On a quest to find the best lenses for your Nikon D500 in 2023? Eager to uncover the lens that suits your needs and budget perfectly?
You’ll agree that the task can feel more like a marathon than a stroll. But worry not!
We’ve streamlined the process, showcasing the crème de la crème of Nikon D500 lenses to help you make the perfect choice.
Ready to take the plunge?
As a seasoned photographer, I’ve closely scrutinized an extensive assortment of lenses. The Nikon D500, and its suite of compatible lenses, have not escaped this meticulous appraisal. For those seeking instant insights, here’s a concise summary of my evaluations:
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Editor's Choice
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Best Runner Up
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Best Budget
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Description: Versatile zoom lens with a wide aperture range, perfect for capturing diverse subjects with impressive clarity and depth. |
Description: Compact and fast prime lens, ideal for stunning portraits and low-light photography, delivering exceptional sharpness and bokeh. |
Description: Telephoto lens with a broad focal length range, enabling you to reach distant subjects and capture detailed shots without breaking the bank. |
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Versatile zoom lens with a wide aperture range, perfect for capturing diverse subjects with impressive clarity and depth.
Compact and fast prime lens, ideal for stunning portraits and low-light photography, delivering exceptional sharpness and bokeh.
Telephoto lens with a broad focal length range, enabling you to reach distant subjects and capture detailed shots without breaking the bank.
Could the Nikon D500 be the perfect match for your photography needs?
Let’s unearth the intricacies of this powerful camera, examining its merits and potential drawbacks. Stay tuned as we explore whether the Nikon D500 deserves a spot in your photography gear lineup.
Table of Contents
Should you own the Nikon D500 in 2023?
Having used the Nikon D500, I can confidently say that it continues to hold its own as a powerful APS-C DSLR in 2023.
This camera impresses with its 20.9 MP sensor that captures sharp, detailed images, and its astounding 153-point autofocus system that ensures subjects are crisply focused.
Its 10 frames per second continuous shooting capacity is a boon for action and wildlife photography.
Despite advances in mirrorless technology, the Nikon D500 remains a top-tier choice for those desiring a robust, speedy, and reliable camera that excels in a wide range of photographic situations.
Listen carefully:
Even the best camera in the world won’t work properly if you dont own the right lenses.
So without further a due, let’s start with this ultimate guide for best lenses for Nikon D500 in 2023, that are guaranteed to boost your camera performance.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about choosing the right lens for Nikon D500 and will also answer most commonly asked questions.
Let’s start!
#1 Editor’s Choice: Best Nikon D500 lens kit
This is a zoom lens from Nikon that is perfect solution for street and general photography as the sharpness is on the point.
- Lens Type: Wide Angle Zoom
- Mounting Type: Nikon F
- Focal Length Range: 16-80mm
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.35 meters
- Weight: 1.1 pounds
- Dimensions: 3.39 x 3.15 x 3.15 inches
Nikon 16-80mm F/2.8-4 lens was produced by Nikon company for a D500 model of the camera.
It’s a lightweight lens with a dominant five times zoom, making it perfect for traveling and blogging since you won’t feel the weight of this lens when you hold it in your hands.
It consists of 4 Vibration Reduction stops that also performs great in low light thanks to this feature.
A right kit lens that combined with a D500 camera offers great value.
As for this landscape lens, its versatility makes it ideal for various situations, but it is most useful for landscapes and portraits.
The downside is plastic build, which can present problems in rough use, but this can be neglected if you consider how light this lens is.
The minimum focus distance is about 1.15 feet, while the maximum aperture is an f/2.8-4.
Here’s the thing:
This is the best lens kit for you if you are looking for versatile, lightweight lenses and want a Nikon D500 camera.
Pros
- Sharp at all apertures
- Excellent contrast
- Fantastic colors
- Great overall handling
Cons
- This lens is pricey
- Barrel distortion at 16mm
#2 Best Runner-Up: Unveiling the Best Prime Lens for Nikon D500
Capture stunning detail with Nikon's 35mm f/1.8G lens; optimal sharpness, stellar low-light performance, and bokeh mastery await.
