Upgrading your Canon kit lens - lots of recommendations!

So, you want a better lens for your camera for everyday use? There are tonnes of options out there, but here are the lenses I most frequently recommend to people (these are my recommendations for APS-C cameras). Here are links to all the reviews:
Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (the kit lens): • Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS ...
Canon 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM: • Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3...
Canon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM: • Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/...
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 OS HSM: • Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 OS...
Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM: • Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2...
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 HSM: • Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC...
Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM (pancake): • Canon EF 40mm STM 'Pan...
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 HSM: • Sigma 30mm f1.4 Lens R...
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC 'Art': • Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC 'A...
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 HSM: • Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HS...
If you've found this or other videos I've made to be helpful, then support me on Patreon! www.patreon.com/christopherfr...
All shots and video taken by me with my trusty Canon 60D.
Music: 'Shades of Spring' by Kevin Macleod (www.incompetech.com)

[@videoGunZ]

Love to see the face behind the voice that always talks about my favourite lenses :)

[@CozmoNz]

Its always a little weird though isn't it, its like when you see a radio presenter, I know the voice, but Im just not used to seeing you! Great videos though Chris, Love em!

[@eddy_creative]

I dont trust anyone elses Camera reviews on KZbin, Chris is the only guy i check out when i need to purchase a new lens.

[@ygtx44]

Jared Polin he is a Profeccional Photographer

[@coincollectorsaustralia6396]

There is also Ken Rockwell who has a website and a KZbin channel

[@flyingratchet]

Can't tell you how much I appreciate these thoughtful, un-biased reviews that move through the whole parameter space of a decision succinctly. Eleven minutes of my time instead of 8 hours of confusing research. Incredibly luxurious. Liked and subscribed!

[@cwwong4938]

You know Chris, i thought the voiceover was a robot haha as your voice sound so flawless. Glad to see your finally appear here

[@ShimonTzidkiahuYossef]

Your voice is soooooo incredible relaxing. Listening you enables me to achieve inner peace, as well as better photos. Keep up the good work!

[@azlanikram9393]

really love your work . Its such a systematic manner that i can compare every lens just because of the standard test that all the lenses follow

[@hayskeys]

Love your lens reviews. Used this and a few others (mostly from you) to decide on my new Sigma 17-50mm f2.8. Wild that this video from 9yrs ago still seems to have some of the most relevant info on this sort of lens choice.

[@mml3140]

Just a reminder that you make superb quality videos. I trust your judgment because of your thorough nature and ability to be objective. This hobby is more enjoyable because of these videos.

[@christopherfrost]

Angel Rodriguez Thanks! :-)

[@oscarmike47]

your reviews are really straight forward and thurough. i really like watching them. i was discussing with my father which lens he should upgrade to from his kit lens and we discussed 3 of the lenses you recomended in this video. its funny the lenses we chose were the same ones you recomended. we settled on the 15-85mm as he wants to do primeraly landscape and i personally own that lens and i love it. thanks for puting so much time and effort into your videos.

[@presentmoments5816]

i think you are one of the best reviewers here on the net. thanks for all your informative videos!

[@RosaGomez-mw3lj]

Chris you give the best reviews...making the decision to make a purchase so much easier. Thank you.

[@kaylafontaine8149]

Very New in photography and this has explained so much on why my pictures look the way they do (kit lens) thank you for the tips on lenses

[@Randothol]

Cheers Chris, as always a balanced and informative review.

[@miike111]

Thanks for a review on a few lenses you talked about, I enjoy watching your reviews and the building that you to show sharpness and softness of the lens and I like your commentary, your style is new and fun to watch.

[@DowdyDowd]

Thanks for your attention to detail and keeping the videos from getting too dry, Chris! Long-time fan and subscriber, first time commenter.

[@ilidenstrmrege987]

For me the 24-70mm/2.8L II works absolute wonders. I rarely used the

[@secondhanddog3]

Help a lot when looking for a upgrade after I was sick of the lack of quality from the kit lense. Cheers!

