18 Awesome Low-Budget Camera Lenses! (for Canon, full-frame, and APS-C)

This video covers the lenses I most often recommend to people who, like me, are not quite swimming in money, or who are simply aware of the concept of value for money. I've tried to pack in as much infoz as possible into the video.
The first 9 are lenses designed for full-frame cameras (but will work on APS-C, too) and the second 9 are lenses designed for APS-C cameras (which MAY work, to some extent, on full-frame cameras). I'm judging them based on their practicality and image quality most of the time, but a couple have made it on to my list solely on the basis that they're fun. What lenses do you like which I've missed out? Let me know in the comments!
Some other great, low-budget lenses I was thinking of including:
Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM
Canon 70-200 f/4 USM 'L'
Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro
Samyang 14mm f/2.8
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (non-VC)
If you've found this or other videos I've made to be helpful, then support me on Patreon! www.patreon.com/christopherfr...
All pictures and footage taken by me on Canon 6D and 70D cameras
Equipment I use to make my videos (Amazon affiliate links):
Canon EOS R5: geni.us/CanonEOSR5Body
Canon EF-RF Adaptor: geni.us/CanonEFtoRF
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 'Art': geni.us/Sigma50mm14Art
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM: geni.us/CanonRF35mm18Macro
Marumi Fit and Slim CPL Filter: geni.us/MarumiFitSlim77
AudioTechnica AT2020USB+ Microphone: geni.us/AT2020USBPlusMic
Rode Smartlav+ Microphone: geni.us/RodeSmartLavalierPlus
Rode SC3 adapter: geni.us/RodeSC3MicAdaptor
Zoom H1n Recorder: geni.us/ZoomH1nMiniRecorder
DJI Mini 2 Drone: geni.us/DJIMini2FlyMore
Music:
'Shades of Spring', Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

[@adrianak.91]

I like how calm and relaxed you talk, you are very calming and nice to listen to. The pancake lens is really nice on my crop canon, so sharp.

[@itsmahamlife7329]

is the pancake really sharp? i am so confused between 50mm 1.4 and the canon pancake lens idk which one to get :( i want my images to be sharp

[@Faigh_as]

+maham rafi I own a canon 40mm and it's really sharp

[@umutsezerkoc7412]

+maham rafi sharp images are not everything. The contrast, color rendition etc. there are more important things, personally I dont like 'pancake' lenses, I like bigger ones :) Don't get the 50mm 1.4, the images look soft. I recommend you to check out the 50mm 1.8 stm. Have fun!

[@rizwanazam452]

adriana do i know you?

[@YongaSun]

Get the Canon 50mm 1.8. It‘s amazing.

[@chrisshort87]

For reference if anyone is interested, I've had the new EF 50mm f1.8 STM (replacement for the plastic nifty fifty mkii and, to an extent, the 50mm 1.4USM) for just over a week on my 30D APS-C and I can highly recommend it. Far superior build quality, metal mount, quieter focusing motor and much improved bokeh over its predecessor and about the same initial price point as the nifty was when it was new.

[@donnamarie598]

AGREED I love mine

[@bringmeknitting844]

Absolutely agree - it was the first lens I bought, the cheapest and in terms of IQ, still probably my favourite!

[@rdog77]

I just bought that same lens. It's fantastic.

[@UNSCPILOT]

5 years later here, still a terrific lens, deffinitly recommend

[@amermeleitor]

How it compares against the 50mm 1.4 USM? I need to decide about one of them (both used, from internet, near my house)

[@Dreamhawke]

I've been watching your stuff for a long time and one of the things I love about you is you understand not everyone is a professional with an unlimited budget and although we may have saved and bought a nice camera, we may not be able to rush right out and grab some 2k+ glass. You're awesome and you get it.

[@auxmike]

Your choice of music and voice in general make every video a jewel. It's like hanging out in a coffeehouse discussing gear with a good friend!

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Yep, I have the Sigma 17-50 - brilliant "walk about" lens and great that it keeps its F2.8 through the whole zoom range.

