Best telephoto lens for Nikon -

If you’re a nature lover, then it should be easy to understand the importance of a good telephoto lens for Nikon. That’s why I’d like to help you pick the best telephoto lens for example from this list of eight products

Because who doesn’t love shooting pictures of birds, right? A telephoto lens gives you the ability to get much closer to your subject than what your regular lens can do. These lenses also give you a lot more control over how far you can zoom in, where you can focus, and what kinds of special effects can be created with your images.

It’s hard to avoid it — whether you’re birding in Africa or right here at home — you’ll need a telephoto lens. A telephoto lens will extend the reach of your camera allowing you to get closer to your subject and provide greater detail. The best telephoto lenses for Nikon are those that are high quality, well designed and affordable. These lenses provide photographers with many years of service and can be used for a variety of applications including birding, nature photography and general photojournalism.

Best telephoto lens for nikon dx

Which telephoto lens is best for me? When to use each? What if I’m doing birding photography and hardly ever zoom in on the viewfinder? My colleague and friend, Alex from DxO Optics, was nice enough to share his insights. So here it goes:

Whether you’re looking for a longer reach or more versatility, telephoto lenses are a great addition to any photographer’s kit. Telephoto lenses are phenomenal for nature, landscape and architectural photography and can often create the illusion that your subject is much closer than it actually is.

While telephoto lenses for smartphones have been around for a long time, there were some aspects of their design that made them less-than-ideal for photographers. This is changing with the introduction of a handful of modern lens models from major camera manufacturers that are bringing us the best telephoto lens designs ever seen.

Have you ever looked through a telephoto lens and been amazed by what you could see? Of course you have. Just like the rest of us, the mere thought of having a macro lens for your camera is enough to make our hearts beat faster (and ears perk up).

Best telephoto lens for Nikon

Last Christmas, I spent a month reviewing the Nikon D3400, and concluded that it’s a fantastic camera for beginners and enthusiast photographers alike.

While the industry here in 2022 may prefer promoting the latest mirrorless cameras, the humble DSLR still has a role to play. Great ergonomics… tactile feedback… a ‘real’ shooting experience – DSLRs like the D3400 offer something that more modern cameras can’t replicate.

One thing’s for sure though – the performance of the Nikon D3400 relies heavily on the lens you attach to it. Settling for a sub-par lens can severely limit the DX sensor’s abilities – conversely, if you get it right, you’ll be producing professional level imagery. EDITOR’S CHOICE

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G DX

Most affordable way to get high quality images (even in low light), with beautiful background blur. This is a lens that pairs beautifully with the D3400.

This article will cover which lenses are capable of giving you amazing results with the D3400, from ultra-wide landscapes to telephoto portraits, and casual yet professional-looking general photography.

I’ve hand-picked these lenses because they offer a fantastic balance of image quality, overall performance, portability, and affordability, and pair excellently with the D3400.

Table of Contents

Best Nikon D3400 Lenses in 2022

IMAGEPRODUCTFEATURESNikon 35mm f/1.8G DXBEST ALL ROUND PRIMEGreat BokehUseful Focal LengthGreat in Low LightCompact & LightweightVIEW PRICE →Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6 DXBEST ALL ROUND ZOOMImpressively Small/LightExcellent Image QualityVersatile Focal RangeRazor SharpVIEW PRICE →Nikon 85mm /1.8 FXBEST FOR PORTRAITSRazor SharpBeautiful BokehAmazing Image QualityGreat in Low LightVIEW PRICE →Nikon 50mm f/1.8 FXBEST VALUE PRIMEGreat ValueSmall & LightweightGreat BokehGreat in Low LightVIEW PRICE →Nikon 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6 DXBEST WIDE ANGLEImpressive Focal RangeCompact & LightweightHigh Image QualityGreat ValueVIEW PRICE →Nikon 85mm f/3.5 DX MIcroBEST ALL ROUND MACROManual Focus OverrideLifesize ReproductionCompact & LightweightHuge Creatve PotentialVIEW PRICE →

What Lenses are Compatible with the Nikon D3400?

Just because the Nikon D3400 is a DX body, you don’t have to limit yourself to only DX lenses.

Nikon’s F-mount, which was created in 1959, is what the D3400 uses. This means that the camera can accept many different types of Nikon (and third-party) lenses!

Unfortunately, not all of them are fully compatible with this entry-level DSLR, and not all of them are optimal for getting the most out of your modern camera body. The technology for metering, aperture control, and autofocus has changed significantly over the decades.

With that in mind, here’s a quick breakdown of which types of lenses are fully compatible with the Nikon D3400, and which are not:

Manual Focus Nikon Lenses

These will not provide autofocus, of course, and they will also not provide full exposure metering on the D3400, or any other current entry-level Nikon DSLR. You will have to focus manually, and we would recommend using live view and test shots to meter your exposure.

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Older Autofocus Lenses (AF-D, plain “AF” Lenses)

These lenses will not autofocus on the D3400, because the camera body lacks a built-in AF motor which those lenses require.

Current-Generation AF-S, AF-S G, & AF-P Autofocus Lenses

These lenses should all be fully compatible with the Nikon D3400. You can enjoy the benefits of Nikon’s latest metering and autofocus technology, and in some cases, VR vibration reduction as well.

