Welcome to my Buyer’s Guide to the Best Nikon Lenses! Whether you have a Nikon DSLR or mirrorless camera – or both! – you’ll find out which lenses I can personally recommend from Nikon, along with third-party manufacturers including Sigma, Tamron and Samyang.

I’m splitting this guide into two sections depending on whether you shoot with a Nikon mirrorless camera or a Nikon DSLR, and you can jump directly to each section as required. First I’ll start with myBest Z-mount lenses for Nikon Z-series mirrorless cameras, followed by myBest F-mount lenses for Nikon DSLRs.

F-mount DSLR lenses can also work with Nikon’s mirrorless cameras using an optional adapter, so my DSLR lens guide equally applies to Z-series cameras and will provide lots of alternative models. This doesn’t work the other way round though, so it’s not possible to fit a Z lens onto a DSLR. Since the Z system is comparatively young, I’ll also include a handful of DSLR lenses in that guide as alternative options. As always I’ll link to my reviews and sample image galleries where available, along with including links to check the latest pricing.

Best Z-mount lenses for Nikon Z mirrorless cameras

Nikon launched its Z-series full-frame mirrorless system in mid-2018, but while it’s relatively young, Nikon has been steadily building a catalogue of lenses starting with the basics along with some more exotic options that showcase what the system is capable of.

Z-series cameras are available with full-frame sensors, (known as FX in Nikon’s terminology), or smaller ‘cropped’ APSC sensors (known as DX by Nikon). You can fit any Z-lens to either type of camera, although lenses with DX in their title are only designed to be sharp over the smaller APSC area, so are not recommended for full-frame bodies unless you want to achieve a special effect. If you’re using a DX-format camera, the field of view of all lenses, whether DX or FX, will be reduced by 1.5 times, so a 50mm would become equivalent to 75mm.

Starting with general-purpose zoom lenses for full-frame Z cameras, Nikon offers three options in the native Z-mount: theZ 24-70mm f4 SandZ 24-70mm f2.8 Swhich share the same range but differ in aperture, price and weight, and theZ 24-200mm f4-6.3 VRwhich offers a super-zoom range and optical stabilisation. The Z 24-70mm f4 S has become the standard kit zoom for most of the full-frame Z bodies and delivers very good performance in a compact and light body – plus the price is often heavily subsidised if you buy it at the same time as the camera; see myNikon Z 24-70mm f4 S reviewfor more details. As such it’s a no-brainer as a first lens, but the subsequent Z 24-70mm f2.8 S delivers sharper results, more attractive bokeh plus the benefits of an extra stop of aperture along with a handy OLED display; see myZ 24-70mm f2.8 S reviewfor more details. It’s understandably larger, heavier and more expensive than the f4 model, but recommended you can afford it, and it also represents a step-up in quality over adapting the earlier24-70mm f2.8E VRfor F-mount. If you really want a 24-70mm f2.8 but can’t afford the Nikon options, consider adapting the F-mount versions of theSigma 24-70mm f2.8 ArtorTamron 24-70mm f2.8, both available for around half the price of the native Nikon model.

If you prefer to have a broader range at your disposal, the only option in the native mount is theNikon Z 24-200mm f4-6.3 VRwhich is roughly similar in price to the Z 24-70mm f4 S. The super-zoom may lack the S indicator for the best quality, but it does offer a much broader 8.3x range, reaching much further without having to swap lenses. Alternatively if you fancy something longer still and don’t mind adapting an F-mount lens, then consider theNikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VRat a similar price, or theTamron 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di VCfor a little less.

If you prefer using a mild wide-angle prime lens for general-purpose use, consider theNikon Z 35mm f1.8 S, which offers a much brighter aperture than the zooms above. The bokeh may not be the best around, but it’s a handy option and one that still out-performed adapting older 35mm f1.8 F-mount options from Nikon and Tamron; see myNikon Z 35mm f1.8 S reviewfor more details. If you’re after something brighter, there’s a bunch of higher-end, albeit heftier, 35mm f1.4 lenses available to adapt such as theSigma 35mm f1.4 Art.

If you prefer so-called ‘standard’ coverage at 50mm or thereabouts, there’s currently two options in the native Z-mount: theZ 50mm f1.8 Sand theZ 58mm f0.95 S Noct, and they couldn’t be more different. The Z 50mm f1.8 S is relatively compact and one of the most affordable Z lenses to date, and in our tests punched above its weight; see myNikon Z 50mm f1.8 S reviewfor more details. If you want superior performance at 50mm, you’ll need to spend roughly double – and accommodate a heftier barrel – on an adaptedSigma 50mm f1.4 Art; see mySigma 50mm f1.4 Art reviewfor more details. Meanwhile for those with a significant budget to splurge, the Nikon Z 58mm f0.95 S Noct provides a truly exotic option with superb performance and the best-looking bokeh in its class, but with manual focusing, a huge barrel and an eye-watering price tag; see myNikon Z 58mm f0.95 S Noct reviewfor more details.

If you’re into wide-angle photography, there’s currently only one native zoom available: theNikon Z 14-30mm f4 S. The compact and lightweight barrel is a great match for the Z bodies and ideal for travel, but while it performed reasonably well, it lacked in a few of our tests, especially considering the price; see myNikon Z 14-30mm f4 S reviewfor more details. If you’re happy to accommodate a larger adapted lens, I’d recommend theTamron SP 15-30mm f2.8 VCwhich is not only a stop faster, but optically superior in our tests and a tad cheaper too; see myTamron SP 15-30mm f2.8 VC reviewfor more details.

