Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR 2180 SLR Lenses AF-S 50mm f/1.4G

84.6 Street Score
50mm f/1.4 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its fast f/1.4 aperture and Super Integrated Coating deliver excellent low-light performance and sharp images with reduced flare. The Silent Wave Motor provides quick, quiet autofocus, making it highly responsive for candid shots. This lens is best for portrait photographers using Nikon DX-format DSLRs who need a lightweight, versatile prime for studio or environmental work.

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Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Yongnuo YN 35mm f/1.8 DA DSM WL

71.3 Street Score
35mm f/2 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

With a fast f/2 aperture and built-in stabilization, this lens excels in low-light situations and handheld shooting. Its robust chrome metal bayonet and multi-coated optics ensure durable construction and reduced lens flare. This lens is best for photographers needing an affordable, stabilized prime for everyday and portrait work on Nikon DSLRs.

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Sigma Art 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM

69.9 Street Score
30mm f/1.4 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its bright f/1.4 maximum aperture excels in low light and provides excellent subject isolation for portraits. The lens offers a versatile 45mm equivalent focal length on APS-C cameras and features a quiet Hyper Sonic Motor for fast autofocus. This lens is best for Nikon DX-format photographers seeking a sharp, fast prime for portraits and street photography.

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Sigma Art 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM lens
Price CA$59

Rokinon Series II 85mm f/1.4

66.3 Street Score
85mm f/1.4 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and 9-blade diaphragm enable exceptional subject isolation and smooth bokeh for portraits. The lens is further distinguished by its inclusion of a hybrid aspherical element to control aberrations, paired with an ultra multi-coating to reduce flare. This lens is best for portrait photographers seeking a classic, fast prime with a manual focus experience on Nikon F-mount cameras.

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Rokinon Series II 85mm f/1.4 lens
Price CA$438

Rokinon 20mm f/1.8 ED AS UMC

64.8 Street Score
20mm f/1.8 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 maximum aperture and inclusion of two aspherical and three ED elements provide excellent sharpness and low-light capability for a wide-angle lens. The robust all-metal construction and Ultra Multi-Coating ensure durability and reduced flare in challenging light. This lens is best for landscape and astrophotographers seeking a fast, sharp prime for Nikon F-mount full-frame cameras.

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Rokinon 20mm f/1.8 ED AS UMC lens
Price CA$548

Rokinon AS IF UMC 85mm f/1.4

63.8 Street Score
85mm f/1.4 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture enables exceptional background separation and low-light performance for a manual focus lens. The inclusion of a hybrid aspherical element and Ultra Multi-Coating helps control optical aberrations and flare for a clean image. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers who prioritize precise manual control and a classic rendering style over autofocus convenience.

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Rokinon AS IF UMC 85mm f/1.4 lens
Price CA$342

IRIX 45mm f/1.4

63.2 Street Score
45mm f/1.4 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and inclusion of one aspherical and four HR elements deliver sharp, controlled images with beautiful bokeh. The robust, manual-focus design with a focus lock mechanism provides precise tactile control for deliberate shooting. This lens is best for portrait photographers and cinematographers who prioritize optical quality and manual operation over autofocus convenience.

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IRIX 45mm f/1.4 lens
Price CA$575

Rokinon AF 14mm f/2.8

62.7 Street Score
14mm f/2.8 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 14mm f/2.8 prime design offers a wide field of view and solid low-light capability for Nikon F-mount full-frame cameras. The optical construction, featuring one extra-low dispersion and two aspherical elements, helps control distortion and aberrations for a sharp image. This lens is best for landscape and architectural photographers needing a reliable, wide-angle prime on a budget.

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Rokinon AF 14mm f/2.8 lens
Price CA$685

Samyang 50mm f/1.4 AS UMC

58.2 Street Score
50mm f/1.4 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture provides excellent low-light performance and a very shallow depth of field for portraits. The lens incorporates one hybrid and one aspherical element alongside an Ultra Multi-Coating to effectively control aberrations and flare. This is a strong, affordable choice for Nikon full-frame photographers prioritizing classic portrait rendering over autofocus speed or weather sealing.

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Samyang 50mm f/1.4 AS UMC lens
Price CA$369

Lensbaby Velvet 28mm f/2.5

56.4 Street Score
28mm f/2.5 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its 28mm f/2.5 design delivers a distinct soft, glowing effect at wide apertures, making it unique among standard primes. The lens also offers a useful 1:2 macro magnification with a very close 2-inch working distance, adding versatility. This lens is best for photographers seeking a creative, painterly look for portraits or detailed close-up shots, not for general or travel use.

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Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM

55.3 Street Score
30mm f/1.4 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and use of low-dispersion and aspherical glass elements provide sharp, low-light performance ideal for Nikon DSLR users. The 30mm focal length offers a versatile 45-degree angle of view, making it a flexible prime lens. This lens is best for portrait photographers seeking a bright, standard prime lens with strong close-focusing capability for detailed shots.

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Tokina atx-i atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF

55.2 Street Score
20mm f/2.8 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture and three aspherical elements deliver sharp, controlled images for a DX-format lens. The 16.6-30mm equivalent focal length provides a versatile ultra-wide to standard zoom range for Nikon F-mount cameras. This lens is best for Nikon APS-C shooters needing a bright, wide-angle zoom for landscapes or indoor event photography.

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Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro

53.3 Street Score
15mm f/4 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is a 15mm focal length combined with a true 1:1 macro capability, allowing for extreme wide-angle close-ups. The lens incorporates one ED and three high-refractive elements for strong optical correction, and it features an internal focusing design. This specialized tool is best for landscape and architectural photographers who also need to capture intricate, life-size details of foreground subjects.

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Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro lens
Price CA$685

Nikon Meike 85mm F1.8 Auto Focus Full Frame Large Aperture Portrait

51.8 Street Score
85mm f/1.8 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 aperture with nine diaphragm blades is engineered for smooth bokeh, making it a strong portrait lens for Nikon shooters. The lens features a micro USB port for firmware updates, adding a layer of future-proofing uncommon at this price point. It's best for portrait photographers on a budget who want classic 85mm compression and soft background blur without a premium price tag.

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Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 85mm f/1.2

50.7 Street Score
85mm f/1.2 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its exceptionally fast f/1.2 aperture and 11-blade diaphragm enable extremely shallow depth of field and smooth bokeh for portraiture. The all-metal construction and de-clicked aperture ring provide a premium, tactile feel suitable for video work. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers who prioritize manual control and rendering over autofocus and portability.

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Voigtländer Ultron 40mm f/2 SL IIS Aspherical

50.6 Street Score
40mm f/2 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its compact 260g build and f/2 aperture make it a highly portable prime lens for Nikon F-mount cameras. The inclusion of a double-sided aspherical element and ultra-high refractive index glass contributes to sharp image quality with controlled aberrations. This lens is best for photographers prioritizing a lightweight setup for street photography and environmental portraits.

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