DX Nikon DSLR lenses

Being a “DX” format camera body with an APS-C (DX) sensor, the D3400 is especially compatible with Nikon DX lenses. You can also use Nikon’s FX (full-frame) lenses, too.

However, DX lenses which are exclusively compatible with the smaller DX sensor in the entry-level D3400, are not fully compatible with FX full-frame Nikon cameras.

Nikon D3400 Lens Reviews

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G DX

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Focal Length: 35 mm (50 mm equivalent)
Weight: 197 g (6.95 oz)
Size (Diameter x Length): 70 x 52.5 mm (2.8″x 2.1″)
Filter Diameter: 52 mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.3 m (0.99 ft)https://8b8508bf35c9eea2d8b8ace707ea41e9.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

On Nikon DX camera bodies, with their 1.5x crop factor sensor size, the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G is equivalent to what is considered to be the most standard focal length, which is 50mm on full-frame (FX) cameras.

Since it is one of the most common lens focal lengths, Nikon had made this lens very simple, compact, lightweight, and quite affordable too. In other words, it’s hard to go wrong with this lens!

At just under $200 brand-new, the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 G ED (review) is a great lens for anyone who is looking to get a little bit more serious about photography with their D3400, yet is looking to avoid breaking the bank.

This normal lens, compared to the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DX “kit” lens which likely came in the box with your D3400, offers an aperture that is more than two stops brighter, at f/1.8.

This allows you to capture beautiful images even in low light, and it also allows you to capture images with more selective focus, which means blurring the background and foreground, so that emphasis is added to the subject.https://8b8508bf35c9eea2d8b8ace707ea41e9.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

The Nikon 35mm f/1.8 exhibits great bokeh | 1/640 f/13 ISO400

Since this is a DX lens, it will not be fully compatible with an FX full-frame Nikon DSLR or Z-series mirrorless camera.

So, if you’re serious enough about photography that you think you might buy an FX full-frame camera sometime in the near future, you might want to avoid this lens, and instead get either the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 G, or the FX version of the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 G (reviewed here), since both of them are full-frame lenses which will still be compatible with FX bodies.

Of course, the full-frame sensor will make all your focal lengths feel a little bit wider, so remember that – check out our guide to 35mm vs 50mm for more info.

Nevertheless, if you’re sticking with your D3400 for at least another year or so, the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX can be especially useful for capturing portraits, (both full-length and mid-length) as well as any candid journalism type of situation, among many other things.https://8b8508bf35c9eea2d8b8ace707ea41e9.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

I always recommend buying a prime lens, especially for those just dipping their toes into photography, and this is a nice, affordable option.

It’s just a great walk-around lens, whether you want to “keep it simple” for reasons of creative inspiration or for portability; this lens has got you covered!

Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6 DX

Focal Length: 18-300 mm (27-450 mm equivalent)
Weight: 550 g (19.4 oz)
Size (Diameter x Length): 78.5 x 99mm (3.1″ x 3.9″)
Filter Diameter: 67 mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.48 m (1.6 ft)https://8b8508bf35c9eea2d8b8ace707ea41e9.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Sometimes, the perfect lens is what is known as a superzoom. These types of lenses are great for any situation where you just can’t change lenses, and yet you need the versatility of both wide-angle and telephoto (indeed, super-telephoto!) focal lengths.

The Nikon AFS-DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR lens is one of the best choices of superzooms that are fully compatible and optimized for the Nikon D3400 (it’s also a popular choice for the D3500 too).

Maybe it’s just not practical for you to switch lenses. For example, you might be on a boat with ocean mist spraying on you.

Or, you could just be travelling light and don’t have extra room in your bags for additional lenses.

Whatever the case, a zoom lens that covers almost every useful focal length can be a godsend, and pair well even with entry-level cameras such as the D3400 (see guide).

The Nikon 18-300mm allows you to get up close and personal without moving your feet | 1/1000 f/5.6 ISO800 at 210mm

With the Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR superzoom lens, you can go from seeing a wide-angle view to a narrow, close-up, zoomed-in view, just by turning your zoom ring.

Of course, it won’t be as sharp at every single focal length as a prime lens at that same focal length, however, it is still impressively sharp, believe it or not, and is capable of very high-quality results.

The VR image stabilization feature will also help you get sharp images even when your shutter speed is a bit too slow when shooting hand-held.

Nikon 85mm f/1.8G FX

Focal Length: 85 mm (127.5 mm equivalent)
Weight: 351.3 g (12.39 oz.)
Size (Diameter x Length): 80 x 73 mm (3.1″ x 2.9″)
Filter Diameter: 67 mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.8 m (2.6 ft)https://8b8508bf35c9eea2d8b8ace707ea41e9.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

If you’re really into portrait photography or another type of telephoto photography where shallow depth of field (blurry backgrounds) and fast shutter speeds are very useful, then you should definitely consider the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 G (FX) lens.

This lens when mounted on the Nikon D3400, will roughly equal a 120mm or 135mm lens mounted on a full-frame camera, making it an ideal lens for achieving that extra bit of background blur and “reach” compared to a 35mm or 50mm lens.

For example, the Nikon 85mm is fantastic for head-shots on DX camera bodies such as the Nikon D3400.

