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Nikon is well-known for its cameras and, therefore, has been a reliable choice for many people for many years.
A good Nikon body, when combined with the best lens, ensures remarkable photography. However, the hardest part is to get the best lens, specifically if you’re prepping your camera for your next trip.
To simplify your search, we have laid down a review of the best travel lenses for Nikon you’ll find on the market. This will help you discover the right one that perfectly captures the memories you make during your travels.
Contents
Review of the Best Nikon Travel Lenses
Now you know the important features you must look for in order to bring value to your bucks. Now, let’s begin reviewing our best picks currently trending on the market so you can find the travel lens you are looking for!
Best Overall: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
PROS
- Backed by fast aperture rating
- Provides excellent sharpness in the images
- Quite lightweight, making it easy to carry around
- Manufactured from quality materials to guarantee durability
- Equipped with a very attractive design to go with your Nikon camera
CONS
- No optical stabilization
- DOF markings can be improved
- Might experience some distortion
What Recent Buyers Report
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G is immensely popular among users, and this is the primary reason it makes its way to the best overall position on our list. The highly appreciated thing about it is its compact and durable design, which allows it to be carried around easily. Moreover, it is quite silent in operation, making it a go-to option for many customers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
An extraordinary product packed with a number of features, the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G is meant to last long for its durable design. Moreover, it is fast and quiet thanks to its Silent Wave Motor. Similarly, this solid performer is equipped with a 28mm filter thread to provide stunning images whenever you want.
Who Will Use This Most
A compact and fast lens, the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G is an ideal pick for individuals who like to travel light. Since it is lightweight, it can be carried around whenever you want. Moreover, this nifty fifty is quite suitable for beginners as well as experts for its exceptional features and effective results.
Bottom Line
The Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G is everything that you would expect from a 50mm lens. It is fast, compact, sharp as well as portable. What else can you ask for? Anyone who is looking for a great Nikon 50mm lens need look no further than this excellent option.
- Fast, upgraded f/1.8, compact FX format prime lens. The picture angle with 35 millimeter (135)...
- Focal length 50 millimeter, minimum focus distance 1.48 feet (0.45 meter)
- Newly developed optical system with aspherical lens element, exclusive Nikon silent wave motor (SWM)
Runner-up: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G
PROS
- Fast and versatile in its performance
- Great design with a black matt finish
- Works well even in low-light conditions
- Equipped with nanocrystal coating to enhance durability
- Auto-focus is extremely fast to help get superb images in no time
CONS
- A bit heavier than similar alternatives
- Typically large 82mm filter thread
- Since it is pricier, those with a limited budget might find it less attractive
What Recent Buyers Report
Just like our best overall model, Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G has also received many positive reviews from its users. It is mostly liked for its amazing design, which is quite durable due to the nano-crystal coating. Moreover, you can get stunning and vibrant images, even when the light conditions are less than ideal.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G mainly stands out to us for being manufactured from heavy-duty materials to ensure solid construction. Moreover, it offers spectacular sharpness and contrast. Similarly, it comes with a fast autofocus that is extremely quiet as well. All in all, it’s a great investment.
Who Will Use This Most
Another great product from Nikon, this amazing lens is an all-round performer, making it suitable for professionals as well as beginners. Its compact size makes it perfect to carry along for covering events or even your fun moments. Moreover, it works extremely well when you take pictures in low-light situations.
Bottom Line
The Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G has become a popular choice for many people out there for its fast and effective performance. This model has all that you need to get high-quality images. So, if you want a great lens that is not only efficient but durable as well, don’t hesitate to give this one a closer look.
