Compared to D3, the younger brother offers a 12 MPX full-frame sensor, a dedicated info button, a live view button, and a sensor cleaner. It comes with quiet modes, like the one seen on the D5000.

I further increased the capabilities of Nikon’s facelift camera with the right set of lenses. What are those? Keep reading to find out!

Best Prime Lens for Portraits

The best prime lens for this round of testing is Sigma 50mm f/1.4. This lens allows lots of light inside, offering excellent performance with full-frame sensors. I started shooting at smaller f-stops and continued down to the broadest possible. The photo quality improved gradually.

The bokeh effect is the excellent, smoothly blurred background behind sharp subjects, even when zoomed in on a screen. Focus speed is satisfactory and accurate, with zero distortion. I didn’t notice any chromatic aberrations, but I saw an excellent contrast and color rendition, which deserved praise.

I shot a round of portraits indoors and outdoors, and I was happy with the result on both occasions. The colors were natural, and the transition between foreground and background was professionally leveled.

Generally speaking:

It is a lens to be used all the time since the overall quality of pictures is mesmerizing. The lens is made out of excellent metal and plastic materials, with the ergonomic manual focus ring, and it comes with a lens cap that doesn’t pop off and first well.

Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 is a lens that allows handheld pictures without losing images in a split second after pressing the shutter due to camera shake.

I do lots of photo shooting on a tripod, but it is good to know I can count on taking pictures handheld. This way, I can enjoy shooting at pow ISO and get the maximum sharpness.

15 mm is excellent for achieving sharp images. I didn’t notice distortion or vignetting when shooting at a focal length of 30 mm. Also, I must say, this Tamron comes with excellent zoom range possibilities. Vibration stabilization works well and contributes to a better quality of handheld photos.

It also comes with a nice protective cap, which is helpful, considering it is a lens meant to be used outdoors. The design is on point. It is fantastic, smooth, sealed, and resistant to various weather conditions, and it is a promise from Tamron that users will love to use it in the wilderness.

Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f/4G delivers superb photo quality at any aperture or focal length. Its range from 24 mm to 120 mm (telephoto) provides a wide range of shooting options with outstanding image quality and sharpness.

This lens enables quick changes between manual focus and autofocus, which is quiet and fast.

It also retains working distance throughout the focus range. I like that it has a silent wave motor from Nikon that ensures quiet autofocus.

Images that come out are rendered with the natural appearance of out-of-focus areas. The focused size of the image is more than reasonable, with crisp and sharp lines and magnificent bokeh at 120 mm f/4 with just a little bit of an easily removable aberration.

It works well in low-light situations so that it can be used indoors, even for night events, such as parties or concerts.

The lens’s build deserves every praise, and it is, without a doubt, a lens you will want to keep around for travel and everyday use.

I love shooting wildlife and moving objects, so the telephoto lens is of utmost importance in my arsenal. Nikon 70-200mm f/4G goes great with DS3 and offers extraordinary performance.

Even though it is a telephoto lens with a range from 70 to 200 mm, you won’t have any issues carrying the lens around. It is light and easily portable.

VR is an excellent addition to the lens. The technology helps keep the gear steady, and it is useful when taking photos with the lowest ISO possible and maximum image quality. I was surprised at how well the lens performs in low-light situations, considering it is an f/4 lens.

Speaking of autofocus, I must say it is reasonably silent and very accurate and didn’t disappoint, not even once. I went shooting in the wilderness, and some small wild animals kept popping out.

The lens also switches to limit the minimum focus to 3m if you want to focus on a more distant subject. If you shoot in full focus range, setting the minimum direction to 1m yields excellent results.

Optical performance is unique, with pleasing bokeh and sharp pictures when the lens is wide open.

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 showed great results as a macro lens used indoors, shooting at f/2.8. Also, it is excellent in natural light during the golden and blue hours.

However:

I spotted some unnecessary shadows, so it would be wise to have some external light available to minimize them. Or you can try switching angles while shooting.

Autofocus on f/2.8 is as sharp as a razor! I didn’t have issues losing focus, although it was initially tricky.

I had to do a round of autofocus hunts, which I don’t like, but after a short period, I mastered the autofocus on this lens. The bonus is that the autofocus is also silent.

Sigma also offers excellent stabilization. I find this feature extremely important since I wouldn’t say I like to use a tripod when shooting macros.

The design is fantastic, considering it is made of plastic and cheaper metal. It is not heavy and is enjoyable to use.

Maximizing Your Nikon D3S Potential: Practical Tips for Lens Use

The Nikon D3S is a formidable camera, especially when paired with the right lenses. While the article above offers excellent lens recommendations, it’s crucial to understand how to choose and use lenses effectively to enhance your photography. Here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of your Nikon D3S:

• Understand Focal Lengths: Different subjects and scenes require different perspectives. Wide-angle lenses (shorter focal lengths) are ideal for landscapes and architecture, while telephoto lenses (longer focal lengths) excel in wildlife and sports photography. For the D3S, grasp the effect of focal length on your composition.

• Aperture Priority: The D3S performs well in low light, so use lenses with wide apertures (lower f-stop numbers) to their full potential. Set your camera to Aperture Priority mode to control the depth of field and create stunning bokeh, which is particularly effective for portraits and macro photography.

• Experiment with Manual Focus: While autofocus is reliable, manual focusing with your lenses can offer more creative control, especially in challenging lighting or when shooting through obstacles like a fence during sports events.

• Utilize Vibration Reduction (VR): If your lens has VR, take advantage of it in low-light situations or when shooting handheld. This feature can significantly reduce camera shake and improve image clarity.

• Maintain Your Lenses: Regularly clean your lens contacts and glass elements. This not only preserves image quality but also ensures that your lenses communicate effectively with your D3S for optimal performance.

• Lens Calibration: Calibrate your lenses with your D3S to ensure the autofocus is accurate. This is particularly important for prime lenses with very wide apertures, where focus accuracy is critical.

• Understand Lens Sweet Spot: Most lenses have a “sweet spot,” an aperture setting where they provide the sharpest images. Experiment with your lenses to find this setting for each, and use it when you need the utmost image sharpness.

By incorporating these tips, you can enhance your photographic experience with the Nikon D3S and develop a keener sense for capturing remarkable images with any lens you choose to use.

Best lenses for Nikon D3S – Wrapping Up

There are many Nikon D3S lenses out on the market, but I found these five to complement Nikon D3S the best. The camera itself is an excellent upgrade of the primary D3.

This version is a nice facelift. I tried D3s with various lenses, which was a heavenly body; if you pair them with any of the lenses mentioned above, your photo game will improve.

For similar guides, visit our lenses buying guide section. You will find content such as Nikon D3400 lenses and the Nikon D5100 lens guide.

For any additional questions, please comment below, and I will do my best to help you choose the right lens.

More Nikon D Series guides:

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