Best Lenses under €500 for professional use

Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G 40mm

74.9 Professional Score
40mmf/2.8Nikon FWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Delivering true 1:1 life-size magnification at a 163mm minimum focus distance, this 60mm-equivalent macro prime captures fine details with its Super Integrated Coated optics. Its featherweight 85g build and weather-sealed design make it an effortlessly portable, everyday macro tool. This lens is best for DX-format Nikon shooters needing an affordable, versatile optic for close-up product photography, delicate flora, and detailed collectables.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Nikon NIKKOR Z 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

71.1 Professional Score
18-140mm22-40Nikon ZISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

A lightweight 315g all-in-one zoom with a 7.8x range (27-210mm equivalent), 5-stop VR, and weather sealing makes this a practical walkaround lens for Nikon Z DX cameras. It earns high scores in landscape (91.6) and budget categories, pairing versatile reach with solid dust/moisture resistance for outdoor use. Best for travel photographers or casual shooters wanting a single lens for landscapes, portraits, and distant subjects without swapping glass.

View Details & Prices

Best Lenses under €900 for professional use

Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 35mm

77.2 Professional Score
35mmf/1.4Nikon ZWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and Silent Wave Motor enable quick, quiet focusing in dim conditions, while weather sealing and Nano Crystal Coat suppress flare and moisture ingress. At just 113g, this lens disappears in your hand, making it an unobtrusive choice for all-day street sessions and candid portraits without fatigue. Portrait and street photographers who need a fast, weather-resistant 35mm prime with silent operation will find this featherweight build never intrudes on the shot.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S 120mm

70.9 Professional Score
24-120mmf/22Nikon FISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

The constant f/4 aperture across its 24-120mm range, combined with an advanced optical design featuring ED and aspherical elements, delivers consistent sharpness and clarity for a 5x zoom. Its relatively compact 630g build includes weather sealing and a programmable control ring, offering durable, customizable handling that belies its versatile reach. This lens is best for landscape and travel photographers needing a single, high-quality walkaround solution without sacrificing weather resistance.

View Details & Prices

Best Lenses under €1,500 for professional use

Best Pick

Nikon Micro-NIKKOR 2177 60mm

71.5 Professional Score
60mmf/2.8Nikon FIS
Why we recommend this

Delivering true 1:1 reproduction with edge-to-edge sharpness, its optical formula includes one ED and two aspherical elements alongside Nano Crystal Coat to suppress flare and chromatic aberration. The internal focusing design and silent wave motor provide fast, quiet autofocus without a rotating front element, making filter use straightforward. This lens is best for Nikon DSLR shooters who need a precise, lightweight macro lens for detailed close-up work and copy stand reproduction.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 28mm

68.5 Professional Score
28-75mmf/22Nikon ZWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Weighing just 565g, this is the lightest full-frame f/2.8 zoom for Nikon Z cameras, pairing a constant f/2.8 aperture with a weather-sealed build for versatile low-light shooting. Its 1:2.94 maximum magnification ratio at 28mm provides near-macro close-up performance, a rare capability for a standard zoom. This lens is best for travel and event photographers who need a single, lightweight optic for everything from wide-angle scenes to detailed close-ups.

View Details & Prices

Nikon NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 20 mm f/1.8G ED 20mm

58.8 Professional Score
20mmNikon F
Why we recommend this ▼

The f/1.8 maximum aperture and Extra-low Dispersion glass elements deliver strong low-light performance with controlled aberrations in a compact 355g body. Its Silent Wave Motor enables fast, near-quiet autofocus down to 7.8 inches, making it a discreet option for tight spaces. This lens is best for FX-format shooters capturing expansive landscapes or environmental portraits who need a lightweight ultra-wide prime.

View Details & Prices

Nikon 20068

31 Professional Score
70-300mm
Why we recommend this ▼

A 70-300mm zoom for full-frame Nikon cameras, this 680g lens pairs a fast AF with Sport VR mode to keep action shots sharp. Its weather-resistant build and lighter design make it a practical choice for outdoor shooting without sacrificing portability. Best for Nikon photographers who need a telephoto zoom for sports or wildlife on a moderate budget.

View Details & Prices

Best Lenses under €2,500 for professional use

Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

62.4 Professional Score
70-200mmf/22Nikon ZISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The fluorite and ED elements in this 22-element optical design deliver exceptional sharpness and contrast across the frame, while the 4-stop Vibration Reduction ensures handheld clarity at 200mm. Its constant f/2.8 aperture and Nano Crystal Coat provide consistent subject isolation and flare resistance, paired with a robust, weather-sealed build that includes a detachable tripod foot. This lens is best for portrait and event photographers who need reliable autofocus and edge-to-edge sharpness in challenging light.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Nikon NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED 28mm

62.1 Professional Score
28mmf/16Nikon FWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

The f/1.4 maximum aperture combined with three aspherical and two ED elements delivers exceptional sharpness and contrast even wide open, with Nano Crystal Coatings effectively suppressing flare. Its weather-sealed, 645g build houses a fast Silent Wave Motor for reliable autofocus, making it a durable tool for demanding environments. This lens is best for professional event and wedding photographers who need a bright, wide-angle prime with robust build quality for low-light, full-frame F-mount work.

View Details & Prices

No Lenses found in this category. See our top picks under €2,500