In this article, I’ll take a deep dive into the best lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR camera.
I’ll also provide a detailed, actionable Buyers Guide that will allow you to make an informed, confident buying decision!
Best Budget Lens
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
This Canon EF “Nifty Fifty” lens will easily give you the most bang for your buck!
Rather you’re a professional or casual photographer, this high-quality low-price lens will give you the depth of field and low-light performance you desire.
Best Travel Lens
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens
Great build quality, a decent price point and a wide focal length range make this a great travel lens.
Attach this to your new EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR on your next trip out of town and you’ll find no need to take it off!
Best Portrait Lens
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Lens
Jaw Dropping bokeh, amazing image quality and sturdy build make this lens the best choice for anyone using the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR for portraits.
Best Telephoto Lens
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens
While you may be far from your subject, you’re closer than ever to high quality telephoto performance with this lens.
This is a very heavy lens actually (52.2 ounces), so it’s not ideal at all for day to day use. But the ultra-sharp images and state of the art image stabilization make it one the best telephoto lenses on the market.
Best Versatile Lens
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens
This Canon lens will give you everything you ask for and more!
Paired with the powerful sensor and cutting-edge auto-focus of Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR, you’ll have impressive sharpness and optimum performance in any focal length.
Canon’s latest and greatest DSLR camera in its EOS series, 1D X Mark III, is finally here with its powerful CMOS sensor and lightning fast autofocus… it’s an absolute game changer!
But if you want to put all that power and precision to good use, there’s nothing more important than choosing the right lens for it.
Canon has an incredibly large variety of lenses to choose from for your new Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR and each of them cater to one or many different types of photography.
Prime lenses for great portraits, telephoto lenses for wildlife and sports, zoom lenses for travel and many other types.
Buying the right lens can be just as important a decision as buying the right camera.
If you’re serious about photography, then you’ve already made the right choice in buying Canon EOS-1D X Mark III.
I’ll now explore 5 of the best lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III to make sure your lens choice is also the best option!
There’s a lot to consider when choosing the right lens. The most important factor to consider is what exactly you’ll use the lens for.
Rather it’s fun vacation photos, family portraits, street photography or all the above, there’s a lens that perfectly suits your needs.
Once you’ve decided what you’ll use the lens for, there are several other factors to consider as well.
Price, features, weight and performance should all be considered when choosing the best lenses for the new Canon EOS-1D X Mark III and I’ll go over each of those in detail to help find the right lens for you.
BTW, just in case you intend to use your camera for Sports, Wildlife, Real Estate and Car photography or you might also have the new Canon EOS M200 or Canon EOS M6 MARK II, make sure to read our recent articles as well!
What Are the Best Lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR?
Quick Answer:
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens | Most Versatile
- Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Lens | Best Portrait Lens
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens | Best on a Budget
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens | Best Telephoto Lens
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens | Best for Travelling
Comparison Table for the Best Lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III
Best Lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR
1. Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens | Most Versatile
What makes this premium, all-purpose lens one of the best lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III is its unmatched versatility.
Its 24-70mm range allows for both portrait and travel photos, while its wide angle is perfect for landscape photography.
Even with its healthy focal range there’s no sacrifice of sharpness or optical performance.
It’s able to maintain a F2.8 aperture throughout the entire range, which gives you great light performance and depth of field at just about any distance.
Even with the great range and sharpness considered, this lens is a bit pricey, coming in at around $1,600 on Amazon and most major photography retailers.
It also lacks image stabilization system though a tripod or steady hand can help make up the difference.
Tech Specs
Lens Construction
18 elements in 13 groups
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture
24-70 mm; (1:2.8)
Diagonal Angle of View
84° – 34°
Closest Focusing Distance
0.38 m / 1.25 ft.
