📸 5 MUST-OWN Lenses For Nikon D7100 In 2024 [Guide]

Jan 12, 2024 | Buying Guides

Looking to uncover the ideal, budget-friendly lens for your Nikon D7100 in 2024? Struggling to navigate the sea of options?

Say goodbye to confusion!

Our guide deciphers the lens market, arming you with the insights to select the perfect Nikon D7100 lens effortlessly.

Get ready to transform your photography journey!

lenses for Nikon D7100

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:

Editor's Choice
Best Runner Up
Best Budget

Nikon 85mm f/1.8G Lens

Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G Lens

Nikon 40mm f/2.8G Lens

Unleash your creativity with stunning portraits and remarkable image quality that will leave a lasting impression.

Capture the world from every angle with this versatile lens, delivering sharpness and clarity in any situation.

Affordable lens delivering impressive image quality for stunning close-ups and more.

5.0
4.7
4.5
Editor's Choice

Nikon 85mm f/1.8G Lens

Unleash your creativity with stunning portraits and remarkable image quality that will leave a lasting impression.

5.0
Best Runner Up

Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G Lens

Capture the world from every angle with this versatile lens, delivering sharpness and clarity in any situation.

4.7
Best Budget

Nikon 40mm f/2.8G Lens

Affordable lens delivering impressive image quality for stunning close-ups and more.

4.5
Lasso Brag

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.

black Nikon D7100 camera with a lens on a blue background

As of 2024, the Nikon D7100 remains a compelling choice for many photographers, and my own experience with it speaks volumes about its capabilities.

Its sturdy weather-sealed body houses a 24.1 MP APS-C sensor that delivers sharp, detailed images and performs admirably in various lighting conditions.

The D7100’s advanced 51-point autofocus system and dual SD card slots also stand out as particularly useful features, enhancing its professional appeal.

For those desiring a blend of top-notch image quality, durability, and an extensive feature set at a fraction of the cost of newer models, the Nikon D7100 is a worthwhile consideration.

But here’s the important part:

To get the most performance out of your Nikon D7100 camera you will need to use the right pair of lenses with it.

So keep reading, while i present you the ultimate guide for beginner’s that will show you which are the best lenses for Nikon D7100 camera in 2024, and how to know which lenses to choose.

#1 Editor’s Choice: Discover the Best Prime Lens for Nikon D7100

Nikon 85mm f/1.8G Lens

Nikon 85mm f/1.8G is a versatile prime lens has beautiful bokeh effect and it is amazing for any kind of weddings, portraits or general photography.

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  • 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.

Pros

  • Beautiful and smooth bokeh
  • Focus is fast and silent
  • Ridiculously sharp from 1.8
  • Amazing value for the cost

Cons

  • Slow focusing speed
  • Corner softness at wide apertures

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

Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G Lens

This all-in-one lens from Nikon is known for its versatility, good autofocus and providing you with excellent results in almost any photographic situtation.

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  • 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.

Pros

  • Minimal and lightweight
  • It is very convenient
  • Fast autofocus
  • Macro focusing even at 200mm

Cons

  • Poor vignetting at close to 18mm
  • It needs to be locked

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

Nikon 40mm f/2.8G Lens

Unleash your creative potential: Nikon 40mm f/2.8G Lens captures mesmerizing details with precision and clarity, perfect for macro photography enthusiasts.

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  • 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.

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

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

Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G Lens

Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G is a wide angle lens that ofers superior sharpness and it produces beautiful photos with stunning effects.

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  • 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.

Pros

  • Easy to carry all-day
  • Great image quality
  • Excellent wide angle
  • More than adequately sharp 

Cons

  • There is some chromatic aberration
  • A little bit bulky

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

Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G Lens

This all-in-one lens from Nikon is known for its versatility, good autofocus and providing you with excellent results in almost any photographic situtation.

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  • 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.

Pros

  • Sharp through the full zoom range
  • Vibration reduction is excellent
  • The image results are amazing
  • The zoom mechanism works great

Cons

  • It is a pretty large
  • does not come with a hard case

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:

Nikon 85mm f/1.8G Lens

Nikon 85mm f/1.8G is a versatile prime lens has beautiful bokeh effect and it is amazing for any kind of weddings, portraits or general photography.

Check Price

Disclaimer: "As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases."

Stacy WItten

Stacy WItten

Owner, Writer & Photographer

Stacy Witten, owner and creative force behind LensesPro, delivers expertly crafted content with precision and professional insight. Her extensive background in writing and photography guarantees quality and trust in every review and tutorial.

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5 Comments

  1. What do you think about the Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens? I am looking for an upgrade to my 18-105 3.5-5.6 D90 kit lens. I upgraded my camera body to the D7100 and now want a lens that captures sharper images, is fast enough for some night sky/aurora borealis photography along with landscape/all around all fit into one lens. I don’t often have the luxury of splurging on new glass and I’m trying to settle on 1 lens that checks the most boxes. I really appreciate any feedback.

    Reply
    • Hey Heather,
      I do believe that Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G is a great lens for your photography type. There are some better Nikon lenses but you would go to the next price point to experience those benefits. So unless you are willing to go there, this lens will do a great job!

      Reply
  2. I have the same situation. I also find that I cannot get the auto focus to hit the rider and horse. Get lots of clear shots of the jumps but the rider and horses are fuzzy

    Reply
  3. I never find the answers to situations that fit my type of shots. I like to go to Horse shows. Some times the action can get fast. AS in reigning classes. Sliding stops ect. or when I am under an arena . When the horse are on my side I can get some great shots. But when the r moving around to the other side. The lighting can get tricky. AS Not enough light. The pictures look like silhutes. If it is sunny out the back light behind them becomes an issue ? I have the Nikon D90 and the Nikon D7100 I want a f 2.8 lens but it really is not in my budget. I have a 70 -300 vr 4.5-5.6 I also have a Tamron 70-300. I have also a sigma 18-250 3.5-6.3 I love it but it broke . the auto focus motor or something wrong. I took it to one camera store. They sent it to sigma came back “FIXED> IT Isn’t 🙁 It’s just a hobby but I do share the pictures with riders owners I LIKE them to be GOOD.

    Reply
    • The situation you are describing is so specific.. What is your budget? Maybe I can help you if you provide me with more details.

      Reply

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