[@stevenhowe-bull9123]

Wonderful easy to watch videos. As a dslr newbie they are invaluable. Thanks Christopher

[@michaelo2l]

Before I buy I always come here to check your reviews first... keep up the good work...

[@b991228]

I struggled taking landscapes with the softness and purple aberrations of my Canon 18-135 kit lens till I was nearly driven mad and could take no more. I took your advice and got a Sigma 17-50. Boy is that lens a dream.

[@PingWing]

Amazing video, just what i was looking for! Thanks, keep up the good work!!

[@icyremy]

Thank you very much for the excellent and fair review, Christopher.

[@desmoMarco91]

Thanks cristopher...thanks to this video I bought a sigma 17-50 f/2.8. I bought my first dslr without kit lens and bought that one directly. thumbs up

[@lowrez2703]

First vid i've seen of yours which features your face, handsome chap! Lol great vid as always, really enjoy watching all your lens reviews and find your tests decently comprehensive. Thanks for all the work you do to help us make better lens choices

[@smort123]

Perfect video. I choose to upgrade my kit zoom lens to a Sigma 18-35 mm für Night and Indoor/concert shoots and now i'm searching for a "Superzoom" for outdoor and travelling. Probably gonna be the Canon 18-135mm.

[@anirbanbhattacharjee3474]

Finally I could put a face to the very familiar voice 😊 This review is a guide for all beginners who wants to upgrade from kit lens, myself included. Thanks for this amazing video.

[@jvsuryanarayana]

Glad to see the the face behind that very distinctive voice, offering good advice.

[@donaldriedesel5911]

Love this channel has helped me decide my line up for buying equipment I plan on buying a Canon 6d soon :)

[@MarcusDolby]

I love the fact that you keep the section name at the top left for quick reference if I want to skip around the video.

[@59250em]

Thank you very much Cristopher for your great videos that really help amateur photographs. Following one of you video, I finally bought the 15-85mm of Canon instead of the 17-40mm f/4 L.

[@christopherfrost]

Very good decision

[@DaiJuusangoki]

Love your reviews Chris!

[@califmike2003]

Love your reviews have purchase lenses that you've recommended it is nice to see The Man Behind The Voice.

[@Rationalific]

I enjoyed the good advice and also liked the intro..."Oh, hi! I didn't see you come in." Keep up the good work!

[@paulhickey6896]

As most comments, great video and great to see you! First place to come if you want an honest and full lens review.

[@CharlesStoddardPastor]

Great job Chris. I own 2 of the lenses you mentioned. The Canon 18-135mm STM and the prime Canon 40mm STM. I am very happy with both. The 18-135 takes exceptional pictures and I look forward to your hands-on review of it later this year. I think you are going to like it. Your review of the 40mm was great. Shalom!

[@mklvg]

Great reviews here thank you Frost 👍

[@jonno52]

Thanks for this Chris. I do almost exclusively bird photography, with the 100-400mm Mk2, but it makes sense to have something shorter and moderately decent too! Yesterday I tried out the 18-55mm kit lens that came with my 700D properly for the first time. I reckon the IQ is awful. Your recommendation of the 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 reflects opinion in other reviews and I'm going for that. Thanks again.

[@borgdylan]

I got an 18-150mm with an f/3.5-5.6 aperture as a kit lense. The autofocus was quite fast usign an STM motor. I first got a more wide-angle zoom (11-22mm f/4-5.6) then a more telephoto zoom 70-300mm f/4-5.6. At this point I am getting prime lenses for indoor and low light as well as close-ups.

[@LeonDieBoer]

Nice to finally meet you, Chris. Greetings from Melbourne Aus

[@bxng_soo]

i’ve been watching your videos since 2020 and this is the first time i saw your face!

[@mohammaddoulatana2451]

Nice works, thanks a lot. It helps to take a right decision.

[@gemsandlasers269]

Funny that I'm getting recommended a lot of your old videos at the moment. I didn't realise you used to appear on camera! Thought it was a very recent thing you introduced.

