Best Nikon Wide-angle Lens For Beginners

The all-time Nikon wide-angle zoom lenses come in three types. Nikon DX lenses are fabricated for Nikon’due south APS-C (DX) format cameras, Nikon FX lenses are for Nikon’due south full frame DSLRs, and in that location’south a third category of Nikkor Z lenses for Nikon’s latest mirrorless cameras. We’ve created separate sections for each below.

Pairing a wide-angle zoom lens with your Nikon camera allows you to fill the frame with your subject field. You can produce a wide perspective that’s perfect for landscapes, cityscapes and architecture. Wide-angle lenses
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are also oftentimes nice and small, making them ideal for travel and for shooting situations where space is limited. For example if you’re shooting indoors and constrained by walls and other obstacles, a wide-angle zoom can be a massive help.

Get shut to your subjects and you lot can exaggerate perspective, or back out to cram in as much context every bit possible. A wide-angle zoom gives you lot the best of both worlds, and if you’re still building your lens collection it’s ane of the best Nikon lenses
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you lot can become. Even so, whatsoever kind of lens you lot’re buying, it always pays to buy a good one. The good news is that you lot don’t have to pay over the odds, and many bang-up lenses are available for knock-down prices.

One thing to bear in listen, withal, is that a lens’south focal length does depend on the photographic camera you pair it with. FX-format (i.eastward. full frame) lenses tin exist paired with Nikon cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors (known as FX and DX cameras), however, the smaller APS-C DX sensor will alter the bending of light entering the camera and extend its focal length. So, a lens that’s wide on a total-frame FX photographic camera won’t exist equally wide on a DX-format photographic camera. Always check what kind of camera you’re using and make your pick accordingly.

In this guide we’ve included dedicated FX-format lenses, too as DX-format lenses designed specifically for APS-C cameras. We’ve too added a section for the Nikon mirrorless
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Z-mountain system.

Here’due south our guide to the best-buy wide-bending zooms for Nikon on the market place.

Nikon DX wide-angles

The all-time Nikon wide-angle zoom lenses for Nikon DX DSLRs, such as the

Nikon D3500

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,

Nikon D5600

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or

D7500

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and

Nikon D500

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.

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This wide-bending zoom is refreshingly minor and lightweight. To put it into context, both the competing Sigma DX format lenses are more than twice as heavy as the Nikon. There’s a catch though, in that the mounting plate is plastic rather than metal, and the overall build feels much less robust, simply that’s the price you lot pay for improved portability.

Different Nikon’s older DX format wide-angle zooms, this 1 adds VR (Vibration Reduction), with a iii.5-finish effectiveness in beating photographic camera milkshake. There’due south also a virtually silent AF-P stepping motor autofocus system, which works well for stills and movie capture akin. However, this does make both autofocus and manual focusing impossible with a number of older DSLRs, and there’s no focus distance calibration.

Sharpness is very good at the centre of the frame merely drops off noticeably towards the corners. Performance could be better in terms of baloney and color fringing but, overall, it’s a bully and very travel-friendly lightweight zoom.

See our total

Nikon AF-P DX 10-20mm f/iv.5-v.6G VR review

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In the past this has been our go-to DX format ultrawide zoom, but it’s now been officially discontinued is therefore getting harder to discover. The 2nd of Sigma’s DX format 10-20mm zooms, this lens is larger than the original, but has a constant rather than variable aperture rating. In this respect, information technology’s similar to the Tokina 11-20mm lens (below), although the Sigma is two-thirds of an f/stop slower.

Premium drinking glass includes two ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) elements plus an SLD (Special Low Dispersion) chemical element. Despite costing nearly the aforementioned as Nikon’s budget 10-20mm lens, this Sigma feels much more than solid and sturdy. It has a fast and whisper-tranquillity ring-blazon ultrasonic autofocus organization and, dissimilar Sigma’s 8-16mm lens, it has a filter attachment thread and removable hood.

Sharpness is impressive, especially in the central region of the frame, while color fringing and distortions are particularly minimal. For a high-performance, meridian-value DX format lens, it can’t be beaten, IF you tin can still notice i!

Come across our full

Sigma 10-20mm f/3.five EX DC HSM review

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The original edition of Tokina’s ATX 11-16mm was one of the first ultra-wide zooms for DX format Nikon DSLRs. The Marker Two edition added an internal autofocus motor, enabling autofocus on entry-level bodies like the D40 and later D3000 and D5000 series cameras, which lack in-trunk AF drive. This virtually contempo version is from Tokina’s ‘atx-i’ stable, ‘i’ continuing for ‘interactive’ mutual communication betwixt photographer and lens. It’south redesigned with a more streamlined, upward-to-date look and feel simply retains the original lens’south high standard of build quality. Farther similarities include a fast and constant f/ii.8 aperture rating, and Tokina’s trademark ‘One-touch Focus Clutch’ mechanism, which enables switching between autofocus and transmission focus with a push button-pull action of the focus band. The optical path includes exotic, loftier-tech elements that help to deliver very practiced image quality.

