Essential YouTube Movie Binge Guides

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An easy yet powerful editor

Numerous effects to choose from

Detailed tutorials provided by the official channel

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The movie industry is a creative art that requires a lot of different elements such as business, design, music, photography, and filmmaking. As time went by, movie reviews and news became more in demand in a digital video format rather than print. YouTube has made watching movies a lot easier just with your mobile phones and at your comfort. There are many hallmark movies on YouTube that you can manage to help you kill time.

While there are paid hallmark movies on YouTube, there are also free hallmark movies channels to watch to kill time ranging from a short film, cartoon, movie trailer, movie reaction, etc. In this article, I will show the top 15 YouTube movies channels to kill time in 2024.

In this article

01 Does YouTube Have a Movie Channel?

02 15 Best YouTube Movies Channels to Watch Films in 2024

03 Where to Find Free Movies?

04 How to Create Your Own Short Film?

Part 1: Does YouTube Have a Movie Channel?

Are you a fan of watching movies? The good news is you can watch a variety of films on YouTube at the comfort of your home more easily just with the use of your mobile phone or your computer system. YouTube, a well-known platform for video-sharing with live broadcasting and music videos, also offers users the option to watch free and paid movies on the best YouTube movies channel.

Part 2: 15 Best YouTube Movies Channels to Watch Films in 2024

If you are looking for YouTube channels to watch movies, the fact is that there are lots of best YouTube movies channels to watch films in your comfort and kill time. It is also vital to understand that some channels are free while others are paid based on the channel owner.

Stay tuned, as I’ll be giving you 15 top channels to watch movies and kill time this 2024!

1.Movieclips

Movieclips covers all aspects of movies, whether Western, action, comedy, horror, drama, film and many more genres. The Fandango Movieclips channel is the most extensive collection of licensed movie clips on the web.

2.Mr Sunday Movies

Mr. Sunday Movies is a cartoon movie network where you can find videos on Easter Eggs, Movie Reviews, Trailer Breakdowns, Deleted Scenes, and more.

3.Indietrix Film Reviews

Indietrix Film Reviews showcase film reviews from old to new with blockbusters and art-house movies and also create guides to genres of film and recommendations for Blu-ray, Amazon, and Netflix.

4.Screen Rant | Movie and TV

Screen Rant is one of the fastest-growing YouTube channels in the United States for watching movies.

5.Movieclips Trailers

Movieclips Trailer gives you hot new thrillers as they drop, and make sure all the hottest contemporary thrillers are available to you as you watch.

6.TopMovieClips

TopMovieClips is a cartoon superhero movie channel where you watch the best scenes, moments, and clips.

7.Screen Junkies

Screen Junkies is a movie channel with the original showcase series, stream of pop-culture parody, and thoughtful commentary.

8.Film Riot

Film Riot is a how-to full trip through filmmaking which Riot explores the art of filmmaking, from making significant effects to following Triune Films through production.

9.Beyond the Trailer

Beyond the Trailer, hosted and created by Grace Randolph is meant to give you an inside track of Hollywood thrillers and hot movies and also with movie reviews.

10.CineFix

CineFix is a final place for filmmakers and true movie buffs showing on their YouTube channel.

11.Looper

Looper is a YouTube channel for sourcing TV shows, video games, movies that everyone loves. Viewers of this channel are addicted to Star Wars and superheroes.

12.The Film Theorists

The Film Theorists is referred to as a did-you-know movie. This channel is good with theorizing movies bringing you little-known behind-the-scenes moments and incredible facts from all your favorite big-screen hits.

13.WhatCulture

WhatCulture is an online culture magazine covering TV, Film, Gaming, etc. It gives you the option to check back regularly for exclusive Top-10s, reviews, previews, etc.

14.ScreenPrism

ScreenPrism helps you to understand more about TV shows and movies. The channel aims at creating insightful video essays by commenting, entertaining, analyzing, and exploring various topics.

15.Film Gob

Film Gob is a YouTube channel meant for weird comedy mashup stuff, trailer, reactions, reviews, movie news, and rants.

Part 3: Where to Find Free Movies?

There are many paid movies on the internet, but it’s also necessary to note that there are other platforms where you can watch free interesting movies or free hallmark movies at your comfort. This platform includes:

1. Kanopy

Kanopy is home to free classic movies or art houses with the best streaming website for contemporary Indies. Kanopy is known for showing critically acclaimed and high-quality cinema.

2. Crackle

Crackle offers hundreds and thousands of full-length free movies. No matter the size of the screen or monitor you use to watch the movie, the movie still maintains its high quality.

3. Vimeo

Vimeo is also a video platform that operates like YouTube, allowing users to upload their movies and clips in HD quality and share. Vimeo offers paid and free hallmark movies for users and serves as an excellent alternative for those who are not into the idea of Google what you are watching. It has an Android and iOS app and a website to stream or watch directly without downloading the movies.

Part 4: How to Create Your Own Short Film?

Have you ever been taught how to create your short film? Wondershare Filmora is the best and easy tool to do this accordingly. When you finish making the short film, you can share it on your social media, including your Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Below, we will show you use Filmora to create your short film, like hallmark movies on YouTube in clicks.

Step 1: Install Filmora and Import Files

Open Wondershare Filmora, click the “Import” button, and load media files using the navigation import panel. Also, arrange the order by directly dragging and dropping your media files into the program.

Wondershare Filmora

Get started easily with Filmora’s powerful performance, intuitive interface, and countless effects!

Try It Free Try It Free Try It Free Learn More >

Step 2: Edit Videos using Filters

Start editing to make Stunning Videos using Various Effects & Filters. Go to the “Transition” tab. Then drag your clips to join it with one or several different transitions.

To add words to the film, click on the “Text” button, select the text type you like, and drag the icon to the Text track.

Step 3: Export and Share your Final Video

When you are happy with the final file, save and export your video in the format of your choice and directly upload it to your Facebook or YouTube account. You can also burn it to disk.

For more insight on how to create your short film on Wondershare Filmora, watch the video.

Conclusion

Thus, as we saw, finding the best YouTube movies channel in 2024 to kill your time will make you happy, and this article has given a broad explanation of the top free YouTube movies channel that can suit your needs. Filmora has also proven to be one of the most powerful tools to make your short films and teach you how to go about it.

Try It Free Try It Free

The movie industry is a creative art that requires a lot of different elements such as business, design, music, photography, and filmmaking. As time went by, movie reviews and news became more in demand in a digital video format rather than print. YouTube has made watching movies a lot easier just with your mobile phones and at your comfort. There are many hallmark movies on YouTube that you can manage to help you kill time.

While there are paid hallmark movies on YouTube, there are also free hallmark movies channels to watch to kill time ranging from a short film, cartoon, movie trailer, movie reaction, etc. In this article, I will show the top 15 YouTube movies channels to kill time in 2024.

In this article

01 Does YouTube Have a Movie Channel?

02 15 Best YouTube Movies Channels to Watch Films in 2024

03 Where to Find Free Movies?

04 How to Create Your Own Short Film?

Part 1: Does YouTube Have a Movie Channel?

Are you a fan of watching movies? The good news is you can watch a variety of films on YouTube at the comfort of your home more easily just with the use of your mobile phone or your computer system. YouTube, a well-known platform for video-sharing with live broadcasting and music videos, also offers users the option to watch free and paid movies on the best YouTube movies channel.

Part 2: 15 Best YouTube Movies Channels to Watch Films in 2024

If you are looking for YouTube channels to watch movies, the fact is that there are lots of best YouTube movies channels to watch films in your comfort and kill time. It is also vital to understand that some channels are free while others are paid based on the channel owner.

Stay tuned, as I’ll be giving you 15 top channels to watch movies and kill time this 2024!

1.Movieclips

Movieclips covers all aspects of movies, whether Western, action, comedy, horror, drama, film and many more genres. The Fandango Movieclips channel is the most extensive collection of licensed movie clips on the web.

2.Mr Sunday Movies

Mr. Sunday Movies is a cartoon movie network where you can find videos on Easter Eggs, Movie Reviews, Trailer Breakdowns, Deleted Scenes, and more.

