By Tati Taylor 20 days ago, Cameras & Lenses
Top-rated and budget lenses for Nikon D90.
Those who have recently bought an interchangeable lens camera are probably shopping for the best lenses for Nikon D90. It may seem a bit complicated to figure out which lenses can perfectly complement your photography gear arsenal. That is why you should carefully study the abbreviations and specifications of the lenses to choose the model that will work for you.
Below, you can find out the essential features a lens usually has and learn how different manufacturers name them. Keep in mind that some specifications are a bit simplified in order for novice users to better understand what they need.
Mount: AF | Diaphragm blades: 7 | Autofocus: good | Min focus distance: 0.22 m | Max magnification: 0.17x| Filter thread:72 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 20 mm | Weight:0.51 lbs
⊕ Sharp results
⊕ Great CA control
⊕ Reduced flare
⊖ Isn’t dust and moisture resistant
Although the Nikon 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G is lightweight and small, it works great and delivers amazing results. With Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, you may stabilize the image and achieve a sharper picture. Moreover, it allows you to take photos at lower shutter speeds to achieve more vivid images in poor light situations.
The modern optical design of this model incorporates three aspherical lens elements that reduce distortion in the photos. Super Integrated Coating (SIC) eliminates ghosting and flare when shooting in backlit or cross-lit conditions and preserves vibrant colors and high contrast.
Also, the Nikon 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G features an aperture with 7 blades to produce a beautiful and soft out-of-focus effect in the backgrounds. All these features make this model a decent option among Nikon D90 lenses.
Mount:AF | Diaphragm blades: 7 | Autofocus: good | Min focus distance: 0.49m| Max magnification: 0.27x| Filter thread:62 mm | Dimensions (WxL):200 mm | Weight: 0.88 lbs
⊕ High sharpness
⊕ Excellent Vibration Compensation system
⊕ CA is at a low central level
⊕ Flare-resistant
⊖ Reduced sharpness at the edges
The Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 is a compact Nikon D90 zoom lens with a 18-200mm focal length. It is designed to take impressive pictures almost in every shooting situation. You can use it either for everyday shooting or taking images at special events.
Tamron managed to improve the Vibration Compensation system and make it one of the best available in the high-power zoom optics. With such a well-elaborated VC, you can produce sharp pictures without attaching the lens to a tripod.
Since the Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 has a lightweight design and a rich array of features, it is a perfect option for everyday use, even if you are a novice photographer. Feel free to carry this lens around as it weighs only 400g (14.1 oz). This is a universal model that is suitable for a wide range of photography genres. You can take flattering close-ups or shoot distant objects without changing the lens.
Mount: AF | Diaphragm blades: 7| Autofocus: good| Min focus distance: 1.1 m | Max magnification: 0.22x | Filter thread: 58 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 300 mm | Weight: 0.91 lbs
⊕ Crisp images
⊕ Lens flare reduction
⊕ Affordable
⊖ Doesn’t have weather sealing
This telephoto lens for Nikon D90 deserves special attention for its impressive set of features and capabilities. Due to the efficient VR technology, you will achieve perfectly stabilized images and crisp results. Being designed for compact DSLRs with a DX-sized sensor, the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G can reach distant subjects and lock on to the tiniest details.
You can shoot sporting events, wildlife, concerts, and pull far away subjects closer with exceptional precision. However, this lens is optimized not only for magnifying the subject in your frame.
The Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G can serve as optics to shoot stunning portraits with slightly blurred background. With excellent VR image stabilization and silent “Stepping” autofocus motor, you can use this lens to produce high-quality photos and videos even without mounting your camera on a tripod.
Mount: YN | Diaphragm blades:7 | Autofocus:good | Min focus distance: 45 cm | Max magnification: 0.15X | Filter thread: 50 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 50 mm | Weight: 6.00 ounces
⊕ Reasonably priced
⊕ Compact and lightweight
⊕ Produces high-quality images
⊖ Doesn’t offer a zoom feature
If you are looking for an affordable but still powerful version of high-priced Nikon optics, consider the Yongnuo YN EF 50mm f/1.8. It features a metal bayonet, focus distance scale, DOF scale, built-in AF system, and AF/MF switch.
Since this model comes with an onboard focus motor, it will be a perfect option for novice photographers. Moreover, the Yongnuo YN EF 50mm f/1.8 is a universal model that can be paired with all Nikon cameras. However, it isn’t compatible with cameras designed by other manufacturers.
