Ready to step up from a Nikon D3000 to a more experienced camera? Need some quality lenses that are worth the cash?
The most challenging part is when it comes to picking the right set of lenses. The Nikon D3000 comes with a kit 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 VR II, usually. So, should you stick with the kit lens? Here are the 10 best Nikon D3000 lenses worth the money.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens | Best Overall |  |
| Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens | Budget Pick |  |
| Nikon 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E EDIF AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR Lens U.S.A. Warranty | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens
Pros:
- Distance to focal point of 4.9 inches
- Light weight (3 lbs)
- Low price
Cons:
- No VR
- Stopping down improves quality
- Heavy and cumbersome
The Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Zoom Lens is one of the newest and the fastest growing type of lenses in the market today. It is a rugged telephoto zoom lens, which has a focal length of 200 to 500mm. Vibration reduction is a feature that is routinely included in high-end telephoto lenses. This lens is priced competitively in the market.
It can produce high-quality images even when objects are moving fast including sports and wildlife. It features a range of long zoom focal length perfect for capturing distant objects. This lens has an effective focal length of 98 to 450mm.
This makes it the ideal lens for shooting wildlife, photojournalism, birding and nature photography, action photography, and sporting events. The lens is very useful in taking portrait shots. With its wide and versatile focal length range, you can take pictures of people, pets, and baby animals as well.
2. Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G Close-up Lens
Pros:
- Macro lens
- Close focusing distance
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Small working distance
- The lens is not waterproof
3. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens
Pros:
- Autofocus
- Lightweight
- Family portrait lens
- Sharp images
- Value for money
- Works well with a wide variety of cameras
- Comfortable size
- Affordable
- Excellent for low-light candid photographs
Cons:
- No image stabilization
- Plastic lens mount
- Focus ring can focus past infinity
In this part of the article, I’d like to review the best lenses for Nikon D3000 cameras. The first lens that I’d like to take a look at is Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G.
I think this lens is a good choice for Nikon D3000 cameras for ranging from portrait to street photography. With its maximum aperture of f/1.8, this lens offers enough background blur to enable great bokeh. If you stand at a distance from your subject to shoot, it gives you great separation with your background. I hope you will find it a good choice.
4. Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR Lens
Pros:
- Great for outdoor use, such as nature photography
- Quick four focus motor
- Robust build
- Excellent weather and dust sealing
Cons:
- Slow auto focus compared to some others
- Auto focus can be inconsistent
The Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR Lens is an ideal telephoto zoom lens. Some of the key selling points are the quiet and fast autofocus, VR image stabilization, VR lens stability, weight reduction, built-in aperture control ring, and better optical performance.
While other cameras focus on high megapixels, the Nikon D-series has always focused on lenses. Thus, the camera has been able to rule the market in wildlife photography and high megapixel cameras.
The Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR Lens has been designed to take advantage of the DX format sensors in the D5000, D3000, D3000, D60, D5000, and Nikon 1. At 300mm, it is one of the longest lenses available for DX format.
5. Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens
Pros:
- So much clarity
- Amazing focal range
- You can use it as a everyday lens, it’s so perfect for taking to events, parties, etc.
- Takes good pictures in low light, and the speed of the lens is incredible
Cons:
- Expensive
- Can cause some inconsistent results if you start to use 30 to 35 on the aperture.
6. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G Lens
Pros:
- Versatile
- Awarded 5 stars by many professional reviewers
- Sleek and lightweight
- Comfortable
- Amazing quality pictures
Cons:
- Considered a little pricey
- Focusing can be tricky for some beginners
The Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G lens is one of the finest prime lenses on the market today and the AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G lens is great for anyone who loves taking professional photos on a budget. The fixed 50mm lens is equivalent to 75mm in the 35mm film format.
This lens is a must have for portrait and lowlight photography. It’s the perfect length and fast f/1.4 aperture to blur the background of your intended subject. It’s a great lens for portraits and candids.
This Nikon 50mm lens is the best and your search should stop right here.
7. TOKINA ATX-i 11-16mm F2.8 Nikon F
Pros:
- Sharp wide angle lens when it’s stopped down a couple of apertures
- Lightweight
- Great build quality
A good ultra-wide angle lens for the price, the Tokina 11-16mm lens has a pleasant level of heft and a sturdy build quality, although it’s not weather-sealed like some other lenses in this category.
The 11-16mm will give you an equivalent focal length of 16-24mm, making it a good choice for a full-frame camera, although the maximum aperture is slightly slower than alternatives. For APS-C/Super-35 use, it will give you an equivalent of a 16-24mm lens.
The Tokina 11-16mm is also available in Nikon F and Sigma mounts and Sony E-mounts.
8. Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens
Pros:
- Quality build
- Excellent image quality
- Close focusing capabilities despite being a macro lens
- Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) technology
- Can be used for portraits
Cons:
- Large and heavy
- Macro lens that does not have a 1:1 macro ratio
- Check Prices :: Review of the Best Nikon D3000 Lenses
This is one of the best Nikon D3000 lenses you can get your hands on. This makes it one of the best Nikon D3000 lenses in the market right now. It's got everything you need to do a macro shot, even if you are still learning the trade.