- Lens Type: Normal
- Mounting Type: Nikon F
- Focal Length Range: 35mm
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.3 meters
- Weight: 0.44 pounds
- Dimensions (approx.): 2.09 x 2.76 x 2.76 inches
Nikon 35mm F/1.8G is a prime lens for photographers on a budget who need a high-performance lens for portraits.
This fast and compact lens with precise autofocus allows for a neat user experience. Of course, it is not the best price, but we couldn’t miss out on including it here.
It has the best value of every portrait lens we have tested.Â
Shoot beautiful portraits with this Nikon D500 prime lens with fast focus and sturdy build quality.
We also loved the bokeh. That is beautiful and will make every portrait look stunning.
Here’s the thing:
This is a prime budget lens for a Nikon D500 camera and has decent performance. Don’t expect the highest quality from this lens, but we highly recommend it if you consider the value/price ratio.
Check out the alternatives below if you want something better than a 35mm F/1.8G lens.
Pros
- It comes packaged with a carrying case
- Captures crisp images
- Great in low-light situations
- It can fit more in the frame
Cons
- There is some barrel distortion
- The bokeh is sluggish
#3 Best Budget: Discover the Best Telephoto Lens for Nikon D500
This is a telephoto lens from Nikon with incredible properties, good build quality and it is a great solution for people who need budget friendly telephoto lens.
- Lens Type: Telephoto
- Mounting Type: Nikon F (DX)
- Focal Length Range: 55-300mm
- Minimum Focus Distance: 1.4m
- Weight: 1.28 pounds
- Dimensions: 4.84 x 3.03 x 3.03 inches
Nikon 55-300mm F/4.5-5.6G is the best telephoto lens for action and wildlife photography.
It has a powerful zoom with precise autofocus that may sometimes drag you down in speed.
This zoom lens for Nikon D500 has a sturdy build that offers photos with vibrant colors.
Nikon 55-300mm F/4.5-5.6G is intended for wildlife and action photography, and it will provide you with excellent zooming experience.Â
One of the drawbacks is a loss in sharpness at the telephoto end, so we advise using a tripod if you want to get maximum from this Nikon lens.
The focal length range is good, but some people may need more, so feel free to check out our alternatives if you need a focal length of 500mm and more.
Listen:
This telephoto lens will do a fantastic job for photographers who are into wildlife photography.
Still, for most photographers, this will be the top choice as it will provide you with plenty of performance and powerful zooming abilities.
Pros
- Useable Focal Length
- Long zoom and good colors
- Metal mount gives a sturdy feel
- Performs well with proper lighting
Cons
- Mediocre low-light performance
- Loss in Sharpness at 250-300mm
#4 Elevate Your Photography Game with the Best All-Around Lens for Nikon D500
This is one of the most popular Nikon lenses made from durable plastic, it includes a Super Integrated Coating and shots sharp images.
- Lens Type: Telephoto
- Mounting Type: Nikon F (DX)
- Focal Length Range: 18-200 millimeters
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.5 meters
- Weight: 1.25 pounds
- Dimensions: 3.82 x 3.03 x 3.03 inches
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G is ideal for an enthusiastic photographer who only needs one lens to cover all shooting situations.
It is a well-matched lens with a compact DX camera, such as the Nikon D500, which makes it ideal for many photographic situations, such as portraits, landscapes, wildlife, buildings, and more.
This is an FX lens, so the 18-200mm range is equal to 27-300mm in 35mm format; however, it is optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness in both FX and DX-format.
There is no need to worry since this lens will fit perfectly on your D500 camera.
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G is an all-in-one lens with lots of features, superior sharpness, and excellent build quality.
The minimum focus distance is 18 inches to shoot macro photography. However, it does not mean it is ideal if something is possible.
To put it quickly:
If there were one lens that we recommended to take on a holiday or if you are traveling, it would be Nikon 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6G. It’s the best all-around lens for Nikon D500.
