In the photography world, third-party lenses often get treated like second-class citizens. But in my experience, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Over the past few years, I’ve used a wide range of third-party lenses—some bought, some gifted—and many of them have genuinely blown me away. Whether it’s build quality, unique character, or just unbeatable value for money, these lenses have earned their place in my kit.

So here are my top 5 favourite third-party lenses, ranked from “great” to “absolutely essential.”

5. Sirui Nightwalker 24mm T1.2 Cine Lens

This was my first time using a cine lens—and it was a fun challenge. The Sirui Nightwalker is fully manual with a de-clicked aperture ring and a tank-like build. It was sent to me for an honest review (not sponsored), and it really surprised me.

What stood out most was the image character, especially paired with the Fuji XH2s. I took it to Ireland and the colours it rendered were genuinely stunning. It also held up beautifully in low light thanks to the ultra-fast T1.2 aperture. Designed with filmmakers in mind, this lens might not be for everyone—but it’s got a special look that makes it worth exploring.

Sirui Nightwalker 24mm T1.2 Cine Lens

4. Sigma 56mm f/1.4

This was the first third-party lens I ever bought for my Fujifilm system—and it was my go-to lens for over a year. Equivalent to an 85mm on full-frame, it gave me a flattering, short telephoto perspective in an incredibly compact body.

The price point compared to Fuji’s native options? Way more affordable. My only complaint is the lack of an aperture ring—a feature I’ve grown to love on Fujifilm lenses. But in terms of sharpness, size, and usability? It’s a top performer.

3. Viltrox 13mm f/1.4

I grabbed this lens mainly for vlogging and tight indoor spaces, but it quickly became a staple. The image quality is fantastic, the autofocus is snappy, and the build is solid. That fast f/1.4 aperture was a game-changer in low light and for a bit of background separation, even on a wide lens.

It’s maybe slightly too wide for everyday use, but honestly, that’s nitpicking. For YouTube content and handheld shooting, this lens delivers in spades.

2. TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 AF

This lens completely surprised me. It was gifted to me by TTArtisan as part of a collaboration, and I didn’t expect much—especially given its ultra-low price. But wow.

Autofocus is decent, it’s tiny (like, pocket-sized), and the image quality has real charm. Is it technically perfect? No. There’s some falloff and chromatic aberration, and it’s not weather-sealed. But that imperfect quality gives the images a unique look that I really enjoy. It became one of those lenses I just kept reaching for because it felt right.

1. Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8

The GOAT. I’ve owned this lens twice—once with my Canon 80D and again adapted for my Fuji XH2s. This thing is an absolute workhorse.

The zoom range is versatile, the f/1.8 constant aperture is killer for low light, and the sharpness is unreal. I’ve used it across client projects, personal shoots, and YouTube videos. It’s honestly the closest thing I’ve found to a “do-it-all” lens.

Only downside? Using it with an adapter on Fuji makes it a bit chunky. If Sigma ever made a native version for X-mount, I’d buy it in a heartbeat.

Final Thoughts – Why I Rate Third-Party Lenses So Highly

When it comes to third-party lenses, there’s a perception that they’re somehow “less than.” But in my experience, that’s simply not true. In fact, third-party lenses have allowed me to build a more versatile, creative kit—without breaking the bank.

Sure, not every lens is perfect. Some lack weather sealing, others skip on premium features like aperture rings. But what they do offer is incredible value, fresh character, and sometimes even better performance than the native options.

Whether you’re a filmmaker, YouTuber, or photographer trying to level up your gear game on a budget, third-party lenses might just surprise you—like they did me.

Want to see these lenses in action? Check out my YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes and real-world use cases.