[@MediumGreenMike]

Hi Chris! Kudos on your lens reviews. They are the best on KZbin in my humble opinion. Going back and shooting the same building is also a great way to see the differences between different lenses and I don't see anyone else doing anything like that. Whatever you do, Don;'t let them tear down that building!!! :-) I just wanted to add a quick thought or two on the subject you covered here. I've been using the Canon 15-85mm IS for almost three years now and I really love it. I bought it as my first upgrade from my kit lens. It paired well with my T1i and more recently my T5i and think it was well worth the costs. The main drawback is the speed. I recently took it on holiday to Europe and paired with a Canon 28mm f2.8 IS, and I was able to get most of what I wanted. The Canon 24mm might have been a better choice for indoors on a crop sensor body, but both primes are nice and worth a look. The 24 is about $50(US) more. I also recently purchased the Sigma 18-35mm 1.8 for Christmas, and I was saddened to have to return it. The build, color and sharpness of this lens really blew me away, but the copy I had had serious focus issues. This lens may just not pair well with certain Canon bodies, or it may have just been knocked around in transit, I don't know. I ended up settling for the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8, in part based on your review, so thank you for that. I was temped to wait and buy the next revision of the Canon 17-55, but one never knows when that might happen. It's also twice as expensive as the Sigma, and I saw some criticism from buyers about the current version of the Canon that also waived me off. But since I don't own one I won't pile on, I'll just say that I saw no complaints about sharpness, accuracy or color. Anyway I do now own the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 and have decided to keep it. I took it to a couple of family Christmas events and did some indoor shooting. The constant 2.8 is nice, the color is OK, but the focus accuracy at 2.8 is not always as spot on as on my Canon 15-85mm wide open. I found myself shooting the Sigma mostly in manual mode at 4.0, 1/200, bouncing my flash in ETTL mode, which worked really well for indoor family snaps, and of 35 or so "keepers" I only saw one with questionable focus. Anyway thanks again for your excellent and generous input on this subject. I'm sure many people have found your work helpful. Merry Christmas!

[@christopherfrost]

+MediumGreenMike Sorry to hear you had a bad time with the Sigma 18-35. One way to get more accurate autofocus, if you're in a critical situation, is to use the slower autofocus in the liveview mode on your camera - it's contrast detection and a bit more accurate

[@timdilnutt6983]

Thanks for the video, Chris. Personally, I started with a Nikon D40 and the kit lens which was a 18-55 mm. I have to say that I took many photos which I was really pleased with. It is, as they say, the photographer that's important - excuse me blowing my own trumpet. Additionally, I always advise friends to use the kit lens for a while before buying another lens to see what kind of photography they enjoy. I discovered that I loved macro photography. And it really was a discovery. I had no idea when I bought the camera that that kind of photography would grab me.

[@christopherfrost]

That is good advice, to use the kit lens first :-)

[@alexdudeguy1]

Thanks. This is very helpful!

[@52ashur]

thank u chris for this amazing video ... god bless you

[@KieranWrightPhoto]

Chris! Get your eyes ready for some compliments! I love this new video ^ :). It is such a great idea to create a video about upgrading your kit lens and I can't believe that I hadn't thought of it myself! and come to think of it, no reviewers that I follow have done one either! nit like you have anyway.. A person with a library of reviews as large as yours is a great person to make recommendations like that :). great work! I've actually been inspired by your reviews and have actually started making my own reviews :). My dad and I joke and say "I'm going to make a Christopher Frost style review" and try and mimicking your voice but fail to make anything sound as lovely as yours :) so I'm glad you're still creating, and I hope your patrons are supporting you enough :)

[@christopherfrost]

Thanks! It's really kind of you to send this encouraging message :-) I think this video might be due for an update sometime soon. All the best :-)

[@KieranWrightPhoto]

+Christopher Frost Photography no problem Chris. aahh yeah that would be a great idea! I look forward to it :)

[@PlanetTweet]

Finally, I saw how you look like. All the videos I watched for you was just your sound :D

[@bobfromhull]

Hi Chris. I'm getting a bit disillusioned with the EF-S range. I paired an 18-135 STM with my 80D. It's a great carry out set but edge sharpness is frankly not great. Try the 24-70 f/4.0L IS USM on a cropper, It's amazing. I've got blow away sharpness on my 7Dmk1 and 80D and post processing is down to just the odd crop. Well worth the extra bit of cash. The 17-40 f/4 L is great too but a bit limited on range.