Nikon 85mm f/1.8 | © Matthew Saville

The relatively telephoto focal length allows you to photograph subjects from a comfortable distance, and avoid facial distortions to the nose or forehead, while still feeling close to the subject overall.https://8b8508bf35c9eea2d8b8ace707ea41e9.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

The Nikon 85mm f/1.8 G has been one of my favorite investments, on both DX and FX cameras actually, and it has been used heavily on both types of bodies for all types of photography.

It’s very sharp, the autofocus is very reliable, and overall it’s actually built extremely durable, despite its plastic exterior. Mine has survived plenty of abuse and still takes great pictures!

Nikon 50mm f/1.8 G

Focal Length: 50 mm (75 mm equivalent)
Weight: 185 g (6.6 oz.)
Size (Diameter x Length): 72 x 52.5 mm (2.8″ x 2.1″)
Filter Diameter: 58 mm

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G lens is the all-around standard focal length lens for full-frame cameras, so on the Nikon D3400’s DX format sensor, it will be approximately equivalent to 75mm.

This focal length is quite useful for medium-close portraits, from full-body to chest-up distances, making it just as useful a lens as the aforementioned Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX.

Deciding between this lens and the 35mm f/1.8 DX is, really, just a matter of personal preference.

If you like to give your subjects just a little bit more distance, then get this 50mm.

If you prefer to get a little bit closer to your subjects, for more intimate feeling images, then consider a 35mm prime instead. Both styles of photography can result in beautiful imagery!

Beautiful subject separation can be achieved with the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 | 1/640 f/1.8 ISO100

This lens also has the benefit of being future-proof for those photographers who might be eyeing an FX full-frame camera body. Although if you love this lens’ slight telephoto angle of view, you might find yourself wanting an 85mm prime if you get an FX camera anyways.https://8b8508bf35c9eea2d8b8ace707ea41e9.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Again, consider your own personal shooting style, and decide based on how close you like to be to your subjects, or how much “reach” you’d like to have in your lens.

Nikon 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6 DX

See More Reviews

Focal Length: 10-20 mm (15-30 mm equivalent)
Weight: 227 g (8 oz.)
Size (Diameter x Length): 77 x 73 mm (3.03″ x 2.87″)
Filter Diameter: 72 mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.22 m (0.7 ft)https://8b8508bf35c9eea2d8b8ace707ea41e9.safe

The Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR lens is far from a “standard” zoom range, with its 10-20mm focal range that classifies as truly “ultra-wide”.

This makes it a perfect Nikon wide angle lens for capturing stunning landscape imagery, or any scenic, wide-angle view, indoors or outdoors.

I particularly appreciate this lens for how surprisingly compact and affordable, yet incredibly sharp it is.

It’s also worth mentioning that when shot at the wide end, you can create some intense images where the viewer feels immersed in the shot, like in the example below.

The Nikon 10-20mm is a fun lens that offers a truly unique perspective | 1/30 f/5.6 ISO1400

Compared to a full-frame equivalent lens, especially one with a very fast aperture, this 10-20mm DX lens is absolutely tiny and certainly one of the most portable options on the market, including both DSLR and mirrorless options!https://8b8508bf35c9eea2d8b8ace707ea41e9.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

If you like to travel, or photograph landscapes or any other sort of “scapes”, and you already have a medium-range lens such as the 18-55mm DX kit lens, or the 35mm f/1.8 DX, the Nikkor 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR DX is a perfect wide-angle complement to your camera bag.

Bonus – Best Nikon Macro Lens

Nikon 85mm f/3.5 DX Micro

Focal Length: 85 mm (127.5 mm equivalent)
Weight: 352 g (12.4 oz.)
Size (Diameter x Length): 73 x 98.5 mm (2.9″ x 3.9″)
Filter Diameter: 52 mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.286 m (0.9 ft)https://8b8508bf35c9eea2d8b8ace707ea41e9.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Macro photography can be extremely fun and can lead to truly unique imagery.

If you like getting truly up-close with very small subjects, and photographing them to look large in your image frame, then consider the Nikon AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR lens.

Again, its focal length when mounted on the DX Nikon D3400 will give a slightly telephoto view, which is perfect for easier close-up macro imagery.

Having a moderate telephoto focal length for your macro photography camera is extremely helpful because it allows you capture high-magnification images without getting your lens so close to the subject that it casts a shadow, or disturbs a live subject.

When done well, macro images are very impressive, simply because these specialist lenses show us a view that we don’t normally see. A close-up image of something as simple as a bug can often be something quite incredible.https://8b8508bf35c9eea2d8b8ace707ea41e9.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Macro lenses can open the door to new creative opportunities with your camera, giving you another world to explore. The 85mm is a fine macro lens Nikon owners will enjoy shooting.

Note: Nikon calls their macro lenses “Micro” lenses because that is actually the more scientifically accurate term. Simply put, “Micro” refers to small things, while “Macro” refers to large things.

Frequently Asked Questions

What lenses are compatible with Nikon d3400?

The Nikon D3400 is an APS-C sensor camera, also known as a ‘DX’ camera. This means that any Nikon APS-C (DX) lens, as well as any Nikon full frame (FX) lens can be used on it.https://8b8508bf35c9eea2d8b8ace707ea41e9.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Which lens is best for Nikon d3400?

This depends on your intended usage – no one lens is right for every photographer, but if we had to choose, the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G would be our top choice.

