Six More Must-Have APS-C Lenses You Might Have Missed

 If you caught my previous video where I raved about my top 12 favorite APS-C lenses, you know I'm a big fan of crop sensor glass. But you guys, my amazing audience, were quick to point out that I might have missed a few gems! So, you asked, and I listened. This is my follow-up, where I'm adding six more incredible lenses to that list. (If you haven't seen the original "12 APS-C Lenses You'll Love" video, check it out here ➡️ 12 APS-C Lenses)

Now, let's be real, my budget isn't exactly bottomless. So, I reached out to the awesome folks at Viltrox and Sirui, and they were kind enough to send over some of the lenses you all suggested. This allowed me to really put them to the test and share my honest findings with you. I also managed to snag a Sigma lens that I rented for this review.

It's important to note that this video (and therefore, this blog post) isn't sponsored by any of these companies. My opinions are my own, based on my experience using these lenses. However, if you find this helpful and want to support the channel, I'll include affiliate links to all of these lenses in various mounts as we talk about each one. 

Just like my previous lens deep dive, I'm going to walk you through each of these six lenses, showing you real-world examples and sharing what I loved and any quirks I encountered. For the tech-savvy among you, I've even included project files of the shots I got with each lens in the description so you can download them and see how they look on your own editing setups.

And because I know we all have different camera bodies, I made sure to focus on lenses that offer multiple mounting options.

Here you can find the FREE PROJECT FILES for both cameras so you can dive in and explore for yourself. If you're still on the fence after you read this blog, you can take my free "Which Lens Should I Buy?" quiz.

I also made a Youtube Video on this review so you can check it out after you read this blog.

Alright, enough preamble! Let's dive right into these fantastic lenses.

Viltrox 25mm f/1.7: The Budget-Friendly Powerhouse  

Viltrox Midrange- https://geni.us/G9e1Iy (8% Off Promo Code “THEFILMALLIANCE”)

Nikon Z - https://geni.us/Bd5SP9 

Fuji X-Mount - https://geni.us/ZnOd 

Sony E-mount - https://geni.us/ayLV 

First up, we have a brand-new lens hitting the market today – the Viltrox 25mm f/1.7, priced at an incredibly affordable $176 US

Seriously, if you don't already own this prime lens, I highly recommend picking one up. It's become my go-to BTS (behind-the-scenes) lens for the past few videos, and honestly, it's quickly becoming one of my favorite everyday carry lenses.

Currently available in Sony E mount, Nikon Z, and Fuji X mount, I used this lens with my Sony a6700 for the church shot you see here.

The 25mm focal length on an APS-C sensor gives you an equivalent of around 40mm on a full-frame camera. This puts it right in that sweet spot between a nifty fifty and a wider lens, making framing your shots a breeze. 

I never felt like I had to step way back to get the composition I wanted. In fact, I often found myself able to capture more artistic close-up shots, like the glistening snow on this log.

But the real magic lies in that fast f/1.7 aperture. It creates a beautiful, creamy background blur (bokeh) and, with its 52mm filter thread, allows you to easily add filters. Plus, that wide aperture makes it fantastic for low-light shooting.

The lens itself is incredibly lightweight, almost feeling like a kit lens from Sony or Fuji. But don't let the weight fool you – the build quality feels solid.

The autofocus is snappy and doesn't slow down Sony's impressive autofocus system. I also found it to be remarkably sharp, much like the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4, and I absolutely love the sun flares these Viltrox lenses produce.

Now, a common concern with lenses in this price range is their long-term build quality and durability. While the optics might be surprisingly good, only time will truly tell how it holds up to rigorous use in various weather conditions and repeated cleaning.

However, after using it for about a month, the Viltrox 25mm f/1.7 checks all the boxes for me so far.

Sirui 23mm f/1.2: A Wide and Bright Prime

Nikon Z - https://geni.us/sZiBKd or https://geni.us/5YVW 

Fuji X-Mount - https://geni.us/stUct or https://geni.us/ucjya6 

Sony E-mount - https://geni.us/EepoHj or https://geni.us/3KzGQY

Next up, we have the Sirui Sniper Series 23mm f/1.2, currently priced at $279 US. This lens was released around November 2023 and boasts an average Amazon rating of 4.3 stars. 

Sirui is well-known for its manual focus anamorphic lenses, so this 23mm is one of their first autofocus prime lenses.

I paired this lens with my Fuji X-M5, so all the photo and video samples you'll see were shot on that camera. This lens actually arrived as part of a three-lens package from Sirui, and I'll be talking about the other primes later in this post.