Pros
- Focus is fast and accurate
- Zoom range covers everything
- Image quality is excellent
- Compact for its range
Cons
- Weight can be an issue
- Creates shadow while using flash
#5 Explore a World of Close-Up Photography with the Best Macro Lens for Nikon D500
Unleash your creative potential: Nikon 40mm f/2.8G Lens captures mesmerizing details with precision and clarity, perfect for macro photography enthusiasts.
- Lens Type: Normal
- Mounting Type: Nikon F (DX)
- Focal Length Range: 40mm
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.16 meters
- Weight: 0.52 pounds
- Dimensions: 2.56 x 2.72 x 2.72 inches
If you are looking for the best macro lens, look no further! You found it.
We were blown away by the sharpness of this little thing and its focus accuracy.
Its lightweight, compact, and pure macro lens (1:1 ratio) produces sharp images from infinity to life-size.
The minimum focusing distance is only 0.53 feet.
Nikon 40mm F/2.8G is a sharp macro lens with beautiful bokeh and vibrant colors that provides great value.
This is a case similar to one before, it is not the best macro lens in the world, but it does offer great value, and we think it will do an excellent job for anybody.
Listen:
Regarding macro photography, our top choice is this 40mm macro lens from Nikon.
We can confidently say that this is one of the best macro lenses for the Nikon D500 camera.
If you are still looking to spend more to improve in some way, check out 85mm f/3.5G or 105mm f/2.8G below.
Pros
- Great manual focus feel
- The macro feature works like a charm
- Lens is lightweight
- f/2.8 is great for general photography
Cons
- Auto-focus performance in low-light
- You must get close to the subject for 1:1
#6 Unleash Your Creativity with the Best Wide-Angle Lens for Nikon D500
This lens for Tokina has good autofocus and an excellent f/2.8 aperture while delivering excellent photos for landscape photography.
- Lens Type: Wide Angle
- Mounting Type: Nikon F
- Focal Length Range: 11-16mm
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.3m
- Weight: 1.21 pounds
- Dimensions: 4.02 x 4.02 x 4.02 inches
We don’t always mention third-party products, but when we do, it’s for a reason. Such is the case with the Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8 lens.
Build quality is excellent, which may be because the elements used for making these lenses are on the next level quality-wise.
You may experience some distortion at 10mm, but this can be fixed in post-processing, so it’s not an issue.
Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8 is a wide-angle lens from Tokina company that is best suited for landscape photography.
Some people also complain of a short focal range, but this lens design and quality ensure you don’t think about it often.
If you don’t have anything against buying Tokina lenses for Nikon D500, you will love the Tokina 11-16MM F/2.8 lens!
Here’s the thing:
If you still prefer Nikon because of the brand image, check out this Nikon lens for landscapes.
We suggest checking out the Sigma lens below if you don’t mind buying lenses from a third-party company.Â
Pros
- Sharp from 12mm to 16mm
- Effective manual/auto slip ring
- It feels very well built
- Excellent value
Cons
- Slight vignetting at 11mm
- Short focal range compared to others
FAQ: Choosing the Perfect Lenses for Nikon D500
What is the best wildlife photography lens for Nikon D500?
The best wildlife photography lens for the Nikon D500 is often considered to be the Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens. This lens offers a fantastic balance between reach, image quality, and affordability. With a wide zoom range, this lens is versatile and can capture distant subjects clearly. Its Vibration Reduction (VR) system is a key feature for wildlife photography, ensuring sharp images at all focal lengths.
What lenses work with a Nikon D500?
The Nikon D500 is a DX-format camera, which means it’s compatible with both DX and FX-format lenses. This includes a wide range of lenses, from wide-angle lenses like the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED, to telephoto lenses such as the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, and prime lenses like the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G.
What is the best lens for wildlife photography with a Nikon D500?
The Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens is generally considered the best lens for wildlife photography with the Nikon D500. Its wide zoom range and Vibration Reduction system make it ideal for capturing clear images of distant subjects.
Is the Nikon D500 good for portrait photography?
Yes, the Nikon D500 is excellent for portrait photography when paired with the right lens. A popular choice is the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G lens, known for its outstanding sharpness and beautiful bokeh.
Can I use a macro lens with the Nikon D500?
Yes, you can use a macro lens with the Nikon D500. The Nikon AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR is a good option for capturing detailed close-ups.
