A camera is only as good as its lens. While you can go out and get a great device with high-end specs, you’ll never be able to unlock its true potential without some important accessories. A good lens doesn’t just give you a new perspective, it can enhance your shots and take your photos to the next level.
There are thousands of lenses on the market, but the ones we’ll break down below all fit the Nikon D7100. The camera has many different ways to shoot and the following devices each bring something unique to the table.
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Quick Summary
- The AF-S DX Nkr is a well-rounded lens perfect for photographers who value versatility. This option captures just about everything, from close-ups to wide-angles, with crisp clarity.
- If you want a wide-angle lens, it’s hard to do better than the Nikon Nikkor 10-24mm. This is perfect for landscapes and cityscapes. It comes with fast, accurate autofocus and offers great color correction as well.
- If you’re someone who wants a macro lens, check out the Nikon 40mm DX Micro. This model is great for close up shots, has a tight autofocus, and works well in low light environments.
Who Should Get This?
These lenses are for owners of the Nikon D7100. Their high-quality materials and excellent features make them perfect for a range of different situations and shots. If you want to increase the camera’s functionality, there’s simply no better way to do it.
Also note that the lenses outlined below are not only for the Nikon D7100. The models fit a range of different cameras. If you have another device they work with and want some extra versatility consider picking one up.
Best Lenses for Nikon D7100: What to Consider?
Toughness
Lenses, like any other part of your camera, need to be strong. Not only will they be in your bag as you move from location to location, but you never know when your hand might slip. Fragile lenses might be less expensive up front, but they can easily cost you more in the long run if you have to replace them in the event of an accident. Favor models that are made to resist the elements through dust, crush, or waterproof designs.
Lighting
While just about every lens does well in perfect conditions, life is rarely so neat. A lot of the time you’re going to shoot in bright or low-light environments, both of which can make getting your perfect shot quite tricky. Do your best to find lenses that do a good job of capturing your photos when the lights get low. That will provide you with more versatility.
Purpose
It’s also important to consider how you want to use your lens. Every style works for a different type of photography. Some are solid wide-angle options, some are telephoto, and some work for portraits. Your goal should always be to match your lens to your style of photography. There’s no point in getting a close-up lens if you only take landscape shots.
Best Lenses for Nikon D7100: Our Picks
1. AF-S DX Nkr
The AF-S DX Nkr is the best lens for photographers who like options. The model comes with an 11x zoom that easily switches between wide-angle and telephoto shots depending on what you need. Portraits or tight pictures look great, as do wider group or landscape shots. That versatility is largely unmatched and makes this the premier choice for budding photographers who like to simply shoot what they see.
This model also shines through its strong image stabilization and vibration reduction. Blur and camera shake are two of the most annoying things to deal with when trying to line up a subject. Those aspects cut down on both and ensure what you take is what you get. Beyond that, this also comes with special Super Integrated Coating (SIC) that provides you with excellent color and cuts down on flare.
What We Like:
- Incredibly versatile
- Solid focal length range
- Vibration reduction
- Strong image stabilization
- Good color
- Fast, accurate, and quiet focusing
- 11x zoom
- Excellent image quality
What We Don’t Like:
- Wide end has a bit of distortion
2. Nikon Nikkor 10-24mm
When it comes to wide-angle lenses for the Nikon D7100, the Nikkor 10-24mm is king. This model is both wide and sharp, two aspects that make it excellent for landscape photography. It is also great for city shots or those who like to shoot architecture. If you travel a lot or like to shoot on the go, this is a great lens. It comes with an excellent zoom range and is able to handle normal view fields as well.
This lens also excels due to how easily it takes great shots. The Silent Wave Motor is both fast and quiet, while the autofocus cuts down on flare. On top of that, the Super Integrated Coating is a nice addition and the zoom range provides ample flexibility. This is fast, accurate, and provides excellent image quality in many different situations.
What We Like:
- Excellent color correction
- Fast and accurate
- Quiet autofocus
- Good for wide-angle shots
- Fantastic zoom range
- Offers unique perspectives
- Minimal distortion
- Super Integrated Coating
What We Don’t Like:
- No vibration reduction
- Could be better in low light
3. Nikon 40mm DX Micro
The Nikon 40mm DX Micro is a macro lens made for photographers who like to take close-up shots. This model, while it doesn’t have a zoom option, operates well for people who value tight frames. Not only does it capture everything in sharp, accurate detail, it can also give you that quality just 6.4 inches from your subject. That makes this option the best lens for those who take pictures of still objects such as flowers or food.
Another large bonus here is the dust and waterproof sealing mount that actively works to keep the lens protected in many different elements. Not only that, but this model is also incredibly fast and quiet as you work. Add on the lightweight and compact design and you have a great, portable lens you can easily bring just about anywhere.
What We Like:
- Accurate
- Creates high-quality images
- Great for low-light situations
- Perfect for still shots
- 40mm focal length
- Close-range correction system
- Silent wave motor
- Dust and waterproof
- Lightweight
- Compact
What We Don’t Like:
- Need to get close for best results
- No zoom
Useful Tips and Information
Camera lenses aren’t just useful, they are also expensive. As such, you need to take special care of them so they last as long as possible. The tips outlined in this useful article will make sure you will be able to enjoy your lenses for years to come.
Another key part of getting a lens is picking the exact style you need. While we briefly outlined the different types, if you want a much more in-depth look this video is a good place to start.
Final Words
Finding a lens for a specific device can be quite daunting. There are many out there, and each one comes with specific traits that you may or may not need. If you have a Nikon D7100 and know what you like to shoot, the above lenses will give you excellent results for years to come.
What lens do you use with your Nikon D7100? What are its advantages over similar models? Let us know below!
