Photography Reviews

13 Nikon Prime Lenses That Will Fulfill Any Digital Photographer’s Wish List

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Nikon 10.5mm f/2.8G ED DX Fisheye AF

Introduced during July 2003, this Nikon prime lens was the first fisheye solely for Nikon DX Format DSLR cameras and also the first with a full-frame, 180-degree image angle. Landscape and macro photographers will appreciate the Nikon lens’ lightweight, compact size and minimum focus distance of 5.5 inches (14cm). It also has no aperture rings, making for smooth functionality, since a minimum-aperture setting does not need to be selected.

Nikon 24mm AF-S Nikkor f/1.4G ED

Introduced during February 2010, this fast, wide-angle, fixed focal-length lens will benefit the advanced amateur and professional shooting architecture, landscapes and tight interiors with Nikon FX-format cameras. Exclusive Nikon Nano Crystal Coat technology controls ghosting and flare and the Silent Wave Motor makes for virtually silent auto-focus operation. Serious photographers will also like the versatility of two focus modes, M/A (auto-focus with manual override) and M (manual).

Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S NIKKOR

Brought to the market during September 2010, this Nikon 35mm lens offers many of the same features as the Nikon 24mm f/1.4G, providing serious photographers with another excellent fast, wide-angle choice for their FX-format cameras. Like the 24mm, the Nano Crystal Coating on the 35mm reduces aberration to a minimum to capture sharp, dynamic images of landscapes and nightscapes.

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor

Introduced during September 2008, the 50mm f/1.8 G lens is Nikon's latest interpretation of the classic 50mm f/1.8 lens. This f/1.4 lens is the first Nikon 50mm f/1.8 auto-focus lens that instantly overrides manual focus with a simple manipulation of the focus ring; the first to auto-focus on Nikon's low-cost DLSRs, such as the D3100 and D5100; and the first Nikon optical design with seven instead of six spherical elements, plus one aspherical element.

Nikon 60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Micro-Nikkor

Announced during January 2008, this micro lens serves the needs of both general photography and close-up work, with a 1:1 life-size ratio. Its Silent Wave Motor provides quick and quiet auto-focus functionality; and its combination of two aspherical lenses to control spherical aberration and an ED glass element to reduce chromatic aberration to a minimum will appeal to a wide variety of digital photographers.

Nikon 85mm f/1.4D IF AF Nikkor

With a product launch during September 2010, this Nikon telephoto lens was developed for photographers who shoot low-light portraits and those that need a shallow depth of field. Because of its fast, maximum aperture of f/1.4, the lens captures sharp, well-rendered images of indoor sports and stage performances. Bokeh is smooth and natural looking as a result of the rounded diaphragm.

Nikon 105mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor

New to the world of photography during February 2006, this Nikon macro lens was the first with a combination of three major features that benefit most photographers, and especially those shooting hand-held macro photography. These are Nikon’s Vibration Reduction System (VRII) and Silent Wave Motor and a 1:1 reproduction ratio.

Nikon 135mm f/2D AF-DC Nikkor

One of Nikon’s oldest lenses still in production, the 135mm has many photographic applications, but it was designed primarily for the portrait photographer. Not to be confused with a soft-focus lens, this Nikon lens features Defocus Image Control, which allows the photographer to control bokeh, or the areas of an image, typically the foreground and background that are not in focus.

Nikon 200mm f/2G IF-ED AF-S VR

Amazingly fast for a lens with this focal length, the Nikon 200mm will appeal to professionals shooting sports in low-light conditions as well as portrait photographers. Among its many features is Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, so photographers can shoot hand-held images as many as three shutter speeds slower than without VR.

Nikon 300mm f/2.8D ED-IF II AF-S

This is another Nikon workhorse lens for sports and nature photographers, given its light weight, very fast aperture and extremely quiet operation with Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor. The lens also features Nikon’s VR II (Vibration Reduction), or image stabilization system, with as many as four additional stops to capture sharp hand-held photos. The Nikon 300mm will focus as close as 7.5 feet (2.3m) in auto-focus and 7.2 feet (2.2m) in manual focus. 

Nikon 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED AF-S II Nikkor

During 2006, this lens was introduced as the updated version of the 400mm f/2.8 AF-I; and it delivers the same exceptional performance, but in a lighter and smaller package, weighing just 13.9 pounds (6.3kg). Sports and nature photographers will love the lens’ extremely fast auto-focus speed and the absence of distortion and ghosts. There are 11 glass elements in 9 groups and a nine-bladed diaphragm plus a close-focus of 11.4 feet (3.5m). Many pros consider it a near-perfect lens for its size and use. 

Nikon 500mm f/4G ED VR AF-S

Another superior super-telephoto lens from Nikon, the 500mm is an incredible option for the most exacting nature and sports photographers using Nikon FX- and DX-format cameras. It features all the sharp-picture capabilities of Nikon lenses with this extreme quality: Nikon’s VR II Vibration Reduction technology, Nano Crystal Coating, three Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements to control chromatic aberrations and a tripod detection mode to lessen shutter-release vibrations.

Nikon 600mm f/4D IF-ED AF-S II Nikkor

With an additional 100 millimeters of focal length, the Nikon 600mm is for the most serious and advanced professional nature and sports photographer. Like the 500mm and 400mm, the 600mm has all the important features photographers at the highest level demand. In addition, the 600mm is built for the unforgiving environments where it will be used, with a magnesium die-cast barrel and design elements that resist dust and moisture.

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