The best lenses for the Canon 6D Mark II in 2024

The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is a great camera that fills an important gap in the market. As a full-frame model aimed at a market that requires full-frame quality but can’t yet justify the expense of the higher-end models Canon has available, the 6D Mark II is the best of both worlds in terms of features and value for money. There’s a wide range of glass on offer for the 6D Mark II owner, from wide-zooms to fast telephoto primes.

We’ve decided to focus on high-quality lenses that produce ultra-sharp results to make the most of the detail that the 26.2MP image sensor can capture. The best lenses in this roundup include features like fast, ultrasonic motors for speedy autofocusing to keep the shoot moving; strong image stabilization that steadies the frame whether shooting stills or video; and fast, constant apertures that won’t change through zoom ranges, and offer the most versatile options for shooting whether in bright sunshine or dark, low light environments.

Each lens has been perfectly crafted for use with this entry-level full-frame camera, and takes advantage of features such as flare-reducing lens coatings, ultra low dispersion elements that prevent chromatic aberration, and aspherical treatments designed to remove distortion issues, especially on zoom lens constructions.

Jason Parnell-Brookes author bio photo
Jase Parnell-Brookes

Jase Parnell-Brookes is an award-winning photographer, educator and writer based in the UK. They won the Gold Prize award in the Nikon Photo Contest 2018/19 and was named Digital Photographer of the Year in 2014. After completing their Masters, Jase has spent a good chunk of two decades studying and working in photography and optics. Now the Channel Editor for Cameras and Skywatching at Space.com, their speciality is in low-light optics and camera systems.

The Quick List

Best lenses for the Canon 6D Mark II 

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

Best everyday lens for the 6D Mark II

(Image credit: Sigma)
A bright, sharp standard zoom lens with optical stabilization

Specifications

Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Image Stabilization: Yes
Lens Construction: 19 elements in 14 groups
Dimensions: 88 × 107mm
Weight: 1020g
Filter size: 82mm

Reasons to buy

+
Strong optical stabilization in lens
+
Minimal optical aberrations
+
Circular bokeh thanks to lens design

Reasons to avoid

-
Maybe too heavy for some

This standard wide to mid zoom hits all the useful focal lengths a photographer could ask for on a day-by-day basis. There’s great sharpness throughout the zoom range, and a constant f/2.8 aperture keeps images bright even in dark environments. It’s a little heavier than other competitor models, but Sigma has paid close attention to this lens to reduce optical aberrations and minimize distortion.

Sturdy metal construction means it’s strong and durable and there’s even partial weather sealing to protect it from the elements. A Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) in the lens makes this all-purpose zoom fast and accurate at autofocusing even in tricky situations. 

Read more: Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art review

Best wide-angle zoom for the 6D Mark II

(Image credit: Canon)
The latest version of this classic wide zoom is sharp throughout the zoom range

Specifications

Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Image Stabilization: No
Lens Construction: 16 elements in 11 groups
Dimensions: 88 x 127mm
Weight: 790g
Filter size: 82mm

Reasons to buy

+
Sharp throughout the zoom range
+
Constant wide aperture

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive option, better for pros
-
A little heavier than other wide zooms

This is the third iteration of this classic wide-angle zoom, and we think the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM is the best yet. L-series quality brings sharpness to the entire zoom range with minimal chromatic aberration and distortion due to the Glass Moulded (GMo) lenses and Ultra Low Dispersion elements inside. Ideal for landscapes, real estate, even environmental portraits, it’s a versatile lens that can shoot in the dark thanks to its bright f/2.8 constant aperture.

A rugged build and excellent weather sealing make this ideal for professional photographers, and enthusiasts who can afford it, to take with them on their next adventure no matter the weather conditions. 

Read more: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM review

Best wide-angle prime for the 6D Mark II

(Image credit: Future)
Super wide-angle and fast - this is a great lens for night landscapes

Specifications

Diaphragm blades: 9
Max angle of view (diagonal): 114 degrees (Full-frame)
Dimensions (WxL): 87x106mm
Weight: 791g

Reasons to buy

+
Generous viewing angle
+
Superb image quality
+
Good build and handling

Reasons to avoid

-
No image stabilization
-
Manual focus only

Sold as the Rokinon SP 14mm f/2.4 in North America, this ultra-wide prime is an ideal choice for interiors or for shooting nightscapes. The f/2.8 constant aperture is able to cope with fading light, but the lens maintains sharpness across the entire frame when it’s wide-open, which is crucial for astrophotography.