Focus Adjustment
Inner focusing with USM
Filter Size
82 mm
Zoom System
Rotating type
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight
3.5 x 4.4 in., 28.4 oz. / 88.5 x 113 mm, 805 g
Features and Benefits
- 24-70 mm focal range provides amazing versatility
- Maintains F2.8 aperture through entire focal length range
- Fits all Canon full-frame EF mount models
- Sharp from center all the way to edges
Pros
- Amazingly Versatile
- Very good optical performance
- Fairly compact
Cons
- Quite expensive
- No Image Stabilizer
- Telescoping design
Expert Opinion:
2. Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Lens | Best Portrait Lens
An incredibly wide-open aperture and lightning fast auto-focus make this Canon lens easily one of the best lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR.
The Canon 85mm F/1.2L II USM Lens has one of the widest apertures that canon currently makes.
This will make for incredible blurry backgrounds and make low light shooting will be a breeze.
I promise that you won’t find a better lens for wedding or portrait photography.
The crystal clear and razor-sharp images it produces are well worth the price and its sturdy build will allow you to get plenty of use out of it.
The state-of-the-art auto-focus system also makes this lens great for action photography as well.
You won’t miss a moment of the action thanks to canon’s patented USM (Ultra Sonic motor) technology.
The built-in USM allows the lens to focus quicker and quieter than models without it and while many lenses make that same claim, the canon 85mm F/1.2L really makes good on this promise.
Tech Specs
Lens Construction
8 elements in 7 groups
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture
85 mm; (1:1.2)
Diagonal Angle of View
28° 30′
Closest Focusing Distance
3.2 ft. / 0.95 m
Focus Adjustment
AF with full-time manual
Filter Size
72 mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight
3.6 in. x 3.3 in., 36.2 oz. / 91.5 mm x 84 mm, 1,025 g (lens only)
Hood: ES-79 II (cylindrical clip-on hood, which is attachable in reverse)
Features and Benefits
- Incredibly low light performance
- USM autofocus system
- Sturdy and solid build
- Super spectra coating to suppress lens flare and ghosting
Pros
- F1.2 aperture
- Fast and quiet auto-focus system
- Solid design
Cons
- Somewhat Pricey
- No Image Stabilization system
- Lack of versatility
Expert Opinion:
3. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens | Best on a Budget
How could we possibly have a list of the best lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III and not have what many photographers call a “nifty fifty” included?
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is another in a long line of high quality, perfectly priced canon 50mm lenses and believe me when I say… it does not disappoint!
Much like the 50mm lenses before it, the high-quality photos, amazing depth of field and signature sharpness you receive for the price is truly unbeatable.
Weighing in at just 5.6 oz, this lightweight packs a heavyweight punch and can hold its own with lenses 5 times its price.
The quiet and responsive STM (Stepping motor for autofocus) makes this lens great for video as well as photos.
This continues to be the Canon’s best-selling lens and can be yours for around $100 on Amazon.
Tech Specs
Lens Construction
6 elements in 5 groups
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture
50mm; f/1.8
Focus Adjustment
AF with full-time manual
Diagonal Angle of View
46°
Filter Size
49 mm
Closest Focusing Distance
1.15 ft./0.35 m
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight 2.7 x 1.6 in., 5.7 oz.
69.2 x 39.3 mm, 160 g
Features and Benefits
- incredible low-light performance
- STM autofocus system
- Great for video and photo
- Ultra-Sharp Images
Pros
- F1.8 aperture
- Price
- Video Shooting
Cons
- Plastic Build
- No Image Stabilization system
Expert Opinion:
4. Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens | Best Telephoto Lens
No true photographer’s lens kit is complete without a solid telephoto lens and this beauty is about as good as it gets.
Much like its predecessor this lens is a very solid performer in low-light situations and has very high-quality image stabilization.
In fact, the only real difference between the two is a slightly brighter white paint job and a new Air Sphere Coating used to reduce lens flare.
As the old saying goes “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
And canon truly took that phrase to heart with the 70-200M F/2.8L IS III USM lens.
It utilizes the same super-fast auto-focus system and fluorite optics to deliver incredible high-quality photos.
This lens is on the heavier side, but that’s to be expected with a lens with such a long focal range and solid build quality.
