To make matters worse, most sites that write lens reviews provide thin content with no real value.

Because of that:

I decided to write this Nikon D3400 lens guide that will reveal to you the top 10 best lenses for Nikon D3400 in 2024. By reading this article, you will discover the perfect Nikon D3400 lens.

In the second part of this guide, I will reveal the personal tips & tricks I learned from being a professional photographer for six years.

There are the five most essential lens types:

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

The right lens type for your personal needs depends mainly on what photography you will primarily use. I will also suggest alternatives if you are looking for a lens that will perform great in specific assignments.

Since this will be a comprehensive guide about choosing the best Nikon D3400 lenses, here is the table of contents in case you want to skip to a specific part.

Let’s start!

Best for Low-Light photography

This is an excellent lens for portraits or casual shooting. It comes packaged with a carrying case, a good cap, and a bayonet-style lens hood.

With the high build quality, Nikon 35mm f1/.8G feels like a premium product. One of the moments where you will feel this quality is when shooting handheld images.

This high-speed lens will allow for faster shooting, even in low-light situations. Nikon 35mm f1/.8G is praised all over the internet for its low-light performance.

And after testing it in a pitch-dark environment, I can confirm these speculations.

So if one of your main worries is low-light performance, this prime lens will offer superb quality and noise-free images.

It is a lens that is relatively easy to use. Even inexperienced people will be able to capture beautiful photos.

As this is a Nikon product, you can expect many additional features.

One of them is a built-in focus motor. Nikon D3400 has a motor focus, but if you use this lens for any other camera that doesn’t have it, it becomes a critical feature.

Speaking of focusing, it is swift and silent on this Nikon 35mm f1/.8G lens.

Another great feature is a Manual focus override – a switch on the side that allows you to choose between manual focus or M/A mode.

One thing I would like to see improved on this 35mm lens from Nikon is the bokeh. It does a decent job of making backgrounds smoother but still needs improvement. It also has minor barrel distortion, but you can fix this in post-production.

Considering the value and performance of this lens, it is well worth it.

Best for Macro photography

Nikon 40mm is a versatile macro lens that will allow you to get closer to the subject.

Also, even tho it is labeled as a “macro” lens, it produces stunning portraits. That might not be a deal-breaker, but it is a desirable characteristic.

It is an excellent choice for people who want to immerse themselves in a macro world but are unwilling to pay top dollar.

Images you capture with this macro lens from Nikon are some of the sharpest in the category.

It offers exceptional value for the performance and image quality it provides. Another feature I love about this lens is Bokeh, which is especially useful in portrait photography.

As I already mentioned, it is a versatile macro lens, which is excellent for street photography, weddings, portraits, and macro.

On the downside, this lens didn’t perform well in low-light photography. While results didn’t suffer immensely, there is still room for improvement.

Some readers might decide between this 40mm lens and a Nikon 35MM F/1.8G above. In that case, I would recommend the Nikon 40 mm to anybody who needs a versatile macro lens that produces high-quality images.

Unless you are looking for low-light performance, this macro lens for Nikon D3400 will do a fantastic job at a decent price tag.

It is vital to mention that if you want to do extensive macro work, you must shoot forsooth a more expensive product.

Best for Sports Videography

This is one of the best lenses for sports videography that delivers fantastic results. The performance of the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 is top-notch, and it especially gets excellent images in low-light situations.

While performing real-world tests on this lens, to start with, I noticed it is a very versatile lens.

However, the situation where this lens performed best was indoor low-light shoots. It also provided a beautiful bokeh that just made images look better.

Since this is not a lens from a premium lens manufacturer, you might wonder, what about quality?

Let me be clear:

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 has a high-quality build, and it feels great when shooting handheld photos. It is a durable lens, so expect a long-life cycle lens.

Sharpness is excellent, and you can expect some of the best-looking images with this Sigma lens. There is almost no distortion, allowing you to spend more time shooting photos than editing them in post-processing.

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 is one of the best lenses in its budget range, and if your main priority is shooting videos, this is the lens for you!

Not to mention that the 18-35mm lens is ideal for landscapes, portraits, casual photography, and close-ups. It is one of the best sigma lenses for the Nikon D3400.

Best for Close-Up photography

This is a kit lens from Nikon that is well worth considering if your main focus is going to be close-up photography. Even though many people will be driven away by the fact that this is considered “a kit lens.”

Still, it ranks on the higher end of the scale when talking about kit lenses.

While you can’t expect the same quality as the lenses that cost over the one thousand dollars mark, it still offers excellent performance for people looking for a close-up lens on a budget.

Consider this, and it becomes clear why you want to consider purchasing this Nikon kit lens for close-up photography.

