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10 Best Low Light Lens For Canon 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Rokinon 135mm F2.0 ED UMC Telephoto Lens for Canon EF – Full Frame Compatible, Ultra Multi-Coated, Manual Focus, Removable Lens Hood, Ideal for Portraits & Low-Light Photography

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,125
Aperture
Lens Quality and Coating
Autofocus Performance

Most important from
415 reviews

Aperture
Its wide f/2 aperture creates a pleasing background blur, making it especially appealing for portrait and astrophotography work.
Lens Quality and Coating
The lens delivers outstanding sharpness and well-controlled chromatic aberration, producing vibrant and clear images from edge to edge.
Autofocus Performance
The manual focus ring is smooth and precise, offering an enjoyable tactile experience without feeling too stiff or too loose.

The Rokinon 135mm F2.0 lens for Canon is a strong choice for photographers needing a telephoto lens that performs well in low-light situations. Its wide f/2.0 aperture lets in plenty of light, which is great for shooting in dim environments and creates a pleasing background blur for portraits or close-ups. The 135mm focal length offers a good telephoto reach, making it suitable for distant subjects like wildlife or events.

The lens uses Rokinon's Ultra Multi-Coated (UMC) optics and includes an extra-low dispersion element to reduce color fringing and improve image clarity, which helps deliver sharp and vibrant photos. On the downside, this lens does not have built-in image stabilization, so using it handheld in low light may require a steady hand or tripod to avoid blur. Autofocus is manual only, so it might take some practice to focus quickly, especially in fast-paced shooting scenarios.

The lens is compatible with both full-frame and APS-C Canon cameras, though the angle of view will be narrower on crop sensors. It is relatively compact and lightweight for a telephoto prime, and the removable lens hood helps reduce lens flare. If you prioritize a bright aperture and optical quality for low-light portrait or telephoto work and don't mind manual focusing and no stabilization, this lens provides a solid and affordable option.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,125
Aperture
Lens Quality and Coating
Autofocus Performance

Most important from
415 reviews

Aperture
Its wide f/2 aperture creates a pleasing background blur, making it especially appealing for portrait and astrophotography work.
Lens Quality and Coating
The lens delivers outstanding sharpness and well-controlled chromatic aberration, producing vibrant and clear images from edge to edge.
Autofocus Performance
The manual focus ring is smooth and precise, offering an enjoyable tactile experience without feeling too stiff or too loose.
#2

Rokinon AF 14mm F2.8 Ultra Wide Angle Lens for Canon EF Full Frame and APS-C – Weather Sealed, Fast Aperture, Quiet Autofocus, Built-in Hood, UMC Glass, Landscape, Architecture, Night Sky

Rating
8.8
Aperture
Autofocus Performance
Focal Length

Most important from
293 reviews

Aperture
The lens delivers excellent image quality wide open, with sharpness improving notably between f4 and f8, and vibrant colors and contrast that stand out in most lighting conditions.
Autofocus Performance
Autofocus is fast, smooth, and quiet, making it suitable for both photography and video, with a forgiving depth of field that eases focusing at ultra-wide angles.
Focal Length
This ultra-wide lens offers a dramatically expanded perspective compared to standard wide lenses, capturing vast scenes perfectly for landscapes, architecture, and indoor shots.
Lens Quality and Coating
The lens shows minimal chromatic aberration and flare under most conditions, producing clean images with pleasing bokeh thanks to its nine-bladed diaphragm.

The Rokinon AF 14mm F2.8 is a wide-angle lens designed for Canon EF mount cameras, including both full frame and APS-C sensors. Its 14mm focal length offers an ultra-wide 116.6° field of view, making it a great choice for landscape, architecture, and night sky photography. The bright F2.8 aperture stands out by letting in plenty of light, which helps when shooting in low-light conditions or indoors. This also allows for some creative control over background blur.

The lens construction includes special glass elements that reduce distortion and color fringing, so your images stay sharp and clear. Weather sealing and a durable aluminum body make it more reliable for outdoor use in varying conditions. The built-in petal-shaped hood helps prevent glare and lens flare, which is useful when working in bright or tricky lighting.

Autofocus is quiet and smooth, good for both photos and video, but note that this lens does not have image stabilization, so steady hands or a tripod are recommended for sharp shots in lower light. Some users have noticed minor softness in the corners wide open, which is common with ultra-wide lenses at their maximum aperture. If you need a fast, wide-angle lens for Canon that performs well in low-light and outdoor environments without breaking the bank, this model is a solid option.