3.Indietrix Film Reviews

Indietrix Film Reviews showcase film reviews from old to new with blockbusters and art-house movies and also create guides to genres of film and recommendations for Blu-ray, Amazon, and Netflix.

4.Screen Rant | Movie and TV

Screen Rant is one of the fastest-growing YouTube channels in the United States for watching movies.

5.Movieclips Trailers

Movieclips Trailer gives you hot new thrillers as they drop, and make sure all the hottest contemporary thrillers are available to you as you watch.

6.TopMovieClips

TopMovieClips is a cartoon superhero movie channel where you watch the best scenes, moments, and clips.

7.Screen Junkies

Screen Junkies is a movie channel with the original showcase series, stream of pop-culture parody, and thoughtful commentary.

8.Film Riot

Film Riot is a how-to full trip through filmmaking which Riot explores the art of filmmaking, from making significant effects to following Triune Films through production.

9.Beyond the Trailer

Beyond the Trailer, hosted and created by Grace Randolph is meant to give you an inside track of Hollywood thrillers and hot movies and also with movie reviews.

10.CineFix

CineFix is a final place for filmmakers and true movie buffs showing on their YouTube channel.

11.Looper

Looper is a YouTube channel for sourcing TV shows, video games, movies that everyone loves. Viewers of this channel are addicted to Star Wars and superheroes.

12.The Film Theorists

The Film Theorists is referred to as a did-you-know movie. This channel is good with theorizing movies bringing you little-known behind-the-scenes moments and incredible facts from all your favorite big-screen hits.

13.WhatCulture

WhatCulture is an online culture magazine covering TV, Film, Gaming, etc. It gives you the option to check back regularly for exclusive Top-10s, reviews, previews, etc.

14.ScreenPrism

ScreenPrism helps you to understand more about TV shows and movies. The channel aims at creating insightful video essays by commenting, entertaining, analyzing, and exploring various topics.

15.Film Gob

Film Gob is a YouTube channel meant for weird comedy mashup stuff, trailer, reactions, reviews, movie news, and rants.

Part 3: Where to Find Free Movies?

There are many paid movies on the internet, but it’s also necessary to note that there are other platforms where you can watch free interesting movies or free hallmark movies at your comfort. This platform includes:

1. Kanopy

Kanopy is home to free classic movies or art houses with the best streaming website for contemporary Indies. Kanopy is known for showing critically acclaimed and high-quality cinema.

2. Crackle

Crackle offers hundreds and thousands of full-length free movies. No matter the size of the screen or monitor you use to watch the movie, the movie still maintains its high quality.

3. Vimeo

Vimeo is also a video platform that operates like YouTube, allowing users to upload their movies and clips in HD quality and share. Vimeo offers paid and free hallmark movies for users and serves as an excellent alternative for those who are not into the idea of Google what you are watching. It has an Android and iOS app and a website to stream or watch directly without downloading the movies.

Part 4: How to Create Your Own Short Film?

Have you ever been taught how to create your short film? Wondershare Filmora is the best and easy tool to do this accordingly. When you finish making the short film, you can share it on your social media, including your Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Below, we will show you use Filmora to create your short film, like hallmark movies on YouTube in clicks.

Step 1: Install Filmora and Import Files

Open Wondershare Filmora, click the “Import” button, and load media files using the navigation import panel. Also, arrange the order by directly dragging and dropping your media files into the program.

Wondershare Filmora

Get started easily with Filmora’s powerful performance, intuitive interface, and countless effects!

Try It Free Try It Free Try It Free Learn More >

Step 2: Edit Videos using Filters

Start editing to make Stunning Videos using Various Effects & Filters. Go to the “Transition” tab. Then drag your clips to join it with one or several different transitions.

To add words to the film, click on the “Text” button, select the text type you like, and drag the icon to the Text track.

Step 3: Export and Share your Final Video

When you are happy with the final file, save and export your video in the format of your choice and directly upload it to your Facebook or YouTube account. You can also burn it to disk.

For more insight on how to create your short film on Wondershare Filmora, watch the video.

Conclusion

Thus, as we saw, finding the best YouTube movies channel in 2024 to kill your time will make you happy, and this article has given a broad explanation of the top free YouTube movies channel that can suit your needs. Filmora has also proven to be one of the most powerful tools to make your short films and teach you how to go about it.

Try It Free Try It Free

The movie industry is a creative art that requires a lot of different elements such as business, design, music, photography, and filmmaking. As time went by, movie reviews and news became more in demand in a digital video format rather than print. YouTube has made watching movies a lot easier just with your mobile phones and at your comfort. There are many hallmark movies on YouTube that you can manage to help you kill time.

While there are paid hallmark movies on YouTube, there are also free hallmark movies channels to watch to kill time ranging from a short film, cartoon, movie trailer, movie reaction, etc. In this article, I will show the top 15 YouTube movies channels to kill time in 2024.

In this article

01 Does YouTube Have a Movie Channel?

02 15 Best YouTube Movies Channels to Watch Films in 2024

03 Where to Find Free Movies?

04 How to Create Your Own Short Film?

Part 1: Does YouTube Have a Movie Channel?

Are you a fan of watching movies? The good news is you can watch a variety of films on YouTube at the comfort of your home more easily just with the use of your mobile phone or your computer system. YouTube, a well-known platform for video-sharing with live broadcasting and music videos, also offers users the option to watch free and paid movies on the best YouTube movies channel.

Part 2: 15 Best YouTube Movies Channels to Watch Films in 2024

If you are looking for YouTube channels to watch movies, the fact is that there are lots of best YouTube movies channels to watch films in your comfort and kill time. It is also vital to understand that some channels are free while others are paid based on the channel owner.

Stay tuned, as I’ll be giving you 15 top channels to watch movies and kill time this 2024!

1.Movieclips

Movieclips covers all aspects of movies, whether Western, action, comedy, horror, drama, film and many more genres. The Fandango Movieclips channel is the most extensive collection of licensed movie clips on the web.

2.Mr Sunday Movies

Mr. Sunday Movies is a cartoon movie network where you can find videos on Easter Eggs, Movie Reviews, Trailer Breakdowns, Deleted Scenes, and more.

3.Indietrix Film Reviews

Indietrix Film Reviews showcase film reviews from old to new with blockbusters and art-house movies and also create guides to genres of film and recommendations for Blu-ray, Amazon, and Netflix.

4.Screen Rant | Movie and TV

Screen Rant is one of the fastest-growing YouTube channels in the United States for watching movies.

5.Movieclips Trailers

Movieclips Trailer gives you hot new thrillers as they drop, and make sure all the hottest contemporary thrillers are available to you as you watch.

6.TopMovieClips

TopMovieClips is a cartoon superhero movie channel where you watch the best scenes, moments, and clips.

7.Screen Junkies

Screen Junkies is a movie channel with the original showcase series, stream of pop-culture parody, and thoughtful commentary.

8.Film Riot

Film Riot is a how-to full trip through filmmaking which Riot explores the art of filmmaking, from making significant effects to following Triune Films through production.

9.Beyond the Trailer

Beyond the Trailer, hosted and created by Grace Randolph is meant to give you an inside track of Hollywood thrillers and hot movies and also with movie reviews.

10.CineFix

CineFix is a final place for filmmakers and true movie buffs showing on their YouTube channel.

11.Looper

Looper is a YouTube channel for sourcing TV shows, video games, movies that everyone loves. Viewers of this channel are addicted to Star Wars and superheroes.

12.The Film Theorists

The Film Theorists is referred to as a did-you-know movie. This channel is good with theorizing movies bringing you little-known behind-the-scenes moments and incredible facts from all your favorite big-screen hits.

13.WhatCulture

WhatCulture is an online culture magazine covering TV, Film, Gaming, etc. It gives you the option to check back regularly for exclusive Top-10s, reviews, previews, etc.

14.ScreenPrism

ScreenPrism helps you to understand more about TV shows and movies. The channel aims at creating insightful video essays by commenting, entertaining, analyzing, and exploring various topics.

15.Film Gob

Film Gob is a YouTube channel meant for weird comedy mashup stuff, trailer, reactions, reviews, movie news, and rants.

Part 3: Where to Find Free Movies?

