As an experienced photographer, I’ve rigorously tested an extensive range of lenses. The Nikon D7100, along with its array of compatible lenses, have also undergone my detailed evaluation.

For those looking for a quick insight, here’s a summary of my findings:

Are you pondering whether the Nikon D7100 is a sound investment?

Let’s delve into the heart of this impressive camera, weighing its assets and potential limitations.

Stay tuned as we determine if the Nikon D7100 has the potential to be your next photography tool of choice.

HERE GOES YOUR SUBHEADING

• Lens Type: Telephoto
• Mounting Type: Nikon F (FX)
• Focal Length Range: 85 mm
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.80 m
• Weight: 0.77 pounds
• Dimensions: 2.87 x 3.15 x 3.15 inches

If you are looking for a prime lens that will offer crazy sharpness and high performance in any condition, you should probably go for Nikon 85mm f/1.8G.

This is a versatile portrait lens, which means it will work great for portraits and other photography events, such as weddings, family gatherings, or even street photography.

One thing to remember:

Prime lenses usually cost less than other lens types as they don’t have additional moving parts.

However, you will have to pay a premium price for this beauty, but you can also expect to get high performance in return.

One thing I found helpful while using it on my Nikon D7100 camera was a beautiful bokeh that will make your backgrounds look amazing, which results in high-quality images.

Also, low-light performance is excellent, more than I expected, even from a lens with an aperture of f/1.8.

However, I did notice one minor thing that bothered me: corner softness at wide apertures. But considering this can be fixed in post-processing, it is not an issue.

Build quality is excellent. Yes, it is made out of plastic, but it still feels like a premium product.

This is one of the best prime Nikon D7100 lenses, but if you are not ready to invest in this lens, check out some cheaper alternatives below.

#2 Best Runner-Up: Best All-in-one Lens for Your Nikon D7100

• Lens Type: Telephoto
• Mounting Type: Nikon F (DX)
• Focal Length Range: 18-300mm
• Minimum Focus Distance: 4.8 meters
• Weight: 1.21 pounds
• Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.11 x 3.11 inches

This lens performs well in all photography types, and if I could take only one lens on vacation, it would be Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G.

It offers enormous versatility and is a perfect choice for photographers who need one lens for different occasions.

Speaking of versatility, the focal length range is 18mm on the low side, and it goes up to 300mm, which is plenty for most people. Also, I was surprised that the entire range is valid and delivers high-quality results.

Except for some minor ghosting issues when you zoom out, there aren’t any problems performance-wise. Sure, you will not get the same quality as with a dedicated lens for a specific type of photography. Still, considering the image quality you will get throughout the spectrum, I would say this lens is an excellent choice.

Is this lens for you?

If you want one lens that will perform excellently in different situations, then Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G is the right choice for you. As far as the all-in-one lenses go, this one is probably one of the best all-in-one lenses on the market in 2024.

#3 Best Budget: Must-Have Macro Lens for Nikon D7100

• Lens Type: Normal
• Mounting Type: Nikon F (DX)
• Focal Length Range: 40mm
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.162 m
• Weight: 0.52 pounds
• Dimensions: 2.56 x 2.72 x 2.72 inches

The answer for beginners or even professional photographers looking for a high-performance macro lens is Nikon 40mm f/2.8G.

The aspect I liked the most about this macro lens is its versatility, allowing you to use it in most photographic situations.

It has a decent focal length, making it great for beginners looking for an easy-to-use macro lens.

Low-light performance is excellent, and while it can sometimes be sluggish, it is performing just fine.

There aren’t any huge issues with this macro lens that I noticed while performing real-world tests. Build quality is excellent, and even tho this lens is made out of plastic, that is to be expected from a macro lens in this price range.

Sharpness is fantastic, and you will get great-looking photos with precise details and vibrant colors.

You need to consider if you decide to get Nikon 40mm f/2.8G because this is not a top-of-the-line macro lens. Even tho there are macro lenses that offer higher performance and better quality; this one should be good enough for most photographers.

If you are looking for an expensive high-performance lens, go for a masterpiece Nikon 105mm f/2.8G.

But if you consider the value/price ratio, then Nikon 40mm f/2.8G is the best macro lens for Nikon D7100.