Another thing I love about this lens is its lightweight body, making this an excellent lens for traveling.

Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G produces high-contrast images with vibrant colors. Sharpness is excellent, but most importantly, it is clear from corner to corner.

So what are the downsides of this lens?

Well, there isn’t much to blame on this lens. There is slight barrel distortion at almost any focal length, and at the 18mm zoom range, minor chromatic aberration is noticeable when there are bright lines in the frame or when you zoom in on an image on the computer.

Otherwise, Nikon 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G is a great close-up lens for people looking for a budget solution.

Best for Interior photography

It might seem odd that an all-in-one lens was rewarded for being one of the best Nikon D3400 lenses for interior photography.

However, this lens has an advantageous focal length range, which goes from 18mm up to 200mm.

Notice:

Since Nikon D3400 is a DX-format camera, 200mm will be equivalent to 300mm.

Somebody described this lens as “Not perfect at anything, but good at everything.” And while that comparison sums up this entire review in one sentence, there is more to it than that.

It does offer superb image quality in most environments, and because of the powerful zoom, you can expect to get some crips and well-rendered images.

I loved the results I got from interior photography. Expect to get tight-framed shots that will result in stunning images.

Look:

If you are looking for a high-quality Nikon d3400 zoom lens that will deliver superb interior images but is also versatile enough for most photographic situations, then Nikon 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6G is a fantastic choice in 2024!

Best for Sports and Travel photography

Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G is a great telephoto lens that offers stunning performance in action and travel photography.

While testing this lens on my Nikon D3400 camera, I immediately noticed two things.

First:

The packaging needs improvement. There were about 6 inches of free space in the box, and no protection would keep the lens from sliding left and right.

Second:

If you have a lower camera than D7200, autofocus will not work correctly. You will need an AF-S lens, not the AF lens.

Besides that, it offers high-performance and decent build quality. It also gives you extra reach, which is appreciated. So if autofocus is unnecessary for you, Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G is a great lens.

I would also recommend using a tripod with it, as it will result in cleaner images with precise details. The barrel length on this lens is a little bit much for an average person.

For professional photographers who understand the triangle of exposure, this lens should be part of your collection. It is a fun lens to play with and will produce some incredible images.

This is an excellent lens if you love hiking or going for a walk to shoot some photos. It’s lightweight, which makes it a perfect solution when traveling.

Sure, it might have a downside here and there, but considering this is a budget lens, the performance, and the build quality, this is a fantastic Nikon D3400 telephoto lens.

Best for Portrait photography

If you are somebody whose primary focus is portrait photography, you will be pleased to know the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G F might just be one of the best portrait lenses for the Nikon D3400 in 2024!

It delivers stunning portraits with precise details. Nikon 85mm f/1.8G is one of the sharpest lenses for the Nikon D3400. The bokeh looks creamy, allowing you for more natural-looking images.

The speed of the lens is decent, allowing for fasters shoots.

My conclusion:

Nikon 85mm f/1.8G is my favorite lens for portrait photography.

You would need to pay double the price for a decent upgrade, such as Sigma 85mm 1.4 or the Nikon 85mm 1.4.

One thing is sure:

If you are looking for a Nikon D3400 prime lens that will produce high-quality portraits, Nikon 85mm f/1.8G is the lens for you.

Best for Night photography

This lens performs well for night photography, providing clear and sharp images with beautiful bokeh. It is reliable in every category, which is expected when considering this is a premium Nikon product.

Autofocus is silent, fast, and works perfectly almost every time.

Nikon 35mm f/1.4G is a lens designed for professionals who need ultimate performance.

So if photography is what you do for a living, and you want to deliver top-notch photos to the people using your service, this is the lens for you.

If you are a wedding photographer, this is a lens you must own in your collection. Even if you are only considering a lens for night photography, Nikon 35mm f/1.4G is a great choice.

This lens is impressive; even beginners can capture perfect images with this prime lens.

Best for Architectural photography

A wide-angle lens will be on your Nikon D3400 most of the time while doing any outdoor activity.

You will also get a unique perspective thanks to a 10mm angle, which is very wide and will allow you some fantastic shots.

Suppose you want to be original; consider buying this lens. It does offer high performance and beautiful images with precise details.

There is a slight distortion at the wide end, and you must consider keeping the lines straight when doing architectural photography.

This can be fixed in software such as Lightroom, so it’s not an issue. Image quality is fantastic, and color reproduction works great with a Nikon D3400 camera. Build quality is excellent, and it does feel like a premium Nikon lens.

This is the best lens for you if you are looking for a lens that will produce high-quality images for architectural photography.

Best for Landscape photography

If you are looking for a wide-angle lens for Nikon d3400, Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 is an excellent choice.