Will AF S lens work on d3400?

AF-S lenses use Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and rely on rotational energy to focus a lens’s optics. AF-S is the universal Nikon auto-focus lens system, and as such, works on all DSLR cameras including the D3400.

Recommended Nikon D3400 Lenses | Final Words

I spent a month shooting the Nikon D3400 and really enjoyed the experience. Even though I own several cameras costing over 3x the price of the D3400, I found I could achieve a similar image despite it being labelled an ‘entry-level’ camera.https://8b8508bf35c9eea2d8b8ace707ea41e9.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

You may have bought the D3400 as some form of ‘bundle’, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, to really make the most of that excellent DX sensor, I recommend you sticking at least one of the lenses in this list on the front of your camera!

In an ideal world, you’ll have a wide angle lens, a tele-photo lens, and a fast prime – with those 3, you can shoot pretty much anything… unless of course, macro photography is your thing, which is why I included the option for that above too.

Whatever your lens choice for the D3400, the goal is to get out there and shoot. It’s Nikon’s smallest, lightest DSLR camera body, so pair it with a nice light lens, and have it with you as much as possible.

Let me know in the comments if you agree with this selection or if you think that there’s another great lens that I missed.

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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. There’s a large variety of telephoto lenses out there and the first question you need to ask yourself is how close you want to get to your subject. If you’re shooting portraits or close-range action, then a zoom in the equivalent range of 70-200mm will be ideal.

If you need to get closer to mid-range action or start photographing wildlife though, then you’ll want at least 300mm at your disposal, and if you really get into wildlife, and especially bird photography, you’ll want the longest lens you can afford. While the natural desire for many people is to always go for a zoom lens, don’t rule-out fixed-primes. If you always find yourself zooming-into the maximum focal length, you won’t miss out on any flexibility, but you’ll enjoy a lens that’s typically superior in overall quality.

Anyone shooting action or working in low light will also appreciate a lens with a larger aperture, indicated by a small f-number, such as f2.8. These may make the lens bigger, heavier and more expensive than models with average apertures, but have the major advantage of gathering more light. This allows quicker shutter speeds to be selected, which in turn enable you better freeze action or reduce camera-shake without having to increase your camera’s sensitivity and compromise the image quality. Smaller f-numbers also allow you to achieve greater blurring on backgrounds, which is desirable on many action, wildlife or distant portrait shots.

Sigma 105mm f1.4 Art review

With the 105mm f1.4 ART, Sigma has produced one of their finest lenses in their acclaimed Art line: it’s extra sharp and has the most beautiful Bokeh I’ve ever seen. Plus it’s the only f1.4 105mm lens you can get for your Canon DSLR or Sony mirrorless camera. It might be on the large and very heavy side and has no optical stabilization but its optical performance makes the new Sigma replace the Nikon 105mm f1.4E as the reference large aperture 105mm lens. Thus the Sigma 105mm f1.4 Art easily earns a Highly Recommended.

Tamron 100-400mm VC review

If you like a light package, have a limited budget, and need the reach of a 400mm telephoto zoom, the new Tamron 100-400mm is a good choice: it may not be as cheap or small as the Sigma 100-400mm but it is the lightest modern zoom reaching 400mm and produces very sharp images – if the focus is nailed right. Because its biggest let-down is the somewhat disappointing AF performance: it produces more outliers than other lenses I’ve recently tested – at least on my copy. But all-in-all the Tamron 100-400/4.5-6.3 VC certainly earns a recommendation.

Nikon AF-P 70-300mm f4.5-5.6E VR review

With the AF-P 70-300mm f4.5-5.6E VR Nikon launches their best 70-300mm zoom to date: It is sharp across the zoom-range right into the corners of a high resolution full-frame sensor with little color aberrations and distortions, has good image stabilization, is light and relatively small and offers fast, super-quiet, and reliable autofocus – if you have a body that supports the new AF-P. It is well sealed against the elements and has a reasonable price. In light of these advantages I wouldn’t overrate the pretty strong light fall-off and weak Bokeh of this lens.

Sigma 135mm f1.8 Art review

The Sigma 135mm f1.8 Art is a bright mid-length telephoto lens available in mounts for Canon, Nikon and Sigma DSLRs with full-frame sensors and can also be used with Sony E-Mount bodies using Sigma’s MC-11 mount converter. I think this lens is Sigma’s best yet in their Art line: extra sharp, with only minor color aberrations and a beautiful bokeh. In addition it’s the only f1.8 135mm lens you can get for your Canon or Nikon DSLR. It might be on the large and heavy side, has no image stabilization, and it definitively is not cheap but all-in-all the Sigma 135mm f1.8 Art earns a Highly Recommended.

Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 VC G2 review

Tamron’s new 70-200/2.8 zoom is a very competent lens: It’s almost up there with the best Nikon has to offer, even sometimes surpassing the new Nikon 70-200/2.8E VR in image quality. It offers a very effective image stabilization of almost 5 stops even if it could not suppress the mirror-slap of the D810 completely and has a fast and reliable AF. And as its price is almost half of what you pay for the Nikkor the new Tamron deservedly earns a Highly Recommended rating.

Check prices on the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 VC G2 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, or WEX. Alternatively get yourself a copy of my In Camera book or treat me to a coffee! Thanks!

