Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR 16-80mm

87.4 Score
16-80mm f/2.8 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Combining a 16-80mm zoom range (24-120mm equivalent) with a bright f/2.8-4 aperture and 4-stop VR stabilization, it uses Nano Crystal Coat and ED glass to suppress flare and aberrations. Weighing just 456g, it’s the lightest 5x zoom of its kind, and the Silent Wave Motor ensures fast, near-silent autofocus. This lens suits DX-format photographers needing a single, do-it-all lens for travel, landscapes, and everyday shooting.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

Rokinon 20mm f/1.8 ED AS UMC 20mm

69 Score
20mm f/1.8 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

The bright f/1.8 aperture and 20mm focal length, combined with two aspherical and three ED elements, produce sharp, aberration-controlled images on full-frame Nikon F cameras. Its 485g manual focus design focuses down to 7.9 inches, and the 7-blade rounded diaphragm with Ultra Multi-Coating creates smooth bokeh while resisting flare. This lens suits astrophotographers and portrait shooters who prioritize a fast wide-angle perspective and hands-on control without needing autofocus.

View Details & Prices

Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm

62.2 Score
50mm 16 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The f/1.4 maximum aperture and 13-element optical design with aspherical and ED glass deliver edge-to-edge sharpness and excellent low-light performance. Its 9-blade diaphragm produces smooth, natural bokeh, and the robust build ensures lasting reliability without weather sealing. This lens is best for portrait and street photographers who need dependable autofocus and creative background blur in challenging light.

View Details & Prices

Zeiss Planar Classic ZF.2 T* 50mm f/1.4 Standard Camera 50mm

58.8 Score
50mm f/1.4 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Its 10-element optical design with 1 aspherical and 4 ED elements, plus ZEISS T* coating, delivers exceptionally sharp images with minimal chromatic aberration and flare. The full-metal, 699g build provides a precise manual focus experience, and the user-declickable 10-blade aperture enables seamless iris adjustments for video. Best for portrait photographers seeking the signature “3D pop” and smooth bokeh, and for cinematographers who need stepless aperture control on Canon RF cameras.

View Details & Prices

Nikon NIKKOR Z 2164 70mm

81.6 Score
24-70mm f/2.8 Nikon F IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The constant f/2.8 aperture, with 3 ED and 3 aspherical elements and Nano Crystal Coat, ensures edge-to-edge sharpness and flare resistance for demanding low-light scenes. A Silent Wave Motor drives fast, quiet autofocus, and the 0.38-meter minimum focus distance enables crisp close-up compositions. It suits event and portrait photographers who need a versatile zoom for dim venues and tightly framed detail work.

View Details & Prices

Tamron SP A17NII 70-300mm

57.2 Score
70-300mm 32 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Setting itself apart with best-in-class optical performance, the telephoto zoom uses XLD glass for high resolution and a fast, silent USD autofocus motor paired with Vibration Compensation. Its dual-format Di design provides full compatibility with both full-frame and APS-C Sony DSLRs, and at just 765 grams it’s light enough for all-day handheld shooting. Best for budget-minded Sony A-mount photographers needing a versatile, lightweight telephoto for travel and amateur sports in good lighting conditions.

View Details & Prices

Samyang AF AF 14mm f/2.8 14mm

43.6 Score
14mm 22 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The 14mm f/2.8 ultra-wide prime delivers sharp astrophotography images with its fast aperture, two aspherical and two ED elements, and weather-sealed 641g body. A de-clickable aperture ring and smooth manual focus with a lock ring make it equally suited for silent video work and precise night-sky shooting. This lens is ideal for landscape astrophotographers needing a durable, wide-angle manual-focus prime.

View Details & Prices

Rokinon Cine DS DS135M-N 135mm

34.1 Score
135mm 22 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

The Rokinon Cine DS 135mm T2.2 delivers full-frame telephoto reach with a fast T2.2 aperture and ED glass for controlled aberrations. Its unified gear positions and de-clicked aperture are tightly color-matched across the DS line, enabling quick lens swaps on a follow-focus rig. This lens is best for budget-conscious cinematographers needing a dedicated portrait or interview lens with smooth bokeh from its 9-blade diaphragm.

View Details & Prices

Sigma EX DG 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye 8mm

33.1 Score
8mm 22 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its 8mm focal length captures a full 180-degree circular image on full-frame sensors, with an f/3.5 aperture and one ED element maintaining sharpness across an 11-element, 6-group optical design. Close focusing to 5.3 inches yields a 1:4.6 magnification for dramatic near-subject distortion, while the rear gelatin filter holder and Super Multi-Layer coating enhance creative control and contrast. It’s best for photographers seeking extreme barrel distortion and exaggerated perspectives for creative compositions, as its low 24.6 portrait score confirms it’s ill-suited for conventional subjects.

View Details & Prices