The Sirui 23mm f/1.2 is available in Sony E-mount, Fuji X-Mount, and Nikon Z mount.

On an APS-C sensor, 23mm translates to approximately 35mm on a full-frame camera. This makes it my go-to focal length for headshots. However, take a quick look at the autofocus "pumping" you might notice. It's possible that Fuji's autofocus system isn't the absolute best, and that could be contributing to this.

Because of this, when using this lens with my Fuji, I often let the camera lock focus and then switch to manual focus, especially for static shots like this symmetrical landscape.

I also found this lens to be excellent for product video and photography, as well as capturing city street architecture and general street photography.

The f/1.2 aperture is a game-changer for low-light environments, and it creates a stunningly blurry background. Just look at that beautiful bokeh!

This lens is 93mm long, so if you plan on using it with a smaller camera like the Fuji X-M5, I highly recommend picking up a cage to help with balance, as it can feel a bit front-heavy. If you have a larger camera with a bigger grip, this shouldn't be an issue.

Weighing in at 380 grams, it's not the lightest lens, but it's certainly not the heaviest either. The build quality feels premium, definitely not plastic-y. It's also available in black, white, and silver finishes. 

One thing to note is that these lenses lack weather sealing, so you'll need to be cautious when shooting in inclement weather. I was using an umbrella for this snowy shot, and it was a bit stressful ensuring no snow got on the lens. 

As you can see from this shot, the lens is incredibly sharp, and the colors it produces are true to life.

It features a USB-C connector for firmware updates, uses a 58mm filter thread, and has a simple design with only a focusing ring – no extra buttons or dials. The sun flares have a distinctive green and magenta hue to them.

This lens is fantastic for focusing in on your subject, but now let's explore a lens that gives you a much wider perspective.

Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8: The Ultra-Wide Zoom King

Sony E-mount - https://geni.us/jgrK 

Panasonic L-Mount - https://geni.us/5SW2mo 

Canon RF-Mount - https://geni.us/T0zBYp

The next lens on our list is quickly becoming one of my new favorites: the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8. Priced at $600 US, it's the most expensive lens in this roundup. Released in October 2023, it boasts an impressive average Amazon rating of 4.7 stars, making it the highest-rated lens on my list.

If you're a vlogger or an everyday content creator, this is the lens I would wholeheartedly recommend for you.

It's available in Canon RF, Fuji X, L Mount, and Sony E mount. I primarily used it with my Sony a6700 and Sony ZV-E10, so all the shots you'll see in this section were captured with one of those two cameras. 

This has become my go-to lens for low-light shooting, not just outdoors, but also in dimly lit interiors. This makes it a fantastic option for weddings or ceremonies where you don't have control over the lighting. It makes any space feel significantly larger without introducing excessive fisheye distortion, which is crucial for wide-angle lenses. Anyone who has ever shot a wedding can appreciate how valuable an APS-C camera with this lens would be for all-day shooting.

I've used this lens extensively for all my BTS footage in my latest YouTube videos, like the phone camera vs. phone camera and camera vs. phone camera comparisons. This lens was able to pull in enough light to make those shots look great. I don't see much noticeable fringing around this neon light, and I love the subtle halation effect the glass gives to lights in nighttime environments. You might not even need a Promist filter, although if you wanted to add one, the filter size is 67mm.

When I zoomed all the way out to 10mm on my Sony a6700, the footage I captured almost looked like I was using a gimbal. For those who own the a6700, you know that the active stabilization isn't the best, especially at night, but this lens seems to mitigate that shortcoming.

Out of all the lenses in this review, I'd say the Sigma lens delivers the truest-to-life colors. They're not overly saturated, but they're not too neutral either.

Another great use case for this lens is branding. You can capture some truly stunning and artistic shots for clients or your own business. As I mentioned, the low-light performance is spectacular, making it an excellent lens for restaurant photography as well.

The bokeh on this lens is still very pleasing, even though the aperture only goes down to f/2.8, which isn't as wide as some of the other lenses we've discussed.

I truly believe someone could purchase this lens as their all-around workhorse and easily make money with it, given its portability and versatility for both video and photography. Plus, it's incredibly sharp.

Sometimes, however, you don't need that super-wide look, especially when showcasing a specific product or brand. In that case, I'd recommend the next lens.