Sigma 85mm f1.4 Art review

The new Sigma 85/1.4 Art finally brings Sigma’s 85mm prime up to the performance one can expect from a modern lens designed with 36+ MP sensors in mind: It offers the best performing FF/FX-corners and the softest Bokeh of any 85mm lens I know. Plus it is astonishingly resilient against strong contra-light. And although it is not the sharpest in the center, has a little more longitudinal CAs than others, and is a huge and heavy beast of a lens I’d award Sigma’s new 85/1.4 Art a Highly Recommended. But this is under the caveat that the AF-issues are singular problems with my copy of the lens.

Nikon 70-200mm f2.8E VR review

This is simply the best 70-200/2.8 zoom you can buy for your Nikon camera. It combines the best image quality in its class with a very good image stabilization, an acceptable size and weight, and a professional build. Thus Nikon’s new 2.9x telephoto zoom deservedly earns a Highly Recommended rating.

Check prices on the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8E at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, or Wex. Alternatively get yourself a copy of my In Camera book or treat me to a coffee! Thanks!

Tamron 150-600mm G2 review

Improved image quality combined with good image stabilization, improved sealing, shorter minimum focus distance, and an acceptable size and weight makes Tamron’s new 4x super-telephoto a compelling package. It’s a pity that Tamron didn’t position it as the successor to their A011 model at the same price-point. But it certainly earns a Recommended rating.

Nikon 105mm f1.4E review

Nikon has taken on-board the feedback it received on its 58/1.4 lens: not only did they produce an f1.4 lens at a unique focal length of 105mm which has a 20% better reach over a 85mm lens and gets you better background isolation but they also endowed it with very good image quality to boot: Easy to focus, sharp across the full-frame sensor, and with only little CA. You can easily use this lens wide open and get sharp and contrasty shots right into the corners of a high resolution full-frame sensor. As such its optical performance is almost up there with the Zeiss Otus and it delivers a better Bokeh. It is a bit on the fat and costly side but all-in-all the Nikon 105mm f1.4E earns a Highly Recommended.

Check prices on the Nikon 105mm f1.4E at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, or Park Cameras. Alternatively get yourself a copy of my In Camera book or treat me to a coffee! Thanks!

Samyang 135mm f2 review

Samyang did an excellent job when they designed their version of a 135/2.0 lens: For a 500 EUR lens to meet and even exceed the optical quality of an 1800 EUR Zeiss lens is quite an eye-opener. Only the plasticky feeling of the lens is a let-down. So if you need a robust long-lived lens that can take a beating, the Samyang may not be your first choice. But if you don’t bang around your equipment that might not bother you too much, and don’t forget you can replace this lens three to four times for the price of just one of the Zeiss versions. Like the Zeiss, there’s no image stabilization and no autofocus drive inside that might break-down. But you should clearly understand whether you can cope with manual focus before considering getting this lens.

Nikon 200-500mm f5.6E VR review

The best image quality in its class combined with a reasonable price, a good image stabilization, and an acceptable size and weight earns Nikon’s new 2.5x super-telephoto a Highly Recommended rating. Good points: Very good quality over 36Mp full-frame, even wide open; good image stabilization; constant f/5.6 focal ratio; works well with 1.4x teleconverter; weather sealing; quiet, fast, and precise AF operation; maximum magnification of 1:4.0 in MF. Bad points: Not the cheapest super-telephoto zoom; not the lightest lens in its class; only 2.5x zoom range.

Nikon 300mm f4E VR review

Good points: Excellent image quality across a 36MP full-frame sensor even wide open; smallest and lightest full-frame 300/4.0 lens; excellent image stabilization at low speeds; weather sealing at the lens-mount; quiet and fast AF operation; maximum magnification of 1:4. Bad points: VR not working properly around 1/160 – 1/80 on the samples I tested; fresnel flare under extreme conditions; expensive.

Sigma 150-600mm Sport review

Sigma’s 150-600mm Sport is a highly desirable lens for sport and wildlife photographers who demand a super-telephoto reach without the stratospheric cost of big primes, or even the highest-end zooms from Canon and Nikon. The build quality is excellent: it’s heavy, but reassuringly built with full weather sealing. The AF, when coupled with a decent DSLR, is fast, confident and very usable for sports. And the optical quality in my tests proved to be very respectable across the entire range. There may be vignetting and evidence of coloured fringing, but both are easily corrected in RAW conversions, and importantly the lens delivers where it should with fine, well-resolved details right into the corners of full-frame images. Compare closely with Tamron’s 150-600mm and Sigma’s own cheaper Contemporary version.

Nikon 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G VR review

Good points: Excellent image quality across a 36Mp full-frame sensor even wide open; excellent image stabilization; weather sealing; quiet, fast, and precise AF operation; maximum magnification of 1:5.1; relatively light weight. Bad points: Very expensive; flimsy tripod collar.

Nikon 70-200mm f4G VR review

Good points: Excellent image quality in the DX image-circle even wide open; very good performance well into the FX corners at longer focal lengths; excellent image stabilization; weather sealing; quiet, fast, and precise AF operation; maximum magnification of 1:3.3: light weight compared to f2.8 models. Bad points: Not cheap even before investing in the missing tripod mount; maximum aperture of f4.0 limits shallow depth of field effects; some visible loCA.

