Tamron SP 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD £415/$549

Steady as she goes Lens mount Canon EF, Nikon F

Available in Canon EF and Nikon F editions, geared towards DSLRs, this Tamron isn’t quite a 50mm lens, giving a slightly more generous viewing angle of 51 degrees rather than the more usual 46 degrees on a full-frame body. Unlike competing Canon and Nikon 50mm lenses, it features a four-stop optical stabiliser.

The lens features extensive weather seals and a fluorine coating on its front element, to repel water and greasy fingerprints. The ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system enables the usual mechanically coupled manual override.

Performance

Sharpness is very good even at wider apertures, while defocused areas look very soft, and the crossover between sharp and blurred areas in images has a pleasantly smooth transition. Bokeh continues to impress when stopping down a bit from wide-open shooting.