There are many paid movies on the internet, but it’s also necessary to note that there are other platforms where you can watch free interesting movies or free hallmark movies at your comfort. This platform includes:

1. Kanopy

Kanopy is home to free classic movies or art houses with the best streaming website for contemporary Indies. Kanopy is known for showing critically acclaimed and high-quality cinema.

2. Crackle

Crackle offers hundreds and thousands of full-length free movies. No matter the size of the screen or monitor you use to watch the movie, the movie still maintains its high quality.

3. Vimeo

Vimeo is also a video platform that operates like YouTube, allowing users to upload their movies and clips in HD quality and share. Vimeo offers paid and free hallmark movies for users and serves as an excellent alternative for those who are not into the idea of Google what you are watching. It has an Android and iOS app and a website to stream or watch directly without downloading the movies.

Part 4: How to Create Your Own Short Film?

Have you ever been taught how to create your short film? Wondershare Filmora is the best and easy tool to do this accordingly. When you finish making the short film, you can share it on your social media, including your Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Below, we will show you use Filmora to create your short film, like hallmark movies on YouTube in clicks.

Step 1: Install Filmora and Import Files

Open Wondershare Filmora, click the “Import” button, and load media files using the navigation import panel. Also, arrange the order by directly dragging and dropping your media files into the program.

Wondershare Filmora

Get started easily with Filmora’s powerful performance, intuitive interface, and countless effects!

Try It Free Try It Free Try It Free Learn More >

Step 2: Edit Videos using Filters

Start editing to make Stunning Videos using Various Effects & Filters. Go to the “Transition” tab. Then drag your clips to join it with one or several different transitions.

To add words to the film, click on the “Text” button, select the text type you like, and drag the icon to the Text track.

Step 3: Export and Share your Final Video

When you are happy with the final file, save and export your video in the format of your choice and directly upload it to your Facebook or YouTube account. You can also burn it to disk.

For more insight on how to create your short film on Wondershare Filmora, watch the video.

Conclusion

Thus, as we saw, finding the best YouTube movies channel in 2024 to kill your time will make you happy, and this article has given a broad explanation of the top free YouTube movies channel that can suit your needs. Filmora has also proven to be one of the most powerful tools to make your short films and teach you how to go about it.

Try It Free Try It Free

The movie industry is a creative art that requires a lot of different elements such as business, design, music, photography, and filmmaking. As time went by, movie reviews and news became more in demand in a digital video format rather than print. YouTube has made watching movies a lot easier just with your mobile phones and at your comfort. There are many hallmark movies on YouTube that you can manage to help you kill time.

While there are paid hallmark movies on YouTube, there are also free hallmark movies channels to watch to kill time ranging from a short film, cartoon, movie trailer, movie reaction, etc. In this article, I will show the top 15 YouTube movies channels to kill time in 2024.

In this article

01 Does YouTube Have a Movie Channel?

02 15 Best YouTube Movies Channels to Watch Films in 2024

03 Where to Find Free Movies?

04 How to Create Your Own Short Film?

Part 1: Does YouTube Have a Movie Channel?

Are you a fan of watching movies? The good news is you can watch a variety of films on YouTube at the comfort of your home more easily just with the use of your mobile phone or your computer system. YouTube, a well-known platform for video-sharing with live broadcasting and music videos, also offers users the option to watch free and paid movies on the best YouTube movies channel.

Part 2: 15 Best YouTube Movies Channels to Watch Films in 2024

If you are looking for YouTube channels to watch movies, the fact is that there are lots of best YouTube movies channels to watch films in your comfort and kill time. It is also vital to understand that some channels are free while others are paid based on the channel owner.

Stay tuned, as I’ll be giving you 15 top channels to watch movies and kill time this 2024!

1.Movieclips

Movieclips covers all aspects of movies, whether Western, action, comedy, horror, drama, film and many more genres. The Fandango Movieclips channel is the most extensive collection of licensed movie clips on the web.

2.Mr Sunday Movies

Mr. Sunday Movies is a cartoon movie network where you can find videos on Easter Eggs, Movie Reviews, Trailer Breakdowns, Deleted Scenes, and more.

3.Indietrix Film Reviews

Indietrix Film Reviews showcase film reviews from old to new with blockbusters and art-house movies and also create guides to genres of film and recommendations for Blu-ray, Amazon, and Netflix.

4.Screen Rant | Movie and TV

Screen Rant is one of the fastest-growing YouTube channels in the United States for watching movies.

5.Movieclips Trailers

Movieclips Trailer gives you hot new thrillers as they drop, and make sure all the hottest contemporary thrillers are available to you as you watch.

6.TopMovieClips

TopMovieClips is a cartoon superhero movie channel where you watch the best scenes, moments, and clips.

7.Screen Junkies

Screen Junkies is a movie channel with the original showcase series, stream of pop-culture parody, and thoughtful commentary.

8.Film Riot

Film Riot is a how-to full trip through filmmaking which Riot explores the art of filmmaking, from making significant effects to following Triune Films through production.

9.Beyond the Trailer

Beyond the Trailer, hosted and created by Grace Randolph is meant to give you an inside track of Hollywood thrillers and hot movies and also with movie reviews.

10.CineFix

CineFix is a final place for filmmakers and true movie buffs showing on their YouTube channel.

11.Looper

Looper is a YouTube channel for sourcing TV shows, video games, movies that everyone loves. Viewers of this channel are addicted to Star Wars and superheroes.

12.The Film Theorists

The Film Theorists is referred to as a did-you-know movie. This channel is good with theorizing movies bringing you little-known behind-the-scenes moments and incredible facts from all your favorite big-screen hits.

13.WhatCulture

WhatCulture is an online culture magazine covering TV, Film, Gaming, etc. It gives you the option to check back regularly for exclusive Top-10s, reviews, previews, etc.

14.ScreenPrism

ScreenPrism helps you to understand more about TV shows and movies. The channel aims at creating insightful video essays by commenting, entertaining, analyzing, and exploring various topics.

15.Film Gob

Film Gob is a YouTube channel meant for weird comedy mashup stuff, trailer, reactions, reviews, movie news, and rants.

Part 3: Where to Find Free Movies?

There are many paid movies on the internet, but it’s also necessary to note that there are other platforms where you can watch free interesting movies or free hallmark movies at your comfort. This platform includes:

1. Kanopy

Kanopy is home to free classic movies or art houses with the best streaming website for contemporary Indies. Kanopy is known for showing critically acclaimed and high-quality cinema.

2. Crackle

Crackle offers hundreds and thousands of full-length free movies. No matter the size of the screen or monitor you use to watch the movie, the movie still maintains its high quality.

3. Vimeo

Vimeo is also a video platform that operates like YouTube, allowing users to upload their movies and clips in HD quality and share. Vimeo offers paid and free hallmark movies for users and serves as an excellent alternative for those who are not into the idea of Google what you are watching. It has an Android and iOS app and a website to stream or watch directly without downloading the movies.

Part 4: How to Create Your Own Short Film?

Have you ever been taught how to create your short film? Wondershare Filmora is the best and easy tool to do this accordingly. When you finish making the short film, you can share it on your social media, including your Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Below, we will show you use Filmora to create your short film, like hallmark movies on YouTube in clicks.

Step 1: Install Filmora and Import Files

Open Wondershare Filmora, click the “Import” button, and load media files using the navigation import panel. Also, arrange the order by directly dragging and dropping your media files into the program.

Wondershare Filmora

Get started easily with Filmora’s powerful performance, intuitive interface, and countless effects!

Try It Free Try It Free Try It Free Learn More >

Step 2: Edit Videos using Filters

Start editing to make Stunning Videos using Various Effects & Filters. Go to the “Transition” tab. Then drag your clips to join it with one or several different transitions.

To add words to the film, click on the “Text” button, select the text type you like, and drag the icon to the Text track.

Step 3: Export and Share your Final Video

When you are happy with the final file, save and export your video in the format of your choice and directly upload it to your Facebook or YouTube account. You can also burn it to disk.

For more insight on how to create your short film on Wondershare Filmora, watch the video.