Are you struggling to choose the best Nikon telephoto lens for your needs?

Don’t worry.

Because in this guide, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about purchasing a Nikon telephoto lens. I’m going to show you the eight best telephoto lenses for Nikon out there–including lenses for every genre of photography and every budget.

Ultimately, you’re going to discover which lens is right for you.

Sound good?

Let’s get started.

Choosing the Best Nikon Telephoto Lens

Focal Length

Optical Quality

Size and Weight

Image Stabilization/Vibration Reduction

Price

Best Nikon Telephoto Lens: The List

Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II
Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR II
Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR
Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Macro
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 VC G2
Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 VC
Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E VR
Nikon 300mm f/4D

The Best Nikon Telephoto Lens: Conclusion

When it comes to purchasing a telephoto lens for Nikon cameras, there are a few factors you need to consider:

Focal length

Optical quality

Size and weight

Image stabilization

Price

Focal Length

Before you purchase a Nikon telephoto lens, you should be able to pinpoint exactly what it is you want to shoot. Telephoto lenses have many uses, and different telephoto focal length ranges are better for different subjects.

Do you want an all-purpose, walkaround telephoto lens? If so, then I recommend choosing a lens with a large zoom range–one that starts wide, at around 20mm, and goes all the way to 200mm or 300mm. This will ensure you’re prepared for every situation.https://69409336fbc0522d6681c4cb1118acd3.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

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Do you want to capture photos of birds and wildlife? Then you’re going to need a telephoto lens that stretches into the super-telephoto range. Unless your wildlife is big and comfortable around humans, even 300mm is going to frequently fall short, so 400mm is probably the minimum you’ll need. If you’re looking to shoot small birds, then 500mm would definitely be welcome.

Do you want to capture tight portraits? Then you should grab a lens that starts with a standard focal length (i.e., 50mm) and zooms to 200mm or so. This will give you a nice range for shooting headshots without overdoing it.

Do you want to shoot action sports? If so, then a midrange telephoto lens will probably be best, from around 70mm to 200mm. This focal length range can handle pretty much any sport needs, unless you’re shooting from extreme distances, in which case a longer telephoto lens might be helpful.

Do you want to photograph tight landscapes? Then you’ll want to stick with a lens in the 70-200mm range. This will get you tight shots when you need it, without forcing you to deal with an excess 100mm or so.

Of course, while you should choose your lens based on your anticipated subjects, you can shoot other subjects once you have the lens. But you should always start by making sure the lens fits your main purpose. That way, you won’t have to buy another lens a few months down the line.

Optical Quality

This one might seem obvious, but you absolutely want to make sure you purchase a lens of acceptable optical quality. There are some questionable lenses out there, and if you buy one without thinking it through, you may find yourself with blurry photos and unpleasant fringing.

The best lenses are sharp at every focal length, from the widest part of their range all the way to the end. However, it’s rare to find telephoto zooms that are truly this impressive. Most telephoto lenses will lose sharpness toward the end of their focal length range, so you should always be on the lookout for the possibility. This is especially problematic if you plan to use the lens for small, distant subjects, where the 300mm end is going to be your most used focal length.

So just be careful.

You’ll also want to keep an eye out for lenses with color fringing (also known as chromatic aberration). Most lenses have a bit of fringing, but cheap lenses can sometimes cover your images with unpleasant colors, especially in high-contrast areas.

Size and Weight

As a general rule, telephoto lenses are larger than their wide-angle counterparts. But telephoto zooms do vary in size and can be pretty compact relative to telephotos such as 200mm or 300mm primes.

So I recommend you ask yourself: Do I need a lens that’s lightweight so I can carry it around with me all the time? Or am I okay with a longer, heavier lens?

If you’re looking for a walkaround option, a light, compact lens is an absolute must. But if you’ll be shooting birds with a tripod, you may not mind something a little bit (or a lot) heavier.

Note that heavier lenses tend to have better build-quality; this is important if you plan to go all-out when using your Nikon telephoto lens. Outdoor photographers, in particular, should be aware of the importance of rugged equipment. You don’t want to get caught in a downpour and return home only to find your lens has stopped working.

Image Stabilization/Vibration Reduction

These days, many telephoto lenses come with image stabilization or, as Nikon labels it, vibration reduction (VR).

Vibration reduction uses technology to stabilize your lens, which allows you to handhold at slow shutter speeds and still capture sharp photos.

So if you plan to shoot in low light without a tripod, vibration reduction is a great feature to have. It’s especially important if you’re using a big lens at its greatest focal length. The bigger the lens, the more prone it’ll be to camera shake. And the longer the focal length, the more it will magnify camera shake.

Price

One last thing you should always consider is the price of your different options.

If you’re willing to spend a huge chunk of change, you might want to pay more for a few extra features, such as slightly better optical quality and a more rugged lens body.

Related Post: When to Use a Telephoto Lenses?

But for those who prefer to spend less, there are plenty of great options for you, as well. I definitely recommend looking at some of the third-party lenses (which are included in this list). While third-party brands such as Tamron and Sigma may not have the Nikon name, they are able to go toe-to-toe in terms of quality–at a much lower price.

Best Nikon Telephoto Lens: The List

Now that you know how to pick the right telephoto lens for your needs…

…it’s time to look at the best telephoto lenses for Nikon out there.