#4 Elevate Your Nikon D7100 Photography with the Top Wide-Angle Lens

• Lens Type: Wide Angle
• Mounting Type: Nikon F (DX)
• Focal Length Range: 10-24mm
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.24 meters
• Weight: 1.01 pounds
• Dimensions: 3.43 x 3.27 x 3.27 inches

This wide-angle lens is great for photographers primarily into nature photography and landscapes.

One thing I liked about this lens is the image quality, which was fantastic, and I wish I had discovered this lens much sooner, as it works amazingly when combined with the Nikon D7100 camera.

The focal length range is not that great, considering it goes only from 10mm up to 24mm, but I did find a unique perspective at the 10mm range quite helpful. On the other hand, at 24mm, you can expect tiny distortions, but like in the previous cases, it can be fixed in post-processing, so it’s not an issue.

Build quality is excellent, and you can feel that this is a premium product from Nikon. Other features, such as fast and silent autofocus, proved very useful while testing. I also found that contrast and color reproduction are excellent, and as far as the lens quality goes, I didn’t find any objections to point out.

One thing you need to remember:

This is a premium prime lens with unique attributes.

#5 Unleash the Power of the Best Telephoto Lens for Nikon D7100

• Lens Type: Telephoto
• Mounting Type: Nikon F (DX)
• Focal Length Range: 18-300mm
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.48 meters
• Weight: 1.21 pounds
• Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.11 x 3.11 inches

Unless you are looking for a telephoto lens with a crazy focal length range (600mm or more), the Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G is a great choice.

It offers excellent performance, while image quality is superb with precise details. Autofocus is one of the fastest lenses I tested, and it works almost perfectly in all situations. Also, it is almost entirely silent, and you won’t hear anything besides a tiny clunk sound.

I must point out that sometimes the focal range of 300mm isn’t enough, and you will probably want to go for a Sigma 150-600mm 5-6.3 if you plan to shoot from a far distance.

But for 99% of situations, I found this telephoto lens quite pleasing and easy to use, and I was getting excellent results without much effort.

To make this easy:

Everything about this lens is excellent; build quality, features, and even image quality is fantastic with high sharpness. The only reason you wouldn’t want to buy this telephoto lens is that you are looking for a more powerful zoom.

For example:

If your main priority is bird photography, this lens is not for you, as you need a higher focal length of 500mm or more.

But for most other photographic opportunities, this is the best Nikon D7100 telephoto lens.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Lenses for Nikon D7100

What is the best lens for Nikon D7100?

For an all-around versatile lens, many photographers recommend the Nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. This lens provides a broad zoom range suitable for a wide variety of situations, from landscapes to portraits, and it includes Vibration Reduction technology to help reduce camera shake.

What is the best 35mm lens for Nikon D7100?

The best 35mm lens for the Nikon D7100 is often considered to be the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G. This lens is a prime lens, meaning it has a fixed focal length, but it provides exceptional image quality, a fast f/1.8 aperture for low-light shooting and shallow depth-of-field control, and it’s a great choice for portrait and street photography.

What is the best 600mm lens for Nikon D7100?

For a 600mm lens, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR is often seen as the best option for the Nikon D7100. However, it’s a professional-grade, high-cost lens primarily used for sports and wildlife photography. If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative, consider the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary, which provides a zoom range up to 600mm and is compatible with Nikon cameras.

What is the best all-around lens for the Nikon D7100?

For a versatile option suitable for various situations, consider the Nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. This lens has a broad zoom range and features Vibration Reduction technology.

Which is the best 35mm lens for the Nikon D7100?

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G is often recommended as the best 35mm lens for the Nikon D7100 due to its exceptional image quality and fast aperture.

What should I consider when choosing a lens for my Nikon D7100?

Consider your photography style and needs. For landscapes and wide-angle shots, consider a wide-angle lens. For portraits, consider a prime lens like a 50mm or 85mm. For wildlife or sports, a telephoto lens would be appropriate.

Nikon D7100 Ultimate Guide – Wrapping Up

Hopefully, if you read this entire Nikon D7100 lens guide, you know to make the right decision and choose the best lens suitable for your needs.

Feel free to check our other content on this blog, as it will help you become a better photographer. Guides such as Nikon D3100 lenses and Nikon D5500 lenses will help you choose a particular camera.

For any questions, feel free to contact us or comment below.

All the luck in finding the best Nikon D7100 lens for you!

BEST RECOMMENDATION:

More Nikon D7000 Series guides:

• Nikon D7000 lenses
• Nikon D7100 lenses
• Nikon D7200 lenses
• Nikon D7500 lenses