Conclusion

Thus, as we saw, finding the best YouTube movies channel in 2024 to kill your time will make you happy, and this article has given a broad explanation of the top free YouTube movies channel that can suit your needs. Filmora has also proven to be one of the most powerful tools to make your short films and teach you how to go about it.

Professional Shootings: Optimal Lenses for YouTube Videographers

Best Camera Lenses for YouTube

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

A DSLR is the ideal camera for some vlogs, and using a DSLR means you get to customize the look of your vlog by choosing the perfect lens. Choosing the best camera lens for your YouTube channel can be tricky because there are so many options. This article will walk you through some of them, and make two recommendations of great vlogging lenses. If you already have a good understanding of how camera lenses work then feel free to scroll down to the lens recs.

Part 1. Understanding Lenses: Zoom lens, Fixed lens, aperture, f-stop

There are two main categories of camera lenses: ‘zoom’ – lenses that allow you to zoom in and out – and ‘fixed’. If your lenses are tools then zoom lenses are Swiss army knives; they are very versatile. Fixed lenses, also called prime lenses, have more specific purposes. Do you need a tool that can do a lot of things, or a tool that is perfect for one specific job? Sometimes it is useful to have access to both.

We have explained the differences between Fixed lens and Zoom lens and advantages of using each lens, check this article: Zoom Lens vs. Fixed Lenses: Which one is best for YouTuber? for the detailed information.

Before we get into the recommendations here is a little background information on lenses in general:

Beginner’s Guide to Aperture and F-Stops

In order to be able to select the lens you’ll be using to record your YouTube videos, you first need to understand a few very basic concepts, such as aperture or f-stops.

1.What is a lens’s aperture?

The aperture of your lens is the hole through which light reaches your camera’s sensor, or the film if you are using a film camera. The wider your aperture is the more light you are letting into your camera. In low light it is better to have a wide aperture, and when you are working with a lot of light it is better to have a narrow aperture so your footage is not overexposed.

Aperture is simply an opening in the lens that lets the light through. If you want to increase the amount of the light that is reaching the camera’s sensor you need to open up the aperture blades that are located in the lens. The f-values like f/1.2 or f/1.8 indicate that the aperture is wide open and that the camera is receiving the maximum amount of light a lens you’re using can provide.

2.What is an ‘f-stop’?

Light passes through your lens’s aperture on its way to your camera’s sensor, and the f-stop of your lens relates to the amount of light it lets in. The lower your f-stop, the wider your aperture, and the more light you are letting into your camera. The more light you let into your camera the easier it is to achieve a blurred background. A lot of vloggers love blurring their backgrounds because it is a quick way to disguising the rooms they are shooting in.

F-stops are written like ‘f/1.8’ or ‘f/4’ on your lens. For more information on f-stops and blurring your background read “The Best Bokeh Lens - How to Get the Blurred Background for YouTube Videos” and watch Tasha’s video.

F-stops or f-numbers indicate how open the aperture is, so for example if your camera is displaying f/32 value it means that your camera is letting very little light to get through to the camera’s sensor. The f-number depends on a few other parameters such as shutter speed, exposure or ISO values. Large apertures provide a shallow depth of field which creates a smooth and artistic background blur, while a small aperture enables you to keep both the background and the foreground of your shot in focus.

Part 2: Types of Camera Lenses

The visual aspect of a video may not be the only thing you’ll have to dedicate special attention to while recording your YouTube video, but it is surely one of the most important factors of the video production process. A lens you are using will largely contribute to the aesthetics of the video. That’s why you need to know which type of lens will deliver the best results when shooting different types of scenes. Here are some of the most common types of lenses you’ll encounter.

Standard lenses

These lenses are featured in almost all camera kits, so the chances are that if you have a DSLR camera you already have a standard, mid-range lens. These lenses commonly have a fixed 50mm focal length, although zoom lenses with focal lengths in the range between 35mm and 75mm are also considered standard. You can use them to capture medium shots, single or multiple figure shots, and in some cases establishing shots, because they offer enough versatility to cover a multitude of different scenes. Standard lenses often have large apertures, which makes them quite useful if you often shoot videos under light conditions you can’t control.

Macro lenses

Details, product shots or any other subject that can be filmed from close proximity looks better if they are recorded with macro lenses. The high contrast and sharpness these lenses provide allow you to create stunning close-ups of all hosts, guests or actors in your YouTube videos. What’s more, if you are presenting a new product to your audience you can use the macro lens to make some captivating shots that will attract more audience. Zoom lenses can also be used for macro photography and video, although prime macro lenses produce better results.

Telephoto lenses

The subjects of your videos don’t always have to be in your immediate surroundings, because telephoto lenses let you capture scenes that are several miles away from you. Wildlife or sports videographers frequently use telephoto lenses because they don’t have another way of getting close to their subjects. However, telephoto lenses with 70-300mm focal length can also be used to take stunning portraits or close up shots. The biggest downside of telephoto lenses is their weight because the lenses with higher focal lengths can weigh up to 10lbs, which makes them a bit inconvenient to always carry with you.

Wide-angle lenses

Recording videos of vast open spaces, breathtaking vistas or beautiful city views is much easier if you have a wide-angle lens. The short focal length allows the lens to have a wider field of view which covers more space than standard or telephoto lenses. Wide-angle lenses also have lower apertures than lenses with longer focal lengths which results in images that have a shallow depth of field. Ultra-wide lenses like fisheye distort the view so the videos recorded with these lenses often suffer from the lack of realism.

Specialist lenses

YouTubers who are working on demanding projects can try to solve their troubles by using a specialist lens. Soft-focus lenses can help you take better portraits while tilt-shift lenses allow you to control the perspective. However, it is hard to imagine a scenario in which you’ll need a specialist lense if you are just starting out since even experienced videographers only use special lenses when they have absolutely no better way to record a scene.

Part 3: Recommended Best Camera Lenses for Shooting YouTube Videos

Here are a couple great lenses that might be good fits for you and your YouTube channel. The thing that makes them both ideal for vlogging is that they have low enough f-stops to blur out your background.

Camera Lens	Type	Price	Aperture	Focal Length
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens	Wide angle	$279	f/4.5-5.6	10 -18mm
Rokinon 8mm f/3.5	Fisheye	$249	f/3.5	8mm
Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens	Prime	$125	f/1.8	50mm
Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens	Telephoto	$999	f/2	135mm
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8	Standard Zoom	$299	f/2.8	17 -50mm
Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro	Macro	$278	f/3.5	30mm

1.Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens

Canon released this lens in 2014 and shortly after it has gained the reputation of one of the most reliable wide to ultra-wide lenses for Canon cameras. Like most STM lenses, it offers incredibly fast autofocus technology that makes it a great choice for fast-paced action videos. The lens is equipped with an image stabilization system which guarantees that your videos are going to remain sharp even if the camera wasn’t perfectly still while you were recording. Somewhat smaller aperture range makes this lens poor choice for low light scenes, although you can get decent results if you manage to keep the camera still.

2. Rokinon 8mm Ultra Wide f/3.5 Fisheye Lens

Outdoor videos look much cooler when they are recorded with a wide-angle lens because the wider field of view enables you to capture more space in a shot. Fisheye lenses were made popular by GoPro cameras because they make the videos look more fun while producing high image quality. Rokinon 8mm lens allows you to adjust focus and aperture manually so you can fine-tune your shot before hitting the record button. To make things even better this model is compatible with a wide range of cameras including Pentax, Canon or Nikon DSLRs. It has a relatively fast aperture that enables it to deliver solid performances under low light conditions.

3.Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

The EF 50mm is a fixed lens with an f-stop of 1.8, which means it is great for blurring your background and performs well even in poorer lighting conditions. This is a really great lens for an opinion or beauty vlog, where you do not need to move around. You can stay put right where the focus is sharpest and stand out by blurring everything behind you. If you tend to reuse the same sets then you do not really need a zoom feature. If your shooting conditions rarely change then it is just as easy to use a reliable fixed lens like the EF 50mm since you will not need to be rethinking your set up and adjusting.