Handling is terrific: the focus ring is rubberized, which really helps with grip when you’re shooting in the cold. It’s a manual-focus-only lens, with no autofocus facility, but that’s less important in a wide-angle like this, where the depth of field stays deep even when the aperture’s at its widest.

Read more: Samyang XP 14mm f/2.4 review

Best standard prime for the 6D Mark II

(Image credit: Future)
The right 50mm for enthusiasts and pros alike

Specifications

Aperture range: Constant f/1.8
Image Stabilization: No
Lens construction:: 6 elements in 5 groups
Dimensions: 69 x 39mm
Weight: 160g
Filter size: 49mm

Reasons to buy

+
Fast wide aperture, great for low light
+
Useful in a range of shooting situations
+
Best Canon 50mm lens for the money 

Reasons to avoid

-
Perhaps a little light for the 5D Mark IV body

This is a classic Canon lens that continues to sell healthily – and it’s no wonder. It’s light and compact, sharpness and detail are strong even in the corners, and the autofocus system is pleasingly responsive. This is all provided at a shockingly low price, which is why this nifty fifty is feted as one of the best lens deals you’ll find.

Read more: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM review

Best portrait lens for the 6D Mark II

(Image credit: Canon)
An iconic portrait lens with jaw-dropping shallow depth of field

Specifications

Maximum aperture: f/1.4
Image Stabilization: Yes
Lens Construction: 14 elements in 10 groups
Dimensions: 88 x 105mm
Weight: 950g
Filter size: 77mm

Reasons to buy

+
Incredible subject isolation
+
Image stabilization for handheld shots

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavy and large for a prime lens
-
Even faster f/1.2 available

A prime focal length that’s known for its ability to create flattering portraits, the 85mm focal length compresses perspectives just enough to smooth out facial features while the shallow f/1.4 aperture isolates subjects beautifully, creating dreamy background bokeh.

Armed with four stops of image stabilization, this lens steadies handheld shooting, which is especially handy in low light conditions, where photographers are forced to use longer exposures to counteract the lack of light. Air Sphere Coating (ASC) reduces internal ghosting and flare, and an Ultrasonic Motor keeps autofocus fast and accurate. 

Read more: Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM review

Best telephoto lens for the 6D Mark II

(Image credit: Canon)
An excellent telephoto zoom stabilized with strong IS for handheld shooting

Specifications

Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Image Stabilization: Yes
Lens Construction: 23 elements in 19 groups
Dimensions: 88 x 199mm
Weight: 1480g
Filter size: 77mm

Reasons to buy

+
Fast, constant aperture
+
Versatile zoom range for different subjects

Reasons to avoid

-
There are cheaper telezooms available
-
Beginners may find it a little heavy

Ever useful, the 70-200mm telephoto zoom range is a standard across all lens manufacturers. It’s suited to a wide range of assignments from portraits to gig photography, and the longer end might have become unwieldy for all but the steadiest hands unless this L-series version came with 3.5 stops of image stabilization.

Flare and ghosting is attenuated on this 70-200mm by the use of a Fluorite coating and Ultra Low Dispersion elements. Fully weather sealed, it's happy being shot in the rain, on a dusty beach, or sitting amongst the snow up the mountain. 

Read more: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM review

Best super-telephoto lens for the 6D Mark II

(Image credit: Sigma)
The best lightweight hyper-telephoto zoom lens

Specifications

Aperture range: f/5-6.3
Image Stabilization: Yes
Lens construction:: 20 elements in 14 groups
Dimensions: 105 × 260mm
Weight: 1930g
Filter size: 95mm

Reasons to buy

+
Four stops of Optical Stabilization in lens
+
Beastly 150-600mm focal length range 

Reasons to avoid

-
Restrictive aperture range throughout zoom
-
Compact but still a heavy lens

Super-telephotos like this are rarely small, but Sigma has done a good job at keeping this lens just under the 2kg wire. It’s not overly large to handle either, but definitely much larger than many other, more typical telephotos. 