Starting with our absolute favorite:

Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II

The Nikon 18-200mm VR is a workhorse of a lens, perfect for anyone looking for a walkaround telephoto. It’ll perform well in pretty much any genre that uses wide to telephoto lenses: street photography, portrait photography, event photography, even landscape photography.https://69409336fbc0522d6681c4cb1118acd3.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Note that the 18-200mm is a DX lens, which means it only works on crop-sensor (APS-C) cameras. You won’t be able to mount the 18-200mm on your full-frame Nikon D850, so if you’re a full-frame Nikon shooter, I suggest you consider other lenses on this list.

Optical quality is strong up until 130mm or so, at which point sharpness decreases, especially at the lens corners. However, images between 135mm and 200mm are still very usable and are still good if you stop down to around f/8. Fringing can be a problem at the extremes of the focal length range, but shouldn’t be an issue elsewhere.

The vibration reduction on the 18-200mm is a nice touch. It can be tough to work with a 200mm lens, especially in low light, but the VR will help you handhold in tough situations.

And the price is excellent for such a high-quality zoom lens.

So if you’re looking for a Nikon telephoto lens that you can slap on your camera and use all the time, the Nikon 18-200mm VR is an excellent option.

AF-S DX Nkr 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

One-lens solution adept in a wide variety of situations

Focal length range: 18 -200 millimeter, minimum focus distance: 1.6 feet.

Two extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements; Three aspherical lens elements

Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM), Nikon VR II (vibration reduction) image stabilization

Focus to 20 inches for extended versatility, filter thread: 72 millimeter. Maximum angle of view (dx-format) 76°. Minimum…

Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR II

The Nikon 55-200mm offers a classic telephoto focal length for a fantastic price. It’s a walkaround lens, through and through, one that you can count on while shooting portraits, events, or street scenes.

What makes the 55-200mm a good option?

First, the optical quality is impressive for the price. No, it’s not the sharpest lens out there, but it’ll give you decent performance, especially at its wider end. And you can always improve sharpness by stopping down to f/7.1 or f/8.

Second, autofocus is fairly fast. You won’t be afraid to use the Nikon 55-200mm in action-packed situations. I don’t recommend it as a serious sports lens, but it should be okay for fast-paced street photography or event photography.

The Nikon 55-200mm also sports Nikon’s vibration reduction technology, which allows you to handhold in low light. Combine that with the lens’s light body, and you’ll appreciate this lens in all situations–hence the reason it’s so great as a telephoto walkaround.

Related Post: The Ultimate DLSR Lens Guide

Like the 18-200mm described above, the Nikon 55-200mm is a DX lens, which restricts it to APS-C cameras. This means that the effective focal length will reach 300mm, giving you a bit more reach in case you need it.

All in all, this is a lens for shooters looking for their first telephoto zoom lens. It won’t get you top-of-the-line image quality, but it’ll do a good job for a great price.

Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR [Vibration Reduction] Nikkor Zoom Lens Bulk…

55-200mm zoom Nikon lens with f/4-5.6 maximum aperture for Nikon digital SLR cameras

2 extra-low-dispersion (ED) glass elements for minimized chromatic aberration and superior optics

Silent Wave Motor produces quick and quiet high-speed autofocusing; weighs 9 ounces

Measures 2.7 inches in diameter and 3.1 inches long; 1-year warranty

White box(bulk packaging)

Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR

Up until this point, we’ve been talking about some of Nikon’s best walkaround telephoto lenses.

But what about the more specialized telephoto options? The kind that are aimed at photographers looking for longer telephoto zooms?

That’s where the Nikon 70-300mm VR comes in.

You see, the Nikon 70-300mm VR is not a walkaround lens. It’s a bit too big for that and a bit too heavy. Instead, it’s what you want to have on your camera when doing more serious long-distance shooting–for instance, when shooting large wildlife or distant sports photos.

The 70-300mm offers excellent image quality for the price. It’s very sharp on the wide end (from 70-200mm), and even past 200mm it manages to perform well, especially when stopped down. Color fringing is present in high-contrast situations, especially on the long end, but manageable.

Autofocus isn’t lightning-fast, but it’s not slow, either; you won’t have difficulties with focusing in most situations. And the vibration reduction is a nice touch, one that you’ll appreciate in low light situations.

Now, this lens isn’t the cheapest telephoto zoom in the 70-300mm area. But it’s probably the sharpest in this price range, easily outclassing its lower-priced Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G.

Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR Fixed Zoom Digital Slr Camera Lens, Black

Capture sports, wildlife, concerts, landmarks and more with phenomenal clarity and precision

Maximum angle of view (DX-format): 22°50′, minimum angle of view (DX-format): 5°20′, maximum angle of view (FX-format):…

Ultra-fast, near silent autofocus powered by a stepping motor (AF-P)

Vr image stabilization ensures Sharp photos, steady videos and enhances low-light capabilities

Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Macro

The Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 is an unbelievably cheap lens, coming in at just over $100 USD.

But is it anything more than a low-quality, budget zoom?

Actually, yes.

First of all, image quality is impressive, especially from around 70mm to 200mm. The lens is never tack-sharp, but it’s not a poor performer by any means. It does struggle around 300mm, producing soft photos with noticeable color fringing.

