If you’d like to take awe-inspiring landscape photos, you should never scrimp on shooting equipment. Nikon lenses are regarded by many experts as top-notch products, so getting them for a photo session is a reasonable choice.
However, you can’t purchase just a single Nikon lens for landscape because shooting conditions vary and you need to adapt to them. For instance, lenses that can cope with foggy weather cost $495 and higher, while wide-angle models for panoramic photoshoots are priced at $1500+.
Dimensions (inch): 4.92 x 3.27 x 3.27 | Weight (g): 680 | Stabilization: yes | Diaphragm Blades: 9 | Focal Length: 24-52.5
This is a wide angle lens for Nikon that you can use for taking travel, landscape & cityscape, as well as common images. It is considered one of the best lenses for Nikon D5300 for landscape as it is fitted with a vibration reduction mechanism, so even when photographing without a tripod, you will get crisp pictures.
Another advantage of this model is the possibility to shoot at up to 4 shutter speeds slower than what is available with similar Nikon landscape lenses.
Such features are particularly helpful if you take photos outdoors during hikes. The AF is fast and almost noiseless. You can preserve the working distance across the entire focus range for streamlined shooting.
The focal length is great for varied scenarios. The manufacturers took care to make this lens sealed so that photographers can capture the surrounding beauty even in the most challenging weather conditions. To receive all these goodies, you have to pay about $499.
Dimensions: 5.2 x 3.86 x 3.86 | Weight: 970 | Stabilization: yes | Diaphragm Blades: 9 | Focal Length: 14 -24
This is a fantastic Nikon wide angle lens with a max aperture of f/2.8, accurate AF, and silent wave motor (SWM). Locating an object and focusing on it will take up no more than several seconds.
With this Nikon lens for landscape, you can experiment with astrophotography that requires a wide-open aperture as well as make strides at traditional landscape photoshoots at f/8-11.
In addition to terrific sharpness, this lens sticks out from the crowd with staggeringly low distortion, vignetting, flare, and aberration levels. The viewing angles range from 114º to 84º and the focusing distance can be as short as 10.8 inches at the 24mm setting. Such characteristics are especially beneficial for photographers that like taking panoramic images and further turning them into large compositions in a photo stitcher.
Though this lens doesn’t belong to the budgetary segment, its cost of $1,596 is fully justified. However, you should consider additional expenses, namely, 1 lithium-ion battery.
Dimensions: 5.24 x 3.27 x 3.27 | Weight: 1070 | Stabilization: yes | Diaphragm Blades: 9 | Focal Length: 24-70
If you are searching for the best Nikon lens for landscape photography, assuming it should be equipped with a fast AF, capture lifelike colors, handle chromatic aberration, and offer an accurate zoom when attached to full-frame cameras, this model is bound to satisfy your needs.
The lens has a rugged construction with top-of-the-line dust and moisture coating. A fast-fixed aperture of f/2.8 guarantees good resolution and natural color representation.
You can start with wide-angle landscape photography and gradually switch to capturing details by zooming in. The lens has a nano crystal coating that perfectly copes with the task of ghost and flare reduction even in harsh lighting.
The price of the lens is approximately $579. Keep in mind, that 24-70 mm lenses, the FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G included, require lithium-metal batteries.
Dimensions: 4.65 x 3.31 x 3.31 | Weight: 710 | Stabilization: no | Diaphragm Blades: 9 | Focal Length: 24-120
This lens is a universal model equipped with top-notch S-line optics. Besides, it has a constant aperture of f/4 and superior resolution. Another cool characteristic of the lens is its reliable weather sealing.
The NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G is rather compact, so you can carry it around during trips. The AF has 2 high speeds and STM stepping motors ensure ultra-silent functioning.
It is possible to focus close to an object and maintain edge-to-edge sharpness with no color bleeding. The highlight of this lens is its extensive compatibility. In general, you can pair it with all popular Nikon cameras from the Z series with FX and DX formats. The lens costs about $1009.
Dimensions: 7.9 x 3.4 x 3.4 | Weight: 1428 | Stabilization: yes | Diaphragm Blades: 9 | Focal Length: 70-200
This is one of the top Nikon super zoom lenses with a great aperture range from f/2.8 to f/22. The embedded AF is silent and the focusing is very quick.
Besides, this Nikon lens for landscape shooting accurately detects an object even in murky conditions. The vibration reduction system has undergone modification and now it works extremely efficiently.
You will receive arresting shots and can further use nature editing service or keep photo unretouched.
Include very few foreground elements in your image. Otherwise, there may arise focusing issues. Of course, taking photos with this lens is a pleasure but not everybody can afford to purchase it. The minimum price is $1896.
