Also, Nikon D40 lenses are expensive, so making the right choice is essential for most photographers.

Here’s the thing:

By the end of this article, you will have all the necessary knowledge to choose a lens for Nikon D40 that will best be suited to your needs.

Without more hesitation, let’s dive straight into the results and discover what

There are five most essential lens types:

• Macro lenses
• Wide-Angle lenses
• Prime lenses
• All-In-One lenses
• Telephoto lenses

The best type of lens solely depends on your personal needs and intentions. Keep reading to find the best Nikon D40 lenses for your personal goals.

Let’s start!

Best for Low-Light photography

There are numerous reasons why Nikon’s 35mm f/1.8G is perfect for taking photos in a poorly lit environment. First of all, it comes supplied with AF-S Silent Wave Motor.

This, aside from AF-I, happens to be the only Nikon lens with the autofocus feature on Nikon’s D40.

It works like a charm when used with a manual-focus camera, which is what you intend to do when shooting low-light photos.

Furthermore:

It sports SIC (super-integrated coating) optics, making it a versatile, well-rounded choice, especially when shooting at nightfall. In terms of size, it’s small and lightweight, so it won’t take up much of your storage space if you’re bringing along a lot of gear.

Overall, it’s fast, highly accurate, and allows you to shoot quality images in nearly all environments rapidly.

Best for Macro photography

Most professional photographers will agree that Nikon’s 105mm f/2.8G represents the brand’s line of macro lenses.

It pioneered image stabilization technology and is compatible with entire and cropped-frame DX-format bodies. When used with a Nikon DSLR, it supports the autofocus feature.

It’s one of the most oversized Nikon lenses and boasts superb filter thread (62 millimeters), image-above stabilization tech, and FX-sized cover sensors.

It has several complimentary features, including a snap-on lens cap, an easy carry pouch, a rear-lens cap, and a revertible bayonet-type hood.

Although it costs slightly more than a standard Nikkor lens, it is worth the money.

Best for Sports Videography

If you are looking for a high-quality professional lens for sports videography, we recommend saving for Sigma’s 18-35mm f/1.8 Art DC HSM lens.

Although it’s somewhat marketed as the ‘Canon-compatible’ lens, it’s compatible with most Sigma, Sony, Pentax, Canon, and Nikon models.

It sports a focal length of 18 to 35 mm, a maximum aperture of f/1.8, and a minimum aperture of f/16.

The fact that it’s built to withstand quite some abuse means that it might last for decades given proper maintenance – Sigma’s 18-35mm lens sports a robust brass mount; it smoothly connects to the barrel, and it doesn’t put up those annoying ‘clicking’ sounds that can ruin a good video.

Though it’s indeed vast and slightly heavier than average, it’s still one of the best lenses in the price range.

Best for Close-Up photography

We have another Nikon lens, the Nikon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G AF-S lens. While Nikon’s 35mm f/1.8G works best in poorly lit conditions, the 18-55mm works best for close-up shots.

Most of its features are built around image stabilization, as it comes supplied with VR technology (vibration reduction) and the Silent-Wave motor.

The closest distance you could reach with it is 0.28 meters, which means that your target will almost be touching the lens.

Even though it was meant for taking close shots, its versatility stretches even further; it can be used for long and mid-range shots.

Best for Interior photography

Nikon’s 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G is probably one of the most flexible Nikon lenses. It’s pretty light because it’s made of sturdy plastic; its mount is made of metal and sports an even higher level of durability.

The reason why this lens is so good for interior photography is that it sports superb image stabilization. It can take ultra-sharp photos at rapid speed (1/10 of a second) and has a built-in VR for additional reliability.

Although it’s pretty sensitive to background light, you can utilize this little ‘flaw’ to your advantage by creating natural contrast in the ambient.

To top it all, even though you won’t use it much for interior photo sessions, it sports a massive zoom. This one is an excellent fit if you are looking for a good Nikon D40 zoom lens.

Best for Sports and Travel photography

Let’s begin by saying that Nikon’s 24-70mm f/2.8E is an exclusively professional Nikon lens attachment.

However, significant and exquisite rewards await those who don’t mind parting with a (not so) small fortune.

It’s incredibly versatile, but it seems to sit best in the hands of sports and travel photographers due to its exceptional zoom and image sharpness.

The fields where it excels the most include black and white photography, night sky photography, street photography, and any advanced, professional photo shooting.

Best for Portrait photography

Capturing a portrait is no small feat. There are so many details and factors to consider that even the most skilled and experienced photographers find this task daunting.

Luckily, we’ve got a solution, and its name is Nikon’s 50mm f/1.8G lens. It sports a focal length of 50 mm, a minimal focus range of 0.45 meters, M/A focus modes, autofocus, and a filter thread of 58 mm.

The reason why it’s the perfect lens for taking portraits is because it sports optimized edge sharpness technology.

With a simple twist, you’ll be able to immortalize everyone and anyone you aim this beauty at.

Last but certainly not least, it’s shamefully affordable and packs a massive bang for the buck.

Best for Night photography

Taking photos at night is almost impossible without a lens without impeccable contrast and brightness customization. Nikon’s 35mm f/1.4G is, without any shadow of a doubt, more than suited for the job.

It sports a Silent-Wave autofocus motor, like nearly all high-quality Nikon D40 lenses, complex aspherical elements, a 67 mm filter thread, Magic anti-reflection coating, and ten elements in seven groups.

Simply put, it’s the best night-vision scope you could spot on the market.

The problem is that it costs an arm and a leg. Beginner photographers who are yet to get accustomed to the wonders of nightlife photography should begin saving up every cent immediately if they hope to get their hands on this beautiful art-making contraption sometime next year.

On the brighter side, this lens is a one-time investment in your photo-shooting future – it’s built to last and delivers nothing short of best-quality images characterized by unequal sharpness.

Best for Architectural photography

Nikon’s 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G is a versatile lens that can be used for anything. It sports a decent zoom, optimal focal length, sturdy construction, and a relatively small frame.

The SWM technology provides rapid and nearly soundless autofocus, while the aspherical elements almost completely negate lens aberration.

It’s pretty stable, even if you use it without a tripod.

Furthermore, it sports AF-S (Silent-Wave) Motor and two focus modes (automatic and manual); it’s practically weightless as it weighs approximately 21.02 ounces.

What’s best about it is that you’ll get many gratis accessories, including an LF-4 rear-lens cap, a snap-on front cap, an HB 56 bayonet hood, and a semi-soft carry case.

Best for Landscape photography

Although it’s a relatively old model, Sigma’s 10-20mm f/3.5 lens still packs quite a punch.

It boasts exceptional optics and doesn’t cost much; it excels in landscape photography due to its great focal length and sharpness.

Some of the most notable features of this Nikon lens are the Hyper-Sonic Motor for ultra-quiet photoshoots, aspherical lenses, and multi-layer coating.

It works well in low-light situations, allowing you to capture some of the most stunning night sky images. One of the areas where this Sigma masterpiece performs well is real estate, as it captures incredible indoor photos.

This is an excellent lens for photographers who love taking natural photos with precise details and vibrant images.

Nikon D40 Lenses – Wrapping Up

Buying the best lenses for Nikon D40 is tedious, but hopefully, this guide helped you make the right decision.

If you are still unsure what the right lens is for you, maybe check this model from Nikon.

If you need additional help with choosing the right lens for D40, you can also post a comment below or contact me. I will make sure to help you with any questions you may have.

Check out other similar guides, such as the Nikon D50 lenses and the Nikon D60 lenses guide.

Good luck!