For that reason, I wouldn’t purchase this lens as a wildlife workhorse option. But for those who want a telephoto zoom that will get them distant shots at an amazing price, the Tamron 70-300mm is a great option.

One really cool thing about this lens is its macro capability: The Tamron 70-300mm offers 1:2 magnification, which means you can capture ultra-close up shots of insects, flowers, and other small details. While 1:2 magnification isn’t quite as good as a dedicated macro lens, it’s definitely a great way to start shooting close-ups.

The Tamron’s main weakness is its autofocus speed, which is slow. I wouldn’t recommend using this lens for action photography.

But for the price, it’s hard to beat.

Tamron Auto Focus 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro Zoom Lens with Built In Motor for…

The popular Tamron AF 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 Di LD Macro features a built in motor to ensure fast accurate focusing

Close-focusing ability – 0.95m (3.1 feet ), focal lengths between 180 and 300mm. Compatible with the d40, d40x and d60 in the…

This telephoto zoom will crop in tight or bring distant subjects in close. Angle of view: 34-8

There is also an incredible macro mode for photographing small objects up close giving a magnification ratio of 1:2

This phenomenal lens comes with a 6 year warranty. Lens hood included for maximum glare protection and increased contrast

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Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 VC G2

No list of best telephoto lenses would be complete without a 70-200mm f/2.8 or f/4 lens. These are the best of the best telephoto lenses, created for quality, not for convenience.

And the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 VC G2 is no exception. It’s a superb performer in pretty much every way.

First, sharpness is professional–yes, professional–quality. This lens is tack-sharp at every focal length, and you can achieve great results even at f/2.8. I wouldn’t hesitate to use this lens for tight landscape photography, where I demand the absolute best from my equipment.

The focal length range doesn’t offer the convenience of a wide-to-telephoto zoom like the Nikon 18-200mm VR, but that’s not the point; this is a specialist lens, made for photographers who don’t mind sacrificing convenience for amazing optical quality. Personally, I’d recommend this lens for landscape shooting and portrait shooting. You could also use it for sports, especially with the fast (f/2.8) maximum aperture, which allows you to crank up the shutter speed for action shots.

What are the cons of this lens?

There are two:

It’s somewhat bulky (you wouldn’t want to carry it around your neck on casual outings), and it’s somewhat pricey.

But this size is what you get when you work with a fast zoom, and you won’t find a better telephoto zoom in this price range, and this lens can go toe-to-toe with its much higher-priced competitors.

Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC G2 for Nikon FX DSLR (6 Year Limited USA Warranty for…

VC performance is 5 stops (VC mode 3) and offers three modes optimized for different shooting situations

MOD reduced to 37.4″ (1:6.1 max. mag. Ratio). Angle of view (diagonal): 34°21′ – 12°21′(for full-frame format), 22°33′ -…

Lightweight and easy-to-hold tripod mount is compatible with an Arca-Swiss style quick release plate

Compatible with TAMRON TAP-in Console, an optional accessory product; The front surface of the lens element is coated with a…

Teleconverters (optional) compatible with this new Tamron lens.Aperture Blades:9 (circular diaphragm)

Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 VC

The Tamron 100-400mm VC is a long telephoto zoom, covering more ground than any other lens on this list. Generally speaking, greater zoom ranges make for lower-performing lenses, which is why the Tamron 100-400mm VC is such a delight.

Optically, the 100-400mm is consistently impressive. At its extremes (100mm and 400mm) it performs well, giving sharp images, even wide open. Toward the middle of its range, performance is even better; the 100-400mm is tack-sharp, getting you a high level of crispness and clarity, especially at the center of the frame.

Now, if you’re a fan of the 100-400mm focal length, then you’re likely interested in shooting birds, wildlife, or sports. You’ll appreciate the fast autofocus; this will ensure you produce a high keeper rate, even in fast-paced situations.

The vibration compensation is another welcome addition. While the f/4.5-6.3 maximum aperture doesn’t make for the best low-light shooting, a bit of vibration compensation should help keep your images sharp, even if you handhold at the long end.

Here’s the bottom line:

The Tamron 100-400mm isn’t a walkaround lens by any means, but that’s not really the goal of any 100-400mm kit. Instead, the Tamron is a great lens for photographers in need of the 400mm focal length, but who don’t want to spend a huge sum of money on a super-telephoto lens.

Tamron 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 VC USD Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras…

Lightest weight in its class and featuring widest maximum aperture

Superb image quality in an ultra-telephoto zoom lens

Exclusive eBAND Coating reduces flare and ghosting

4-stop VC image stabilization for confident telephoto shooting

Moisture-Resistant construction and fluorine coating for enhanced weather protection

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E VR

The Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E VR is a specialist lens, made for bird photographers, wildlife photographers, sports photographers, and pretty much nobody else.

This means that it’s not a walkaround lens: It’s heavy, and it’s a bit unwieldy. You may want to use it with a tripod, though the vibration reduction will make handholding possible, even at 500mm.

Now, a bird/wildlife/sport photography lens needs to perform well in the autofocus department, and the Nikon 200-500mm comes through. It’s fast and accurate; it even does a pretty good job of tracking objects in flight (though it’s not perfect).

Best telephoto lens for Nikon

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Best telephoto lens for Nikon

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