[@ejdotw]

I so love your videos! Christopher, I've recently re-entered wedding photography, having left back when DSLRs emerged. You are my primary educator on lens review, and I am so very, very grateful for your outstanding work!

[@periurban]

A very useful list for all Canon DSLR owners. It is a minefield out there, with so many options. I think others have mentioned vintage lenses, and as a very cheap alternative to the Canon primes I have found my wee Olympus 50mm 1.8 to be quite wonderful. Just as sharp as the Canon 1.8 and competes well with Canon's 1.4, which I had to sell for financial reasons (I still wake up in a sweat of regret over that.... because, I mean..... 1.4!) Vintage lenses can be a great way of experimenting with focal lengths and apertures without breaking the bank, and when you are done with them you can sell them on and get your investment back.

[@alexrobertson9875]

Really happy the Sigma 30mm F1.4 Art came in second for ASP-C cameras. I've had one for a few years that I use with my 7Dmkii. It is my go to lens. I was living abroad in Europe and travelling regularly and ended up just taking that lens everywhere. It took amazing photos and was excellent in low light. Even though its a prime lens, I also chose to take it over my 24-105mm f4 L. Highly recommend for anyone with an ASP-C sensor camera who's looking for a great prime lens.

[@januaryheights]

Great great video. I love ur reviews; Straight to the point with lots of data and samples. Thank u !!

[@nessimko7628]

Incredibly informative and interesting as always! :) Keep up the good work !

[@Foxtrotlima73]

I had forgotten about the Holga! I have been out of the photography loop for a very long time and it is only recently that my husband bought me a Canon 600D on clearance that I have started to get back into it. I quite literally paused your video to go and order just a plain Holga lens off Amazon (currently £11.99) to get me back into it. I love the look of heavy vignetting if it is done right so I now have to play around to get it right! Thank you for your rundown and I feel very happy knowing that all 4 lenses that I own (soon to be 5) are on your list!

[@rdog77]

(Beginner) Thank for posting this. Lenses is where it's at regardless of your cameras age. I know this video is from '15, but I recently bought the Sigma 15-35mm f1.8 Art lens for cropped sensors. It's solid in build quality and great clear pictures....noisy for video because you can hear the lens focusing but you just need to compensate for that. I use it on my T4i, and my SL3. Paid about $600, not super cheep, but totally worth the money.

[@tronkel1]

Best lens reviews by far on KZbin. Very well presented. Thanks

[@EvanRackle]

This video is so helpful, thanks for putting your time into these, man!

[@Liviu1648]

Man i must say,in hard times i like to watch your videos and they bring happiness to me thanks for your great work

[@iOS4guy]

I was just surfing your channel looking for good cheap lenses and this came up. Thank you very much!

[@TexMex421]

One of my favorite cheap Canon lenses is the 22-55mm. Long discontinued, this lens was intended as a kit lens for an EOS APS-C Film camera. Yup a cropped film camera. But the lens is FF and does great on modern DSLRs FF or Crop. To be honest it's not a great lens, but at $10-100 if you watch ebay and a careful, they can be had for next to nothing. I paid $17 and got a Film rebel and flash to go with it. the novelty is great. i put a ring of red tape on it and it drives my camera club nuts trying to figure out where this new lens can be bought.

[@robertvanvaals2677]

Thanks for the suggestion! Seems to be a great lens to go with my Canon EOS 5D classic.

[@avocado.x]

Thank you so much for the video, it's very helpful

[@fredsbloggs656]

Good video Christopher, you bring a well rounded review covering every aspect of IQ without bogging us down with bar graphs. I especially like the fact you compare the lenses on FF and crop cameras, so many assume the sweat spot on APSc sensors will produce sharper images, so often it doesn't, shake reduction, CAs, flair, vignetting and AF all there in a well thought out package......well done!

[@HectorSuzy]

Love your vids mate! Keep up the good work! It would be nice to see a review of the new yongnuo lens!

