“If I buy one lens, which one should it be?” One of the most frequently asked questions when purchasing a new camera is this. There are hundreds of lenses on the market and it can be quite challenging to know which one to purchase.
After spending five years traveling with a very small camera bag, I’ve narrowed down the best and most versatile lens.
What I photograph ranges from interior photos, travel, portrait, to landscape, and this lens has been great for ALL of it.
The one thing I’ve avoided for the past years is lugging around heavy equipment. In being practical with my purchases, I did a lot of research and tested different lenses to see which one got the job done.
So here it is, the most versatile lens for all levels and types of photography. The one I never leave the house without and the one I always reach for.
The Most Versatile Lens for All Types of Photography
The Lens
It’s the 24-70mm lens. The jack of all trades, every manufacturer has their own for their lineup. The versatility in this lens is endless (will show photos below). Why is it so versatile? Simply put, it’s wide enough to grab everything in a landscape photo but also can zoom in to do tight shots like portraits.
One key thing to know about this lens (especially when it comes to interior photography) is that the lens captures a photo almost identical to how your eye sees it. There is little to no distorting.
So if you go to a wider lens, often the image will contort. It’s why the 24-70mm also does really well when you want to take a photo inside your home or at a cafe. The photo captured feels like you’re right there in the photo.
The next component is that most 24-70mm lenses are very sharp because of their low aperture (also makes the pricepoint higher). Often sold at f/4 or f/2.8, you can create an incredible depth of field and capture a really creamy bokeh.
This single aspect makes it ideal even for food photography and portraits.
Simply put, the 24-70mm lens covers almost all types of photography.
A Few Tips For When You Purchase
Skip the kit lens
One thing that may be appealing is purchasing a full-frame camera with a kit lens (often a 28-70mm). The price difference between the body without a lens and a body with the kit lens makes it feel like a deal. And though it is a cheap lens, I’d argue that it’s better to put the money towards this lens.
We did this a few years ago when we upgraded our bodies and took the money and put it towards the 24-70mm lens. It was more expensive (no denying that!) but the results in imagery are worth it.
Buy the sharper lens if possible
You’ll often see two options when it comes to a 24-70mm lens and the primary difference is in the max aperture. Either sold as an f/2.8 or f/4, the sharper of the two is the f/2.8.
Our first 24-70mm was an f/4 and many times we wished we would have purchased the f/2.8. It is a steep upgrade in price but after photographing with the f/2.8 lens, I wish we would have done it from the beginning.
That maximum aperture makes a world of difference for sharpness and the f/2.8 lenses are typically made with different features. For instance, the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 lens has a larger front filter size, higher max magnification, and more aperture blades.
If you can spend the extra money, go with the f/2.8 option.
Where to Purchase
We’ve purchased our gear from B&H photo for years. We opted for their company as they’re a trusted resource for photography, have experts on hand, offer free shipping on qualifying orders, and more. Their customer service is incredible and you can even shop for used lenses.
For the 24-70mm lens options:
- Sony: FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM and FE 24-70mm f/4.0
- Canon: EF 24-70mm f/2.8 and EF 24-70mm f/4.0
- Nikon: AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8 and Z 24-70mm f/4.0
Example of Photos
Travel Landscapes
Portraits
Food
Interior
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
