Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 20mm f/1.8G ED

83.4 Professional Score
20mm f/1.8 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 maximum aperture and inclusion of two ED and two aspherical elements deliver sharp, low-light performance with minimal aberrations. The relatively lightweight 355g build and Nano Crystal Coatings enhance handling and reduce flare for a versatile prime. This lens is best for landscape and architectural photographers needing a wide, fast prime for Nikon F-mount full-frame cameras.

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Great Alternatives

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

Rokinon AF 14mm f/2.8

73.4 Professional 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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IRIX 45mm f/1.4

73.4 Professional 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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Sigma Art 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM

72.3 Professional Score
24mm f/1.4 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and robust HSM autofocus system deliver exceptional low-light performance and sharpness for a wide-angle prime. The lens's 15-element optical design effectively controls distortion and chromatic aberration, making it highly reliable for critical work. This lens is best for portrait and documentary photographers who require a fast, wide-angle optic with consistent rendering and precise focus.

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Rokinon 85mm f/1.4

67.5 Professional Score
85mm f/1.4 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 aperture and hybrid aspherical element deliver sharp portraits with beautiful background blur. The lens is also relatively lightweight at 481g for its class and features a 9-blade diaphragm for smooth bokeh. This lens is best for portrait photographers seeking a classic focal length with modern autofocus on Nikon F-mount cameras.

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Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 F

66.3 Professional Score
85mm f/1.4 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and 85mm focal length provide excellent subject isolation and low-light performance for portraits. The lens offers a compelling combination of a bright aperture and relatively lightweight build at 481g, making it a more portable option than many competitors. This lens is best for portrait photographers seeking a classic focal length with a very shallow depth of field on a budget.

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Samyang 16mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC CS

61.1 Professional Score
16mm f/2 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its f/2 maximum aperture and 24mm equivalent focal length make it a strong, fast wide-angle prime for Nikon APS-C DSLRs. The lens is notably heavy at 572g, which impacts its portability despite the useful focal length. This lens is best for photographers needing a bright, wide-angle option for environmental portraits or close-up detail shots on a crop-sensor Nikon body.

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Lensbaby Velvet 28mm f/2.5

56.5 Professional 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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Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro

55.3 Professional 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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Tamron Di II Auto Focus 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 SP LD Aspherical

54.1 Professional Score
10-24mm f/3.5 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Its versatile 10-24mm focal range provides an ultra-wide 15-36mm equivalent on APS-C cameras, paired with built-in image stabilization for handheld shooting. The lens accepts standard 77mm filters and uses a micromotor autofocus system, though it lacks full-time manual override. This lens is best for APS-C Nikon and Canon photographers needing a stabilized, wide-angle zoom for landscapes or interior photography on a budget.

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Rokinon Tilt-Shift 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC

51.3 Professional Score
24mm f/3.5 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its +/- 8.5º tilt and shift capabilities provide extensive perspective and focus control for architectural and product photography. The 24mm focal length and full-frame coverage offer a versatile wide-angle perspective for creative compositions. This lens is best for photographers specializing in architectural, real estate, or tabletop product photography requiring precise perspective correction.

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Laowa Zero-D 14mm f/4

50.3 Professional Score
14mm f/4 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

This 14mm f/4 lens stands out for its specialized optical design, featuring two aspherical and two extra-low dispersion elements to minimize distortion for architectural and landscape work. Its relatively compact 360g build and 1:3.33 maximum magnification offer surprising versatility for a wide-angle prime, allowing for close-focus detail shots. It is best for Nikon F-mount photographers needing a rectilinear, distortion-corrected ultra-wide angle for real estate interiors or detailed landscape foregrounds.

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

47.6 Professional 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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Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro

43 Professional Score
25mm f/2.8 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its standout 2.5:1 to 5:1 magnification range, enabled by a 25mm focal length, allows for extreme close-up photography far beyond standard macro lenses. The inclusion of an extra-low dispersion element helps control chromatic aberration at these high magnifications. This lens is best for scientific photographers, product detail specialists, and artists needing to capture microscopic textures and structures.

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