Don’t Buy Kit! – The Best APS-C Kit Lens Alternative Under $400

Most entry level DSLR users start out with the well-known 18-55mm kit lens. Manufacturers like Canon and Nikon have for the most part decided this is the best lens for beginners, and they are not wrong. It has a decent wide angle, built in image stabilization, overall decent. While users can capture great photos and test the waters with DSLR photography thoroughly, this is certainly not the best lens for all starters. It comes with its limitations and most users who pursue photography more seriously will notice this quickly.

Let’s explore the limiting factors of this lens and, of course, provide you with the best alternative that is worth pursuing. This lens pairs incredibly well with both entry and mid-level APS-C DSLRs without needing a large budget! All photographers will absolutely benefit from this upgraded glass over the kit lens. If you are serious about photography and plan to start out with an entry level APS-C camera, this recommendation is especially for you.

The Alternative

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8

The Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 an incredibly capable and budget friendly lens. As an owner of this lens for the last couple of years I can sincerely say this lens can provide users with more creative freedom, a reliable build quality, and could also save us money in the long run (we’ll get to that soon). Because this is third party glass, it is available for Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Pentax APS-C Users!

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD Large Aperture...
  • Large aperture, stabilized, standard zoom lens
  • FLD glass with performance equal to fluorite
  • Carrying case, lens hood, front & rear caps. Lens Construction : 17 Elements in 13 Groups
  • OS is not available in Pentax and Sony mounts.

Canon 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS II Kit Lens – Disadvantages

Canon 18-55mm Kit Lens

Before we dive into the benefits of the Sigma, let’s first talk about the main drawbacks of the 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. Keep in mind that these drawbacks are to be expected for lenses at such a low price point (retail $199).

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Kit Lens: https://amzn.to/2EYsU1K

Build quality

The 18-55mm is a highly plastic construction. Plastic lenses are loud and don’t do well being roughed up. They feel like toys off of the camera body, and it’s hard to have faith in good structural integrity. This helps with travelling lightweight, but hurts in almost every other way.

Loud Autofocus

This lens comes with Canon’s loudest autofocus system. Canon calls it the Micro Motor AF system, a significantly different system to the next level ultra-sonic motor (USM) focus systems. Expect to hear every change in focus very clearly. Videos with constant AF corrections will be frustratingly loud.

Limited & Variable aperture

Most budget lenses have a variable maximum aperture throughout the focal length. This means the widest focal length (18mm) has a max aperture that is different from the zoomed focal length (55mm) max aperture. On the kit lens, the maximum aperture is f/3.5 at 18mm, and when zoomed in to 55mm, closes up to f/5.6. This is a considerable decrease in light that is available to your sensor. This requires high ISO resulting in more image noise, or long shutter speeds requiring a tripod. There is especially less light at the 55mm focal length due to less light available combined with the smaller aperture. (If you’re just starting and want to know more about exposure, check out our basics to photography exposure article HERE).

Sharpness

This actually doesn’t need to be said, but I’ll mention it anyways. The standard kit lens is not of the best optical quality, and pretty much any lens above will be a step forward.

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 – Advantages

Sigma 17-55mm f/2.8 and Lens Hood

Check it out here: Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD Large Aperture...

Build Quality

Right out of the box, it’s clear the Sigma has a superior build quality. It’s slightly heavier and has a metal lens mount unlike the kit.

Hypersonic AF motor

This lens comes with Sigma’s hypersonic focusing motors, so unlike the kit, this lens can actually obtain focus very quietly.

f/2.8 Aperture

One of the biggest advantages of this lens is the constant f/2.8 aperture. This means at 17mm all the way through 50mm, f/2.8 is available. This is a considerable increase in light, especially in the far end of the focal length. You’ll be able to take sharper shots in lower light without always relying on high ISO or a tripod.

7 Blade Diaphragm

The 7 blade aperture diaphragm is a slight upgrade from the 6 on the kit lens. This will result in an ever so slightly more circular and pleasing bokeh.

Better optical quality

Because the widest aperture is usually the softest, comparing these lenses side by side, the Sigma is always has an advantage when comparing images of the same aperture.