[@MrAkihiros]

A finely crafted lens review as usual. Kudos.

[@philip46878]

Another great video! Thanks Chris

[@EmelietheBoss]

I got the nr3 and nr1 on this list because of your videos! Love them!

[@acalthu]

Thank you for this. I already have the 55-250 STM, and the 18-135mm IS USM, which came with my 60D but is now used on a 350D instead. I plan on getting the Sigma 17-50 as my everyday lens because I do enjoy low light shooting, and it will complement the 55-250 nicely.

[@sgnz2000]

Thank you for this roundup. Very useful list. I particularly appreciate the pointers to less mainstream ones which I would not have thought of (eg: Tamron 60 f2 macro.) I've watched nearly all your lens reviews and have enjoyed them all but this nice summary reminds me of the lenses I could realistically buy some day.

[@vudoodaddie]

Very informative. Thank you Chris.

[@ARMAJOV]

Thank you, very useful overview. My most favourite Canon lens is missing though, the 50mm f2.5 compact macro. This is second hand nowadays also very cheap.

[@richardjbsimon]

I own No. 6 (Samyang) and No. 5 (Pancake) for my 6 years old Canon 1100D (Rebel T3i) - I wonder how many people still using this entry level camera these days! They deliver pretty awesome performance, though Samyang requires more of trial and error each time, but still manages to pull off some stunning results. Thanks for your insightful reviews everytime. Keep up the good work.

[@Clodrock]

Got a Fringer Pro II EF-mount adapter. Love Canon-compatible lenses on my Fuji - X bodies!!! AF and aperture control too!

[@ljwedvids]

You've made me happy, I have the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 and I'm super happy with it. After so much thought it's my lens of choice for wedding video work to get all the shots I need without a lens change! thanks for all the vids

[@avenegas0691]

Really... An OUTSTANDING Lens Review!!! Thanks a lot Christopher!!!

[@phdayz]

I would love to see a review on the Yongnuo 50mm. Also they are making a 35mm f/2.0. I'd like to see a review on that one as well.

[@TMgarage540]

thanks for good review Chris! very informative!

[@Jacksonstoybox]

your videos are very helpful. thanks for the tips on the offbrands too!

[@XenovaKyo]

Really appreciate your effort in making such quality videos. This is very informational.

[@MustangGuy121]

Thanks so much for this video Chris!

[@atorte]

Excelente lista! Muchas gracias!

[@newmagicfilms]

Exactly what i was looking for. Very well explained and good video! Thank you for sharing this gold information and invest on lens just for that!

[@Magnetron692]

Hi Chris, thanks! One lens for hobby photographers, who are on a budget, is the Canon EF 3.5-4.5/28-70mm II lens, which came out back in 1988. I purchased one from Japan via eBay in Exc++ condition and I'm very pleased with it on my Canon 6D and Sony A7 Mk II (with sensor image stabilization). The image quality is astonishingly great and leaves nothing to be desired and the AF, albeit not USM, is very fast and accurate. Highy recommended! Also this lens is small, light and a joy to carry around. Best, Ralf

[@andrefelixstudio2833]

Again a great video with tons of info, you just got to love it!

[@williamneuman7783]

Love your videos. Easy to understand and relaxing. Have you considered doing a new vid like this since so many new and updated lenses are now available? In the new year I plan on getting new lenses for my Canon T3 and hoping to move up to a Canon 77D. Would love to see an updated vid for the available low budget lenses.

[@milindanerao7005]

Very Good Review. I wish you had reviews like this for Nikon since I am a Nikon user. I had been looking for the recommendation on sigma 17-55mm lenses since I was planning to buy that for my Crop censer camera and you recommended that as #1 increased my confidence.

[@oliveiraperez2]

thanks for all! I choose my lens watching your videos.

[@jeremyleung4389]

Hi Chris, thank you for the wonderfully thorough and also calming style of reviews you produce! I'm wondering for landscape and wide city shooting, should I get the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 or the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8? (I'm using a Canon 700D) Thank you!