Photographers favoring handheld shooting should be aware of the slower maximum aperture of f/6.3 when zoomed in to 600mm, but four stops of Optical Stabilization remedies this somewhat. In order to fit all of that glass inside and keep things sharp and clean, the front element has had to grow to a massive 95mm, so get ready to shell out for some more filters if you opt for this lens. Also consider Sigma's more robust Sport version of this lens, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S.

Read more: Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C review

Best macro lens for the 6D Mark II

(Image credit: Canon)
Canon's best value macro lens, now with image stabilization

Specifications

Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Image Stabilization: Yes
Lens Construction: 15 elements in 12 groups
Dimensions: 77 x 123mm
Weight: 625g
Filter size: 67mm

Reasons to buy

+
Can also be used as portrait lens
+
Four stops of image stabilization

Reasons to avoid

-
Cheaper macro lenses are available
-
Reduced IS at higher magnifications

The long focal length gives the EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM macro lens a usable working distance for those who like to photograph bugs and other skittish wildlife, with a minimum focusing distance of 30cm. Image stabilization steadies shooting by up to four stops, which drops to three stops at 0.5x magnification and two stops at 1.0x magnification.

It has the ability to focus to infinity so it can be used as a general telephoto prime lens too. At 100mm it’s ideal for portraiture because when paired with the wide aperture of f/2.8 it can produce shallow depth of field and satisfying subject isolation. 

Read more: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM review

How to choose the best lens for the 6D Mark II

Do all Canon lenses fit the 6D Mark II?

The 6D Mark II uses the Canon EF mount, which means it works with all EF lenses. EF lenses are designed for use with full-frame Canon DSLRs such as the 6D series, and there’s a wide selection to choose from. 

The 5D Mark II can’t use Canon EF-S lenses, which are made for APS-C Canon DLSRs. These lenses don’t physically fit to the EF lens mount.

The 6D Mark II can’t use Canon RF or EF-M lenses, which are designed for mirrorless Canon cameras.

If you later upgrade to a Canon R-series mirrorless camera, you can continue to use your EF lenses on your new camera if you buy a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R.

How do I know which lens to get for my 6D Mark II?

The reason there are so many types of lens in the first place is that different scenes demand different lens designs, particularly when it comes to focal length and aperture rating.

Usually, you will decide what you want to photograph, then get a lens with the focal length that suits the situation. For example, to shoot landscapes you will need a wide-angle lens, while for sports and wildlife you will need a telephoto.

You can watch this video that explains focal length: it helps you work out what kind of lenses you need for different genres of photography. 

How we test lenses

The lens experts in our testing lab run a range of tests under controlled conditions, using the Imatest Master testing suite. Photos of test charts are taken across the range of apertures and zooms (where available), then analyzed for sharpness, distortion and chromatic aberrations.

We use Imatest SFR (spatial frequency response) charts and analysis software to plot lens resolution at the centre of the image frame, corners and mid-point distances, across the range of aperture settings and, with zoom lenses, at four different focal lengths.

There's more to it than just the technical side, though! Beyond the lab, our reviewers test lenses in real-world environments – and sometimes on professional shoots! We work with lenses both indoors and outdoors, in studio conditions and in natural light, with as many different subjects as is possible (or appropriate – there's no point testing a landscape lens' ability to shoot a portrait!). 

We take into account everything from handling and ease of use to speed of autofocus and the overall quality of the images produced. 

Find out more about how we test and review on Digital Camera World

Jase Parnell-Brookes

Jase Parnell-Brookes is an award-winning photographer, educator and writer based in the UK. They won the Gold Prize award in the Nikon Photo Contest 2018/19 and was named Digital Photographer of the Year in 2014. After completing their Masters Jase has spent a good chunk of two decades studying and working in photography and optics shooting and writing all over the world for big-name brands and media outlets. Now the Channel Editor for Cameras and Skywatching at Space.com their speciality is in low light optics and camera systems.