Casey Neistat, Emma Chamberlain, Joey Graceffa, Elliot Choy, Shelby Church – what do all of these creators have in common? They’ve amassed millions of loyal subscribers on YouTube through their vlog channels that showcase everything in and around their lives. They, along with thousands of other vloggers – from the up-and-coming, to the mega successful – all have dedicated setups to capture their lives.
So this begs the question: which lenses do vloggers trust to capture their day-to-day adventures?
We’ve gathered a collection of lenses that these creators stand by, gear that is sure to get you up and vlogging in no time!
Check out our picks for the best lenses for vlogging – split into three categories for all vlogging scenarios: 1. vlogging yourself (in selfie view – the classic vlogging mode), 2. capturing b-roll, and 3. vlogging on the go with your smartphone.
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The Best Lens for Vlogging (Yourself)
16-35mm f/2.8 – The Wide Vlog Lens
The best focal length for vlogging falls within the 16-35mm range – so, it’s only natural we reco the 16-35mm f/2.8 as the go-to vlogging lens (or 17-35mm, depending on your camera’s brand). This lens offers both ends of the spectrum: from a super-wide 16mm all the way to a more tame 35mm, where perspective warp is at a minimum. This is the best vlogging lens for those who can do without ultra-wide fisheye action shots.
Lens recommendations:
Sony: Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master | Alt: Sony 16-35mm Vario Tessar f/4
Canon: Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III | Alt: Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8
Nikon: Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8 | Alt: Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8-4 OSD
Frame: Elliot Choy on YouTube
12-24mm f/4 – The Ultra-Wide Vlog Lens
Looking to capture more of the action, or just more of your surrounding environment? The 12-24mm f/4 will give your vlog the Casey-inspired ultra-wide look, offering a maxed-out wide focal length of 12mm, while still letting you zoom to 24mm. With a max aperture of f/4 (or even f/2.8 if you’re on Sony) – this lens gives some room to play in lower light settings, too!
Lens recommendations:
Sony: Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master | Alt: Sigma Art 14-24mm f/2.8 (for Sony)
Canon: Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L | Alt: Sigma Art 12-24mm f/4 (for Canon)
Nikon: Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 | Alt: Sigma Art 12-24mm f/4 (for Nikon)
Frame: Casey Neistat on YouTube
The Best Lens for Cinematic B-Roll Vlogs
24-70mm f/2.8 – The All-Purpose Vlog Lens
The 24-70mm f/2.8 is coined as one of the top all-purpose lenses for all shooting settings, and it makes no exceptions when it comes to capturing stunning b-roll for your vlogs. From a wide 24mm to an almost telephoto 70mm, combined with a fixed max f/2.8 aperture – this is the lens that offers superior versatility to capture a vast range of subjects.
Lens recommendations:
Sony: Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master | Alt: Sigma Art 24-70mm f/2.8 FE
Canon: Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 | Alt: Sigma Art 24-70mm f/2.8 (for Canon)
Nikon: Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 | Alt: Sigma Art 24-70mm f/2.8 (for Nikon)
Frame: Justin Escalona on YouTube
35mm f/1.4 – The Wide Prime Vlog Lens
We couldn’t talk about the best lens for your vlog’s b-roll without adding a prime or two – so allow us to introduce you to the the 35mm f/1.4 prime. Offering a wide-open aperture at f/1.4 for maximum depth of field and dreamy bokeh (perfect for city lights, especially), the 35mm focal length is known to be the range where the picture is the most true-to-life – free from any distortion. Whether you’re capturing b-roll of your friends, a cityscape, your travels, and everything in between, the 35mm f/1.4 prime will get the job done.
Lens recommendations:
Sony: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 G Master Prime | Alt: Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4 Prime (for Sony)
Canon: Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II Prime | Alt: Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4 Prime (for Canon)
Nikon: Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 Prime | Alt: Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4 Prime (for Nikon)
Frame: Justin Escalona on YouTube
85mm f/1.4 / f/1.8 – The Prime Vlog Lens
Crowned “the king of b-roll” by Peter McKinnon himself, the 85mm is an essential for capturing buttery-smooth cinematic b-roll for your vlogs, allowing you to perfectly zero in on your subjects. The ultra shallow depth of field this lens can achieve will make any subject pop against your background, and even blurring foreground elements, to take composition to the next level. This lens is also great for low light – and at 85mm, too, you really start to get that sweet lens compression, making the world and backdrop you’re capturing appear as grand as possible.
Lens recommendations:
Sony: Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Prime | Alt: Sony 85mm f/1.8 Prime
Canon: Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L Prime | Alt: Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 Prime
Nikon: Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 Prime | Alt: Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 Prime (for Nikon)
Frame: Jason Vong on YouTube
The Best Lens for iPhone Vlogging
Moment Wide 18mm Lens
The camera you vlog on can really just be any camera you have your hands on. And what better camera than the one in your pocket? AKA, your smartphone. We’ve seen the growth of several vloggers who started out just plain and simple by capturing content through their phones, and now you can too! Elevate your mobile vlogging by attaching Moment’s 18mm wide lens to your phone – and get that extra coverage that it may not have otherwise been able to.
Moment Fisheye 14mm Lens
Take your wide angle up a notch and snap a Moment Fisheye 14mm lens to your phone for vlogging! The 14mm gives the extreme wide treatment to your video capture — perfect for action-packed shots where you don’t want to miss a beat!
Get the Moment Fisheye 14mm Lens
Moment Lens Mount Case
These smartphone lenses from Moment can’t be used without their accompanying Moment cases for mounting – so if you pick up one of these Moment lenses, make sure to grab one of their cases! (Besides mounting these vlogging lenses, they also pack some protection.)
Get the iPhone Case (All Models)
Which lenses are you vlogging with? Any on your wishlist? Let us know in the comments! Make sure to follow us on Instagram @gridfiti and @gearspread for more photography and gear content.
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