The shallow depth of field that this lens offers is really something to behold. It can actually achieve a 1:2 macro ratio, so it is on the ultra macro end of the spectrum. If you want to do close-up pictures of small flowers and inanimate objects, or even insects and small animals, this is what you need.
On top of that, this lens is also great as a portrait lens due to its ability to produce sharp and high-quality images thanks to its fast aperture. It can also be used as an all-purpose lens because it is fairly versatile.
9. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens
Pros:
- This lens focuses very fast; it can focus faster than some cameras
- This lens works with both DX and FX cameras
- This lens is very versatile
- Sharp and fast with good color rendition
- Good build quality
Cons:
- It doesn’t feel as sturdy as a pro lens
- Not a big lens
- Pincushion affects the center of images
The 18-300mm range is excellent, as the lens produces decent images from 18 to the upper end.
Sharpness is pretty good from f/3.5-f/8, but the lens is at its best at f/5.6 through f/8. The Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR is small and rugged and can set high zoom magnification.
10. Nikon 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E EDIF AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR Lens U.S.A. Warranty
Pros:
- Extra Low Dispersion and Fluorite elements
- Operates well for multiple types of photography
- Ideal for professional, pro-sumer and enthusiast photography
- Ready for efficient and smooth use
- Minimum focus distance of 10cm (0.32ft)
- VR image stabilization
- HD Multicoating
- Includes lens hood, protective case, capleash 2, and software packages
This 8-15mm prime lens is one that will bring you right into the center of the action. It's high-performance glass and precision design augment your ability to shoot and capture standout images whether you're capturing the scene of ecstatic facial expressions or the impression of a ruined castle.
With this Nikon 8-15mm lens, you don't need to sacrifice wide angles for VR. Its wide angle reaches a 127.5 degree angle of view and it works best with a 1.3 (W) x 1.5 (H) sensor.
This entry-level wide-angle lens uses extra low dispersion and fluorite lens elements for significant reduction of chromatic aberrations. It takes on a 180-degree view at the 15mm end and supports VR for sharp and clear images. You can capture pictures with stunning resolution using this lens that's weather-sealed for use in wet or humid conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best all around Nikon lens?
- Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S
- Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S
- Nikon 28mm f/1.8G AF-S
If you are really into a certain type of photography, then it can’t hurt to invest in additional lenses in the same category. However, if you are still a beginner or a hobbyist, it’s best to start with a great general-purpose focal length and capability.
This is why I often recommend taking a look at the Nikon 35mm, 50mm, and 28mm f/1.8 prime lenses. These lenses give you the most bang for your buck whether you are shooting indoors or outdoors, and they all have the ability to do well in low-light, scenarios.
What is Nikon's sharpest lens?
The sharpest lens in Nikon's line up is the 28mm f/1.4E ED. This lens produces images with a resolution equal to that of a conventional lens, but with a faster aperture (f/1.4). It has a relatively short focal length and can be paired with a wide angle zoom lens. This is quite popular in Nikon's line up.
Is the Nikon d3000 still a good camera?
If you're looking for a basic DSLR, the D3000 is an inexpensive and mid-level model that's a good option. It's not the most advanced beginner camera on the market, but it will suit the needs of people who are shopping on a budget and who don't need all the latest features found in more advanced models. If you are considering one of the newer models, you would be smart to check out some reviews and find out if there's really any improvement over a model a few years old.
If you're already familiar with use of DSLR cameras, the Nikon d3000 is a great entry-level model. If this is your first DSLR, though, the d3000 probably isn't going to give you all the features you need. If you're interested in a camera like the d3000 but want more features and a better image quality, you may want to consider upgrading to a more advanced model.
What 3 lenses should every photographer have?
When thinking about the best Nikon D3000 lenses to buy, you should consider your gear budget and the types of photography you want to do. If you never expect to shoot wildlife or sports, you may not need a very fast telephoto lens. However, it’s almost always worth spending the money if you ever hope to shoot wildlife and sports.
Here are the 3 lenses that are most useful and versatile to have for most photographers.
Telephoto Zoom: This is your best introduction to telephoto shooting on a budget. You can shoot everything from a far away family member to animals in the wild. A popular and affordable option is the 55-300mm multiplier.
Medium Zoom: You don’t need a lens in this category if you have the other two, but if you want a solid all-rounder lens, this is the one to get.
Conclusion
Nikon D3000 lenses are another thing to consider, since the D3000 was the first camera to ever include video capture capabilities. Here is a list of Nikon D3000 lenses that we recommend if you want to include video capture. In his review, he said that the Nikon D3000 is a great and affordable camera for any beginner photographer.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens | Best Overall | |
| Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens | Budget Pick | |
| Nikon 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E EDIF AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR Lens U.S.A. Warranty | Upgrade Pick | |