Slightly wider angle

The sigma gives you a 1mm wider focal length at 17mm. This is hardly worth mentioning, but the equivalent focal lengths are slightly different. From an industry standard perspective, full frame all around lenses start at 24mm, and the sigma is definitely the closest to this equivalent focal length.

17mm * 1.6 = ~27mm

18mm * 1.6 = ~29mm

Extras!

Though at a higher cost, this lens comes with some nice freebies. First, we get a native Sigma lens hood, (not included with the Canon 18-55mm kit). We also get a high quality lens pouch. The pouch has thick walls providing surprisingly good protection, and is of better quality that the common Canon L Glass “pouches”, a welcome accessory!

Common Filter Thread Size

Because this article is tailored towards early photographers with a slightly deeper interest in photography, I am assuming this will be one of many lenses you will eventually have in your camera bag. One commonly overlooked feature of lenses that most don’t consider is the thread size for filters. Any photographer who has been filter shopping knows that good quality lens filters are expensive! They can easily get into the hundreds of dollars. There are also multiple that you might want to have in your arsenal, whether it be a circular polarizer, neutral density, or just a straight UV protection filter. It gets frustratingly expensive to match these on all lenses.

Because of this, the more common a filter thread diameter across your lenses, the better the investment your lens becomes. Filters can be shared from lens to lens, and you won’t have to purchase individual filters for lenses anymore!

For Canon users, here are a few of the many popular EF lenses that share the 77mm filter thread. These lenses are all L series, and are terrific long term investments!

  • 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
  • 17-40mm f/4L USM
  • 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
  • 24-70mm f/4.0L IS USM
  • 24mm f/1.4L II USM

You can find the complete list of compatible lenses here, on Tiffen’s website: tiffen.com/pages/filter-to-lens-chart

Canon 550D & Sigma 17-55mm f/2.8

Cost

The kit lens is currently priced at $199, while the Sigma 17-50 is at $669. Don’t panic! The reason we say this is under $400 is because this lens is almost always “on sale” year around, offered at $369 (at the time of writing). Plus, during real sales in the holiday season, this lens can go as low as $269 (in fact, that’s when I snagged it)! The additional cost of +$170 (or +$70 on sale sale) is relatively minimal in the world of lenses.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II

Sale
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 is II SLR Lens White Box
  • Focal Length & Maximum Aperture - 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
  • Lens Construction - 16 elements in 12 groups, including UD-glass and aspherical lenses
  • Diagonal Angle of View - 74 20' - 7 50' (with APS-C image sensors)
  • Focus Adjustment - Gear-driven

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD Large Aperture...
  • Large aperture, stabilized, standard zoom lens
  • FLD glass with performance equal to fluorite
  • Carrying case, lens hood, front & rear caps. Lens Construction : 17 Elements in 13 Groups
  • OS is not available in Pentax and Sony mounts.

When purchasing a kit combo, there are additional savings involved, instead of buying the body alone. This amount saved will change depending on the body you decide on. However, with all of the advantages of the Sigma 17-50mm such as the superior build quality, larger aperture, and quiet focusing system to name a few, it’s very much worth the increase in price.

I already have the kit lens, should I upgrade?

The answer to this question is, it depends. If you plan on staying with the APS-C sensor size for a significant period of time, or plan on upgrading to a higher end APS-C body, then I would absolutely recommend this lens. As far as lenses go, this is an affordable long term investment.

If you’re unsure of what sensor size you are interested in for the long run, here is a quick summary of what APS-C cameras good for (compared against full frame sensors). The APS-C sensors are tailored towards photographers who typically don’t require top of the line low light performance and are also not worried about the 1.6x focal length multiplier. High performer APS-C cameras work especially well for sports and wildlife, as the crop factor gives you more reach. These high end cameras can also support higher fps rates. If you’re interested a more affordable photography career, lenses for APS-C sensors are typically more budget friendly.

If you are eyeing a full frame camera in the future, then this upgrade might be short lived. It may make more sense to shop around for a full frame compatible lens. Overall the Sigma 17-55mm f/2.8 is a perfect all around lens that pairs very well with crop sensor cameras, and surpasses the capabilities of the standard kit lens.