It can be difficult to find the best lenses for Nikon D7100, especially if you are unfamiliar with the market. There are so many lenses out there that the only decision to be made is which one to purchase. Do I need a lens for movies or pictures of landscapes? Do I intend to take portraits as well?
Finding the right lens might be time-consuming when all these questions are considered. So that you do not wind up spending money on inferior lenses for your D7100, I will walk you through the greatest lenses available. The Sigma 18-35mm is unquestionably the greatest lens for the D7100 since it provides top-notch performance while checking all the necessary criteria.
This lens has been in numerous prior round-ups; nonetheless, it is now appearing again. Since this lens has been available for as long as I can remember without being updated, I can understand why many people doubt it. Since it offered everything a person might want in an excellent lens, Sigma never had a problem.
The 18-35mm did something that no other lens could: it combined a very limited but useful zoom range with an incredibly wide f/1.8 aperture, typically only seen in prime lenses. In this way, you could have the best of both worlds, and the popularity of this lens skyrocketed.
Sigma expertly designed this lens’ optics, and the results are amazing. While using the wide-open lens, you won’t be disappointed at all, which is a fantastic accomplishment on Sigma’s part.
In addition to being silent and quick, the autofocusing system makes this lens a strong contender and a good one all around. Last but not least, these are the Best Lenses For Nikon D7100. On top of that, it doesn’t even seem heavy, so you’re set to go.
My main worries are that your zoom range is so small—in principle, you only see a 2x zoom range, which may be typical for many people.
Simply put, the Sigma 18-35mm is the best option available if you want a conventional zoom lens that can also function as a prime lens, generate amazing images, and film excellent videos simultaneously. It does the job in more ways than one.
Which are the Best Lenses For Nikon D7100?
1. Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G
Key-Specifications:
Brand: Nikon | Lens Type: Telephoto | Compatible Mountings: Nikon F (FX) | Camera Lens Description: 7 | Maximum Focal Length: 85 Millimeters | Product Dimensions: 2.87 x 3.15 x 3.15 inches | Item Weight: 12.3 ounces | Item model number: 2201 | Batteries: 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. | Manufacturer: Nikon |
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The Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is an excellent fixed lens that will let you capture clear still photos and HD films in both low- and high-light situations. This model is frequently used for weddings, concerts, and portraits. Therefore, if you were hunting for such a lens, you have discovered it!
Speaking of the design, it’s important to note that the Nikkor 85mm is neither the heaviest nor the lightest lens available, which is a good thing because balance is essential for success.
This mode’s 7-blade aperture has a rounded blade design, which is cool considering that out-of-focus shots will appear circular if you stop down the lens.
Additionally, consider that the close focus is restricted to 2.6 feet. At the same time, this is the lens’s single flaw because, if you’ve ever used wide-angle lenses, this lens won’t provide you with the same level of creative flexibility. After all, you might find it somewhat restrictive.
What I appreciate about this lens, though, is that its front element is sturdy and will guarantee you an easy use because it does not rotate during autofocus operations on one side, while on the other, by “easy to use,” I want to imply that you won’t likely experience any issues using circular filters or filter holders.
The Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G boasts excellent autofocus capability. It even has a wide focus ring with hard stops at both ends of the range, allowing you to set its focus at infinity effortlessly!
The maximum focal length of this lens is 85mm. This implies that you must be far away from the objects you want to capture to get the finest shots.
If you’ve been wondering how this lens handles flare and ghosting, I’m happy to report that it does a respectable job. However, please remember that everything may depend on where the bright source of the image is positioned in the frame.
Additionally, the sun won’t likely give you any issues if you’re taking portrait or wedding photos outside because you’ll concentrate more on your subjects than the sun, which is a good thing, right?
Last but not least, the 85mm f/1.8G is unquestionably a crisp lens. In my opinion, it ranks among the sharpest lenses available from Nikon. Therefore, don’t be afraid to look for some YouTube videos where individuals demonstrate how sharp this lens is in the real world. This is more than convincing to have you hooked on an eventual contemplation, if not buy!
To sum up, the 85mm f/1.8G deserves to be a part of your shooting collection because it is affordable, provides excellent value for money, and is one of my favorite lenses for the Nikon D7100.
2. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED
Key-Specifications:
Brand: Nikon | Focal Length Description: 18-300mm | Lens Type: Telephoto | Compatible Mountings: Nikon F (DX) | Camera Lens Description: 18 | Product Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.11 x 3.11 inches | Item Weight: 1.21 pounds | Item model number: 2216 | Batteries: 1 CR2 battery is required. | Manufacturer: Nikon | Country of Origin: China |
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If you’re interested in investing in a super zoom lens that will provide you with an incredibly long zoom range so that you can capture everything that sits in front of you from a great distance, the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED would be a perfect alternative for you!