Rating
8.8
Aperture
Autofocus Performance
Focal Length

Most important from
293 reviews

Aperture
The lens delivers excellent image quality wide open, with sharpness improving notably between f4 and f8, and vibrant colors and contrast that stand out in most lighting conditions.
Autofocus Performance
Autofocus is fast, smooth, and quiet, making it suitable for both photography and video, with a forgiving depth of field that eases focusing at ultra-wide angles.
Focal Length
This ultra-wide lens offers a dramatically expanded perspective compared to standard wide lenses, capturing vast scenes perfectly for landscapes, architecture, and indoor shots.
Lens Quality and Coating
The lens shows minimal chromatic aberration and flare under most conditions, producing clean images with pleasing bokeh thanks to its nine-bladed diaphragm.
#3

Canon RF28-70mm F2 L USM Lens, Zoom Lens, Compatible with EOS R Series Mirrorless Cameras, Black

Rating
8.5
Aperture
Focal Length
Lens Quality and Coating

Most important from
324 reviews

Aperture
The constant f/2 aperture offers excellent low-light performance and a shallow depth of field, making it ideal for portrait, event, and landscape photography.
Focal Length
This lens replaces a whole spectrum of primes, delivering sharp focus and incredible image quality at every focal length.
Lens Quality and Coating
The image quality is exceptional, with sharpness across the frame even at the widest aperture.
Autofocus Performance
Fast and nearly silent autofocus makes this lens suitable for both photography and videography.

The Canon RF28-70mm F2 L USM Lens stands out as an excellent choice for photographers who often work in low-light conditions, especially those using Canon EOS R Series mirrorless cameras. Its constant f/2 aperture is a significant advantage, allowing for better light capture and creating beautiful depth-of-field effects. This is particularly valuable for indoor events or nighttime photography, where lighting can be challenging.

In terms of lens quality, the RF28-70mm is an L-series lens, which means it’s designed for high image quality with superior optics. The lens also features a dust- and water-resistant design with a fluorine coating, making it suitable for outdoor shooting in various weather conditions.

The 28-70mm focal range provides versatility, allowing you to capture wide landscapes or detailed portraits with ease. Additionally, the control ring is a handy feature for quick adjustments on the fly, enhancing the user experience. The lens does have some heft, weighing 3.15 pounds, which might make it a bit cumbersome for extended use or travel. Some users might find the price tag steep, especially if they’re budget-conscious. While the autofocus performance is generally reliable, heavy reliance on autofocus in dim situations can sometimes lead to slower focusing speeds. If you're a Canon user who needs a high-quality, low-light lens for versatile shooting scenarios, the Canon RF28-70mm F2 L USM Lens is a strong contender, but be mindful of its weight and cost when making your decision.

Rating
8.5
Aperture
Focal Length
Lens Quality and Coating

Most important from
324 reviews

Aperture
The constant f/2 aperture offers excellent low-light performance and a shallow depth of field, making it ideal for portrait, event, and landscape photography.
Focal Length
This lens replaces a whole spectrum of primes, delivering sharp focus and incredible image quality at every focal length.
Lens Quality and Coating
The image quality is exceptional, with sharpness across the frame even at the widest aperture.
Autofocus Performance
Fast and nearly silent autofocus makes this lens suitable for both photography and videography.

Buying Guide for the Best Low Light Lens For Canon

Choosing the right low-light lens for your Canon camera can significantly enhance your photography, especially in dimly lit environments. A good low-light lens allows you to capture clear, sharp images without relying heavily on artificial lighting or high ISO settings, which can introduce noise. When selecting a low-light lens, it's important to consider several key specifications that will impact the performance and suitability of the lens for your needs.
ApertureAperture refers to the size of the lens opening that allows light to enter the camera. It is measured in f-stops (e.g., f/1.4, f/2.8). A lower f-stop number means a larger aperture, which allows more light to reach the camera sensor. This is crucial for low-light photography as it helps to capture brighter images. Lenses with apertures like f/1.2, f/1.4, or f/1.8 are ideal for low-light conditions. If you often shoot in very dim environments, opt for a lens with the lowest f-stop number you can find.
Focal LengthFocal length determines the field of view and magnification of the lens. It is measured in millimeters (mm). For low-light photography, prime lenses (fixed focal length) like 35mm, 50mm, or 85mm are popular because they typically offer wider apertures compared to zoom lenses. If you need versatility and the ability to zoom, look for zoom lenses with a constant wide aperture (e.g., 24-70mm f/2.8). Choose a focal length based on your typical shooting scenarios: wider angles (e.g., 24mm) for landscapes and interiors, and longer focal lengths (e.g., 85mm) for portraits.
Image StabilizationImage stabilization (IS) helps to reduce camera shake, which is especially useful in low-light conditions where slower shutter speeds are often necessary. This feature can be found in some lenses and helps to produce sharper images without the need for a tripod. If you frequently shoot handheld in low light, consider a lens with built-in image stabilization. However, if you primarily use a tripod or shoot static subjects, this feature may be less critical.
Lens Quality and CoatingThe quality of the lens elements and the coatings applied to them can affect the amount of light transmission and reduce issues like flare and ghosting. High-quality lenses with advanced coatings will perform better in low-light conditions by maximizing light transmission and maintaining image contrast. Look for lenses from reputable manufacturers that emphasize optical quality and have good reviews regarding their performance in low light.
Autofocus PerformanceAutofocus performance is crucial in low-light situations where achieving sharp focus can be challenging. Lenses with fast and accurate autofocus systems will help you lock onto your subject quickly and precisely. Consider lenses with ultrasonic motors (USM) or stepping motors (STM) for better autofocus performance. If you often shoot moving subjects in low light, prioritize lenses known for their reliable autofocus capabilities.

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