如果你喜欢使用定焦镜头快er aperture for wide-angle photography, there’s currently two native options: theNikon Z 20mm f1.8 SandNikon Z 24mm f1.8 Swhich both cost in roughly the same ball-park, just into four figures. In our tests the Z 24mm f1.8 S performed very well, passing well-regarded models including the Sigma 24mm f1.4 Art and an adapted (albeit more affordable)24mm f1.8G, while even approaching the Otus 28mm f1.4; see myNikon Z 24mm f1.8 S reviewfor more details.

If you’re into portraits, you’ll be looking for a short telephoto lens in the 85 to 135mm range, and while there’s currently only one fixed focal length option in the native Z mount, there’s a wealth of adapted models to consider. Starting native, theNikon Z 85mm f1.8 Sis a decent performer at one of the lower prices in the Z catalogue; see myNikon Z 85mm f1.8 S reviewfor more details. If your budget is lower, consider adapting an olderNikon 85mm f1.8Gfor around two thirds the price, or if you’re happy to accommodate something heftier at around 50% more, go for an adaptedSigma 85mm f1.4 Artwhich is one of the best models in its class; see mySigma 85mm f1.4 Art reviewfor more details.

If 85mm is a little short, how about adapting theSigma 105mm f1.4 Art, a stunning lens that may cost roughly double the Z 85mm f1.8 S but delivers unrivalled results; check out mySigma 105mm f1.4 Art reviewfor more details. Alternatively at a slightly lower price there’s theSigma 135mm f1.8 Art, perfect for more distant portrait work and one of the best lenses we’ve tested; see mySigma 135mm f1.8 Art reviewfor more details, and also see myBest Nikon DSLR lens guidefor more adapted ideas.

If you want something longer, or prefer to trade the brightest apertures for the flexibility of a zoom, then consider a telephoto zoom lens. In the native mount, there’s theNikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S; I’m yet to test this lens, but it’ll be up against adapting the slightly cheaperNikon 70-200mm f2.8E VRwhich delivered excellent performance in our tests; see myNikon 70-200mm f2.8E VR reviewfor more details. Beyond this, there’s an enormous range of alternative telephoto zooms available from Nikon and third parties if you’re happy to adapt, in particular some unique and affordable options from Sigma and Tamron, so I’ll refer you to myNikon DSLR lens guidefor more recommendations.

Finally for this Z-mount lens guide are macro lenses, and without any native options so far, you’ll be adapting a DSLR lens for close-up work. You could adapt theNikon 105mm f2.8 Micro Nikkor, but in our tests theTamron 90mm f2.8 VC IIdelivered superior results and is one of the best macro options for any system; see myTamron 90mm f2.8 VC II reviewfor more details. Note the AF on this lens may not always work reliably when adapted to Nikon Z bodies, so until a firmware can resolve it you may need to rely on manual focus – but that’s not uncommon in a macro environment.

That’s it for my Nikon Z lens guide, but I’ll be updating it with new lenses and options as they become available. Also check out myNikon DSLR lens guidefor more options.

Best F-mount lenses for Nikon DSLRs

欢迎来到我的指南选择最好的尼康的DSLR lenses. I’ll help you navigate through one of the largest catalogues of lenses from both Nikon and third parties to find the right models for you. While F-mount lenses are primarily designed for Nikon DSLRs, they can also be successfully adapted to Nikon’s Z mirrorless system, greatly expanding the range of options available. There’s so many choices I’ve divided my guide into five sections depending on what you want to photograph, so scroll down and start short-listing your perfect lenses!

Best Nikon General Purpose Lenses

General-purpose zooms handle most day-to-day shots, offering wide-angle to telephoto coverage. Unless you’re a specialist, you’ll probably keep a general-purpose zoom fitted to your DSLR more than any other lens so it makes sense to have a good one.

Most DSLRs are sold with a standard lens, but upgrading to a better model can give you superior image quality, a broader range, quicker focusing or brighter apertures for low-light work and blurred backgrounds. See myBest Nikon General Purpose Lens guidefor the best models.

Best Nikon Macro Lenses

If you’re into taking close-ups of flowers, insects or other tiny subjects, you’ll quickly become frustrated with the capabilities of a standard kit lens – they just can’t focus close enough to deliver a decent-sized image.

The answer is a Macro lens, which is designed specifically for high quality close-up photography. Many also double-up as respectable portrait lenses. So if you want big photos of small subjects, check out myBest Nikon Macro Lens guidefor the best models.

Best Nikon Portrait Lenses

For many people, a good-looking portrait shot combines a flattering view of the subject against a blurred background. This is very easy to achieve with the right lens. The key behind a blurred background is having a lens with a small f-number, and the flattering perspective is down to a slightly magnified view. Lenses with small f-numbers also capture more light, which makes them ideal for shooting in low-light without a flash.

In myBest Nikon Portrait Lens guideI’ll show you which models are best for the job.

Best Nikon Telephoto Lenses

If you want to get close to a distant subject, you need a telephoto lens. These are ideal for sports and wildlife photography, along with capturing candid shots of people at a distance. They’re also great for getting closer to details in both natural and urban environments which are lost in a larger view.

Their broad flexibility coupled with a desire to zoom-closer than a standard kit lens makes a telephoto model the natural choice when most people start shopping for a second lens. See myBest Nikon Telephoto Lensesfor recommended models.

Best Nikon wide-angle Lenses

Wide-angle lenses capture bigger views than normal, allowing you to squeeze very large subjects into the frame. They can prove invaluable whether you’re trying to photograph a large building, cramped interior, sweeping landscape view, or even just a big group shot. They’re also ideal when you literally can’t step back any further.

So if you’re into landscape or architectural photography, or often find yourself stepping-back to squeeze-in the desired shot, then check out myBest Nikon wide-angle Lens guidefor the best models.