If you are looking for an inexpensive prime lens that lets you create sharp videos with shallow depth of field, you should look no further. This model is one of three Canon’s 50mm prime lenses, although the 50mm f/1.4 USM and 50mm f/1.2 ‘L’ USM models are much more expensive. You can use it to record a lot of different types of YouTube videos, like product reviews or makeup tutorials. The 50 mm f/1.8 STM lens doesn’t have image stabilization technology so you should try to be as still as you can possibly be when shooting handheld videos in order to avoid recording footage that has a lot of camera shakes.

4.Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens

Recording moving objects from a distance requires you to have a lens that allows you to smoothly track their movements while keeping the subject in focus. The Canon EF 135mm f2/L USM lens is perhaps one of the best telephoto lenses on the market because it uses L glass that is widely accepted as the best in the industry. The Canon’s telephoto lens is compatible with ASP-C and Full Frame EF mount cameras. Keep in mind that this is also a prime lens and you can’t increase or decrease its focal length, but even so, it is a perfect choice for documentary-style videos.

5.Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Lens

The Tamron’s standard zoom lens offers good value at a very reasonable price. The maximum aperture is f/2.8, while the minimum aperture value this lens supports is f/32, which means that its users can easily experiment with different depths of field. The lens is compatible with most Canon cameras so if you have a camera from another manufacturer you may have to use the lens adapter in order to mount it onto your camera. Like most standard zoom lenses, Tamron SP AF model is highly versatile and you can use it to record a wide range of different scenes.

A lot of zoom lenses do not have wide enough apertures to create blurred backgrounds, but this Tamron lens is an exception at f/2.8. This low f-stop also means that it performs better in poor lighting conditions than a lot of other zoom lenses. If your shooting conditions change a lot – if you often change locations, for example – then it will be good to have a sturdy, well-built, zoom lens like the AF 17-mm that can be quickly adapted to new angles and distances.

6.Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro

All Sony’s APS-C format E mount cameras are compatible with this multi-purpose lens. When mounted the 30mm lens provides a 45mm focal length equivalent, which means that you can use it to take macro shots of products or to record medium or close-up shots. This is a prime lens, so changing the focal length isn’t really an option, but the 1:1 life-size magnification, as well as the 0.9-inch working distance, allow you to get close to the subjects in the video. The aperture range is between f/3.5 and f/22 which means that you can choose how shallow the depth of field in your shot should be.

If you are using a 4k camera to shoot your YouTube video, check out best camera lens for 4k professional production.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

A DSLR is the ideal camera for some vlogs, and using a DSLR means you get to customize the look of your vlog by choosing the perfect lens. Choosing the best camera lens for your YouTube channel can be tricky because there are so many options. This article will walk you through some of them, and make two recommendations of great vlogging lenses. If you already have a good understanding of how camera lenses work then feel free to scroll down to the lens recs.

Part 1. Understanding Lenses: Zoom lens, Fixed lens, aperture, f-stop

There are two main categories of camera lenses: ‘zoom’ – lenses that allow you to zoom in and out – and ‘fixed’. If your lenses are tools then zoom lenses are Swiss army knives; they are very versatile. Fixed lenses, also called prime lenses, have more specific purposes. Do you need a tool that can do a lot of things, or a tool that is perfect for one specific job? Sometimes it is useful to have access to both.

We have explained the differences between Fixed lens and Zoom lens and advantages of using each lens, check this article: Zoom Lens vs. Fixed Lenses: Which one is best for YouTuber? for the detailed information.

Before we get into the recommendations here is a little background information on lenses in general:

Beginner’s Guide to Aperture and F-Stops

In order to be able to select the lens you’ll be using to record your YouTube videos, you first need to understand a few very basic concepts, such as aperture or f-stops.

1.What is a lens’s aperture?

The aperture of your lens is the hole through which light reaches your camera’s sensor, or the film if you are using a film camera. The wider your aperture is the more light you are letting into your camera. In low light it is better to have a wide aperture, and when you are working with a lot of light it is better to have a narrow aperture so your footage is not overexposed.

Aperture is simply an opening in the lens that lets the light through. If you want to increase the amount of the light that is reaching the camera’s sensor you need to open up the aperture blades that are located in the lens. The f-values like f/1.2 or f/1.8 indicate that the aperture is wide open and that the camera is receiving the maximum amount of light a lens you’re using can provide.

2.What is an ‘f-stop’?

Light passes through your lens’s aperture on its way to your camera’s sensor, and the f-stop of your lens relates to the amount of light it lets in. The lower your f-stop, the wider your aperture, and the more light you are letting into your camera. The more light you let into your camera the easier it is to achieve a blurred background. A lot of vloggers love blurring their backgrounds because it is a quick way to disguising the rooms they are shooting in.

F-stops are written like ‘f/1.8’ or ‘f/4’ on your lens. For more information on f-stops and blurring your background read “The Best Bokeh Lens - How to Get the Blurred Background for YouTube Videos” and watch Tasha’s video.

F-stops or f-numbers indicate how open the aperture is, so for example if your camera is displaying f/32 value it means that your camera is letting very little light to get through to the camera’s sensor. The f-number depends on a few other parameters such as shutter speed, exposure or ISO values. Large apertures provide a shallow depth of field which creates a smooth and artistic background blur, while a small aperture enables you to keep both the background and the foreground of your shot in focus.

Part 2: Types of Camera Lenses

The visual aspect of a video may not be the only thing you’ll have to dedicate special attention to while recording your YouTube video, but it is surely one of the most important factors of the video production process. A lens you are using will largely contribute to the aesthetics of the video. That’s why you need to know which type of lens will deliver the best results when shooting different types of scenes. Here are some of the most common types of lenses you’ll encounter.

Standard lenses

These lenses are featured in almost all camera kits, so the chances are that if you have a DSLR camera you already have a standard, mid-range lens. These lenses commonly have a fixed 50mm focal length, although zoom lenses with focal lengths in the range between 35mm and 75mm are also considered standard. You can use them to capture medium shots, single or multiple figure shots, and in some cases establishing shots, because they offer enough versatility to cover a multitude of different scenes. Standard lenses often have large apertures, which makes them quite useful if you often shoot videos under light conditions you can’t control.

Macro lenses

Details, product shots or any other subject that can be filmed from close proximity looks better if they are recorded with macro lenses. The high contrast and sharpness these lenses provide allow you to create stunning close-ups of all hosts, guests or actors in your YouTube videos. What’s more, if you are presenting a new product to your audience you can use the macro lens to make some captivating shots that will attract more audience. Zoom lenses can also be used for macro photography and video, although prime macro lenses produce better results.

Telephoto lenses

The subjects of your videos don’t always have to be in your immediate surroundings, because telephoto lenses let you capture scenes that are several miles away from you. Wildlife or sports videographers frequently use telephoto lenses because they don’t have another way of getting close to their subjects. However, telephoto lenses with 70-300mm focal length can also be used to take stunning portraits or close up shots. The biggest downside of telephoto lenses is their weight because the lenses with higher focal lengths can weigh up to 10lbs, which makes them a bit inconvenient to always carry with you.

Wide-angle lenses

Recording videos of vast open spaces, breathtaking vistas or beautiful city views is much easier if you have a wide-angle lens. The short focal length allows the lens to have a wider field of view which covers more space than standard or telephoto lenses. Wide-angle lenses also have lower apertures than lenses with longer focal lengths which results in images that have a shallow depth of field. Ultra-wide lenses like fisheye distort the view so the videos recorded with these lenses often suffer from the lack of realism.

Specialist lenses

YouTubers who are working on demanding projects can try to solve their troubles by using a specialist lens. Soft-focus lenses can help you take better portraits while tilt-shift lenses allow you to control the perspective. However, it is hard to imagine a scenario in which you’ll need a specialist lense if you are just starting out since even experienced videographers only use special lenses when they have absolutely no better way to record a scene.

Part 3: Recommended Best Camera Lenses for Shooting YouTube Videos

Here are a couple great lenses that might be good fits for you and your YouTube channel. The thing that makes them both ideal for vlogging is that they have low enough f-stops to blur out your background.