The price can be a tad heavy as well coming in around $1,900 but if you’re really looking for the best lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, then the price tag is well worth it.
Tech Specs
Lens Construction
23 elements in 19 groups
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture
70-200 mm; f/2.8
Focus Adjustment
AF with full-time manual
Diagonal Angle of View
34° – 12°
Filter Size
77mm
Closest Focusing Distance
3.94 ft. / 1.2 m
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight
Φ3.5 x 7.8 in., about 3.17 lbs. / Φ88.8 x 199mm, about 1,440 g
Features and Benefits
- Superior Image Stabilization
- USM autofocus system
- Constant F2.8 aperture
- Fluorine coating on front and rear elements to reduce smear
- Air Sphere Coating to reduce lens flare
Pros
- F2.8 aperture
- Solid Build Quality
- Incredible Sharpness
Cons
- Very similar to the previous version
- Price
Expert Opinion:
5. Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens | Best for Travelling
Rather you’re a serious travel photographer or just love to capture beautiful photos when you’re exploring, this is the lens for you.
The focal range is absolutely perfect for when you’re hitting the road and seeing the sights, whether it’s a beautiful mountain landscape or fun family portrait, this canon 24-105 mm lens will produce stunning images that you can use to remember your travels for as long as you’d like.
This lens is everything you’d expect from a Canon L series and is a truly worthy follow up to the previous Canon 24-105mm f/4L I.
The depth of field is very good for a F4 lens and can compete with the f2.8 lenses of a similar focal range.
On the downside it is a bit larger than expected and a somewhat rigid and stiff zoom ring might require 2 fingers to turn.
But even with its size and stiff zoom ring considered, this is still easily one of the best lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III.
The built-in digital lens optimizer on the Mark III helps take the 24-105mm f/4L IS II to a whole new level of image quality and makes it well worth the $1099 amazon price tag.
Tech Specs
Lens Construction
17 elements in 12 groups
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture
24-105 mm; f/4
Focus Adjustment
AF with full-time manual
Diagonal Angle of View
84° 00′ – 23° 20′
Filter Size
3.0 in. / 77 mm diameter
Closest Focusing Distance
1.5 ft. / 0.45 m
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight
Φ 3.3 x 4.7 in., about 28.04 oz. / φ 83.5 x 118 mm, about 795 g
Features and Benefits
- State of the art Image Stabilization System
- USM autofocus system
- 10 blade circular aperture
- Fluorine coating on front and rear elements to reduce smear
- Air Sphere Coating to reduce lens flare
Pros
- Very Versatile
- Great focal range
- Full time manual focus
Cons
- Heavier than expected
- Stiff Zoom Ring
- Not much different than the earlier model
Expert Opinion:
Best Lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR — Buyers Guide
Rather you’re new to photography or you’re a seasoned professional your lens is the tool you use to capture the moments that matter most.
So, choosing the right lens is one of the most important decisions you’ll make on your photography journey and this guide is designed to make it easy as ever.
Just like your Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR, lenses truly are an investment and if you’re not a professional, it’s easy to get lost in all the fancy names and technical terms.
Let’s focus on some frequently asked questions and common terminology to help you not get overwhelmed finding the best lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III.
Compatibility
Each of the lenses listed in this article is a Canon EF mount Lens.
These lenses are full-frame lenses intended for Canon cameras like the EOS-1D X Mark III and are interchangeable on many DSLR cameras.
Focal length
This is the lens angle of view or how wide the image is.
A short focal length will give you a wider image (18 mm for example), while a long focal length allows you to zoom in for a narrow, closely cropped shot (200 mm for example).
The longer the focal length, the closer you can zoom in on an object far away.
Aperture (f-stop)
Every lens has an aperture range. The aperture, also called the f-stop number, allows controlling the amount of the scene that is in focus.
A lower f-stop means a smaller area of the scene is in focus, leading to a stylish look with a blurry background.
For example, if your f-stop is set at f/32, the majority of your scene will be in focus.