See our total

Tokina ATX-i 11-16mm f/two.8 CF review

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With the rise of mirrorless cameras, we’ve seen the likes of Sigma and Tamron quietly discontinue many of their APS-C (DX) format DSLR lenses, and this lens is sadly no more than. You can withal find it at some retailers though, and it could be well worth hunting downwardly.

It boasts improved optical operation over its predecessor, plus a revolutionary HLD (High/Low toque-modulated Drive) autofocus arrangement. Autofocus is faster, quieter and more authentic than before. Handling is improved because the focus ring no longer rotates during autofocus, while as well enabling total-time transmission override.

The lens also features VC (Vibration Compensation), whereas optical stabilization was defective in the original lens. Electromagnetic aperture command improves exposure consistency in rapid-fire continuous shooting, although it makes the lens incompatible with some older Nikon DSLRs. Build quality enhancements include a full ready of weather seals, plus a fluorine blanket on the front element to repel moisture and grease.

In our tests, the Tamron beat many of its rivals in terms of sharpness across the whole prototype frame, and produced less colour fringing and distortion.

Come across our full

Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-iv.5 Di II VC HLD review

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Hither’southward some other example of an old lens that’south in the procedure of being phased out. But with no direct replacement, if y’all want the widest of ultrawide rectilinear zooms for your DX Nikon, you’ve got little option but to track down this lens.

Even with just a 2mm reward over its 10-20mm rivals, the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM can suck much more into the image frame. The difference is immediately obvious, and somewhat eye-popping as you expect through the viewfinder.

The high-spec optical path includes four height-quality FLD (Fluorite-grade Depression Dispersion) elements and Sigma’s Super Multi-Layer Coatings to guard against ghosting and flare. Further defence is offered by the born lens hood, but a downside of this is that yous can only adhere filters to the two-part lens cap, rather than to the lens itself. Try this at anything other than the longest zoom setting and yous’ll get farthermost clipping of the epitome corners.

Despite the enormous maximum viewing angle, sharpness is very adept across the whole prototype frame, and both colour fringing and distortions are well controlled. If yous want truly epic viewing angles on your DX format DSLR, this Sigma is the lens to buy, while you nonetheless can!

See our full

Sigma 8-16mm f/4.v-v.6 DC HSM review

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Nikon FX broad-angles

The best Nikon wide-angle zoom lenses for Nikon full-frame FX DSLRs, such equally the

Nikon D850

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or the

Nikon D780

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The original edition of Tamron’s 15-30mm very almost matched Nikon’s mighty xiv-24mm lens for maximum viewing angle, had the same fast and constant f/two.8 aperture rating, simply also added optical stabilization. Further attractions included a total set of weather seals and a fluorine coating on the front element. Information technology likewise massively undercut the Nikon lens for toll.

The new G2 (Generation two) edition represents a major upgrade. The autofocus system is faster and more precise, and the effectiveness of the optical stabilizer increases from ii.five stops to 4.5 stops. A new loftier-tech coating is added to the existing nano-structure and conventional coatings, and even the muck-resistant fluorine coating on the front end element is improved.

Overall, the G2 lens is better in pretty much every expanse. It’south a third more than expensive to buy than the original lens, merely is still very good value for coin.

See our full

Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.eight Di VC USD G2 lens review

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Education

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Weighing in at 1kg, the Nikon AF-S 14-24mm packs a mighty maximum viewing angle of 114 degrees. Build quality is of a fully professional standard, consummate with atmospheric condition-seals. The zoom and focus rings are large and have a smoothen activeness, but the relatively short rotational travel of the focus ring makes manual focusing a bit fiddly for applications like astrophotography.

Ring-type ultrasonic autofocus is fast and whisper-quiet, and comes with an ‘M/A’ mode that gives priority to manual focusing while in autofocus mode. It’s an reward in that you don’t demand to wait for autofocus to be accomplished before applying transmission override. Loftier-course optics include two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements, 3 aspherical elements, plus nano-structure coatings.

Own-make lenses from Nikon are ofttimes expensive when compared to thrid-party equivalents. Information technology is solidly congenital and delivers good all-round functioning.

See our full

Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED review

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Noticeably smaller than most other FX format lenses, this Nikon AF-S sixteen-35mm f/4G ED VR is little more than one-half the weight of some competitors, cheers to the combination of a relatively pocket-sized maximum viewing angle and an f/4 rather than f/2.8 discontinuity rating. This is also the simply FX format lens in the group to characteristic a filter attachment thread and removable hood.

2 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements in the optical path assistance to optimize image quality, and a Nano Crystal coat minimizes ghosting and flare. Build quality feels very solid, complete with a atmospheric condition-sealed mounting plate.

Image quality is particularly practiced at the brusque end of the zoom range, although sharpness drops off at bit at the long end. The ‘VR’ optical stabilizer is squeamish to take, especially for shooting in cathedrals, museums and other locations where you might non be immune to employ a tripod. Nevertheless, it merely has a two.v-stop effectiveness, and is outclassed past the 4.five-terminate stabilizer in Tamron’s newer 15-30mm G2 lens.