Camera Lens	Type	Price	Aperture	Focal Length
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens	Wide angle	$279	f/4.5-5.6	10 -18mm
Rokinon 8mm f/3.5	Fisheye	$249	f/3.5	8mm
Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens	Prime	$125	f/1.8	50mm
Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens	Telephoto	$999	f/2	135mm
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8	Standard Zoom	$299	f/2.8	17 -50mm
Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro	Macro	$278	f/3.5	30mm

1.Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens

Canon released this lens in 2014 and shortly after it has gained the reputation of one of the most reliable wide to ultra-wide lenses for Canon cameras. Like most STM lenses, it offers incredibly fast autofocus technology that makes it a great choice for fast-paced action videos. The lens is equipped with an image stabilization system which guarantees that your videos are going to remain sharp even if the camera wasn’t perfectly still while you were recording. Somewhat smaller aperture range makes this lens poor choice for low light scenes, although you can get decent results if you manage to keep the camera still.

2. Rokinon 8mm Ultra Wide f/3.5 Fisheye Lens

Outdoor videos look much cooler when they are recorded with a wide-angle lens because the wider field of view enables you to capture more space in a shot. Fisheye lenses were made popular by GoPro cameras because they make the videos look more fun while producing high image quality. Rokinon 8mm lens allows you to adjust focus and aperture manually so you can fine-tune your shot before hitting the record button. To make things even better this model is compatible with a wide range of cameras including Pentax, Canon or Nikon DSLRs. It has a relatively fast aperture that enables it to deliver solid performances under low light conditions.

3.Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

The EF 50mm is a fixed lens with an f-stop of 1.8, which means it is great for blurring your background and performs well even in poorer lighting conditions. This is a really great lens for an opinion or beauty vlog, where you do not need to move around. You can stay put right where the focus is sharpest and stand out by blurring everything behind you. If you tend to reuse the same sets then you do not really need a zoom feature. If your shooting conditions rarely change then it is just as easy to use a reliable fixed lens like the EF 50mm since you will not need to be rethinking your set up and adjusting.

If you are looking for an inexpensive prime lens that lets you create sharp videos with shallow depth of field, you should look no further. This model is one of three Canon’s 50mm prime lenses, although the 50mm f/1.4 USM and 50mm f/1.2 ‘L’ USM models are much more expensive. You can use it to record a lot of different types of YouTube videos, like product reviews or makeup tutorials. The 50 mm f/1.8 STM lens doesn’t have image stabilization technology so you should try to be as still as you can possibly be when shooting handheld videos in order to avoid recording footage that has a lot of camera shakes.

4.Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens

Recording moving objects from a distance requires you to have a lens that allows you to smoothly track their movements while keeping the subject in focus. The Canon EF 135mm f2/L USM lens is perhaps one of the best telephoto lenses on the market because it uses L glass that is widely accepted as the best in the industry. The Canon’s telephoto lens is compatible with ASP-C and Full Frame EF mount cameras. Keep in mind that this is also a prime lens and you can’t increase or decrease its focal length, but even so, it is a perfect choice for documentary-style videos.

5.Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Lens

The Tamron’s standard zoom lens offers good value at a very reasonable price. The maximum aperture is f/2.8, while the minimum aperture value this lens supports is f/32, which means that its users can easily experiment with different depths of field. The lens is compatible with most Canon cameras so if you have a camera from another manufacturer you may have to use the lens adapter in order to mount it onto your camera. Like most standard zoom lenses, Tamron SP AF model is highly versatile and you can use it to record a wide range of different scenes.

A lot of zoom lenses do not have wide enough apertures to create blurred backgrounds, but this Tamron lens is an exception at f/2.8. This low f-stop also means that it performs better in poor lighting conditions than a lot of other zoom lenses. If your shooting conditions change a lot – if you often change locations, for example – then it will be good to have a sturdy, well-built, zoom lens like the AF 17-mm that can be quickly adapted to new angles and distances.

6.Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro

All Sony’s APS-C format E mount cameras are compatible with this multi-purpose lens. When mounted the 30mm lens provides a 45mm focal length equivalent, which means that you can use it to take macro shots of products or to record medium or close-up shots. This is a prime lens, so changing the focal length isn’t really an option, but the 1:1 life-size magnification, as well as the 0.9-inch working distance, allow you to get close to the subjects in the video. The aperture range is between f/3.5 and f/22 which means that you can choose how shallow the depth of field in your shot should be.

If you are using a 4k camera to shoot your YouTube video, check out best camera lens for 4k professional production.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

A DSLR is the ideal camera for some vlogs, and using a DSLR means you get to customize the look of your vlog by choosing the perfect lens. Choosing the best camera lens for your YouTube channel can be tricky because there are so many options. This article will walk you through some of them, and make two recommendations of great vlogging lenses. If you already have a good understanding of how camera lenses work then feel free to scroll down to the lens recs.

Part 1. Understanding Lenses: Zoom lens, Fixed lens, aperture, f-stop

There are two main categories of camera lenses: ‘zoom’ – lenses that allow you to zoom in and out – and ‘fixed’. If your lenses are tools then zoom lenses are Swiss army knives; they are very versatile. Fixed lenses, also called prime lenses, have more specific purposes. Do you need a tool that can do a lot of things, or a tool that is perfect for one specific job? Sometimes it is useful to have access to both.

We have explained the differences between Fixed lens and Zoom lens and advantages of using each lens, check this article: Zoom Lens vs. Fixed Lenses: Which one is best for YouTuber? for the detailed information.

Before we get into the recommendations here is a little background information on lenses in general:

Beginner’s Guide to Aperture and F-Stops

In order to be able to select the lens you’ll be using to record your YouTube videos, you first need to understand a few very basic concepts, such as aperture or f-stops.

1.What is a lens’s aperture?

The aperture of your lens is the hole through which light reaches your camera’s sensor, or the film if you are using a film camera. The wider your aperture is the more light you are letting into your camera. In low light it is better to have a wide aperture, and when you are working with a lot of light it is better to have a narrow aperture so your footage is not overexposed.

Aperture is simply an opening in the lens that lets the light through. If you want to increase the amount of the light that is reaching the camera’s sensor you need to open up the aperture blades that are located in the lens. The f-values like f/1.2 or f/1.8 indicate that the aperture is wide open and that the camera is receiving the maximum amount of light a lens you’re using can provide.

2.What is an ‘f-stop’?

Light passes through your lens’s aperture on its way to your camera’s sensor, and the f-stop of your lens relates to the amount of light it lets in. The lower your f-stop, the wider your aperture, and the more light you are letting into your camera. The more light you let into your camera the easier it is to achieve a blurred background. A lot of vloggers love blurring their backgrounds because it is a quick way to disguising the rooms they are shooting in.

F-stops are written like ‘f/1.8’ or ‘f/4’ on your lens. For more information on f-stops and blurring your background read “The Best Bokeh Lens - How to Get the Blurred Background for YouTube Videos” and watch Tasha’s video.

F-stops or f-numbers indicate how open the aperture is, so for example if your camera is displaying f/32 value it means that your camera is letting very little light to get through to the camera’s sensor. The f-number depends on a few other parameters such as shutter speed, exposure or ISO values. Large apertures provide a shallow depth of field which creates a smooth and artistic background blur, while a small aperture enables you to keep both the background and the foreground of your shot in focus.

Part 2: Types of Camera Lenses

The visual aspect of a video may not be the only thing you’ll have to dedicate special attention to while recording your YouTube video, but it is surely one of the most important factors of the video production process. A lens you are using will largely contribute to the aesthetics of the video. That’s why you need to know which type of lens will deliver the best results when shooting different types of scenes. Here are some of the most common types of lenses you’ll encounter.

Standard lenses

These lenses are featured in almost all camera kits, so the chances are that if you have a DSLR camera you already have a standard, mid-range lens. These lenses commonly have a fixed 50mm focal length, although zoom lenses with focal lengths in the range between 35mm and 75mm are also considered standard. You can use them to capture medium shots, single or multiple figure shots, and in some cases establishing shots, because they offer enough versatility to cover a multitude of different scenes. Standard lenses often have large apertures, which makes them quite useful if you often shoot videos under light conditions you can’t control.

Macro lenses

Details, product shots or any other subject that can be filmed from close proximity looks better if they are recorded with macro lenses. The high contrast and sharpness these lenses provide allow you to create stunning close-ups of all hosts, guests or actors in your YouTube videos. What’s more, if you are presenting a new product to your audience you can use the macro lens to make some captivating shots that will attract more audience. Zoom lenses can also be used for macro photography and video, although prime macro lenses produce better results.

