Best Budget Lenses Under £800 in 2026
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Tokina atx-i TO1-ATXI1120N 20mm
Why we recommend this ▼
The constant f/2.8 aperture across the 11-20mm zoom range, combined with a weather-sealed build and water-repellent coating, makes this lens a reliable tool for challenging light and conditions. Its optical formula, incorporating three aspherical and three ED elements, delivers sharp, high-contrast images while the One-Touch Focus Clutch mechanism allows for instant switching between autofocus and manual focus. This lens is best for APS-C landscape and astrophotography shooters who need a bright, ultra-wide zoom with rugged, all-weather durability.
Rokinon Cine DS24M-C 24mm
Why we recommend this ▼
Its fast T1.5 aperture and multi-layer coated optics deliver strong low-light performance and controlled flaring for a 24mm full-frame cine lens. The manual focus and de-clicked aperture ring provide smooth, precise control for rack focusing, housed in a lightweight 55g body with a common 77mm filter thread. This lens is best for independent filmmakers and videographers needing an affordable, wide-angle prime for narrative work on Canon EF mount cameras.
Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO 100mm
Why we recommend this ▼
The apochromatic design with two extra-low dispersion elements eliminates color fringing for exceptional clarity at its unique 2:1 maximum magnification, far exceeding typical 1:1 macro lenses. Its all-metal, manual-focus-only build provides a precise, dampened focus throw that is essential for critical close-up work, though it lacks any electronic communication or stabilization. This lens is best for dedicated macro photographers shooting extreme close-ups of insects or textures who prioritize optical purity and magnification over autofocus convenience.
Canon Extender 4409B002 1mm
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 7-element optical design with Super Spectra and Fluorine coatings maintains sharpness and contrast while extending reach by 1.4x with minimal ghosting. The built-in microcomputer ensures seamless autofocus and exposure communication, housed in a rugged, weather-sealed body weighing just 225g. This extender is best for street and portrait photographers using compatible Canon L-series telephotos who need extra focal length without sacrificing optical quality.
Tokina opera 16-28mm f/2.8 FF 28mm
Why we recommend this ▼
Its constant f/2.8 aperture and 15-element optical design prioritize high contrast and rich color gradation, making it particularly suited for landscape and black-and-white work on full-frame DSLRs. The focus ring’s rotation direction matches proprietary Canon and Nikon lenses, while the 939g build features a balanced, slim housing for confident handling. This lens is best for landscape and architecture photographers using Canon or Nikon full-frame DSLRs who need high contrast and precise control, but not for travel due to its weight.
Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 14mm
Why we recommend this ▼
The 14mm f/2.8 ultra-wide prime delivers sharp astrophotography images with its fast aperture, two aspherical and two ED elements, and weather-sealed 641g body. A de-clickable aperture ring and smooth manual focus with a lock ring make it equally suited for silent video work and precise night-sky shooting. This lens is ideal for landscape astrophotographers needing a durable, wide-angle manual-focus prime.
7Artisans Infinte Series 24T2.1 EF B 24mm
Why we recommend this ▼
The T2.1 aperture and advanced floating lens structure deliver strong low-light transmission while effectively eliminating focus breathing for stable, immersive shots. Its nano multi-layer coatings and full-frame coverage ensure edge-to-edge sharpness for 6K resolution with high contrast and minimal flare. This manual-focus cine lens is best for documentary filmmakers and commercial production crews needing consistent, calibrated focus gears across multi-camera setups.
AstrHori Macro Probe Lens Set 18mm f/8 18mm
Why we recommend this ▼
Its waterproof, 0.9-inch diameter probe barrel with a built-in LED ring light and 2:1 magnification captures detailed close-ups in tight spaces that standard macro lenses cannot reach. The 18mm focal length provides a wide-angle perspective with a broad depth of field, rendering both subject and environment in focus for context-rich shots. This lens is best for product videographers and nature documentarians needing to film inside small cavities or capture immersive macro scenes.
Rokinon RK20M-C 20mm
Why we recommend this ▼
The bright f/1.8 maximum aperture combined with two aspherical and three ED elements delivers strong sharpness and contrast for full-frame Nikon F-mount DSLRs. Its manual focus design and Ultra Multi-Coating provide a tactile, flare-resistant shooting experience at a budget-friendly price point. This lens is best for landscape and astrophotography enthusiasts who prioritize a fast wide-angle prime and don't require autofocus.