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Best lenses for the Canon Rebel T6

Written by: Nate Torres

Last updated: July 30, 2024

Explore the optimal lens choices for the Canon Rebel T6...


Best lenses for the Canon Rebel T6

Here are the three best lenses I have used with the Canon Rebel T6:

  1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
  2. Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L
  3. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L

1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8

Holding the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
  • Focal Length: 50mm (75-80mm on Canon Rebel T6 due to crop factor)
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Best For: Portraits, Street, Travel, Product
  • Budget: $

To watch the video review I did for the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, you can watch it here:

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 is the very first lens I bought as a photographer and I still use it on most professional photoshoots. It's called the "nifty fifty" due to its price point and is an amazing upgrade from the kit lens. If you are a beginner or amateur photographer, you need to have this lens in your camera bag.

In fact, most photographers I know have this lens. Using this lens is sort of like a rite of passage into photography. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 is known for its wide maximum f/1.8 aperture while producing images with excellent quality.

This lens excels in situations such as:

  • Portrait photography
  • Headshot photography
  • Street photography
  • Travel Photography
  • Product Photography

Keep reading below to see the example images I took with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8, as well as my full review on why I think it's one of the best lenses for the Canon Rebel T6.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 example images

Here are a few example images I have taken with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8:

Girl standing in front of fence with leaves around her.
Portrait taken with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
Girl in front of purple and blue neon lights.
Portrait taken with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
Guy under scaffolding in a city looking up.
Portrait taken with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 focal length

This lens has a 50mm focal length, which is super versatile. It's great for portraits, street photography, and even getting in close for those detail shots.

Take note!

But keep in mind, if you're using it with the Canon Rebel T6, which has an APS-C (crop) sensor, it's going to act more like a 75mm-80mm lens.

I snapped a photo comparing how this lens performs on a full-frame camera versus a crop sensor camera like the Canon Rebel T6 to show you what I mean.

Underneath the pier.
50mm on full frame = 50mm
Photo underneath pier taken with 50mm lens.
50mm on crop sensor = 75mm

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 image quality

The picture quality you get with this lens is top-notch. It's famous for being super sharp and clear. It's got this cool Gaussian optical setup, which basically means it cuts down on those weird blurs and gives you crisp, detailed images that look amazing.

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 maximum aperture

This lens has a max aperture of f/1.8, so you can snap some really cool shots with that dreamy, blurred background effect, also known as bokeh.

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 build

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 is very lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around all day. This is a big deal if you're into shooting weddings, street scenes, or travel stuff, because you'll be lugging your camera around for ages. When you team it up with the Canon Rebel T6, which isn't heavy either since it's a crop sensor camera, you're set for a comfy day of shooting!

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 metal lens mount.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 metal lens mount
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 focus ring.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 focus ring
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 filter thread.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 filter thread

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 affordability

For a lot of new photographers, sticking to a budget is key. That's why they call this lens the "nifty-fifty." It's pretty awesome because it delivers great results without breaking the bank.

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 compatibility

This 50mm f/1.8 lens is part of Canon's EF lineup, which means it's not just good for your Canon Rebel T6 but fits all Canon DSLR cameras. And with the right adapter, you can even use it with Canon's EOS R mirrorless cameras.

So, if you start with a Rebel T6 and later decide to level up to a full-frame or mirrorless camera, this awesome lens can come along for the ride!

Bottom line, I totally recommend grabbing this lens for your Canon Rebel T6. It's a must-have for most photographers, and I'm pretty sure you're gonna love it. Don't miss out!


2. Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L

Holding the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L
  • Focal Length: 50mm (75-80mm on Canon Rebel T6 due to crop factor)
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Best For: Portraits, Street, Travel, Product
  • Budget: $

To see the video review I did for the Canon EF 24-70mm f4L IS, you can watch it here:

I've been using the Canon EF 24-70mm f4L IS USM with my Canon Rebel T6, and it's pretty awesome. It's super versatile, tough, and the picture quality? Top-notch. This lens is from Canon's L-series, which basically means it's pro-level gear with fantastic optics and really solid build quality. Since it's a zoom lens, you get a bunch of different focal lengths to mess around with. This makes it perfect for a whole list of things:

  • Landscape shots
  • Travel snaps
  • Event and wedding photos
  • Street photography
  • Video recording

It's also decent for portrait shots at 70mm, but if you're really into portraits, you might want to look into a prime lens instead, like the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 I just mentioned.

For macro photography, there's a macro mode at 70mm which is pretty cool, but for serious close-up work, I'm leaning towards recommending something like the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L macro lens I'll talk about next.

Canon EF 24-70mm f4L example images

Here are a few example images I have taken with the Canon EF 24-70mm f4L:

Canon EF 24-70mm f4L IS landscape photo of the beach.
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L IS landscape photo
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L IS beach photo of surfers in the water.
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L IS beach photo
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L using macro mode on a red flower.
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L using macro mode
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L Photo of Pier.
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L photo of pier

Canon EF 24-70mm f4L focal length

The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM lens is like a Swiss Army knife for your camera, offering a zoom range that goes from wide-angle to short telephoto. Pretty cool, right?

On a full-frame camera, you're looking at a 24-70mm range.

Take note!

But if you're using it with a crop sensor camera like the Canon Rebel T6, it's more like you're working with a 38-112mm lens. Just something to keep in mind.

Check out this comparison of using the 40mm lens on a crop sensor camera like the Canon Rebel T6, where it acts like a 64mm lens, against using it on a full-frame camera where it stays true to its 40mm size.

Underneath the pier photo taken with Canon EF 24-70mm f4L.
40mm on full frame = 40mm
Photo underneath pier taken with Canon EF 24-70mm f4L.
40mm on crop sensor = 64mm

When you slap this lens on a Canon Rebel T6, you're set for pretty much any everyday shooting scenario.

Canon EF 24-70mm f4L image quality

This lens nails it with image quality. It's part of Canon's L-series, which means it's all about top-notch optics. It's got these fancy aspherical and UD elements, cutting down on color fringing and making sure your shots are sharp and colors pop, no matter where you are in the zoom. Plus, there's this Super Spectra coating that helps keep lens flare and ghosting at bay.

Canon EF 24-70mm f4L maximum aperture

With an f/4 max aperture, it might not blur backgrounds as much as an f/2.8 lens, but it strikes a nice balance. It's still pretty good at gathering light and compact enough not to weigh you down. And yes, you can still get some pretty nice bokeh going on.

Canon EF 24-70mm f4L build

This lens is built tough. It's weather-sealed, so you don't have to stress about shooting in less-than-ideal weather, and there's a lock switch to stop zoom creep.

Image stabilization is a lifesaver for reducing blur from shaky hands. And the build? Solid, but still made of high-quality plastic.

Canon EF 24-70mm f4L ISM autofocus and manual focus switch.
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L ISM autofocus and manual focus switch
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L ISM focus ring in my hands.
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L ISM focus ring
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L ISM meta lens mount in my hands.
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L ISM metal lens mount
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L ISM weather sealing gasket.
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L ISM weather sealing gasket
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L ISM image stabilization switch in my hands.
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L ISM image stabilization switch

Canon EF 24-70mm f4L affordability

So, this lens is part of Canon's L-series, which usually means you're looking at some pricier options. But compared to other L-series lenses, this one's actually pretty reasonably priced. It's a solid deal for serious hobbyists or pros who want good quality without dropping a ton of cash on the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 version.

Canon EF 24-70mm f4L compatibility

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM works with all Canon DSLRs, whether they're full-frame or have an APS-C sensor like the Canon Rebel T6. So if you ever decide to upgrade from the Rebel T6, like I did, you can still keep using this lens, no problem!


3. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L

Holding the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro.
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro
  • Focal Length: 100mm (160mm on Canon Rebel T6 due to crop factor)
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Best For: Macro, Portraits, Products, Headshots
  • Budget: $$

To see the video review I did for the Canon EF 100mm f2.8L Macro, you can watch it here:

If you're into macro and portrait photography, the Canon EF 100mm f2.8L Macro is a sweet choice. This lens is also from Canon's L-series, so you know the image quality, build, and performance are top-notch.

It's awesome for:

  • Macro shots
  • Portrait shots
  • Product shots
  • Taking headshots

Keep scrolling to check out some sample photos I took with the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM. I'll also dive into why I think it's one of the best picks for the Canon Rebel T6.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L example images

Here are a few example images I have taken with the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM:

Canon EF 100mm f2.8L Macro photo of red flower.
Canon EF 100mm f2.8L Macro flower
Canon 100mm EF f2.8L Macro for portrait photography.
Canon 100mm EF f2.8L Macro for portrait photography
Canon EF 100mm 2.8L Macro lens macro shot of a yellow flower.
Canon EF 100mm 2.8L Macro close up

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L focal length

This lens has a 100mm focal length.

Take note!

So, on full-frame cameras, this lens rocks a 100mm focal length, but pop it onto an APS-C sensor camera like the Canon Rebel T6, and boom, you've got yourself a 160mm thanks to the crop factor.

Here's a side-by-side comparison of using it on a full frame camera versus a crop sensor camera like the Canon Rebel T6:

Photo of yellow flower taken with Canon EF 100mm f2.8L macro.
100mm on full frame = 100mm
Photo of yellow flower taken with Canon EF 100mm f2.8L macro.
100mm on crop sensor = 160mm

This is pretty much why it's a superstar for both macro photography and snapping close-up portraits. It lets you get all up in your subject's business without being right in their face. With the Rebel T6, that 160mm reach is a game-changer for nailing those detailed macro shots or tight portraits and headshots.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L image quality

The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L? The image quality is off the charts. It's an L-series, so, yeah, it's going to be amazing. It has this Ultra-Low Dispersion element that cuts down on color fringing and makes everything clearer and more colorful. And for macro lovers, it hits that sweet 1:1 macro magnification, meaning you can capture super precise, detailed shots that really pop.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L maximum aperture

It's got an f/2.8 max aperture, which is great for a bunch of lighting situations. This means you can get that nice, blurry background and bokeh that looks so professional, plus shoot in lower light without having to crank up the ISO on your Rebel T6 too much.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L build

The build quality is solid, too. It's weather-sealed, so a little dust or moisture won't stop you from getting those epic outdoor macro shots. Plus, it's got image stabilization to keep things nice and sharp, and it's made with tough plastic and a metal mount.

Check it out:

Canon EF 100mm 2.8L macro focus ring.
Canon EF 100mm 2.8L macro focus ring
Canon EF 100mm 2.8L focus limiter switch.
Canon EF 100mm 2.8L macro focus limiter switch
Canon EF 100mm 2.8L macro lens metal mount.
Canon EF 100mm 2.8L macro lens metal mount
Canon EF 100mm 2.8L macro lens image stabilization.
Canon EF 100mm 2.8L macro lens image stabilization

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L affordability

Given all the pro-level features and performance of the EF 100mm f/2.8L, this lens is seriously good value. It's part of the L-series, which means it might be a bit pricier upfront compared to the regular lenses, but for killer macro shots, it's totally worth it, in my opinion.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L compatibility

This lens works perfectly with the Canon Rebel T6 and fits all of Canon's EF and EF-S mounts. So, if you ever decide to level up from your Rebel T6, you won't have to worry about this lens gathering dust.

You can keep using it and keep nailing those awesome shots!


In conclusion, I believe those are the best lenses for the Canon Rebel T6 that I have used. You may have noticed that they are the same lenses I wrote about in my Best Lenses for the Canon Rebel T7 guide, but that's because these cameras are so close in nature, so my lens recommendations don't change! Thanks for reading!

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