[@ShamelGataje]

thank you Christopher, helpful reviews as always :) God bliss

[@trajtemberg]

The 40mm is awesome. Very sharp f/2.8, nice bokeh, fairly fast AF (with manual override in oneshote mode) and super compact. I would buy it again even if it costed 3 times its price.

[@BelgianAlien]

Great lineup! The only drawback is... some of those lenses are quite pricey for the hobby photographers among us. Keep the reviews coming, great work Christopher.

[@christopherfrost]

Take a look at my budget lens videos :-)

[@moathsphotography4371]

When I started photography I bought a 70-300mm lens and a 50mm F1.8 it was great

[@phillgriffith]

I watch a lot of your videos, and only watched this one as it appeared to put a face to the voice. It was rather shocking, in so much as I had a different face in my mind. Great videos, don't be shy of putting yourself on camera and keep up the good, honest, work. Thanks.

[@onehourmusicbc]

Hey Chris! I've also recently got the 18-35 Sigma lens! Even though it might be an older lens for now, but the aperture and the quality still stand at the top of the line. hoping to get the 50-100 f1.8 or the 150-600 Contemporary when I will have my money again... xDD

[@sendingoodvibes]

super helpful!! great video :D

[@mdNazrulislam-js7pc]

I think you should make a review for canon 18-135 mm IS USM lens. Please make the video

[@ramkiran1079]

Love your videos.. great work thanks a lot..!!

[@TheParagonify]

Would you rather recommend the Sigma 17-50mm or the Sigma 17-70mm? Nice video as usual.

[@ItsKapow]

Thanks for this comparison!

[@AllanMojica0911]

Great review 👍🏻

[@lucab1733]

Really recommend 70-300mm tamron sp di VC USD, can get it used for $200 and it's very sharp even at long zoom ranges

[@Philipe0849]

For a humble person, you do amazing work.. I saw your work on FB.Amazing.. Do you have a book of your work?

[@HGQjazz]

This is my first time seeing your face after seeing probably 50 of your videos!🙂

[@kanchour16]

Hello Christopher, thank you for all your videos they are really helpful specially for beginners and I am one off them, and I learned a lot from you before I buy my lenses, and I bought the canon 55-250 is STM and I am looking to buy 5he 15-85mm USM for video and wid angle pictures are they good for beginners.

[@christophertobin833]

Great video Chris! I've learned so much from your reviews. I have a question...what would you recommend....buying the 50mm 1.8 lens or saving up for a faster standard zoom lens? I primarily do photography (not video work), and my main concerns would be money and image sharpness. Thanks again for all your videos!

[@christopherfrost]

If you're just doing photography then maybe the 1.8 is for you :-)

[@diantes1]

I want to know where are you from? I'm from Argentina, i usually see your videos, i actually bought a tamron 85 mm 1.8 Sp, because of your recommendation, i like it so much, i agree with you in most of cases, thank you!

[@WritersInkTHEWORD]

Very informative thanks

[@bcendrars1]

Come on the 18-55 IS STM is really great, you need to relplace it only if you want more zoom, or a wider angle. but in terms of image sharpness, it's really good

[@jremi]

Well, we are now in 2023… and still, this channel is extremely relevant and useful. Just subscribed also. Thank you!

[@LeeSaiGett]

Gotta love the nifty fifty, and 18-135.

