NEW PORTRAIT LENS FOR UNDER £500

I WOULD LIKE TO INVEST IN A NEW PORTRAIT LENS FOR MY CANON EOS R5 BUT I HAVE A BUDGET OF £500. I ALSO HAVE AN ADAPTER RING SO I CAN USE EF LENSES AS WELL AS RF FITTED. WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? BEN POUND

We always say when it comes to buying lenses on a budget, second-hand is the way to go, as you can get a lot more glass for your money. Second-hand lenses are often in good or excellent condition. It’s true they might come with a little dust or external scratches, but if those aspects don’t bother you then the secondhand market provides plenty to choose from whatever camera you have.

When it comes to buying second-hand, only do so from trustworthy companies such as Wex, Park Cameras or MPB. They test any lenses they sell and they also provide a warranty. We advise you to avoid buying from individuals on sites such as eBay unless you can test the lens before purchasing. There is no way to know its history and whether it has been dropped.

It’s good that you have the mount adapter ring, so you can still use EF lenses on your mirrorless camera. We’ve found with so many photographers moving to the mirrorless camera market, there is an influx of second-hand DSLR lenses, meaning you can find a bargain. For instance, we found a used Sigma 50mm f1.4 DG HSM Art for just £469, which is a fantastic lens. Another option was the Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro EX DG OS HSM at just £270. Keep shopping around and you’ll find a great deal.

THE SHIFT TO MIRRORLESS CAMERAS MEANS THERE ARE PLENTY OF BARGAIN DSLR LENSES, IF YOU SHOP AROUND