[@itsMido2]

I could listen to you talk all day hehe

[@MrAkihiros]

Pleasant, articulate, reassuring voice:)

[@ValdezJu]

Therapeutic!

[@kid_stizz]

Indeed.

[@IonutStoicaro]

Very nice round up! I would've inserted the Tamron 17-50 2.8 in there as well.

[@mikeclark3013]

Just got the Canon 55-250 today. Looking forward to putting it into action!

[@nikodiyana918]

Thanks, I watch your reviews when I am stressed.

[@chrisshort87]

Another contender in my opinion in the Sigma 30mm 1.4 HSM prime. I had one for a couple of years and, on a crop, it's marvellous. Much more usable in low lit, tight spots than a 50.

[@wilwilly159]

Nice to see and very interesting! Thanks!

[@AlyErbach]

This helped a lot! Thank you

[@massawax]

Excellent and pretty comprehensive list. I just bought the Tamron Macro 60mm used for 248 USD. Thanks for the piece of advice.

[@eraldylli]

Great job. Very useful for future reference as well.

[@alexaudiovisuals]

Anyone else going back to these old videos on autoplay just for the soothing voiceover and music in the background while doing other stuff? :'D

[@jameskingston]

Awesome videos buddy!

[@romthapa6862]

James Kingston

[@sebastiansanchez2776]

James Kingston

[@ernestodonatucci7917]

The Canon ef 28-135mm f:3.5-5.6 IS USM is beautiful too, I replaced it with the Sigma 17-50mm f:2.8 but I keep it for backup. It was my eos 50D kit lens and I love it!!!

[@BLUEFIRE444]

great vid! would love to see more cowntdowns like this in the future

[@OldLCAndersonHigh]

Very informative video. Keep up the good work.

[@ajazahmed3694]

Great review Christopher

[@BlueBoyof08]

THANK YOU. YOU ARE GREAT. KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING

[@govindkale5497]

thanks, now clear my all doubts

[@IuriLudkevitch]

Hi Chris! Best lens compilation on the Net. It's a pleasure to watch your videos. I think the EF-S 60mm 2.8 macro is a good value for the money, but it seems you prefer the Tamron 60mm 2.0. By the way, don't you think Canon isn't exploring all the potencial of the STM technology? I have a 70d also and I would LOVE a USM version of the 17-55 2.8 ( even if I am a happy owner of the Sigma 18-50). God bless you.

[@christopherfrost]

An STM version of the 17-55 with quiet IS and a slightly smaller size would be my dream lens...

[@fenui]

Christopher Frost Photography just have a deep enough wallet for that beauty! cause if it arrives anytime, it'd cost a ton of money... :) and I'm with you, it'd be my dream standard zoom as well! :D

[@NjorogeMuigai]

The Helios lenses, great review though I learned a lot

[@Kugelwanze]

Thanks Chris for your reviews! 6 months ago I went for your advice of Sigma 17-50 mm f2.8. Have been enjoying its every shot and quality since the moment I've got it. Can't decied now should I go wide or more zoomed in, I hope your reviews can help me out again ;) God bless

[@drdimento]

Thank you again Chris F. enjoyable. I have been picking up the right EF-S lenses for the Canon 80D and enjoying watching your reviews to help make the right selections. Thanks again and God bless you too.

[@christopherfrost]

You're welcome!

[@pferdenerd]

Nice! 3 of these I want to buy in the future.😁

[@rendigunawan4493]

This video is very help full... bravo

[@kevinfides2167]

great list man!

[@ingeborgsvensson4896]

I picked up an old Pentacon F1.8-F16 35-50 mm lens from a recycle (thrift) store for EUR 2.50 (3 dollars) and it has become one of my favourite lens. Of course I have to set my 50D to manual and I need an M42 to EOS adapter. It looks kind of silly this small stubby lens on a big camera but I have made some amazing photos with it, both landscapes and close ups.

