Shooting Buildings With Canon Camera
Need One Lens Both Zoom And Wide Angle

by Architectural Historian

I am an architectural historian who has always used Canon's until my latest Panasonic Lumix which I detest. Going to back to the familiar Canon interface I am looking for a camera with one lens that does it all (ha ha). I don't care about shooting video or sports. But I do want to be able to zoom in on cornices in imperfect light as well as capture wide angles when I'm backed up against a narrow medieval street. Price is not the issue - convenience of carrying only one thing is. What's the best I can do?

Hello,

Thanks for asking about getting a single Canon lens/camera combination that will enable you to shoot both wide and zoomed-in detail shots of architectural subjects for historical use.

Before I give you the quick answer, it's important to share a few important factors that will affect what's the best solution to your question.

How much distortion you're willing to accept, particularly at super wide-angle views.
If you're willing to do any editing after you photograph your architectural subjects.
Whether you would consider a Canon mirrorless camera or would prefer to stick with a DSLR.
How much image quality you really need.
If you have any limits in your budget.
How wide of a lens will serve your purpose.

Best single Canon Lens For Architectural Photography

The EF-S 18-200mm lens may be your answer. The zoom range is over 10X giving you both wide and telephoto capabilities. It is not a Canon "L" lens, but you may not need that level of image quality.

It is for Canon APS-C sized sensor cameras and that will save you some weight and space over getting a full frame Canon with bigger camera body and bigger lenses needed. For comparison the angle of view is equivalent to a 29-320mm lens on a full frame (35mm) camera.

The widest angle of view is wide, but not super wide, so it really depends on how wide you need. Most serious architecture photography is done with wider (17mm).

The longest focal length of 200mm on the other end of its zoom should be plenty of magnifications for your subjects.

Feel free to contact me privately through my One on One Camera Advisor Form

I hope this helps,
Bruce

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KEH: WHERE I BUY CANON GEAR
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