Telephoto lenses

The subjects of your videos don’t always have to be in your immediate surroundings, because telephoto lenses let you capture scenes that are several miles away from you. Wildlife or sports videographers frequently use telephoto lenses because they don’t have another way of getting close to their subjects. However, telephoto lenses with 70-300mm focal length can also be used to take stunning portraits or close up shots. The biggest downside of telephoto lenses is their weight because the lenses with higher focal lengths can weigh up to 10lbs, which makes them a bit inconvenient to always carry with you.

Wide-angle lenses

Recording videos of vast open spaces, breathtaking vistas or beautiful city views is much easier if you have a wide-angle lens. The short focal length allows the lens to have a wider field of view which covers more space than standard or telephoto lenses. Wide-angle lenses also have lower apertures than lenses with longer focal lengths which results in images that have a shallow depth of field. Ultra-wide lenses like fisheye distort the view so the videos recorded with these lenses often suffer from the lack of realism.

Specialist lenses

YouTubers who are working on demanding projects can try to solve their troubles by using a specialist lens. Soft-focus lenses can help you take better portraits while tilt-shift lenses allow you to control the perspective. However, it is hard to imagine a scenario in which you’ll need a specialist lense if you are just starting out since even experienced videographers only use special lenses when they have absolutely no better way to record a scene.

Part 3: Recommended Best Camera Lenses for Shooting YouTube Videos

Here are a couple great lenses that might be good fits for you and your YouTube channel. The thing that makes them both ideal for vlogging is that they have low enough f-stops to blur out your background.

Camera Lens	Type	Price	Aperture	Focal Length
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens	Wide angle	$279	f/4.5-5.6	10 -18mm
Rokinon 8mm f/3.5	Fisheye	$249	f/3.5	8mm
Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens	Prime	$125	f/1.8	50mm
Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens	Telephoto	$999	f/2	135mm
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8	Standard Zoom	$299	f/2.8	17 -50mm
Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro	Macro	$278	f/3.5	30mm

1.Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens

Canon released this lens in 2014 and shortly after it has gained the reputation of one of the most reliable wide to ultra-wide lenses for Canon cameras. Like most STM lenses, it offers incredibly fast autofocus technology that makes it a great choice for fast-paced action videos. The lens is equipped with an image stabilization system which guarantees that your videos are going to remain sharp even if the camera wasn’t perfectly still while you were recording. Somewhat smaller aperture range makes this lens poor choice for low light scenes, although you can get decent results if you manage to keep the camera still.

2. Rokinon 8mm Ultra Wide f/3.5 Fisheye Lens

Outdoor videos look much cooler when they are recorded with a wide-angle lens because the wider field of view enables you to capture more space in a shot. Fisheye lenses were made popular by GoPro cameras because they make the videos look more fun while producing high image quality. Rokinon 8mm lens allows you to adjust focus and aperture manually so you can fine-tune your shot before hitting the record button. To make things even better this model is compatible with a wide range of cameras including Pentax, Canon or Nikon DSLRs. It has a relatively fast aperture that enables it to deliver solid performances under low light conditions.

3.Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

The EF 50mm is a fixed lens with an f-stop of 1.8, which means it is great for blurring your background and performs well even in poorer lighting conditions. This is a really great lens for an opinion or beauty vlog, where you do not need to move around. You can stay put right where the focus is sharpest and stand out by blurring everything behind you. If you tend to reuse the same sets then you do not really need a zoom feature. If your shooting conditions rarely change then it is just as easy to use a reliable fixed lens like the EF 50mm since you will not need to be rethinking your set up and adjusting.

If you are looking for an inexpensive prime lens that lets you create sharp videos with shallow depth of field, you should look no further. This model is one of three Canon’s 50mm prime lenses, although the 50mm f/1.4 USM and 50mm f/1.2 ‘L’ USM models are much more expensive. You can use it to record a lot of different types of YouTube videos, like product reviews or makeup tutorials. The 50 mm f/1.8 STM lens doesn’t have image stabilization technology so you should try to be as still as you can possibly be when shooting handheld videos in order to avoid recording footage that has a lot of camera shakes.

4.Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens

Recording moving objects from a distance requires you to have a lens that allows you to smoothly track their movements while keeping the subject in focus. The Canon EF 135mm f2/L USM lens is perhaps one of the best telephoto lenses on the market because it uses L glass that is widely accepted as the best in the industry. The Canon’s telephoto lens is compatible with ASP-C and Full Frame EF mount cameras. Keep in mind that this is also a prime lens and you can’t increase or decrease its focal length, but even so, it is a perfect choice for documentary-style videos.

5.Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Lens

The Tamron’s standard zoom lens offers good value at a very reasonable price. The maximum aperture is f/2.8, while the minimum aperture value this lens supports is f/32, which means that its users can easily experiment with different depths of field. The lens is compatible with most Canon cameras so if you have a camera from another manufacturer you may have to use the lens adapter in order to mount it onto your camera. Like most standard zoom lenses, Tamron SP AF model is highly versatile and you can use it to record a wide range of different scenes.

A lot of zoom lenses do not have wide enough apertures to create blurred backgrounds, but this Tamron lens is an exception at f/2.8. This low f-stop also means that it performs better in poor lighting conditions than a lot of other zoom lenses. If your shooting conditions change a lot – if you often change locations, for example – then it will be good to have a sturdy, well-built, zoom lens like the AF 17-mm that can be quickly adapted to new angles and distances.

6.Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro

All Sony’s APS-C format E mount cameras are compatible with this multi-purpose lens. When mounted the 30mm lens provides a 45mm focal length equivalent, which means that you can use it to take macro shots of products or to record medium or close-up shots. This is a prime lens, so changing the focal length isn’t really an option, but the 1:1 life-size magnification, as well as the 0.9-inch working distance, allow you to get close to the subjects in the video. The aperture range is between f/3.5 and f/22 which means that you can choose how shallow the depth of field in your shot should be.

If you are using a 4k camera to shoot your YouTube video, check out best camera lens for 4k professional production.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

A DSLR is the ideal camera for some vlogs, and using a DSLR means you get to customize the look of your vlog by choosing the perfect lens. Choosing the best camera lens for your YouTube channel can be tricky because there are so many options. This article will walk you through some of them, and make two recommendations of great vlogging lenses. If you already have a good understanding of how camera lenses work then feel free to scroll down to the lens recs.

Part 1. Understanding Lenses: Zoom lens, Fixed lens, aperture, f-stop

There are two main categories of camera lenses: ‘zoom’ – lenses that allow you to zoom in and out – and ‘fixed’. If your lenses are tools then zoom lenses are Swiss army knives; they are very versatile. Fixed lenses, also called prime lenses, have more specific purposes. Do you need a tool that can do a lot of things, or a tool that is perfect for one specific job? Sometimes it is useful to have access to both.

We have explained the differences between Fixed lens and Zoom lens and advantages of using each lens, check this article: Zoom Lens vs. Fixed Lenses: Which one is best for YouTuber? for the detailed information.

Before we get into the recommendations here is a little background information on lenses in general:

Beginner’s Guide to Aperture and F-Stops

In order to be able to select the lens you’ll be using to record your YouTube videos, you first need to understand a few very basic concepts, such as aperture or f-stops.

1.What is a lens’s aperture?

The aperture of your lens is the hole through which light reaches your camera’s sensor, or the film if you are using a film camera. The wider your aperture is the more light you are letting into your camera. In low light it is better to have a wide aperture, and when you are working with a lot of light it is better to have a narrow aperture so your footage is not overexposed.

Aperture is simply an opening in the lens that lets the light through. If you want to increase the amount of the light that is reaching the camera’s sensor you need to open up the aperture blades that are located in the lens. The f-values like f/1.2 or f/1.8 indicate that the aperture is wide open and that the camera is receiving the maximum amount of light a lens you’re using can provide.

2.What is an ‘f-stop’?

