If you own a camera you have a slight idea of the high prices in film and photo equipment. Photography can be an expensive hobby and is often hard not to spend less than a couple hundred dollars on a certain gadget upgrade. The lenses these days are becoming increasingly expensive with newer features and cleaner designs. Finding a lens that is good quality and affordable can be challenging, but we can rest assured that there are a few out there that wont break our wallets.

1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 – $125

This is an excellent prime lens that is affordable and delivers good quality photos. Because the length is a little longer than a lens you would used daily use, it is a handy lens for something like portrait photography. Another plus to this lens is how far the aperture opens up – a maximum aperture of 1.8/f allows the photographer to catch lots of light as well as if desired, create great bokeh effects.

2. Lensbaby Spark – $90

Now this is an interesting lens because of the manual freedom the user gets with it. The lensbaby spark allows the photographer to pull the lens in and out to adjust the focus of the photo as well as an option to skew the photo . The effect of the lens may not be for everyone, but for those who enjoy experimenting with photography, these lenses create original and classic low-fi photos.

3. Canon EF 40mm – $199

This is a great portable prime lens to guarantee clarity in your photos. The lens allows you to open up to an aperture as low as 2.8/f, giving you a relative amount of light for any given scenario. This lens is highly recommended in the photo world as the perfect normal’ lens on full frame, providing an extremely natural perspective to images.

4. Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D Lens – $130

This is a great lens for users using Nikon cameras. It is an incredibly light, offering a f/1.8 maximum aperture for effective low light shooting and shallow depth of field control. Be sure to check your camera’s lens-compatibility information before selecting this lens as it can only be used with manual focus.

5.Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8G – $196

The Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 is the perfect answer for owners of Nikon DX-format cameras. Because most S-SLRS use APS-C size sensors, their 55mm lenses are actually equivalent to 75mm, making them too long. It is equivalent to 52.5mm/f 2.8 so the focal length is correct for the standard lens. A perfect prime lens that is perfect for low-light shooting and creating softly blurred backgrounds; its classic “normal” angle of view makes it a great all-around lens – meaning it is the closest image to what we see with our eyes

6. Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G  – $277

Although the price is ranging a little higher for this specific lens, it is still no doubt very popular for its ability to get up and close to objects with great quality. The DX Micro is a great little all-purpose normal lens that can also focus super close. Although, if you desire any serious macro work, a 40mm lens is a bad idea because you have to get too close to your subject to get close-ups and you will end up blocking your life. That is why this 40mm lens is mostly for use as a general-purpose normal lens, with the ability to focus very close for occasional use.

7. Diana lens DIY bundle – $49

The great thing about these lenses is that there is an adapter available for Canon and Nikon for only $14. Lomo photography has gotten popular in the last couple of years. With that being said, these lenses help give a soft and dreamy look to your photos. Their are many lenses available for purchase such as: 20mm fisheye lens, 38mm, 55mm wideangle/close-up combo, 75mm or 110mm telephoto lens. And again, for no more than $49! Something to keep in mind when not wanting to spend over a $100. 

– Paola Pasqualini