- Focal Length Range : 24 70 mm
- Minimum Focus Distance : 1.2 ft.( 0.38 m)
- Exceptional low light performance
Best for the Money: Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3
PROS
- Surely the most affordable model on this list
- Amazing optical performance for a superzoom
- Hypersonic motor ensures fast and silent autofocus
- Manufactured from top-quality glass for durable construction
- Optical stabilization lets you take the perfect picture, even with shaky hands
CONS
- Focus ring is tedious
- Sharpness is relatively less
- Not compatible with all advertised models
What Recent Buyers Report
Users have praised Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 for its surprisingly reasonable price combined with a great set of features. It is also admired for its quality construction, which saves the user from the tension of frequent repair and replacement. Moreover, with this lens, you get to have attractive images, thanks to its optical stabilization.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Equipped with top-notch features, the Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 is capable of performing up to or even beyond the call of duty. It can capture stunning images due to the optical stabilization and commendable image resolutions. Moreover, the sharpness is great at wider angles; plus, chromatic aberrations are very well controlled.
Who Will Use This Most
This lightweight and durable lens is an ideal choice for many travel photographers. Thanks to its multi-layer coated construction, you can easily take it with you on an adventurous trip to preserve your fun moments. Moreover, this Nikon lens can be equally used by beginners for taking some worthy shots.
Bottom Line
The Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 is undoubtedly a suitable option for those who do not want to spend excessive money on a lens. It is capable of producing amazing color contrast to provide excellent pictures. Moreover, its lightweight yet solid construction is designed to bring unbeatable value to your purchase.
- Maximum Aperture Range: f/3.5-6.3
- Focal Length : 18-300 mm, Minimum focusing distance -39cm/15.3 inch
- One SLD and Four FLD Elements, Super Multi-Layer Coating
Best Nikon Travel Lens FX: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G
PROS
- Focal range is quite impressive
- Autofocus is extremely fast in operation
- Lightweight and highly portable
- Offers commendable sharpness in the images
- Excellent vibration reduction to give stunning results
CONS
- Delivers an unpleasant bokeh
- Might face some distortion when taking wide shots
- Plastic construction can be a concern for some people
What Recent Buyers Report
With its solid set of features, Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G has succeeded in winning the confidence of its customers. They love this lens for its amazing range of focal lengths. They also love it because it is great at capturing beautiful images. Moreover, it is very lightweight and excellent in its performance, making it a great choice.
Why it Stands Out to Us
In case you’re looking for an FX Nikon lens that produces good-quality images, then you must get your hands on the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G. Not only does it have a great design, but it also does a great job of capturing stunning pictures. It’s center sharpness is amazing, plus it is very lightweight to be carried around.
Who Will Use This Most
Another compact model with flawless features, the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G can be used by both professional photographers and beginners to capture some vibrant and top-quality images. Moreover, since this lens is lightweight and portable, you can take it anywhere with you without weighing down your luggage.
Bottom Line
Optically, the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G performs quite well when it comes to stunning pictures. The vibration reduction and fast autofocus ensure you get the best image whenever you take a shot. To put in a nutshell, this lens is a great steal at such a price.
- Compact and versatile 5x standard zoom lens with f/4 maximum aperture
- Maximum reproduction ratio: 0.24x.Focal Length Range : 24 to 120 millimeter, Minimum Focus Distance...
- Extended range on Nikon DX format DSLR cameras
Best Travel Lens for Nikon D810: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G
PROS
- Offers a great center resolution
- Autofocus is ultra-fast as well as ultra-silent
- Embodies a nice design that is versatile as well
- Impressive sharpness when it comes to wide shots
- Controlled color aberrations to give the perfect image
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Similar to our above-mentioned picks, Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G has also gained many positive reviews from customers. They were very impressed with its design, as well as its super-fast focus that lets them click amazing pictures in a short time. Although there are some concerns over its limited focal range, it is not a bad option for travel photographers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G stands out from its competitors for its gorgeous and beautiful image quality. It comes with a fast and efficient autofocusing system as well as commendable sharpness. Moreover, you get to have the least image distortion, thanks to the controlled color aberrations, which is quite impressive.
Who Will Use This Most
A great lens with robust construction, this model is ideally designed for the Nikon D810. It is a highly respected lens in photography for its professional features. Moreover, it can be used by professionals as well to take some mesmerizing shots in events. It is equally good for landscape and everyday photography.
Bottom Line
A powerhouse of features, the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G works amazingly well with the Nikon D810. Not only can it be your best travel buddy, but you can also use it for architecture and everyday photography to add some beautiful shots in your collection. In short, this superlative lens has got all that you need in a great lens.