Dimensions: 3.19 x 3.27 x 3.27 | Weight: 354 | Stabilization: no | Diaphragm Blades: 9 | Focal Length: 20
Whether you are fond of taking stills, recording HD footage & time-lapse sequences, or capturing star trails, this lens can greatly boost the potential of your DSLR camera for landscape photography. It has an ultra-wide zoom range which will come in handy for photographing spacious landscapes and architectural pieces.
The viewing angle equals 94º, making it one of the top Nikon landscape lenses if you want to fit a broad swathe of nature into one frame. The minimum focus distance is 0.66 feet. To get this noiseless, high-quality lens, you need to shell out $796.
Dimensions: 3.27 x 3.27 x 3.27 | Weight: 485 | Stabilization: no | Diaphragm Blades: 7 | Focal Length: 8-15
This is a classic fisheye camera lens with 2 wide-angle settings (8mm circular and 15mm fisheye). It is equipped with efficient chromatic aberration reduction technology and preserves proper sharpness and contrast across the entire range.
The optical system consists of 15 elements in 13 groups with 3 ED and 2 aspherical pieces.
The diaphragm is electromagnetic and is made up of 7 rounded blades. Thus, the accuracy of the aperture is far beyond average. You can pair this lens with newer and older camera bodies. Besides, it has cutting-edge weather protection, so taking outdoor images in rain or drought won’t take a toll on its service life. The lens costs $1095.
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | |
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Nikon FX NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED
OUR CHOICE
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CHECK PRICE → | |
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Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
AFFORDABLE
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CHECK PRICE → | |
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Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E
FOR PROS
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CHECK PRICE → |
Aperture range. Those engaged in nature photography, should consider this parameter in the first place. If you have a choice between f/8 and f/11, you should prefer the first value for breathtaking landscape pictures.
It is recommended to purchase a Nikon lens for landscape photography with an aperture range from f/8 to f/11. Thus, you can keep the entire scene sharp.
However, if you can afford to buy a lens with a wider aperture and depth of field, e.g., f/1.8, don’t hesitate to do it. This model will come in handy for low-lighting conditions.
Weight. This factor is no less important as you will need to carry a lens, a DSLR camera, and other gear in your backpack. Modern lenses vary in size and weight, but most landscape photographers opt for zoom lenses. They are more versatile if compared with prime lenses of the same focal length.
Focal Length. To take landscape photos, you will need a lens with a focal length from 10mm to 45mm.
If you purchase a model with a fixed focal length, you are likely to feel limited at the spot due to the impossibility to experiment with distances. Though such lenses offer a higher image quality, it is still advisable to prefer lenses with variable lengths.
Lens Distortion. Telephoto lenses produce more noticeable distortion than prime lenses. When you use wide-angle lenses, there will appear natural distortion that is impossible to shun.
Anyway, distortion isn’t such a huge problem and you can easily correct it in photo editing programs like Photoshop. Anyway, if you are planning to photograph lots of geometric shapes and patterns, you should opt for a wide-angle lens with minimum distortion.
Weather-Sealing. Landscape photography often takes you into the great outdoors, where you might encounter challenging weather conditions. Weather-sealed lenses provide added protection against moisture and dust, ensuring your gear stays safe.
Filter Threads. Check if the lens has filter threads to attach circular polarizers, ND filters, and other essential filters for landscape photography. These filters can help control reflections, reduce light, and improve overall image quality.
Vibration Reduction (VR). While VR is essential for handheld photography, it's not always necessary for landscape shots that are often taken with a tripod. However, if you plan to use the lens for other purposes too, VR can be advantageous.
Research and Test. Read reviews, watch videos, and visit camera stores to try out different lenses before making a final decision. Personal preferences can play a significant role in choosing the lens that best suits your shooting style.
Nikon lenses are renowned for their exceptional optics and image quality, making them perfect for capturing the vast and intricate details found in landscapes. With wide-angle options and advanced coatings, Nikon lenses ensure stunning and vibrant landscape images.
Lens flare can be reduced by using a lens hood and positioning yourself so that the light source is not directly hitting the front element of the lens. Additionally, high-quality Nikon lenses often come with advanced coatings that minimize flare and ghosting.
To keep your Nikon lenses in top condition, always use a high-quality lens cloth to clean the front element. When not in use, store your lenses in a padded camera bag with adequate protection to avoid any potential damage while on the move.
Yes, you can use some vintage Nikon lenses with modern camera bodies, but you might need to purchase an adapter to ensure compatibility. Some older manual-focus lenses can produce unique and charming results, adding character to your landscape images.
