The Nikon brand boasts of different collections of high-end cameras and optical gadgets to its name. And if you own a Nikon camera, you are already in a good place as a photographer. The lenses on your Nikon camera are easily are the easiest and most essential upgrade you can make to suit your photography needs. And whether you are looking to enter a new photography niche or replace the old lens on your camera, this buying guide is for you.
Initially, we gave you an outline of the best Nikon lenses on the market that stand out from most and are exceptionally versatile to different photographers and their needs. But which to choose from our shortlist? We’re still here to help.
In the rest of this buying guide, we help you hone in on the exact Nikon lens suited to your needs by outlining different important deciding factors and qualities that make Nikon stand out from the other.
What Factors Should I Consider Before Buying Nikon Lenses?
What Type of Nikon Camera do you Have?
Your first step should be figuring the type of Nikon camera you have. While Nikon cameras come in a host of models, they will generally be classified as DSLR/mirrorless cameras based on the design and DX/FX cameras based on sensor type.
DSLR or Mirrorless
Nikon cameras and all cameras for that matter generally come as Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras and mirrorless cameras. DSLRs bring a bit of the ‘old-school’ and are loved by many enthusiasts thanks to the superior performance of their optical viewfinders and better ergonomics.
Mirrorless cameras are more compact and replace a good part of the hardware (reflection mirror) with electronic sensors and are generally boast faster shutter speeds.
Many lenses are versatile to both DSLR or mirrorless cameras, however, always be on the lookout as some Nikon lenses may be designed for just specific models.
Sensor Size; DX or FX Models
Whether your Nikon camera is a DSLR or mirrorless camera, it will come as an APS-C (or DX) or Full-frame (FX) camera. DX Nikon cameras come with smaller sensors while FX cameras give a full-view image. Lenses made for DX cameras should ideally not be used on FX cameras, but if you must, it should be in crop mode. FX lenses can be used on DX cameras and offer you the advantage of still being compatible with other FX cameras.
What are the Different Types of Lenses?
Before you buy a Nikon lens, you should understand the different types of lenses there are. In general camera, lenses are classified as prime and zoom lenses.
Prime Lenses
Prime lenses are the classics and come with a fixed focal length – that is you can zoom in or out of the image in view. As prime lenses are specialized to particular niches, they boast better image quality per niche than zoom lenses. However, this also means that they may not perform as great as the latter if used in a different niche than it was made for.
Zoom Lenses
Zoom lenses are the most popular camera lenses today and speak versatility. They come with adjustable focal lengths and allow you to exploit different niches. Even if you have prime lenses, it is recommended that you also include zoom lenses in your arsenal.
Zoom lenses are further classified into telephoto zoom lenses, wide-angle lenses, standard zoom lenses, macro lenses, and specialty zoom lenses.
Telephoto Zoom Lenses
These lenses are excellent for long-range shots. With high magnifications, they offer a clear view of distant objects but suffer in a limited field of view. They are, however, usually quite bulky.
Macro Lenses
Macro lenses are excellent for close-up shots. They are typically used to take photos at very close range and in great detail.
Standard Zoom Lenses
Standard zoom lenses sit right between macro and telephoto zoom lenses. They are the most popular lenses and are a must-have for every photographer. They are used for everyday photography and capture images in a near-human perspective of size.
Wide-angle Lenses
Wide-angle lenses solve the narrow field of view with telephoto lenses at the price of magnification. They give a wide, full view of the scenery and are excellent for capturing large areas or expanses.
Specialty Lenses
Specialty lenses are extremely niche or environment-specific. Examples are fish-eye lenses that give a very field of view and infrared lenses.
What’s the Kind of Photography You Do?
The kind of photography you do directly determines the type of Nikon lens you go for.
Telephoto zoom lenses are exceptional for long-range photography like wildlife observation, stargazing, weather observation, etc.
Wide-angle lenses are suited to landscape or architectural photography to give a full view of large areas.
Standard lenses are great at just about everything.
Macro lenses are great for outlining details in niches like art photography, micro wildlife observation, etc.
First-party vs. Third-party Lenses
Lenses for Nikon cameras on the market are not just ‘Nikon’. That is, there are many third-party lenses for Nikon cameras that aren’t made by the Nikon brand. It is intuitive that you will want to go for a Nikon lens for your Nikon camera to ensure compatibility and quality. But that isn’t to say there aren’t great third-party Nikon lens brands out there. If you find a third-party Nikon lens that clicks with you, ensure that is compatible with your camera and check for consumer reviews and reports to get an idea of the performance and quality.
FAQs
Q: How much do Nikon lenses cost?
A:
Lenses for your Nikon camera can get quite pricey, more so, when you are buying a complete kit. While the price range is wide when you consider both first-party and third-party lenses, always stick to a budget.
Q:
What other factors should I consider when buying a Nikon lens?
A:
Some other factors to consider when buying a Nikon lens are its portability or carrying convenience and additional features it comes with. Some lenses like telephoto zoom lenses can get quite bulky and heavy. It’s about finding the right balance.
Q:
What’s the shutter speed/focal length rule?
A:
As a rule of thumb, to ensure a clear image without blurs, the shutter speed should 1/double the focal length or faster. So if you want to use a 50mm lens, the shutter speed should 1/100th of a second or faster.