Sirui 56mm f/1.2: The Tight Shot Specialist

Nikon Z - https://geni.us/5YVW 

Fuji X-Mount - https://geni.us/Z6Gy or https://geni.us/ucjya6 

Sony E-mount - https://geni.us/lSVzyA or https://geni.us/3KzGQY 

The Sirui 56mm f/1.2 comes in at $279 US, released around November 2023 with an average Amazon rating of 4.3. This is my go-to lens for capturing tight shots where I need significant separation between the foreground and the background. It's currently available in Sony E, Fuji X, and Nikon Z mounts. Just look at that glass – it has that signature green hue we often see with Sirui lenses. It features only a focusing ring on the side, with no other buttons, which encourages you to focus on your craft rather than getting bogged down in technicalities. Again, I used this lens with my Fuji X-M5, so all the shots you're about to see were taken with that camera.

The Sirui 56mm f/1.2 is my preferred lens for product photography. Just look at how the background melts away while keeping the subject perfectly in focus. I also used this lens for a branding commercial and was incredibly pleased with its performance. 

I often get asked about the best camera or lens setup, and my answer is always: it depends on what you're shooting. But if you're specifically doing commercial work or any type of branding video, then this might just be your ideal lens. When paired with the Fuji X-M5, the stabilization isn't the greatest, so I wouldn't recommend walking around too much while filming. You can get away with gentle side-to-side swaying, as I did in this shot, but for the most part, I prefer to remain completely still when shooting with this setup.

Sometimes, people get overly focused on camera sensors and how they reproduce skin tones. While the sensor definitely plays a role, I believe lenses have a significant impact as well. In this case, the 56mm reproduces skin tones accurately. If I notice any slight discrepancies, I suspect it's more likely due to the Fuji sensor rather than the lens itself. I know that when I use the Fuji kit lens, the skin tones don't look quite as natural. I especially appreciate how the background just melts away, leaving a super sharp foreground.

It features a 58mm filter thread, just like the other two Sirui Sniper lenses. This is a nice touch if you decide to purchase all three, as you can use the same filter on all of them.

This lens also produces the largest bokeh spheres out of all the lenses in this review, if that's something you prioritize.

Now, let's move on to the next lens.

Viltrox 27mm f/1.2: The Portrait Powerhouse

Store Link - https://geni.us/G9e1Iy (8% Off Promo Code “THEFILMALLIANCE”)

Nikon Z - https://geni.us/gw0tx7j or https://geni.us/nQBFU 

Fuji X-Mount - https://geni.us/qma6Obu or https://geni.us/lKHjXX0 

Sony E-mount - https://geni.us/tlmlr or https://geni.us/D3ti 

The Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 is, in my opinion, the portrait lens of the year. Currently priced at $578 US, it's the second most expensive lens on this list. Released in August 2023, it has an average Amazon rating of 4.4 stars. This lens boasts some features that the others in this roundup don't, such as a soft-click aperture ring that can be switched to smooth, an autofocus/manual focus switch, and a focus hold button.

I've used this lens with both my ZV-E10 and my a6700, so all the shots you're about to see were taken with one of those two cameras.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a seriously sharp lens. I'm using no professional lighting for this shot, just the ambient interior lighting – and look at those results!

This lens is also weather-sealed, so you can capture shots like this without worrying too much about water damage, although I wouldn't push it too far. 

Just like our other f/1.2 lenses, you can see how incredibly smooth and buttery the background is, really making the subject in the foreground pop.

The bokeh from this lens is probably one of my favorites, especially when the spheres start to converge, as you can see at the bottom of the frame. 

I would also consider using this lens for nature photography, although it is quite heavy, so you'll want to ensure you have a good grip on your camera. I love going outside and finding unique angles of things in nature. It has a 67mm filter thread.

Skin tones look incredibly natural with this lens, just like with all the Viltrox lenses I've ever used. So, if you're a portrait photographer, this is an excellent choice. Keep in mind that lighting and the camera sensor also play significant roles in skin tone rendition, but overall, this lens did a fantastic job in my testing. This lens is compatible with X Mount, E-mount, and Z mount.

The next lens on our list is primarily a great option for product shooting, in my opinion, but this lens comes in as a close second for that purpose as well.

When you're shooting in interior lighting conditions like this, that f/1.2 aperture really comes in handy because you don't have to crank up the ISO; you can simply open up the aperture. If I primarily created short-form content like Instagram Reels or TikToks, this would likely be my go-to lens. The reason I say that is because when you're filming those types of videos in real-life situations, you often find yourself in tricky lighting scenarios, and this lens performs exceptionally well in those conditions.