[@Butterfly07949]

Awesome and God bless you to Christopher 😀 Yes the Canon 50mm f1.8 mk1 is a good choice if not rare lens. Not sure if it translates well with digital cameras but with your excellent technical expertise I am sure you will give it a thorough examination.

[@nathansteele9680]

Hi Chris, I totally agree with you on the Sigma 17 50 F2.8 EX DC OS HSM.... I've had manual focus adapted primes for years and after a bit of an Ebay session I just bought my Eos fit version for £249 delivered as an import. A very sharp lens. Thanks for your very detailed reviews :)

[@vankodoq]

Gotta agree on this. I have several lenses; most of the time, it's Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 non-VC that's on my 70D. But since I bought the Sigma 30mm f1.4 Art lens, I really enjoy playing around with it. A very good economical lens for APS-C camera indeed.

[@sergiobasilioli384]

Nice video Christopher very helpfull!

[@Zachattackisrad]

my favorite lense of mine is the tamron 18-270mm with a f/3.5-6.3 it is amazing and it great for pretty much everything

[@roykms]

Lovely video :) good work!

[@markbubel5230]

Thank you. Great video

[@mixxinmel]

Amazing Pics from my sigma 17-50 mm lens on my Canon 70d. works like a charm in low lighting, i barely use flash when this lens is on this body!!!

[@dumindacooray]

You make very valuable videos. Thanks

[@syfriamedia]

Great list of lens

[@danndank]

I would add Sigma 17-70 2.8-4 as a alternative to the 17-50 2.8. It's sharp, and it has some extra telephoto reach I enjoy. The variable aperture doesn't annoy me too much in real life, and if I really need 2.8, I'll keep it wide open. With the amount of megapixels today I can always crop, but never felt the need. Just a beautiful, beautiful cheap and cheerful lens, too bad it doesn't have manual focus override (same as 17-50 2.8 afaik). Excellent image stabilization, good build etc. BTW, I have the older version, heavier than the newer one. It has some heft to it, but not something that bothers me. I own a Nikon, but there is the canon variant too.

[@Paulintouch]

Great review ! GOD bless you Christopher

[@vincentdt868]

Nice and interesting review! The Sigma 17-50 is crazy, at ease in mosts situations, very well built, very sharp! The 50mm f1.8 is amazingly sharp at f8 or 9. And the 55-250 is (non stm) is not bad...

[@jalilchaouite]

I have the Sigma 70-300mm and the Canon 50mm f/1.8 and I just couldn't agree more. The Sigma feels a million times better than the kit lens and is really impressive in terms of quality when you think I had it for 300 €. And the Canon 50mm well I was not too sure about this one and I had the chance to test one for a day before buying it. I loved it so much, it really changes your little habits as a photographer and forces you to think your pictures on another angle. Great choice to learn. This compilation is an amazing idea, it will definitely help me a lot in the future! Thanks Chris!

[@Mr78Stiffler]

Very interesting video, even for not Canon Users. Your 1st aps-c place is also my favorite lens by far, just loving it. Maybe i will give your second place a chance, sounds and looks very interesting.

Great video. Thanks!

[@zispop]

Pleasure as always to watch your videos. Really wish one day you'll also make Nikon or even Sony reviews. Would probably multiply your views by a lot. Thank you Chris.

[@victormihis]

great job, dear Christopher... I viewed many of your reviews, and I find them the most useful reviews about dslr lenses... I'm 55, I make pictures, as an amateur, for almost 40 years... I used Praktica L, Pentacon six TL on film, Olympus 2Mpx compact camera, Fuji 6,5Mpx bridge, and now I own a Canon 1100D and a 600D dslr... my purpose is to reduce the need of changing lenses, so lately I use two cameras... now I have the standard kit non IS lens, the 55-250 stm, and the 10-18 stm lenses I want to get a lens to fill the gap between the 10-18 (ultra)wide lens, and the 55-250 telephoto can you recommend one of these? canon 18-135 stm + goes from wide to tele so much, so it could make my 55-250 almost useless... there are not often situations when I really need a focal beyond 200 equivalent on full frame - not so luminous tamron 28-75 f2,8 non VC + sharp and luminous - could handle better the indoor pictures - non VC, quite short zoom range sigma 17-70 f2,8-4 ... + both luminous and sharp - short zoom range do you have a recommendation? thank you very much regards