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Nikon AF-South sixteen-35mm f/4G ED VR review

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Compared with Sigma’south slightly older 12-24mm Art lens, the

Sigma fourteen-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM | A

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has a more modest maximum viewing bending but a faster aperture rating. The net result is that both lenses have a practically identical size and weight. The starring optical attraction is an ultra-high-precision moulded glass aspherical front element, which represents a considerable manufacturing challenge. Further optical highlights include three FLD (Fluorite-grade Depression Dispersion) and three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) elements.

The consummately pro-grade build has a high-precision all the same very robust feel throughout. In that location’s a total ready of weather seals, plus a keep-make clean fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements.

Dissimilarity and sharpness are marvellous, the latter being maintained very well out to the corners of the frame, fifty-fifty when shooting broad-open at f/ii.8. Fifty-fifty more impressively, colour fringing and distortions are absolutely negligible. Overall image quality beats that of Nikon’s pricier 14-24mm lens, making the Sigma an absolute bargain.

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We were e’er addicted of Sigma’s 12-24mm Marker Ii lens, which delivered a monstrous maximum viewing angle along with adept overall image quality and functioning. The
newer ‘Art’ edition
from Sigma’s Global Vision range ups the stakes, with a constant rather than variable aperture rating.

The optical path is refined and incorporates an actress-large diameter aspherical element, along with five top-class FLD (Fluorite-form Low Dispersion) elements. The mounting plate gains a weather seal and fluorine coatings take been added to the front and rear elements. The new lens retains a ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system, simply it has actress torque for improved performance. Another notable upgrade is that the Art lens is compatible with Sigma’south optional USB Dock for applying firmware updates and fine-tuning. The but downside is that it’s rather bigger and heavier than the previous edition.

Epitome quality is excellent, despite the extravagant maximum viewing angle, and there’s much less distortion than from the previous Mk II lens, although information technology’south not as ‘distortion-costless’ equally Sigma’south newer 14-24mm Art lens. However, this is the lens to get for ultra-wide-bending coverage.

Nikkor Z wide-angles

The best Nikon wide-angle zoom lens for Nikon Z mount mirrorless cameras, such as the

Nikon Z 50

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,

Z vi

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,

Z 7

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,

Z6 Two

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,
Z7 Two

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, and

Z9

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This wide-bending is designed specifically for the Nikon Z serial of full-frame mirrorless cameras, and although information technology has a slightly disappointing maximum aperture of f/4, information technology does have internal optics that ensure pin-sharp image quality. It has 14 elements in full, split into xi groups, and the control ring tin can exist assigned to the user’s preferred functions such every bit focus, ISO, exposure bounty, etc.

The stepping motor autofocus system is fast, accurate and practically silent, meaning the lens is a solid choice for videos also equally stills. The lens is too nice and lightweight, suiting the Z-mountain mirrorless cameras perfectly, and if you lot’re a user of Nikon DSLRs and would like to give it a endeavour, you tin can pick up the

FTZ mount adapter

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.

Providing superb sharpness and excellent operability, the Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 Due south is an extremely solid lens all-around, as long equally you lot can live with that f/4 maximum aperture.

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The Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/ii.8 S is Nikon’south latest effort to attract pros to the Z mount arrangement. Completing the holy trinity of fast f/2.8 S-line zooms, it slots in neatly next to the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S and promises uncompromising wide-angle image quality. The sixteen-chemical element optical stack includes 3 aspherical elements, along with Nikon’s Nano Crystal and ARNEO Glaze for reducing ghosting and flare. The front end element gets a smear-resistant flourine blanket, and the lens is fully weather sealed. Add together the included HB-98 lens hood and huge 112mm filters can be used – Nikon offers Neutral Color and Circular Polarizer options.

Read more:
Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/ii.8 S review
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Tipping the scales at just 135g, this DX (APS-C) format standard zoom for the Z50, Z30 and Z fc pretty much qualifies as a ‘pancake lens’, measuring a mere 32mm in length when retracted. The flip-side is that, compared with weightier FX (full-frame format) Z-mount lenses, it feels a scrap less solid and has a plastic rather than metal mounting plate. Notwithstanding, information technology’s certainly robust plenty for daily shooting. Like virtually similarly priced APS-C format cameras, the Z50 and Z30 lack IBIS (In Trunk Image Stabilization) but the lens comes to the rescue with 4.5-terminate optical VR (Vibration Reduction). Although modest in size, the fiddling Nikkor punches above its weight, delivering swell sharpness and contrast even when shooting wide-open up, which is merely as well considering that the widest available aperture shrinks to f/half-dozen.3 at the long cease of the zoom range. A silver version of this lens is now bachelor, to friction match the retro styling of the Nikon Z fc.

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Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you tin can choose the best for you. Detect out more virtually how we exam.

We exam lenses using both real world sample images and lab tests. Our lab tests are carried out scientifically in controlled weather condition using the Imatest testing suite, which consists of custom charts and analysis software that measures resolution in line widths/picture tiptop, a measurement widely used in lens and photographic camera testing. We observe the combination of lab and existent-give-and-take testing works best, equally each reveals different qualities and characteristics.

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