Given that it features a black polycarbonate barrel with golden accents and a textured finish on its zoom and manual focus rings, this lens’s design is both promising and highly attractive when viewed as a whole. I believe you will be pleased with it. Additionally, the lens isn’t particularly heavy, weighing only 1.2 pounds, which is awesome because it allows for incredibly convenient shooting sessions.
You may change it to your preferences by looking at the zoom ring, which has market settings marked 18, 35, 70, 105, 200, and 300mm. However, I’d also want to highlight that the lens’s minimum focus distance is roughly 1.6 feet, even at 300mm, which I adore. Why is it? You might be wondering. I can tell you why very quickly. So, even at the closest focus distance and maximum zoom, the zoom will have a powerful 1:3:1 magnification, which is undoubtedly useful if you project objects onto the image sensor.
Due to its super-integrated coating, which can effectively suppress ghosting and flare, this device performs remarkably well in both backlit and harsh lighting conditions. A four-stop-effective VR image stabilization system will greatly benefit you since the shake will be reduced if you’re shooting handheld, resulting in clear, satisfying images and videos!
The focal length of this lens is the most absurd feature. Its photographic skills will undoubtedly increase greatly with an 18-300mm focal range, making it an extremely adaptable lens.
Three extra-low dispersion elements do a great job of lowering the incidences of chromatic aberrations and distortion so that your camera can render the images accurately. Those who have had the opportunity to shoot with a Nikon D7100 with this lens attached claim that they loved the color accuracy as well.
Overall, the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED should be at the top of your list of “must buys,” especially if you want a flexible lens that will enable you to take beautiful pictures and movies no matter what kind of photography you choose! It deserves to be listed among the best lenses for the Nikon D7100.
3. Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
Key-Specifications:
Brand: Nikon | Lens Type: Telephoto | Compatible Mountings: Nikon F (FX) | Camera Lens Description: 105 millimeters | Maximum Focal Length: 105 Millimeters | Product Dimensions: 4.57 x 3.27 x 3.27 inches | Item Weight: 1.74 pounds | Item model number: 2160 | Date First Available: March 17, 2006 | Manufacturer: Nikon |
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If you’ve been seeking a Nikon macro lens that would enable you to concentrate sufficiently close to specific subjects and obtain the greatest shooting results, the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED would be a very nice option for you.
In terms of appearance, this camera has a relatively small body with two coatings: a Nano Crystal coating and a Super Integrated coating. These coatings focus on minimizing ghosting, flare, and reflection when shooting outdoors in bright light, intending to assist you in taking amazing pictures that radiate with clarity and exceptional color accuracy.
I’d also like to address two things before we move on to the next section. The first is adding extra-low dispersion glass elements, which will significantly enhance image quality by ensuring that flare and chromatic aberrations are drastically minimized so your pictures can have vivid colours and contrast! The second point is related to the non-rotating front design, which will provide you complete freedom to employ circular polarizing filters!
If you look at these specifications, it is clear that you will be able to snap close-up shots while leaving the rest to the lens and your Nikon D7100. This lens will give you a life-size 1:1 maximum magnification combined with a minimum focusing distance of 1′.
It’s 105mm maximum focal length is roughly half that of the top lens on this list. However, in most situations, a 105mm focal length might be more than sufficient and even enable you to get stunning portrait images.
The internal focusing design of the model consists of internal lens groups that will move simultaneously as you are focused, which is amazing since you will accomplish fast focusing rates. Additionally, the autofocus performance is not only strong and quick, but it is whisper quiet as well.
Since I’m talking about the focus, this lens will always strive to promote out-of-focus quality with the advantages above thanks to the rounded nine-blade diaphragm that uses a shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques, and for now, I have to admit that Nikon has done an excellent job here.
Nikon, however, didn’t stop there! Because you will never experience any difficulties when shooting handheld and the pictures will always be fantastic, they even implemented a VR image stabilization that will minimize the presence of camera shake by three stops.
Finally, suppose you enjoy taking close-up photos. In that case, I highly suggest you consider buying the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF as your next lens because it can significantly improve your user experience.
4. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G
Key-Specifications:
Brand: Nikon | Lens Type: Telephoto | Compatible Mountings: Nikon F (FX) | Camera Lens Description: 85 millimetres | Maximum Focal Length: 85 Millimeters | Product Dimensions: 3.31 x 3.43 x 3.43 inches | Item Weight: 1.31 pounds | Manufacturer: Nikon |
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Since one of the things that makes this lens so popular is its capacity to blur out backgrounds and make your shoots practically distortion-free, the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G is currently among the most frequently used telephoto lenses by professional photographers who love shooting portrait photos! Intrigued? Let’s discover what more this model can provide for you!
