The Best Nikon DSLR Lenses to Buy in 2024
As anyone who owns a Nikon DSLR camera knows, those cameras are content creating powerhouses. While Nikon DSLR cameras take stunning photos and videos on their own, the right lens for your Nikon DSLR can take these to the next level and help you make the most of your camera.
But with so many options on the market, how do you know which is best for your camera and photography style? When it comes to choosing a camera lens, a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t going to cut it. Considerations like your camera type, photography style, and shooting preferences should all be taken into account. Read on to discover our guide to the best Nikon DSLR lenses in 2023 and work out which camera lens to buy for your Nikon DSLR this year.
Wide Angle Lenses
Most commonly used for architecture, urban, and landscape photography, wide angle lenses help you fit more into your frame. By allowing you to include more in your shot without having to step back, wide angle lenses help you capture large, complex scenes without compromising on details like texture or colour. This quality also makes them a popular choice for everything from street photography to real estate and wedding photography. In short: They’re a great addition to almost every photographer’s tool kit.
If you’re ready to dive into the world of Nikon wide angle lenses in 2023, the following is our top pick.
- DSLR Compatible - Suitable for APS-C sensors
- VR stabilisation
- Fast AF system
- Relatively portable
- Closest focus of just 0.22m
Nikon AF-S 16-35mm f4 G ED VR Lens
- Perfect for photographing landscapes, cityscapes and interiors
- VR stabilisation
- SWM autofocus - high-speed and quiet AF
- Constant f4 aperture
- Nano Crystal coating - reduced ghost and flare caused by light
- ED glass - reduces aberrations and allows crystal clear, detailed images
Macro Lenses
Ideal for anyone who likes to get up close and personal with their subjects, macro lenses offer precise focus on even the smallest subjects. From bugs and insects to flowers and raindrops, macro lenses are a favourite amongst nature photography enthusiasts who appreciate fine details and texture.
Certain macro lenses even allow 1:1 magnification, which lets you fill your frame with smaller details shown in stunning accuracy. But contrary to what their name suggests, these lenses aren’t just good for close-range captures! Macro lenses can also be put to use for taking intimate, well-focused portrait shots.
If you’re looking for a Nikon macro lens, the first thing to be mindful of is that the company prefers to use the term “micro”. We recommend the following models.
Nikon AF-S 40mm f2.8G DX Micro
- Designed for DX cameras: 60mm Equivalent focal length
- Fast f2.8 aperture with rounded 7-blade diaphragm - smooth, natural bokeh
- Closest focus of 16cm
- 1.0x Magnification
- Super Integrated Coating – Reduces Flare & Ghosting
- SWM autofocus - high-speed and quiet AF
- Compatible with crop-sensor DSLRs
- F3.5 maximum aperture - creates a good amount of background blur
- 1:1 magnification
- Compact and lightweight
- ED glass - reduces aberrations and allows crystal clear, detailed images
Telephoto Lenses
Fan of sports or wildlife photography? Also known as telephoto zoom lenses, telephoto lenses can help close the distance between you and your subject and allow you to shoot far away objects in incredible detail. Wedding photographers also rely on these lenses to get intimate shots of the happy couple and their guests without getting too close and spoiling the moment.
If you’re in the market for a Nikon telephoto lens, our recommendations are as follows.
- Huge zoom range - excellent for sports and wildlife
- Constant f5.6 aperture
- VR stabilisation - blur-free handheld images
- Tripod collar
- Silent Wave Motor - fast, quiet operation
- Compact and lightweight considering its zoom range
- For use on FX-format and DX-format Nikon DSLRs (300-750mm zoom range on DX-format)
Nikon AF-S 70-200mm VR F2.8E FL ED Zoom
- Versatile zoom range - perfect for subjects in the distance and not too far from your lens
- Fast constant f2.8 aperture - superior handheld performance and depth of field control
- 4-stop VR stabilisation - high level of handheld and low-light shooting
- Nano Crystal and Fluorite coatings - reduces flare and ghosting while increasing contrast and colour accuracy
- SWM autofocus - high-speed and quiet AF
- Dust and moisture resistant
Prime Lenses
Prime, or fixed focus lenses from Nikon, are generally more budget-friendly than their zoom counterparts, but still offer plenty of bang for your buck. Prime lenses are known for their edge-to-edge sharpness and faster maximum apertures, meaning that you get exceptional optical quality and enhanced performance in low-light conditions.
Their simpler optical design means that this type of camera lens is not only sharper, but also lighter and more portable than alternatives - the only downside is that you’ll have to get on your feet if you want a closer shot!
Scroll on to see our two top picks for Nikon prime lenses in 2023.
- Incredibly compact and lightweight
- Bright f1.8 aperture - shoot in darkness and enjoy very shallow depths of field
- Aspherical lens element - sharp and detailed images
- Silent Wave Motor - fast, quiet operation
- Classic “normal” field of view
- DSLR Compatible - When mounted on DX-format cameras, the longer focal length is good for tightly-cropped portraits
- F1.8 aperture - perfect for producing blurred backgrounds and highlighting the subject matter of photographs
- SWM - fast and quiet AF
- Rear focussing system
- Designed for use on DX format cameras - versatile, great for landscapes, interiors, portraits and travel.
- Lightweight and compact size
Standard Zoom Lenses
Perfect for everyday, general purpose photography, standard zoom lenses are a great pairing for your first DSLR camera. These portable, lightweight, and easy-to-use lenses have a versatile focal length, meaning you can use them for everything from landscapes to portraits. Particularly when you’re new to photography and just working out your style, standard zoom lenses are a great way to try out a little bit of everything without fussing with multiple lenses. As your skills improve, you can experiment with the more specialised lenses in this camera lens guide.
We recommend the following Nikon standard zoom lenses, which can be used with a number of DX format Nikon DSLRs.
- A great option to grow with
- Portable and lightweight
- DX-format DSLR Compatible - 27-82.5mm equivalent zoom range
- Stepping AF motor - fast and quiet AF
- VR stabilisation - blur-free handheld images
Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f2.8E ED VR FX
- FX Format Compatible
- Premium optical quality
- Rugged build quality
- F2.8 constant aperture - consistent depth of field control throughout
- VR stabilisation
Improve your photography with the right Nikon DSLR lens
Whether you’re looking for your first camera lens to buy or your fiftieth, choosing the right lens is always a complex decision. Still, with a bit of careful consideration of your unique needs and options, you can find the perfect lens to take your photography practice to the next level.
Our Nikon DSLR camera lens guide is a great place to start your search for a new camera lens, but we have plenty of other resources to help you on the way. Read our 2023 Digital Camera Lens Buying Guide now, or pop into your local Ted’s store to get advice in person!
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