[@christopherfrost]

+Victor Mihis I'd go for the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 OS HSM :-)

[@victormihis]

+Christopher Frost Photography thank you very much! merry christmas!

[@TrancemasterOnyx]

For macro-on-a-budget (with a dedicated 1:1 lens) I do recommend the Tamron 90mm f2,8. It works on both full-frame and APS-C sensor cameras and with the higher focal length of 90mm you can keep a distance from your subject, which can be very handy. Nice and sharp too! The only complaint could be that it lacks image stabilization. But for best macro shots it's recommended to use a tripod, so that shouldn't be an issue in that regard. The lens is also quite decent for portraits as well.

[@bartekbgraczyk5574]

Like your video Mate. Useful for us normal people. No nonsense straight honest. God bles you to

[@yodaheabebe3756]

Hey Chris, Thumbs up for the video. I see that it has been a little while since you uploaded it. But can you please do a video that is updated about which lenses to buy for cannon 6d and 5d Mark 3 for starting out and within 1000USD budget. I know it's a very small budget but this is to start with... Also I am gonna use it for video/photography. Thank you

[@demonicblaze7429]

Heh glad all my lenses are on your list. Makes me feel better that after tons of research I haven't bought a turkey :) Might take a look at the 30mm Art. Looks well built and slightly wider than my 50mm 1.8. Nice lens round-up you've done there.

[@johnmonreal3639]

Hi Chris, Just watched the video - great stuff I have the 40mm Canon Pancake and it's amazing. I know you haven't tested it yet but I did buy the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 and it's fantastic. Super sharp. Thanks again for posting this video. John

[@lyonellumitao8923]

Hi Chris! Can you make a review about Tamron AF18-200mm F3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD IF lens. thanks

[@lmallard3788]

Good list. I had been studying dxomark measurements for sigma 17-50 f2.8 & 18-35 f1.8 for my 80d. I had to use 70d for the camera, because apparently, 80d has not been tested with any lenses by that bunch.

[@marckydasaint8730]

Hi Chris, I could not afford the 135mm f2.0L but I discovered a very good alternative, the Canon 135mm f2.8. It is very sharp wide open and amazing stopped down. It has a switch for an 80's soft focus effect, but I never use that feature. Awesome lens, but then I've never seen a bad 135mm. Would love to see you review it.

[@leojonkers3181]

I like the 40 mm STM, nice reviews with normal and even cheap lenses. For me I miss the Canon 28mm F2.8. Old lens, but I love it.

[@triplestrafe]

Love the video. Was hoping you could review the slightly dated Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 macro lens. [:

[@TheOlandex]

I tapped out at the half way mark since my primary camera is a full frame and I'm not looking to buy any APSC (or EFS) lenses. That said my backup camera is a T5i so i do have both. Have to say i agree completely with the assessment of the 50mm. Best lens for the money that exists I believe. I would also add in the Tamron 70 - 200 mm f2.8 which is a brilliant performer on both full frame and APSC sensors. The G2 version is said to be even better but the original is just outstanding and such an amazing value!

[@thewalrus1968]

TOKINA AT-X 11-16mm f2.8 would have defo been on my list for aps-c ..amazing lens

[@johnhelps9254]

My favourite lens is the 24mm f2.8 STM, It makes a fantastic all purpose lens for APSC cameras, it's not super fast or super wide, but its tiny, it has amazing image quality, and its built very well for a budget lens. You can pick them up very cheaply sometimes used, I bought mine for 90$ in absolutely pristine condition, making it an even better deal.