High-Quality Budget Lenses for APS-C Cameras

Affordable lenses are abundant in 2024, offering excellent value and quality. Let's explore some top budget lens choices for your mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensors.

Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this insightful video presents ten low-budget lenses that deliver great performance. The first lens on the list is the Tokina 8mm f/2.8, a manual focus fisheye lens. Despite its lack of autofocus, it’s easy to use because of its extreme wide angle view. The lens offers sharp images but can have some color fringing.

Next is the Yongnuo 11mm f/1.8 DA DSM, a lens offering ultra-wide angles without fisheye distortion. Priced at $300, this lens is perfect for artistic and landscape photography. It’s not the sharpest lens, but it offers good contrast and beautiful bokeh. It also has autofocus, making it a great deal.

A more conventional option is the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8, a standard zoom lens with a bright constant aperture. It's compact and reasonably priced. Though it’s the most expensive lens on the list, it’s versatile and a great upgrade from a kit lens. The lens is available for Sony E and Fuji X mount cameras and will soon be available for Canon RF mount cameras.

Also on the list is the TTArtisan 35mm f/1.8 autofocus lens. Originally not on the list due to average picture quality, its recent price drop to $150 makes it a great value. It’s decently sharp with nice bokeh and contrast. Currently available for Fuji X mount cameras, versions for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts are expected soon.

Finally, the Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 is perfect for portrait photography. With its bright aperture and sharp image quality, it’s an excellent choice for APS-C cameras. Priced at $400, it’s a bargain and currently available for Fuji X, Sony E, and Nikon Z mount cameras. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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1 Comment

All the lenses are off brand so! Back in 2010 I got a Canon T2i $200 now and two kit lenses for $900 or so. 18-55 $125, 10-22 $176 (bought later) and 55-250 $166. Today I believe the camera cost $150 and the lenses. Lenses are like forever for Photographers always keep clean and good place like a closet. Even the cameras are kept good places. Between 2010 and 2014 everyone had to use Canon SW to processes today the new modern Lr does great things. Just a note: I edited some of the images lately and when processing I was amazed as there was no noise, I mean none even zoomed at 200%, take it as a goodie info!