The build quality is decent, and the glass is a bit heavy, but it feels good when holding it in hand. On a DX-format camera (as is Nikon D3400), 10-20m is 15-30mm due to crop factor.

One of the downsides I noticed while performing various tests on this lens was that images are sharp in the center while being a bit fuzzy in the corners.

Because of its wide-angle, and 10mm unique perspective, this lens performs best for landscape photography.

However, it also gives exceptional results in real estate photography, especially if you are shooting in a tight space.

Considering this lens’s features and its image quality, it becomes clear why this is regarded as one of the best wide-angle lenses for the Nikon D3400 in 2024.

What lenses are compatible with Nikon D3400?

When talking about Nikon D3400 lens compatibility, things are not as complicated as expected.

Nikon D3400 camera uses an F-type mount, which was created in 1959. This fact means that Nikon D3400 will work with most Nikon lenses and even most third-party lenses. So it fits DX lenses for crop sensors and FX lenses produced for full-frame.

However, some Nikon D3400 compatible lenses won’t have autofocus working correctly. These are lenses with AF-D or plain “AF”; they are mostly older lenses.

Nikon D3400 is fully ​compatible with AF-S, AF-S G, & AF-P types of lenses. With these types of lenses, you will be able to use autofocus without issues.

Also, with Nikon D3400 being a DX-sensor camera, it works excellent with DX crop sensor lenses, so that is something to keep in mind.

Is Nikon D3400 worth buying in 2024?

Nikon D3400 is a 24.2-megapixel DX-format camera released on August 17, 2016.

This camera is one of the best entry-level for beginners, but more experienced photographers can handle it well.

The camera’s design is excellent, and the body is compact and lightweight. There are a few perks that I wish would be there, primarily a touchscreen, but it has Bluetooth and SD card support.

Overall, it is a camera that is easy to use, with an excellent grip allowing for more practical real-life use.

Using Nikon D3400 again for this test reminded me of how simple yet effective this camera is. Image quality is also high, and a 24.2-megapixel sensor captures some beautiful images with clean details.

If you don’t already own this camera, it is worth checking out. You can find it on Amazon for a reasonable price nowadays.

5 Tips to help when buying a lens

1. Set a goal – What do you expect from your lens?

Making sure you know what kind of task you are going to perform with a lens in the future is essential. This way, you can decide the correct lens type for you.

Telephoto lenses are great for action photography and wildlife photography. On the other hand, prime lenses are excellent for portraits and have a fast aperture.

2. Decide what the correct aperture for you is

Aperture is measured in f-stops such as f/1.8, f/2.8, etc. It shows how much comes through the lens.

If you want a lens that will perform well in low-light situations, consider buying a lens with lower f-stops numbers, such as f/1.8

3. Check your local shop

If you have access to a lens shop near you, visit it. But trying all the lenses in a shop to buy one is a bit annoying.

Instead, check the internet to find a couple of the right glasses that may be a good fit for your Nikon D3400 camera.

After you narrow down a list, visit a lens shop. It will save both you and the seller some time.

4. Read Reviews on Amazon

If you have some spare time, reading reviews from amazon users can be a great way to learn more about a specific lens.

Those reviews are from personal experience and are often long and detailed. You will find out what other users think about a specific Nikon D3400 lens in an individual situation.

It is an excellent way of learning.

5. Ordering on Amazon vs. Other Stores?

Amazon s becoming a giant in any category. It offers the best quality and fast delivery time. But what about the price?

It turns out that Amazon does offer some of the lowest prices.

However, there are cases when searching on different sites to compare prices makes sense. But after considering you are paying a lot for a single product, I suggest sticking to Amazon.

At least you are guaranteed for every purchase and can expect premium service. For Nikon D3400 lenses, Amazon is a great choice.

Bonus Tip – Buy Lenses recommended in this guide.

If you want things done quickly and easily, do it. I tested all the lenses mentioned in this Nikon D3400 lenses guide.

Make sure to choose the right lens type and choose the winner according to your budget. You might not get the perfect lens, but it will be most beneficial for your photography work.

After all, there is no such thing as a perfect lens. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading this guide now, wouldn’t you?

Nikon D3400 Lenses – Wrapping Up

Choosing the best lens for Nikon D3400 is hard, especially if you are not a professional photographer.

But, hopefully, by now, you have made your decision.

If you are still not sure what lens to buy, here is a two-step process that you will make you find the answer.

1. Post a comment below explaining your situation.
2. Wait a couple of hours

I am online daily and will answer all your comments in a few hours.

Please don’t hesitate to check out other guides on my blog, where you will find guides such as Nikon D5600 lenses and Nikon D7500 lenses. Also, share this article with your friend who needs help choosing the proper lens.

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