[@huskyspeaks]

I just upgrade to a sigma 18-50 f2.8 from the kit lens (nikon 17-55 f3.5-5.6). My model is D5300. I'm happy with the speed and sharpness of the sigma 18-50, but the problem is the pretty visible vignetting at both the long and wide end(f 2.8). But I don't see too many people complain about this issue on the internet. Is it that only my copy has this problem?

[@couchgaming5577]

Love your vids Chris.. I went from my first camera (a Canon T1i) with a kit lens and a 75-300 (never buy one of those btw they suck) to a canon 6d with a 28-70 2.8L Photography is amazing :D

[@davidribeiro6905]

Would love to see another video like this, but current.

[@styx9133]

You look SO much like Josh Radnor/ Ted Mosby it's incredible haha

[@jeramaho]

Hey Chris, I'm in the market for a camera and am really loving your videos. I want to get the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM. Is it worth getting another lens for portrait/event work? If so, which one would you be most likely to recommend? Thanks!

[@eier3252]

Oh hi! Didn't see you come in. (calls police)

[@tayyabrehman2408]

Ded😂

[@ShahiedJohaadien]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@buddah610]

P.S. My ideal lens would be the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 but I am disabled so it will take quite a while to save for that. I am also torn between spending that kind of money on the lens or the Sony a7. That seems to be the wave of the future and when every penny counts, the right decision is crucial. Some might say, why such an expensive "hobby". Any true photographer has no choice. We feel driven....obsessed almost. Thanks again for your great vids!

[@Mojo99]

RHANK YOUUSO MUCH, IN 2019 THIS VID IS STILLLLLL USEFUL

[@youngblacklife9419]

lol what's you doing here mojo

[@Tboneslim]

Great video! I appreciate your efforts in providing thorough reviews. My question is which lens(es) do you suggest for someone who is more into producing videos?

[@christopherfrost]

Something with at least an f/2.8 and image stabilization. Depends on your need.

[@darryldavis545]

Tboneslim - it doesn't really matter it's up to the artists a lens and camera is just an instrument all lenses are great from the cheapest to the most expensive on any lengths. My go to camera lens are the cheap ones great quality just takes more time but it works

[@dylanmcneil9511]

Hi Christopher, I'm planning on buying a Canon 60D DSLR mainly for the reason of capturing my sons' childhoods. I'm planning on using this DSLR at home, taking pictures and videos (while trying to get as much of the background in a small space-therefore wide angle), as well as on vacation, where I can get the entire background and the subject in focus. I would also like to zoom in a bit with the least amount of shaking, for those necessary times when the boys are too far out. Although I like pictures with a shallow depth of field, I wouldn't want a lens with just that for the times I want to capture the wide view indoors and out. Therefore overall I would like a versatile lens that I can capture home videos, family photos, and basically capture the memories of my two wonderful boys. I was hoping you can suggest a lens that would meet my parental needs. I really appreciate your channel with the helpful tips and reviews. Also, your humble communication is indeed applaudable. Thank you for your help. Happy New Year and May God Bless You with a prosperous career.

[@christopherfrost]

Try a fast standard zoom lens.Check out my comparison video. God bless!

[@buddah610]

I am trying to decide what lens to upgrade to but my cash is low so I think I will go for the 50mm f/1.8. I do quite a bit of street portraits so I think it will let me be creative until I can save enough for a better all around lens. Why not save now? Because I am so bored that I need something now. Thanks!

[@dionamuh]

I would love to see a review on the new Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM. And personally I don't really see the point of the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM, because the more versatile (and faster) Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art is the same price or even a bit less expensive! The only benefit of the 35mm F1.4 is of course its size. (And if you own a full frame camera you don't a have choice.) I'm about to buy my first DSLR and it's very hard to make up my mind on what lens(es) to get. Thanks for all of your videos!