Its black polycarbonate barrel is protected by a rubber gasket that fits around the lens mount, and although its body isn’t weather-sealed, you will be able to use it with your Nikon D7100 or other cameras whose bodies are sealed. This device is 3.3 x 3.4 (H, D) in size, weighs about 1.3 pounds, and has these design features.
Additionally, the included glass is shielded by a Nano Crystal coat that greatly reduces flare, which, as you are aware, significantly impacts the final image’s quality.
As for the design, I appreciate how well Nikon produced this lens because it has a very sturdy design, showing that Nikon created it with a professional approach.
Additionally, there is a “Silent Wave Motor” inside of this lens, which, according to Nikon, merely transforms the energy of traveling waves into rotational energy. This technology primarily focuses on the optics and ensures that high-speed autofocus is extremely quiet and accurate.
I should also mention that users of this lens stated that they had no troubleshooting from a distance, particularly when taking portrait photos, even though its tight focus range of three feet does not qualify it as a macro lens. I don’t anticipate any problems for you either, so I won’t say much more now.
The only criticism I have is that this device isn’t optically stabilized, and if you need to work on video handheld, you could feel a little constrained because jitter is present in the video. But even then, this problem can be resolved by mounting the camera on a tripod.
This lens’ focal length is also quite wonderful because it allows you to take fantastic close-up and macro pictures without getting very near to the subject. This lens’s focal length is quite constrained compared to other lenses, yet it does the job admirably.
How about the distortion now? One of the main benefits of this lens is that there is almost no distortion; the closer you are to the subject, the less distortion you are likely to notice.
Last but not least, the colors and sharpness when photographing people are excellent. I believe that the 85mm f/1.4G has everything I’m looking for due to its capacity to provide genuinely remarkable rendering abilities. Even when it is dim!
In conclusion, I strongly advise you to give the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G some serious thought, especially if you’ve been searching for a telephoto lens that is an excellent choice for portrait photography because of its fantastic features!
5. Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED
Key-Specifications:
Brand: Nikon | Lens Type: Telephoto | Compatible Mountings: Nikon F (FX) | Camera Lens Description: 200 millimeters | Maximum Focal Length: 200 Millimeters | Product Dimensions: 8.03 x 4.88 x 4.88 inches | Item Weight: 6.46 pounds | Manufacturer: Nikon |
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You likely came across this lens while looking for Nikon D7100 lenses. The Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED isn’t the cheapest lens you’ll find on the market, to start with. Even though its price is high, what you receive in exchange is truly amazing. This lens represents strong performance that can satisfy even the most demanding pros out there, whether you possess a Nikon D7100 or any other type of Nikon DSLR camera.
The 200mm f/2G ED has a highly sturdy design that will hold up to years of professional, daily use. Despite weighing nearly 3 kilograms, you won’t have trouble using it handheld or carrying it everywhere.
Let’s not forget the meniscus filter that is cleverly positioned to provide a higher level of protection on the front without “interfering” with the image quality! When you look at this lens, you will immediately notice the weather-sealed magnesium barrel, which, by default, means that you will have complete freedom in shooting under various weather conditions.
Another fantastic feature of the design is the use of the well-known Nano Crystal coating, which significantly reduces ghosting and flare. If you’ve ever had the chance to shoot with a lens with this coating, you already know it makes a difference.
The Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED features a Vibration Reduction Image Stabilization that enables you to shoot conveniently handheld at up to four shutter speeds, an Automatic Tripod Detection Mode that works to ensure stabilization when your camera is mounted on a tripod so that you won’t have to deal with camera shake at the end of the shutter release, and even a 9-blade diaphragm that will accurately capture the colors in nature!
Additionally, the 9-blade diaphragm will greatly aid you while shooting out-of-focus image areas. For the time being, I must say that I’m incredibly happy with this lens! When it comes to lenses, the focal length is crucial. With a 200mm focal length, this lens will help your portrait photographs stand out. To get the most out of it, experiment with the focus length!
Those who have used this lens remark that they were especially pleased with the sharpness of the aperture because even at the maximum aperture, photographs do unquestionably look beautiful! Additionally, shooting at f/5.6 will yield fantastic images and f/22, which is uncommon because distortion frequently degrades, if not destroys, image quality!