Light passes through your lens’s aperture on its way to your camera’s sensor, and the f-stop of your lens relates to the amount of light it lets in. The lower your f-stop, the wider your aperture, and the more light you are letting into your camera. The more light you let into your camera the easier it is to achieve a blurred background. A lot of vloggers love blurring their backgrounds because it is a quick way to disguising the rooms they are shooting in.

F-stops are written like ‘f/1.8’ or ‘f/4’ on your lens. For more information on f-stops and blurring your background read “The Best Bokeh Lens - How to Get the Blurred Background for YouTube Videos” and watch Tasha’s video.

F-stops or f-numbers indicate how open the aperture is, so for example if your camera is displaying f/32 value it means that your camera is letting very little light to get through to the camera’s sensor. The f-number depends on a few other parameters such as shutter speed, exposure or ISO values. Large apertures provide a shallow depth of field which creates a smooth and artistic background blur, while a small aperture enables you to keep both the background and the foreground of your shot in focus.

Part 2: Types of Camera Lenses

The visual aspect of a video may not be the only thing you’ll have to dedicate special attention to while recording your YouTube video, but it is surely one of the most important factors of the video production process. A lens you are using will largely contribute to the aesthetics of the video. That’s why you need to know which type of lens will deliver the best results when shooting different types of scenes. Here are some of the most common types of lenses you’ll encounter.

Standard lenses

These lenses are featured in almost all camera kits, so the chances are that if you have a DSLR camera you already have a standard, mid-range lens. These lenses commonly have a fixed 50mm focal length, although zoom lenses with focal lengths in the range between 35mm and 75mm are also considered standard. You can use them to capture medium shots, single or multiple figure shots, and in some cases establishing shots, because they offer enough versatility to cover a multitude of different scenes. Standard lenses often have large apertures, which makes them quite useful if you often shoot videos under light conditions you can’t control.

Macro lenses

Details, product shots or any other subject that can be filmed from close proximity looks better if they are recorded with macro lenses. The high contrast and sharpness these lenses provide allow you to create stunning close-ups of all hosts, guests or actors in your YouTube videos. What’s more, if you are presenting a new product to your audience you can use the macro lens to make some captivating shots that will attract more audience. Zoom lenses can also be used for macro photography and video, although prime macro lenses produce better results.

Telephoto lenses

The subjects of your videos don’t always have to be in your immediate surroundings, because telephoto lenses let you capture scenes that are several miles away from you. Wildlife or sports videographers frequently use telephoto lenses because they don’t have another way of getting close to their subjects. However, telephoto lenses with 70-300mm focal length can also be used to take stunning portraits or close up shots. The biggest downside of telephoto lenses is their weight because the lenses with higher focal lengths can weigh up to 10lbs, which makes them a bit inconvenient to always carry with you.

Wide-angle lenses

Recording videos of vast open spaces, breathtaking vistas or beautiful city views is much easier if you have a wide-angle lens. The short focal length allows the lens to have a wider field of view which covers more space than standard or telephoto lenses. Wide-angle lenses also have lower apertures than lenses with longer focal lengths which results in images that have a shallow depth of field. Ultra-wide lenses like fisheye distort the view so the videos recorded with these lenses often suffer from the lack of realism.

Specialist lenses

YouTubers who are working on demanding projects can try to solve their troubles by using a specialist lens. Soft-focus lenses can help you take better portraits while tilt-shift lenses allow you to control the perspective. However, it is hard to imagine a scenario in which you’ll need a specialist lense if you are just starting out since even experienced videographers only use special lenses when they have absolutely no better way to record a scene.

Part 3: Recommended Best Camera Lenses for Shooting YouTube Videos

Here are a couple great lenses that might be good fits for you and your YouTube channel. The thing that makes them both ideal for vlogging is that they have low enough f-stops to blur out your background.

Camera Lens	Type	Price	Aperture	Focal Length
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens	Wide angle	$279	f/4.5-5.6	10 -18mm
Rokinon 8mm f/3.5	Fisheye	$249	f/3.5	8mm
Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens	Prime	$125	f/1.8	50mm
Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens	Telephoto	$999	f/2	135mm
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8	Standard Zoom	$299	f/2.8	17 -50mm
Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro	Macro	$278	f/3.5	30mm

1.Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens

Canon released this lens in 2014 and shortly after it has gained the reputation of one of the most reliable wide to ultra-wide lenses for Canon cameras. Like most STM lenses, it offers incredibly fast autofocus technology that makes it a great choice for fast-paced action videos. The lens is equipped with an image stabilization system which guarantees that your videos are going to remain sharp even if the camera wasn’t perfectly still while you were recording. Somewhat smaller aperture range makes this lens poor choice for low light scenes, although you can get decent results if you manage to keep the camera still.

2. Rokinon 8mm Ultra Wide f/3.5 Fisheye Lens

Outdoor videos look much cooler when they are recorded with a wide-angle lens because the wider field of view enables you to capture more space in a shot. Fisheye lenses were made popular by GoPro cameras because they make the videos look more fun while producing high image quality. Rokinon 8mm lens allows you to adjust focus and aperture manually so you can fine-tune your shot before hitting the record button. To make things even better this model is compatible with a wide range of cameras including Pentax, Canon or Nikon DSLRs. It has a relatively fast aperture that enables it to deliver solid performances under low light conditions.

3.Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

The EF 50mm is a fixed lens with an f-stop of 1.8, which means it is great for blurring your background and performs well even in poorer lighting conditions. This is a really great lens for an opinion or beauty vlog, where you do not need to move around. You can stay put right where the focus is sharpest and stand out by blurring everything behind you. If you tend to reuse the same sets then you do not really need a zoom feature. If your shooting conditions rarely change then it is just as easy to use a reliable fixed lens like the EF 50mm since you will not need to be rethinking your set up and adjusting.

If you are looking for an inexpensive prime lens that lets you create sharp videos with shallow depth of field, you should look no further. This model is one of three Canon’s 50mm prime lenses, although the 50mm f/1.4 USM and 50mm f/1.2 ‘L’ USM models are much more expensive. You can use it to record a lot of different types of YouTube videos, like product reviews or makeup tutorials. The 50 mm f/1.8 STM lens doesn’t have image stabilization technology so you should try to be as still as you can possibly be when shooting handheld videos in order to avoid recording footage that has a lot of camera shakes.

4.Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens

Recording moving objects from a distance requires you to have a lens that allows you to smoothly track their movements while keeping the subject in focus. The Canon EF 135mm f2/L USM lens is perhaps one of the best telephoto lenses on the market because it uses L glass that is widely accepted as the best in the industry. The Canon’s telephoto lens is compatible with ASP-C and Full Frame EF mount cameras. Keep in mind that this is also a prime lens and you can’t increase or decrease its focal length, but even so, it is a perfect choice for documentary-style videos.

5.Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Lens

The Tamron’s standard zoom lens offers good value at a very reasonable price. The maximum aperture is f/2.8, while the minimum aperture value this lens supports is f/32, which means that its users can easily experiment with different depths of field. The lens is compatible with most Canon cameras so if you have a camera from another manufacturer you may have to use the lens adapter in order to mount it onto your camera. Like most standard zoom lenses, Tamron SP AF model is highly versatile and you can use it to record a wide range of different scenes.

A lot of zoom lenses do not have wide enough apertures to create blurred backgrounds, but this Tamron lens is an exception at f/2.8. This low f-stop also means that it performs better in poor lighting conditions than a lot of other zoom lenses. If your shooting conditions change a lot – if you often change locations, for example – then it will be good to have a sturdy, well-built, zoom lens like the AF 17-mm that can be quickly adapted to new angles and distances.

6.Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro

All Sony’s APS-C format E mount cameras are compatible with this multi-purpose lens. When mounted the 30mm lens provides a 45mm focal length equivalent, which means that you can use it to take macro shots of products or to record medium or close-up shots. This is a prime lens, so changing the focal length isn’t really an option, but the 1:1 life-size magnification, as well as the 0.9-inch working distance, allow you to get close to the subjects in the video. The aperture range is between f/3.5 and f/22 which means that you can choose how shallow the depth of field in your shot should be.

If you are using a 4k camera to shoot your YouTube video, check out best camera lens for 4k professional production.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

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