This Nikon D90 50mm lens produces high-quality photos even when the lighting situation leaves much to be desired. Also, it retains a low level of distortion, which is somewhat unusual for a third-party lens.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Nikon 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G
Our choice |
CHECK PRICE → | |
 |
Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3
Compact |
CHECK PRICE → | |
 |
Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G
High quality |
CHECK PRICE → |
Each lens has its own maximum aperture. It determines the amount of light that hits the sensor. The more light passes through the lens, the crisper pictures you will achieve while shooting in the poor light situations. Aperture is labeled as f-numbers, e.g. f/2.8. However, sometimes it can be written as 1:2.8. Using a low f-number means more light can get through the lens.
In theory, the best aperture you can achieve is equal to 1, but in real life, the brightest lenses have a max aperture of f/1.2. The majority of photographers choose the lenses with the max aperture ranging from f/2.4 to f/3.2. Usually, the lenses with a high aperture number cost less compared to the optics with a low aperture number. For example, telephoto lenses tend to have larger maximum apertures.
Zoom lenses are usually labeled with two aperture numbers, such as f/2.8–f/5.6. The smaller number refers to the largest opening the lens can achieve with the widest angle. The larger number determines the amount of light that will pass through a lens when shooting at the maximum zoom.
Unlike prime lenses that have fixed focal length, a zoom lens may seem much convenient to use since you can change the focal length ratio. Apart from standard 3x zoom lenses, you can pick 7x and 12x lenses that often refer to superzooms.
Zoom lenses have two numbers of focal lengths, such as 18-200mm or 28-300mm. The 55-210mm zooms are designed to demonstrate truly outstanding capabilities. Also, you should understand that zoom lenses aren’t the same as telephoto lenses. Some wide-angle zoom lenses like the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 consume their entire focal length much less than 50mm.
The main drawback of zoom lenses, especially long-range zooms, is that they are inferior to primes in terms of sharpness and brightness. Although professional zooms deliver much better results, they often have less than 3x magnification and are more high-priced than kit zooms or primes.
You have a vast selection of zoom lens options to choose from. All you need is to check the specification of several options and decide which one suits you most. If you are looking for a money-saving model to shoot faraway objects, it is recommended to choose Nikon D90 lenses with a focal length of 55-200mm or 70-300mm. However, the result directly depends on your camera capabilities. Consider a third-party lens such as Tokina, Sigma, or Tamron. While offering a slew of features, they often stand ahead from the first-party lenses in terms of features versus price.
The maximum aperture of the lens is one of the essential aspects to consider when shopping for the best lenses for Nikon D90. This concept refers to the lens’ ability to open up and transmit light. The maximum aperture is indicated in f-numbers. The lower the maximum aperture value, the larger the opening is. Thus, more amount of light reaches the image sensor, which allows you to seize more photographic opportunities, such as:
Photograph in poor lighting without increasing an ISO value or blurring the image.
Highlight your subject by creating out-of-focus backgrounds, which is often called a bokeh effect. This allows you to control the DOF (the sharpest area in the image).
Lenses that have a wide aperture refer to "bright" or "fast". The wider the aperture is, the bulkier and more expensive the optics will be. However, the lens with a large aperture produces images of better quality.
You can pick the optics with the fixed aperture like f/1.4 or variable one, such as f/4 to f/5.6. If your lens has a constant focal length, for example, 50mm f/1.4, the maximum lens aperture is always fixed as well.
Zooms can have either a constant or variable maximum aperture. Fixed max aperture lenses produce the same max aperture regardless of the focal length changes (for example, 70-200mm f/2.8). Although fixed aperture zooms are more qualitative and expensive, they allow you to explore all the boundaries of your creativity. A great example of a variable aperture lens is the Canon 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 which allows you to achieve a max aperture of f/4 at 70mm and f/5.6 at 300mm.
The 18mm focal length produces a moderate wide-angle that is a popular choice among architecture and landscape photographers. The 55mm end refers to a short telephoto lens suitable for portrait photographers or those who like to demonstrate details in their pictures.
The most universal option is the 50mm prime lens. However, many beginners consider that this lens might not be suitable for them because their 18-55mm kit lens already covers the 50mm focal length. Nevertheless, the 50mm prime is so popular not only due to its focal length value.
The 18mm focal length produces a wide angle of view, while the 55mm will give you a telephoto end. The zoom range of an 18-55mm lens is 55mm divided by 18mm or 3x optical zoom, but it doesn’t mean much. You can choose the 35mm equivalent focal length, which is 1.5x for Sony, and get the equivalent focal length of 27mm to 82mm.
1 – The universal 50mm. If you can afford one additional lens, choose the one with a 50mm focal length.
2 – The ultra-wide-angle. In case you can buy two new Nikon D90 lenses, purchase 55mm optics and then shop for a wide-angle lens.
3 – A macro lens will also be a perfect addition to your photography kit.