In conclusion, if you’re willing to spend on a high-end lens, the Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED is more than worth it because it is robust, has a strong construction, and produces an impressive performance.
How to Choose The Best Lenses for Nikon D7100
Since the Nikon D7100 is a high-end camera, so are its lenses. Therefore, you must make a small financial investment to achieve the greatest results.
Choosing a lens might not seem like a big concern at first because there are many lenses on the market and plenty of reviews online to guide you toward the one that best suits your preferences. In reality, things aren’t quite like that because you must be aware of several factors before making a purchase. In this section, I’ll attempt to clarify things for you and outline the steps you need to take.
Type
Priorities come first. There are many different types of lenses, and you must be aware of them to select the most appropriate lens and prevent instances in which the lens may not be appropriate for your needs.
Fixed or prime lenses
People who want to take portraits and wedding shots frequently use these lenses. They also allow you to let more light into your camera because they have wider maximum apertures, which are undoubtedly useful for this purpose.
Multipurpose lenses
All-around lenses are another name for all-in-one lenses. As their name implies, they are adaptable, and because of this, they may be utilized in various settings without the need to carry around a backpack full of different lenses.
Telephoto lenses
Because they are made to cover a greater area and capture most of the scene in the photograph, these lenses are perfect if your shooting style is closely related to landscapes, interiors, and nature.
Optical zoom
Don’t be surprised if you see photographers using these lenses for portrait photography; they were made to allow you to take pictures of subjects at moderate to far distances, so they will suit your needs, especially if you choose to shoot wildlife, sports, or astronomy photography.
Macro cameras
Because they let you shoot at very close ranges and capture the greatest details, macro lenses are ideal for photographing small items like flowers, insects, and other similar subjects.
Price
Each lens has its subgroups, each with a different price range. Therefore, everything depends on whether you want inexpensive, midrange, expensive, or premium lenses. Before making a buy, it’s crucial to keep costs in check. In other words, even though you will be shooting with a Nikon D7100, do not feel obligated to acquire the “best” lenses because the price may not be affordable for everyone. Instead, invest heavily in premium lenses if you truly need them.
Compatibility
This is important because, even though most lenses are advertised as “Nikon D7100 compatible,” this is frequently not the case. Instead, you won’t be able to use autofocusing or other features because the lens may only be partially compatible. Therefore, the greatest thing you can do if you’re unsure about compatibility is to ask to avoid such situations.
Size of the aperture
For your information, an aperture is a camera lens’s movable diaphragm. As a result, you may control the light passing via the lens while regulating the aperture size. According to the thumb rule, the wider the range, the more control you will have in return, and the faster the lens will be, the wider the maximum aperture.
Lens Length
First, I want to clarify that focal length isn’t the same as lens length.
The distance between the camera’s sensor and the optical center of the lens is essentially measured by the term “focal length.” This is crucial because the quality of your images greatly depends on the focal length ranges you use.
Low Light Capability
Low light performance is equally crucial and needs to be one of your top considerations before purchasing a lens or a camera. I vividly remember what my father used to say—that you can tell how good a lens is by how well it performs in low light—and I still stand by that statement.
A lens is not good if it cannot function well in low light. Naturally, there are a variety of variables at play here because not everyone will require good low-light performance.
It wouldn’t make sense to avoid purchasing a lens just because it doesn’t work well in low light if, for instance, you want a wide-angle zoom lens to take pictures of animals in the wild.
FAQs About Best Lenses For Nikon D7100
How much are the Nikon D7100 lenses?
A: This depends on the quality of the lenses themselves. Those with expensive price tags undoubtedly offer better performance than those with less expensive ones, aren’t they? Each type of lens for the D7100 often falls into the mid-high price zone. Thus, I believe you can afford to own one.
Which lens works best with the Nikon D7100?
A: Once more, the answer is based on the kind of lens you plan to buy. To keep things easy, I would point out that the lenses in this post differ from one another in terms of both price and type, so feel free to pick the “best” one for you.
Why would my Nikon D7100 need a lens?
A: Without question, the lenses in your camera are the most crucial component because they regulate the image passed through your imaging sensor and defined its quality. Although they are not required for amateurs or semi-pros, believe me when I say that you will be hard-pressed to find a professional photographer who does not have at least one lens for their camera.
What kind of lenses is best?
A: Since each lens type is designed to serve a certain purpose, there is no such thing as “the greatest” lens type. Which type you consider “the best” is totally up to you and your taste.
Conclusion
Since you’ve read this far, you may have been aware that I will provide the closing remarks in this essay section. So I’d close it out with a note and a question. Which is the best lens and which suits your style
Should you add to your collection?
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