However, if your lens could go down to f/2.8, only a small portion of the scene will be in focus while the rest is blurred for a softer and more stylish effect.
This is what gives you the beautifully blurred backgrounds seen on professional portraits.
The greater the maximum aperture (i.e., the lower the f-stop number), the more control you’ll have using your lens.
A lower f-stop can maintain faster exposures in low-light conditions, allowing you to shoot indoors without a flash and capture images at dawn or dusk.
It’s also fast enough to freeze the action.
Lens types
1. Prime lens
A prime lens has a fixed length and is unable to zoom in or zoom out.
They’re typically much cheaper and produce similar or better-quality images than zoom lenses for just a fraction of the cost.
Prime lenses are best used in scenarios where your distance from the subject can be easily controlled like portraits or a studio.
2. Zoom lens
A zoom lens offers various focal lengths and allows you to shoot subjects at many different distances without having to move yourself.
These lenses can be incredibly convenient as they can take the place of multiple prime lenses and save you valuable time and space.
A zoom lens is ideal for travel and sports photography due to their incredible flexibility.
Advanced Features
Image Stabilization
This feature is utilized to make sure small vibrations or hand movements don’t take your picture out of focus.
When shooting pictures handheld or using a longer telephoto lens, it can be difficult to keep a steady shot.
This is where image stabilization comes in very handy and prevents most blurriness.
Auto Focus
This feature allows the lens and camera to work together to create and maintain a focused subject.
A majority of newer canon lenses have USM (Ultrasonic motor) technology that allows the lens to find focus quickly and quietly.
Autofocus is a must for enthusiasts who plan on using their Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR for video as it allows the camera to focus continuously with a consistently moving subject without you having to do the hard work yourself.
Manual Focus Override
This allows you to focus manually while still in autofocus mode on the lens giving you the ultimate focus control.
This can be quite useful when shooting those hard to focus subjects.
Lens Coating
Canon uses fluorite and an Ultra-low dispersion element on its lenses to help with accurate color representation and to keep images ultra-sharp.
The patented Air Sphere coating is also utilized to prevent blurring and lens flare.
Out of the best lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, how do I know which is the best for me?
This depends heavily on what you intend to use the lens for.
I would suggest first taking some time to think about the activities you currently photograph most often or would like to start photographing and go from there.
More versatile lenses are great for travel, while fixed length portrait lens might be the perfect addition to your photography studio.
Each of the best lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III are EF mount, what exactly does EF mount mean?
A lens mount is the pattern used to connect a lens to a camera and Canon uses what they call EF (Electro-Focus) mounts for the EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR and all of the compatible full-frame lenses.
How long will these lenses last?
My list includes only the best lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III and each of these lenses is built to last.
With proper care and regular maintenance, each of these lenses can last up to a decade or more!
Which is the best lens for a new photographer still learning the ropes?
I would suggest the Canon 24-70mm F/2.8L II lens.
Its versatility and good size focal range gives the newbie photographers room to learn.
It takes time to learn how to find the perfect position and lighting and this lens allows you to cover up less than ideal shooting conditions with great sharpness and awesome low-light performance.
Any of the top 5 best lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III can help anyone who’s found a new love for photography take huge steps towards becoming a seasoned pro.
All it takes is time, patience and practice and before you know it, you’ll be snapping photos you’ll cherish for years to come.
Best Lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR — Conclusions
I must say I am very impressed with each of these lenses, especially when they are paired with the raw power of Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR.
Each of these lenses truly brings out the best in this camera and I feel confident calling each of these one of the best lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III.
While there are clearly many lenses to choose from for this powerhouse of a camera, each of these lenses has a job to do and it does that job very, very well.
Here are my suggestions:
- If you want big quality on a small budget, then go with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens.
- If you’re a seasoned photographer with multiple lenses in your bag, I’d go with Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens to save time and space.
- If you’re using your EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR in a controlled studio setting, I’d suggest the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Lens.
- If you’re a photographer on the go and need to shoot guerilla style, I’d suggest the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens.
