction profile.
With a good quality, sharp images, and attractive price tag, this is by far the best 35mm lens for Canon you can find.
2. Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM Lens for Canon
- High speed with large aperture
- HSM (Hypersonic motor) and inner focusing system
- Accessories include: Lens Hood (LH730-03), carrying case
If you’re not quite a Canon fanatic and don’t mind spending a dime, this lens from Sigma might surprise you.
It’s a f/1.4, much faster than the f/1.8 from Canon we described above. It is designed for amateurs, but perfect for budget-conscious professionals.
Speed aside, you’ll like how brutally sharp this lens can be. No matter what zoom you use, rest assured you’ll see every fiber, blemish, or crease. Sure, this might mean more post-production, but from a lens quality standpoint, this thing is epic.
Like all Sigma Art lenses, the DG HSM features an ultrasonic autofocus system that’s fast and whisper-quite – just perfect for photographing pets and wildlife.
The silent operation can also come handy for family photography, especially when dealing with newborns.
Manual focus is also easy to achieve, thanks to the generous rotational travel of the focus ring.
The main downside of this lens is that it isn’t weather-sealed. However, as long as you plan to use it on sunny days or indoors, you won’t be disappointed.
3. Tamron SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD Lens for Canon
- Consummate image quality across the entire frame from edge-to-edge
- Exceptionally reliable, fast and accurate AF
- Next-generation BBAR-G2 Coating
If you’re looking for a 35mm weather-sealed lens for year-round street photography, you can’t go wrong with the Tamron SP.
It is an f/1.8 lens similar to the Canon and matches most DSLRs from the brand. Just be aware that it’s much heavier than the Canon, at 480 grams compared with Canon’s 305 grams.
Unlike the Canon lens, the Tamron wan’t built for stellar macro photos. Nevertheless, it has excellent focus that you can adjust automatically or manually. The magnification factor of 0.4x is also just slightly behind Canon’s. Another similar feature between the two brands is the optical image stabilizer.
Tamron brags with a vibration compensation system that’s able to correct the angular vibration for minimal editing.
Overall, this lens feel of good quality and is a good choice for rainy-day photography. It is the most expensive lens on our list, but it’s well worth it.
4. YONGNUO YN 35mm F2 Lens 1:2 AF/MF Lens for Canon
- View-angle Coverateļ¼Diagonal 63 Degree/Vertical 38 Degree/Horizontal 54 Degree.
- Lens structure: 5 sets, 7 pieces
- Minimum aperture: f/22, minimum focusing distance: 0. 25M/ 0. 8ft, maximum magnification: 0. 23x.
The YONGNUO YN isn’t the most sought-after 35mm lens out there, but it’s a good option for amateurs and beginners on a budget.
It has a decent build quality for a low-range option. The lens is mostly made of plastic, but it has a metal mount for added durability. As you’d expect, it comes with rear and front caps for seamless protection when not in use, but that’s about it in terms of accessories.
The focus isn’t super-fast, but it’s sharp. Perhaps the most annoying thing about this lens is how loud it is. Whether you want to get a silent shot (maybe you’re photographing a sleeping child or wildlife) or record video, the lens’ noise can get the better of you.
On the bright side, the focus is accurate, and the images shot with this lens need minimal editing.
The lens is compatible with most DSLRs from Canon, and it does come at a fraction of the price of other lenses on the market. If you need something to use occasionally or a cheap lens for backup, this one might be it.
Which 35mm Canon Lens To Pick?
The Tamron SP is undeniably the best 35mm lens for Canon. It is weather-resistant, silent, and incredibly sharp. It does cost a lot, though. So, if you don’t really mind weather resistance, the Sigma can save you a buck.
Canon’s lens offers the best compromise in terms of value for money. It’s almost as performing as Sigma and Tamron, but it’s cheaper.
We wouldn’t consider YONGNUO for professional purposes, but it’s a good lens if you want quality photos without breaking the bank.