Quick take
If you are adding a lens to your kit, the first fork in the road is mount compatibility. This group of four camera lenses spans a used Nikon telephoto zoom, an open-box Fuji X prime, and two open-box Canon zooms, with prices from $75 to $255. The cheapest way into a telephoto zoom is the used Nikon 70-210mm, but it is limited to Nikon F bodies. The longest reach comes from the open-box Canon EF 70-300mm, while the Canon EF-S 18-55mm is the low-cost starter zoom for Canon APS-C cameras. If you are on a Fujifilm X body and want a compact everyday prime, the open-box TTartisan 27mm F2.8 is the only non-zoom in this set.
Prices at a glance
| Lens | Listed price | Price bar | What stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTartisan 27mm F2.8 AF (Fujifilm X) | USD 108.99 | Pancake prime, 56° angle of view, 39mm front thread | |
| Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM | USD 255.00 | Longest zoom reach in this group, 58mm front thread | |
| Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III | USD 80.00 | Short zoom for EF-S APS-C bodies, 58mm front thread | |
| Nikon NIKKOR 70-210mm f/4-5.6 AF | USD 75.00 | Lowest listed price, 70-210mm push-pull zoom, Nikon F mount |
Decision matrix
- You shoot Fujifilm X and want a compact walk-around prime: TTartisan 27mm F2.8 AF. It is an open-box autofocus lens with manual focus override, an aperture ring, and a 39mm front thread.
- You shoot Canon EF and need more reach: Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. It is an open-box auto/manual telephoto zoom with a 58mm front thread.
- You shoot Canon EF-S and want a low-priced everyday zoom: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III. It is an open-box auto/manual short zoom with a 58mm front thread.
- You shoot Nikon F on a tight budget: Nikon NIKKOR 70-210mm f/4-5.6 AF. This used push-pull telephoto zoom comes with front/rear caps, hood, and a UV filter, and it is the lowest-priced lens here.
Lens-by-lens notes
Open Box TTartisan 27mm F2.8 AF Lens For Fuji X Mount Cameras X-T10 X-T2 X-T30
The TTartisan is the only prime in this comparison, and the only lens here that fits a Fujifilm X-mount camera. It brings a pancake body under 3cm, a 56° angle of view, and a 39mm front filter thread, plus autofocus with manual focus override and a click aperture ring from F2.8 to F16. That makes it a nice leave-on-the-camera prime for a Fuji shooter. The limitation is the fixed 27mm focal length: you have to move yourself to change the framing, and it will not fit the Canon or Nikon bodies in this set.
Open Box) Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens
The Canon EF 70-300mm is the longest optic here, reaching out to 300mm, and it comes in an open-box item with auto/manual focus and a 58mm front filter thread. It is listed as made in Japan. If you already use Canon EF mount, this is the obvious pick for wildlife, sports, or compression-style shots. The limitation is the price: it is the most expensive lens in this group, so a shooter who only needs an everyday focal range may not want to spend that much for the extra reach.
Open Box) Canon EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 III Zoom Camera Lens
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm is a short zoom with a plastic exterior, a 58mm front filter thread, and auto/manual focus, and it comes with front and rear lens caps. For Canon EF-S APS-C shooters, the 18-55mm focal range covers the everyday wide-to-short-telephoto zone, so it works well as a first zoom or a compact backup. The limitation is obvious against the longer zooms: 55mm is much shorter than the 70-210mm or 70-300mm reach, so it will not pull distant subjects in close.
Nikon NIKKOR 70-210mm f/4.0-5.6 AF Lens
The Nikon NIKKOR 70-210mm is the cheapest lens in this roundup and the only used option. It is a push-pull mid-range zoom described as being in excellent condition, with no dust, no scratches, and front/rear caps, hood, and a UV filter included. It is designed for Nikon F mount, with a maximum aperture of f/4.0-5.6. If you have a compatible Nikon body and want budget telephoto coverage, this is the most affordable way to get 70-210mm here. The limitation is the used condition and the push-pull design, which is a different feel from the auto/manual focus zooms.
Which one should you buy?
The right lens depends on the camera you already own. For a Fujifilm X shooter who wants a tiny lens for daily use, the TTartisan 27mm F2.8 at $108.99 is the natural pick. For a Canon EF shooter who needs serious reach, the 70-300mm IS USM at $255 is the only option in this group that gets to 300mm. For a Canon EF-S shooter on a small budget, the 18-55mm at $80 covers the most common focal lengths without the higher price. And for a Nikon F shooter who wants the lowest-priced telephoto zoom here, the used NIKKOR 70-210mm at $75 is the value-focused choice. If you value the longest reach and shoot Canon EF, the $255 price buys that reach; if you want to spend the least, the Nikon at $75 gets you a telephoto range but not the same 300mm top end.