What is the best zoom lens for the Nikon D500?
The Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR is often considered the best zoom lens for the Nikon D500. It offers a versatile focal length range and good image quality, making it suitable for a variety of shooting situations.
Tips for smart Nikon D500 lenses shopping
So have you learned which Nikon D500 lenses are best for a different style of photography when we talk about the Nikon D500 DX-format cameras?
If you still can’t decide on the right lens, you should get this high-quality one.
Now you surely know what the best lenses for Nikon D500 are.
Still, there are a few things you need to make sure of before deciding to purchase your next favorite lens.
Visit your local shop.
If you have a shop near your area, check out the lens you were planning to buy since everybody has different perspectives and styles of shooting, and you may not like what others do.
This is usually not the case, but it does happen from time to time, so getting your hands on it before deciding to spend all the budget on one lens is a great idea.
Read more reviews
Make sure to read a few more reviews about the lens that caught your attention to learn what experience other photographers, like you, had with it.
The best way to do this is to click “Learn More” and read Amazon reviews for a particular lens since they are brutally honest.
You can also read other guides on our blogs, such as Best lenses for Nikon D5600 and Nikon D7100 lenses.
Please send us a message.
And, finally but not least important, you can post a comment or send us a message with your inquiries or doubts, and we will do our best to assist you.
Choose the best Nikon D500 lens.
We provided you with a buying guide of recommended lenses for the Nikon D500, and now it’s time to choose which lens best suits your needs.
We hope we helped you choose the best lens for this D500 camera from Nikon, and if you want to show appreciation, feel free to buy it through our link since it is our only way of monetization.
Best of luck in finding the perfect lens for your needs!
BEST RECOMMENDATION:
This is a zoom lens from Nikon that is perfect solution for street and general photography as the sharpness is on the point.
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I have the older lenses: Nikkor 300mm f4 (IF); ED and a Nikkor 80 – 200mm f4 ED.
Will they fit a Nikon D500?
Also, are these compatible with the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II ? (or 111)?
I get lost in the compatibility charts,
Kind regards.
Hi Pete,
I agree that it is very difficult to find your way in the compatibility charts, it is very easy to get lost.
Both lenses are compatible with the Nikon D500.
I really appreciated this guide.
I did a specific search looking for arrivals featuring the Nikon 28-300mm paired with the D500.
I purchased the 28-300mm three years ago to use with my D750.
I became fascinated with owning the D500 – made the investment last year.
I was looking for a great all in one Lens but was in doubt about losing the wide end of the Lens on the D500 due to the crop factor.
I have come to appreciate that technique is everything. The 28-300mm on the D500 is a STUNNING match. If I need to shoot Land or Cityscape, guess what? I will shoot a Portrait Panorama and Stitch in Lightroom.
This Lens on the D500 is a whopping 42-450mm here is the amazing thing. At 42mm, I consider it a Wide-ish 50mm.
It is beautiful perfect for Street with a little context scenery. Your article made me realise I had everything I needed. Thank you sir
No problem Michael, sometimes the best purchase decision is not buying new stuff, especially when you realize your old equipment is still amazing. Im glad this article was able to help you. Good luck!
Anti-sigma by any chance?
Kindly check our other articles, we often include Sigma lenses in our guides. We also recommended Sigma as an alternative in this guide as well.
40mm is just too short for the subjects most people shoot for macro.
Nikon 40mm is a great macro lens with a good value. It produces some of the sharpest images in that price range. However, I do agree that it is a little bit special, and short for some subject. Maybe you can look into Nikon 105mm f/2.8G? It is much better lens but it also cost a lot more.
Just curious as to why the 17-55 2.8 didn’t make this list. It’s amazing with the D500.
At the moment of testing lenses with Nikon D500 we didn’t have Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 at our local shop store, and even tho I personally used that lens few times before and quality was great, I have a rule to not include lens I currently don’t have in the shop. The lens itself is great, and I do recommend it, but I didn’t have it at the moment. However, I do have notes on almost every guide on this site, and I am planning to update almost every article on the site to improve quality of the guides.