Nikon D500 is a professional-grade camera that is designed to provide photographers with high-quality images and video.
It has a wide range of shooting modes such as P, Tv, Av, M, S, etc. You can also adjust the settings manually or automatically using its Scene Recognition System.
In order to enjoy all of these benefits, however, it is important that you have the right lens – and choosing this can be something of a challenge.
To help, we have put together the very best lenses for the Nikon D500, as well as everything you need to know to choose the perfect option and take your photographs to the next level.
Best Lenses For Nikon D500 – Comparison Table
Best Lenses For Nikon D500 – Reviews
Though the aperture of this lens may be a little lower than some other options on the market, this slight downside is more than made up for by a host of amazing features which help this lens to secure the top spot on our list of the best of the best.
Three aspherical elements combine with ED glass elements for crystal clear shots every time, and this is enhanced by the inclusion of Nano Crystal and Super Integrated coating on the lens, both of which are designed to reduce glare and “ghosting” effects, allowing you to ensure that you capture your subject without disruption.
The sharpness of the final image is one of the major selling points of this lens, and a large diameter mounting plate means that this is a clear sharpness that is focused on the center but also maintained across the whole frame, keeping your shots accurate and free from any interruption.
As an added bonus, the lens also comes with an innovative built-in stabilization system, and this is a real advantage if you are a fan of outdoor or nature photography.
Autofocus is taken care of quickly and quietly, and a stepping motor means that there is no need to worry about getting the shot right.
The control ring is smooth and precise, and you have total control over this, with the option to customize the functionality in a way that suits the needs of each shot.
- Designed for super clear shots without interruption or disruption
- Designed to reduce glare and interference
- In-built stabilization makes it easier to focus
- Quiet, effective operation
- Ability to customize the control ring
- Focus distance scale is not included with the lens
Another quality lens to help you take the best photos every time is this stunning model from Tamron, and this is a brilliant all-rounder that ticks pretty much every photography box to level up your photographs, and ensure that you enjoy quality shots no matter the type of photography you enjoy.
One of the main advantages of this lens is the super lightweight design – at just 480g, this is small and lightweight enough to carry easily in a pack or camera bag.
This makes it a perfect option for those who incorporate hikes or long walks into their photographs; if you enjoy heading to the perfect spot to take your nature shots, then this is a lens that will not weigh down your pack.
The lightweight nature of the lens also means that you can always have this with you, and this guarantees you are always ready to capture that perfect shot.
The smaller nature of the lens does not compromise quality however; you can still enjoy excellent optical image stabilization, and up to three stops on the correction factor – this makes the lens ideal for situations and environments where the light is low.
In addition to being light, this lens lends itself to outdoor photography thanks to a fluorine coating combined with extensive weather sealing, and this means that you can shoot in the rain without any worries about damaging your equipment – perfect for nature lovers.
- Very lightweight and portable
- Great optimal image stabilization
- Weatherproof, allowing you to shoot in any condition
- Vibration compensation system helps reduce blur
- Good magnification
- Not as sharp as some other options
For a camera lens that is sturdy enough to handle your adventures with ease, there is no better option than this quality 35mm lens from Sigma, which is tough enough to withstand the challenges of photography, without asking you to compromise on quality or flexibility.
The lens comes fully equipped with a ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system, and this offers a super fast operation to allow you to shoot your subject at a seconds notice – there is no need to worry about missing the perfect shot while you fumble around for equipment; simply point your camera in the right direction, and you will have incredible autofocus to boost your chances of the perfect photograph.
As an added bonus, the autofocus is whisper-silent; perfect for shooting nature scenes without scaring away your subject.
In addition to a great autofocus, you can also enjoy manual focusing if you would prefer more control over operation.
The lens includes a physical focus ring, which offers smooth, precise adjustments to your focus without having to rely on the autofocus, while image sharpness is ensured and maintained across the whole frame when shooting wide.
The optical design is also aimed at ensuring the best possible image quality, with one fluorite-grade low dispersion element combined with four special low dispersion elements – ideal for maintaining high-quality images at all times.
- Offers super clear quality across the whole of the shot.
- Easy-to-use manual focusing
- Very solid, well-made lens for added peace of mind
- Quality barrel distortion and color fringing
- No weather sealing, making it a little trickier to shoot outside
Another quality option on our list, this is a lightweight, portable lens that offers the ease of movement and convenience of transport without the need to compromise on quality; this lens really is proof that great things can come in small packages.
One of the main features of the lens is the focusing system; users can enjoy a full ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system, which offers a speedy and silent solution to your focusing problems, but this can also be manually overridden to give you total control over your focus and shots.
The focus distance scale allows you to calculate the perfect figures and means that the focus can be fully adapted to your surroundings and environment.
In addition to great focus options, you can also enjoy clear results thanks to an aspherical element and one ED element, both of which are included in addition to a super integrated coating, and sharpness and contrast are taken care of in every photo, allowing you to capture each and every detail of your desired scene.
This is a lens that has the added bonus of being super lightweight and portable, making it a must-have option for traveling photographers who need to carry their kit with them; if you are dreading the thought of hauling heavy camera equipment to your destination, then this is a lens that should be high on your list.
- Very lightweight and easy to transport
- Less pricey than some other options on our list
- Offers sharp results with great contrast
- Users can take total control over the manual focus features
- Quality autofocus option
- Focus distance scale is not as detailed as it could be
Whether you are relatively new to the world of photography, or simply looking to stick to a strict budget – it is no secret that camera equipment can be pricey – this Samyang lens could be just what you have been searching for, and it comes in at a more affordable price than many of the other options on our list.