[@christopherfrost]

Thanks for the comment - I'm trying to get a sigma 17-70 at the moment. The advantage of the 35mm 1.4 is that it lets in 66% more light, and it's full frame compatible, and it's a tiny bit sharper than the 18-35

[@lmallard3788]

I'd like to know a prime or a zoom lens with fixed aperture that would perform better than the efs 55-250 is stm on my 80d. I saw a video where the efs 24 stm when digic ally zoomed in post processing, gave sharper quality th a n the kit 18-55 is stm. So, I'm looking for a prime, or a zoom that will similar results in the long telephoto arena

[@zvictorone]

very helpful,thanks.

[@donyboy73]

hi Christopher, nice videos! just wondering if you can recommend an affordable Macro lens for my t3i? I mostly zoom in on mechanical parts and would like to have it blurred behind the parts as you can see in my videos, thanks

[@christopherfrost]

Either the Canon 60mm f/2.8 Macro or the Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro

[@donyboy73]

Christopher Frost Photography thanks I appreciate it

[@BC-yh3gg]

I just bought a Canon 7D, but i'm not quite sure what is a good lens I have a 50mm f1.4, but I really want a lens that can be used well for portrait & travel lens.

[@Baluchishair]

Hey Christ, I am new fan of you and your videos, I have watched many lens and camera related reviews from you and have found that you don't biase or take side of somebody, that's a great thing. What I wished to see you is that could you please suggest me a videangle lens for my Canon EOS 200D other than Canon's 10-18mm, that's very precious for me.

[@christopherfrost]

Take a look at my ultra wide angle lens comparison video :-)

[@Nader.subaih]

good info. thanks!

[@redpillnibbler4423]

After watching this I went on eBay and purchased a go faster stripe for my Lada Riva - bloody hell it can now do 0-60 in 1.9 seconds !

[@filmk]

Sigma 18-35 1.8, canon 50mm 1.8 stm and a 70-200 f4. That's a nice starter kit

[@TariqueEastman]

"Have fun making up your mind" hahaha sounded kinda sarcastic. the Sigma 18-35 seems like a beast of a lens though. My next buy is def a sigma

[@sambiswas1265]

Dear Christopher, the USP of the day is your physical appearance; midst all channels you won the the priority as long time desire to see the guy behind the wise Lenz review. Happy to see you.......

[@og87]

Not how I imagined you would look. But love the videos.

[@killswitch6673]

good vid very well thanks for ur time

[@laurentlaurent367]

Hi I just discovered your great video , as I have a Canon 18-55mm EFS with my Canon750D. I would like to improve my photo quality. I am being told that my Canon body is not so bad, but I could improve the lens part. BTW I have also a Canon 55-250 EFS. From your video, I think the best would a better and faster lens. You mentioned the Sigma 17-50 f2.8 OS HSM. But maybe as your review is 10 y old, maybe you would have now other recommendations. Thank you in advance

[@johnrayremonde8172]

Hello Sir Chris, I just watched your video, Impressive work on this one. Already have 17-40mm L and 50mm 1.4 on my canon 70D, and yup you are correct on 50mm 1.4 being a bit zoomed in, So which is better? EF 24mm f2.8 (no IS) or EF 28mm f/2.8 or EF 35mm f/2

[@christopherfrost]

I haven't tried the first two lenses, but a review of the 35mm is coming out tomorrow on my channel

[@ChairmanZhongXiNa]

+Christopher Frost Photography When you said sharp, I almost laughed because my old Lumix LX5 can barely get any good detail in every lighting condition, and I never take photos above ISO 400 with it. Its that bad.

[@pjmclach]

What do you think about tokina fast zoom lenses like the 11-16 or the 16-28mm? Cheers

[@vladpovarna2213]

Hi Chris, which one should i get if i shoot most of the time as a hobby, mostly indoor and landscape photography, the sigma 17-50 f/2.8 or 18-35 f/1.8? I already have a .24mm f/2,8 STM and a 50mm f/1,8 STM and I don't know if I should get another prime lens like, Samyang 16mm f/2 or I should sell the 24mm f/2,8 STM and get one of the sigmas. What do you think? I'll also use the lens for video, especially for my 2 year old kid. Appreciate your inputs. :) Thanks a lot!