Best Pick

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

72.9 Travel 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

Rokinon AF 14mm f/2.8

60 Travel 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

Sigma Art 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM

58.8 Travel Score
24-70mm f/2.8 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2 aperture across the 24-70mm zoom range provides exceptional low-light performance and shallow depth of field control. The lens offers professional-grade optics and autofocus at a notably high value score, making it a compelling alternative to first-party options. This lens is best for professional photographers and videographers who prioritize low-light versatility and a fast zoom over extreme macro capabilities.

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Sigma Art 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM lens
Price CA$358

Yongnuo YN 35mm f/1.8 DA DSM WL

56.6 Travel 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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Rokinon Series II 85mm f/1.4

52.3 Travel 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

Tamron 16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC PZD All-In-One Zoom for Nikon DX DSLR Cameras

49.7 Travel Score
16-300mm f/3.5 Nikon DX
Why we recommend this

Its 16-300mm zoom range and Vibration Compensation make it a versatile all-in-one lens for a Nikon DX camera. The inclusion of a lens hood and Piezo Drive autofocus add practical value for its class. This lens is best for budget-conscious travelers who want a single lens to cover everything from wide landscapes to distant subjects.

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IRIX 45mm f/1.4

48.3 Travel 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 20mm f/1.8 ED AS UMC

46.7 Travel 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

Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro

46.1 Travel 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

46 Travel Score
Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Its 50g weight and built-in stabilization allow for handheld pinhole photography, delivering the signature Holga look with soft focus and vignetting directly in-camera. This lens requires no camera modifications, offering a straightforward, experimental tool distinct from typical optics. It is best for photographers seeking a specific, lo-fi aesthetic for artistic or travel projects without relying on post-processing software.

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Rokinon AS IF UMC 85mm f/1.4

43.5 Travel 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

Sigma 105 mm f/2.8 Macro

41.8 Travel Score
105mm f/2 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Its 105mm f/2.8 design and 1:1 magnification ratio make it a dedicated tool for capturing extreme close-up detail. The lens is a specialized, full-frame optic that can also adapt to APS-C cameras for a longer effective focal length. This lens is best for photographers dedicated to macro work who need true 1:1 reproduction and can manage its fixed focal length and lack of stabilization.

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Lensbaby Velvet 28mm f/2.5

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

41.3 Travel 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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Tokina 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 AT-X 107 DX AF Fisheye

41.3 Travel Score
17mm f/3.5 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its 1:2.56 maximum magnification and 140mm minimum focus distance make it a capable macro lens for close-up work. The autofocus system and relatively compact 349g weight offer practical handling for a dedicated macro tool. This lens is best for photographers specializing in detailed macro subjects who use a Nikon APS-C camera body.

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Tokina 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 AT-X 107 DX AF Fisheye lens
Price CA$548

Voigtländer Ultron 40mm f/2 SL IIS Aspherical

40.7 Travel 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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