The sun flares and color look fantastic, and I love those prominent starburst patterns we see, similar to what you get with some Tamron lenses.

And now, let's jump into our final lens on my list of the best six lenses I missed.

Sirui 33mm f/1.2: The Natural Perspective

Nikon Z - https://geni.us/l4NQbC or https://geni.us/5YVW 

Fuji X-Mount - https://geni.us/M6IuRb2 or https://geni.us/ucjya6 

Sony E-mount - https://geni.us/M7Ovq or https://geni.us/3KzGQ 

Finally, we have the Sirui Sniper Series 33mm f/1.2, currently priced at $279 US. It's available in Sony E, Fuji X, and Nikon Z mounts, was released around November 2023, and has an average Amazon rating of 4.3.

This 33mm lens on an APS-C sensor is equivalent to approximately 50mm on a full-frame camera, which is also very close to what our human eyes naturally see. When you use a super-wide focal length, you get a fisheye effect, and with a telephoto lens, everything looks slightly larger than it is in real life. This lens is perfect for capturing shots that closely resemble the human eye's perspective.

This would be my go-to lens for nature documentaries. And because it's a prime lens, it's inherently sharper than a zoom lens.

It produces some beautiful bokeh, especially when used in low-light situations. 

And it's a fantastic street photography lens for capturing those everyday moments, like this person window shopping and admiring a shiny watch. 

This would also be my top choice for headshots if I were a YouTuber who made videos about lenses and uploaded them to YouTube, because my face wouldn't appear as distorted as it might with some wider lenses. Skin tones look pretty accurate, although I do notice a slight difference between shots, which could simply be due to the lighting.

The saturation looks good, and for this shot, I had to close down my aperture quite a bit so you could see everything in focus. But if I wanted to use a wider aperture in bright light, I'd need an ND filter that fits its 58mm thread.

This lens, like the other Sirui Sniper lenses, is not weather-sealed, so if you're capturing a shot like this in the snow, you'll need to make sure you have an umbrella or are under some kind of cover
.

But once the snow stops and the sun comes out, you really get to appreciate how sharp this lens is and how beautiful the background looks when shooting wide open at f/1.2.

We see that familiar greenish hue in the sun flares, just like with the other Sirui lenses, which I personally find quite cinematic. 

And the sun stars look good when you close down the aperture, although I personally prefer a more defined set of spikes rather than a bunch of refracted ones.

Conclusion: Which Lens is Right for You? 

Alright, let's wrap things up. After putting these six lenses through their paces, here's a quick rundown of their strengths and where they shine:

Viltrox 25mm f/1.7: This budget-friendly lens is a fantastic everyday carry. Its 40mm full-frame equivalent makes it versatile for general shooting, BTS footage, and low-light situations. Its sharpness and pleasing sun flares, combined with a very affordable price, make it a solid choice for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

Sirui 23mm f/1.2: This lens is excellent for headshots, product photography, and architectural shots. The super-fast f/1.2 aperture delivers beautiful bokeh and strong low-light performance. Be mindful of potential autofocus pumping, especially on Fuji systems; manual focus might be preferred in some scenarios.

Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8: A top pick for vloggers and content creators, this ultra-wide zoom offers exceptional low-light capabilities and minimal distortion. It excels in interior and wedding photography, and its true-to-life color rendition makes it ideal for branding and commercial work.

Sirui 56mm f/1.2: The perfect lens for tight shots and product photography, this optic offers exceptional subject separation and beautiful background blur. Its ability to render skin tones accurately makes it a great choice for commercial and branding videos.

Viltrox 27mm f/1.2: This portrait lens delivers stunning sharpness and buttery smooth bokeh. Its weather sealing and fast aperture make it suitable for various conditions, including nature and low-light environments. The soft click aperture ring and focus hold button add to its professional appeal.

Sirui 33mm f/1.2: With a 50mm full-frame equivalent, this lens provides a natural perspective, ideal for nature documentaries, street photography, and headshots. Its fast aperture and pleasing bokeh make it versatile for various shooting scenarios.

Ultimately, the best lens for you depends on your specific needs and shooting style. If you prioritize budget and versatility, the Viltrox 25mm is a winner. For professional portraits and low-light work, the Viltrox 27mm or Sirui 56mm are excellent choices. Vloggers and content creators will love the Sigma 10-18mm, while the Sirui 23mm and 33mm offer specialized capabilities for specific genres. Remember, these are just my observations, and your own experience may vary.