Best Pick

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

85.7 Macro Score
18-140mm 22-40 Nikon Z IS Weather 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.

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Great Alternatives

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

Tamron Di III 90mm f/2.8 VXD Macro 90mm

80.4 Macro Score
90mm 16 Nikon Z Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 1:1 magnification at a 9.1-inch minimum focus distance pairs with a fast f/2.8 aperture and a 12-blade diaphragm for smooth bokeh. The 600g body, weather-sealed construction, and BBAR-G2 coatings make it practical for outdoor macro work. This lens is best for macro photographers who need a sharp, lightweight prime for detailed close-ups and portraits on Nikon Z bodies.

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Voigtländer Apo-Ultron APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical II 35mm

71.7 Macro Score
35mm 22 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

The APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical II’s apochromatic optical design with 5 ED elements and a floating system virtually eliminates color fringing, while its 250° focus ring rotation and 12-blade diaphragm enable precise manual control and smooth bokeh. Electronic contacts transfer Exif data and support 3-axis in-body stabilization, a rare capability in a manual lens. Best for macro and still-life photographers needing a compact 420g prime with 1:2 magnification and 10.6-inch minimum focus.

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AstrHori Macro Probe 28mm f/13 2x Macro Probe 28mm

62.7 Macro Score
28mm 40 Nikon Z Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A 2:1 magnification and f/13 aperture on this 28mm probe lens enables extreme close-up detail, with a 360-degree rotating barrel, built-in adjustable LED ring light, and 20cm waterproof front section. The kit's included straight and 90° tubes combined with manual focus and sapphire glass optics offer versatile composition for narrow or angled spaces. This lens suits macro photographers and filmmakers capturing insects, miniature sets, or underwater scenes where direct illumination and 0.3-inch working distances are critical.

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Tamron Di III-A B061 18-300mm

73.8 Macro Score
18-300mm 22 Nikon Z IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 16.6x all-in-one 18-300mm zoom range, VXD linear autofocus motor, and VC image stabilization, all in a weather-sealed 635g body, eliminate the need for multiple lenses. The lens focuses as close as 5.9 inches for a 1:2 maximum magnification, offering genuine macro capability rare in a superzoom. This lens is best for travel and hiking photographers who want to capture everything from sweeping landscapes to distant wildlife and detailed close-ups without changing lenses.

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Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR 50-250mm

61.8 Macro Score
50-250mm 16 Nikon Z IS
Why we recommend this

The NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR offers a 75-375mm equivalent reach with 5-stop optical stabilization and an assignable control ring, all in a 51g body. Often sold refurbished, it becomes one of the most affordable stabilized telephotos for the Z mount, and the featherweight build with a customizable ring enhances handling. This lens is ideal for Nikon Z DX users who need a portable, budget-friendly option for travel, street, and everyday telephoto shooting.

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Laowa Zero-D 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D 9mm

53.9 Macro Score
9mm f/2.8 Nikon Z Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The 15-element optical design with two aspherical and three ED elements eliminates distortion, delivering a 113° field of view on Nikon Z APS-C bodies at just 215g. A bright f/2.8 aperture and 12cm close focus enable creative low-light wide-angle perspectives while Frog Eye Coating and weather sealing protect the manual‑focus lens. This lens suits landscape and architecture photographers seeking a compact ultrawide prime with precise manual control for Nikon Z mirrorless systems.

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Nikon NIKKOR Z DX MC 20131 35mm

46.6 Macro Score
35mm 22 Nikon Z Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The 35mm f/1.7 lens for Nikon DX Z-mount provides a 52.5mm equivalent field of view, a 6.3-inch close-focus for 1:1.5 magnification, and a bright aperture in a 221-gram body. Its compact 2.8-inch length and silent STM autofocus make it a quiet, portable option for candid shots and video work. This lens is best suited for Nikon DX shooters seeking a fast prime for everyday portraits and street photography that can double as a capable close-up tool.

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Sirui 20mm T1.8 1.33X Anamorphic 20mm

42.4 Macro Score
20mm 22 Nikon Z IS
Why we recommend this

Featuring an integrated STM autofocus motor and a T1.8 aperture, this 20mm lens delivers a 1.33x anamorphic squeeze for a 2.35:1 widescreen image on APS-C sensors without cropping. At just 480g with an AF/MF switch and eye-tracking, it uniquely pairs cinematic character with gimbal-friendly, run-and-gun practicality. This lens is ideal for independent filmmakers and handheld shooters on Nikon Z-mount cameras who demand anamorphic aesthetics with reliable, quiet autofocus.

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Yongnuo YN85mm f/1.8S DF DSM 85mm

41.3 Macro Score
85mm 16 Nikon Z Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Weighing just 346g, this 85mm f/1.8 lens combines weather sealing, a quiet DSM stepping motor, and one ED element for sharp, contrasty results on Nikon Z. It also offers a control ring, dual customizable Fn buttons, and USB firmware updates—unusual extras for a budget 85mm. Best for Nikon Z video shooters who need a lightweight, silent-focusing 85mm prime for gimbal work and close-up interview shots.

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TTArtisan 35mm T2.1 Dual Bokeh Cine 35mm

40.6 Macro Score
35mm T22 Nikon Z IS
Why we recommend this

A switchable dual bokeh system lets you toggle between soft and bubble rendering styles on a full-frame 35mm T2.1 optic with an 11-blade declicked aperture. The all-manual, 907g build offers a 0.28m close focus and a constant T2.1 aperture for low-light control, though it lacks weather sealing. This lens is best for Nikon Z-mount filmmakers and documentarians who prioritize in-camera bokeh effects and precise manual focus pulls over autofocus convenience.

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