- Versatile FX-format wide-angle (18mm) to standard (35mm) zoom lens
- Focal Length : 18-35 mm, Focus as close as 0.92 ft. from your subject
- Excellent choice for travel and architecture, landscape and everyday photography as well as HD-Video...
Comparison of the Best Travel Lenses For Nikon
What Size of Lens is Best to Travel With?
Travel photography presents you with multiple challenges as compared to other types of photography. Your choice of lens greatly depends on the destination and types of shots you intend to take.
Generally, an 18-55mm lens is considered suitable for traveling as it is capable of covering from a moderate wide-angle to a short telephoto view quite efficiently. Meanwhile, if you want to upgrade and take some mesmerizing shots of nature, it is recommended to opt for an 18-200mm lens.
Similarly, for everyday use, you can always choose a standard 50mm lens to bring some stunning effects to your travel pictures.
What Should I Look for When Buying a Travel Lens?
Picking the right travel lens can be daunting, especially when there are a plethora of options to choose from. To ease your task, let’s discuss some major features that make for a great travel lens.
Focal Length
A great focal length is the primary factor that makes a lens suitable for travel. In other words, the more zoom, the more versatility you get to enjoy. You can face various conditions while traveling; therefore, your lens must be equipped with a good range of focal lengths to allow stunning photography.
Aperture Size
Usually, zooms that are considered perfect for travel usually lie between f/4 and f/5.6. It generally depends on your budget, as expensive lenses have fixed apertures and, therefore, let you frame your subject efficiently.
Vibration Reduction
In our opinion, this feature is a must to look for. It is extremely important while traveling or hiking to get a stable and sharp image. This feature not only compensates your shaky movements but also aids fast photography.
Durability
We know that lenses do not last for a lifetime. Still, it is important to look for a product that is manufactured from high-grade materials that are also capable of enduring harsh conditions. There are multiple lenses that are nano-crystal coated or even multi-coated to guarantee reliability.
What Do I Need to Know Before Buying?
When it comes to the best travel lenses, you will find a number of options on the market. This might confuse you in getting the right one. Below are some factors that you must take into consideration while picking a lens in order to make a valued purchase.
Weight
Talking about travel lenses, their weight is the most important factor that you must consider. It is generally recommended to go for a model with relatively less weight. This is essential, especially if you are going to be on your feet all day. It should be such that you can carry it easily without the hassle of additional weight to the luggage.
Size
In addition to the weight, the size of the lens is another crucial factor, given that the portability of the travel lens must be high. Therefore, always consider the size of the lens if you are traveling and prefer to pack a carry-on.
Cost
The cost is another significant factor to consider as lenses can be quite expensive. You must set your budget first and then opt for a model with all the desired features that lie within it to make a valuable purchase.
Focal Length
This factor plays a key role in making a great travel lens. You must get a lens with a remarkable focal range so you can capture every moment, regardless of the surrounding situations.
Cautious Considerations to Keep in Mind
While travel lenses have become a popular choice for many photographers out there, there are still some points that you must be aware of. In this section, we have summarized some cautious considerations to keep in mind.
Limited Focal Range
One of the drawbacks associated with travel lenses is that they are equipped with a limited focal range when compared to other prime lenses. You need to spend extra money in order to get a lens with a wider range of focal lengths.
Risk of Distortion and Aberrations
Another point you must keep in mind is that with these travel lenses, there is always a risk of distortion, especially when working on wider shots. Unless you have controlled color aberrations, you won’t be able to capture a flawless picture.
Heavy on the Pocket
In order to get a remarkable set of features in your lens, you need to put in more money. If you want a lens within a limited budget, you may need to compromise on certain features. Usually, it is recommended to prefer quality over the price in order to avoid any regret in the future.
Conclusion
Adding a great lens to your kit bag is never a bad idea. Having a travel lens on-board will help you switch between different lenses in order to capture the perfect shot. Hopefully, you got enough information about the best travel lenses from this article. Best of luck taking stunning photos on your next trip or vacation, and safe travels!
