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(Because nobody buys a DSLR to shoot in auto mode forever.)
So you’ve got yourself a Canon Rebel T6 — solid choice, by the way. Affordable, reliable, and an awesome starting point for anyone who’s caught the photography bug. Now, the big question: what lens should you get next?
The kit lens (probably that 18-55mm) does a decent job, but let’s be honest — it’s like cooking every meal with just salt and pepper. You want spice and flavor! You want lenses that bring your photos to life.
Here’s the lowdown on five lenses that genuinely make a difference. No tech gibberish. Just real opinions from someone who’s been in the same shoes, camera bag slung over shoulder, wondering what’s worth buying next.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

The “Oh wow, I took that?!” lens.
If you haven’t heard of the “Nifty Fifty,” welcome to the club. This one’s the secret sauce for crisp portraits and creamy backgrounds. It’s fast, light, and stupidly affordable. Your Rebel T6 + this lens = photos that look way more expensive than your setup actually is.
Why you’ll love it:
- Gorgeous blurred backgrounds
- Brilliant in low light (finally, indoors without flash!)
- Super small and light — fits in your jacket pocket
Two things to keep in mind:
- You have to zoom with your feet (no zoom ring here)
- No built-in stabilization, but honestly, you won’t miss it much
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
- 50 millimeter focal length and maximum aperture of f/1.8
- Great for portraits, action, and nighttime photography; Angle of view (horizontal, vertical, diagonal): 40º, 27º,46º
- Minimum focusing distance of 1.15 feet (0.35 meter) and a maximum magnification of 0.21x
- Stepping motor (STM) delivers near silent, continuous move Servo AF for movies and smooth AF for stills
- 80 millimetre effective focal length on APS C cameras, 50 millimetre on full frame cameras. Lens construction: 6 elements in 5 groups
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM

The “How did you fit that whole building in the frame?!” lens.
This is the go-to lens if you’re into landscapes, architecture, travel or, let’s be honest, cool selfies with dramatic backgrounds. It’s wide — like really wide — but without turning everything into a fishbowl.
Why you’ll love it:
- You can fit SO much in one frame
- Perfect for travel and vlogging
- Built-in image stabilization keeps things steady
Heads-up:
- It’s not great in low light
- A bit plasticky, but hey, keeps it light in your bag
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

The “I’m not walking all the way over there” lens.
You want zoom? You got zoom. Great for sports days, wildlife, or when you’re people-watching from a park bench pretending not to be a photographer. This one picks up where your kit lens left off and stretches your reach — big time.
Why you’ll love it:
- Gets you way closer without losing sharpness
- Image stabilization is surprisingly solid
- Not heavy for a zoom lens
Not ideal if:
- You’re shooting indoors — needs good light
- You’re hoping for that creamy portrait look (this one’s more zoom-y than artsy)
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

The “I’m packing light — but I still want to shoot everything” lens.
Think of this as your all-in-one. Wide enough for cityscapes, zoomy enough for wildlife, and quick enough for street shots. You could spend your whole holiday with this lens and not miss much. It’s sharp, it focuses fast, and it saves you from constantly swapping lenses.
Why it’s great:
- Ridiculously versatile
- Silent autofocus (handy for video too)
- Built-in stabilisation is a dream
Not-so-great bits:
- Not the best in super low light
- Slightly chunkier than your kit lens — but not by much
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 is USM
Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM (aka the Pancake Lens)

The “Wait, is your lens… flat?” lens.
Yes, it’s basically the lens version of a pancake. Super slim, surprisingly sharp, and gives a really natural perspective for everyday shooting. Feels like nothing on your camera. Perfect if you want to take your camera everywhere without looking like a pro paparazzo.
Why you’ll love it:
- Tiny but mighty — takes sharp, clean photos
- Great for street, food, travel, and just about anything casual
- Wide-ish angle, fast aperture for indoor shots
What to know:
- No zoom — it’s a prime lens
- No IS, but not a dealbreaker
Which One’s For You?
Want to shoot better portraits? Get the 50mm.
Love dramatic wide shots or travel? Go for the 10–18mm.
Need that reach for zoomed-in action? Grab the 55–250mm.
Hate swapping lenses? The 18–135mm is your new best friend.
Love minimalism or discreet shooting? That little pancake 24mm will blow your mind.
You don’t need to spend a fortune or collect lenses like Pokémon. Just pick one that suits your style, get out there, and actually use it. That’s where the real magic happens.
And hey — don’t stress. You’re not “just” a beginner. You’re a photographer now.
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