Golden Prime Set: EF-mount

The LenScore™ Golden Prime Set is a set of 14 lenses covering all aspects of photography selected purely based on optical performance. Price is not a factor. Only lenses currently in production and readily available brand-new at regular photography stores are considered. Last updated: May 2nd, 2016

Ultra Tele

600 - 800 mm

Canon EF 600mm f/4.0L IS II USM

The best ultra tele prime in the database and the lens of choice of many of the world's best wildlife photographers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Super Tele

400 - 500 mm

Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM

A mainstay of Canon sports and wildlife photographers around the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Long Tele

200 - 300 mm

Canon EF 200mm f/2.0L IS USM

Great for indoor sports and performance photography, but also a superb portrait lens.

Alternative:
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tele

135 - 180 mm

Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2.0/135

Easily the best 135mm full frame lens to date, independent of lens mount. Great for portraits, live music and street photography.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short Tele

85 - 105 mm

Zeiss Apo Planar T* 1.4/85 Otus

 The best lens in the database.

Alternative:
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Normal

45 - 55 mm

Zeiss Apo Distagon T* 1.4/55 Otus

One of the best lenses in the database. Great for product photography and landscapes, but thanks to superb bokeh also a very good choice for portraits.

Alternative:
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM

 

 

 

 

 

 
Wide

26 - 35 mm

Zeiss Apo Distagon T* 1.4/28 Otus

The best full frame wide lens currently available.

Alternative:
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Super Wide

18 - 25 mm

Zeiss Distagon T* 2.0/25

The best full frame super wide lens currently available.

Alternative:
Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM

 

 

 

 

 
Ultra Wide

14 - 17 mm

Zeiss Distagon T* 2.8/15

The best full frame ultra wide lens currently available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Fisheye

< 14 mm, curvilinear

TBD

     
Macro

50 - 200 mm, 1:1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Neither new nor flawless, but still overall the best choice for Canon macro photography.

Alternative:
Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 2.0/100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Tele Tilt/Shift

85 - 105 mm, tilt/shift

Schneider PC-TS Makro-Symmar 4.5/90 HM

Superb optical performance in an extraordinarily well-made body. Great for product photography.

 

 

 

 

 

  

Normal Tilt/Shift

45 - 55 mm, tilt/shift

Schneider PC-TS Super-Angulon 2.8/50

Like its longer focal length sister, this lens combines great optical performance with super high quality mechanical engineering. Great for architecture, product photography and landscapes.

 

 

 

 

  

Wide Tilt/Shift

17 - 28 mm, tilt/shift

Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II

Tried and tested good quality wide angle tilt/shift lens for architecture and landscape photography.