Despite the lower price tag, this is a lens that is a great option for those building up their skills and experience and takes the crown for the best beginner option on our list.
The focus ring is smooth and precise, and the lens barrel includes both depth of field markings and a focus distance scale, which work well if you are planning street or urban shooting.
There are also a number of mount options to allow you greater flexibility and convenience, and the quality of your final shots is clear and sharp, with great contrast and detailed results that you will be rightfully proud of.
- Offers clear, sharp results
- Great contrast in final photos
- Focus ring is smooth, precise, and easy to use
- More affordable than other options
- Dept of field markings and focus distance scale are included on the lens
- Quite large, heavy, and bulky
- Slight lateral and spherical chromatic aberration at wide apertures
Buyer's Guide
Now that we have taken a closer look at the best Nikon 35mm lenses on the market, you may be wondering how to pick through all of these to choose the best option for your photography needs.
When choosing a new lens, there are a number of considerations that you will need to make, and we took a closer look at these below.
Key Terms
Before we take a closer look at choosing your perfect lens, there are a number of key photographic terms that you should be aware of – these will help you to feel more confident when making your final decision.
Some of the most important photography terms to get your head around include:
Aperture
The aperture setting is used to adjust the amount of light that passes through the lens, and this is controlled by the opening size of the iris diaphragm.
This is usually indicated by the letter ‘f' followed by a number, and the smaller the number, the larger the opening (and vice versa).
Maximum Aperture
This refers to the largest aperture setting available on the lens and is often indicated by an ‘AS' prefix.
It is possible to achieve maximum apertures as low as f/0.5, but they are rarely achieved in practice due to the difficulty of working with such small openings.
Minimum Aperture
This refers to the smallest aperture setting available on the camera body and is typically indicated by an ‘AL' prefix.
These settings are not normally achievable because of the difficulties involved in achieving such small openings, although some modern cameras do offer extremely high minimum apertures of f/1.4.
Focal Length
The focal length is the measurement of the distance from the center of the lens to its edge, and this is measured in millimeters.
A longer focal length means that the image appears further away from the photographer, whilst a shorter focal length makes objects appear closer together.
Maximum Focal Length
The maximum focal length refers to how far away your subject is from the lens.
It is important to bear in mind that the larger the maximum focal length, the greater the depth of field, meaning that there will be less chance of out-of-focus areas being noticeable in your photo.
Depth Of Field
When using a DSLR, it is possible to control the amount of background blur that is visible in your images by adjusting the aperture setting.
The wider the opening, the less background blur will be seen, while the narrower the opening, the more background blur will be present.
Chromatic Aberration
This occurs when different colors within an image are affected differently by the optical properties of the lens, resulting in color fringing or blurring.
This can occur when shooting with long focal lengths, particularly if the subject contains many bright highlights.
Spherical Aberration
This is caused by the refractive power of the glass elements within the lens, which causes slight differences in magnification across the image plane.
This results in the edges of objects appearing slightly blurred.
Distortion
This is the result of the physical shape of the lens, and it can cause objects to appear either straight or curved depending upon their orientation relative to the lens.
Distortion is usually corrected during post-processing, but it can also be minimized by using a wide-angle lens.
Optical Stabilization
This feature allows for handheld shots without having to use a tripod. Optical stabilization works by moving the sensor itself so that any movement is compensated for by the lens.
Image Stabilization
This feature compensates for hand shaking by moving the entire camera body instead of just the lens.
Image stabilization is only effective when shooting still subjects, and it may even make things worse if you are photographing fast-moving subjects.
Lens Hood
A lens hood is designed to protect the front element of the lens from damage, and it helps prevent flare and ghosting effects. There are several types of lens hoods, including circular, square, and octagonal.
Choosing The Right Lens
Now that we have taken a closer look at the key terms to remember in photography, it is time to consider the top tips you need to consider when choosing your Nikon lens.
Some of the main considerations include:
Types Of Lenses
There are two main categories of lenses: fixed focal length lenses and zoom lenses.
Fixed focal length lenses offer a single focal length throughout the range of the lens. Zoom lenses offer variable focal lengths, allowing you to change the focal length of the lens.
The type of lens you choose will depend largely on your preferred type of photograph.
Type Of Photography
If you want to take photos of people, then you should choose a zoom lens rather than a prime lens. Prime lenses tend to give better quality images, as they allow you to get close up to your subject.
However, they are generally smaller and lighter than zoom lenses, making them easier to carry around. If you want to photograph landscapes, then you might prefer a prime lens.
Focal Length
For most photographers, the focal length of the chosen lens is one of the most important factors to consider.
A longer focal length gives a shallow depth of field, meaning that the focus area appears sharp while everything else is out of focus.
On the other hand, a shorter focal length provides a greater depth of field, meaning there is a larger area where all parts of your photo are in focus.
Sensor Size
Another factor to consider is the size of the sensor inside the camera. Sensor size refers to how many pixels are used to capture light onto the image sensor.
Smaller sensors produce higher resolution photographs, but they also produce lower quality images due to noise issues. Large sensors provide high-quality images with less noise.
Price
Another consideration is price. You don’t always have to spend a fortune to buy a good lens.
In fact, some of the best lenses available today are relatively inexpensive, and we have seen some of the quality budget options on our list above.
Nikon has produced an excellent selection of lenses over the years and remains a major name in the world of photography. We hope this guide has helped you find the perfect lens for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know Which Aperture Setting To Use?
You can determine the correct aperture settings based on the lighting conditions.
When using flash, you can select either manual or auto mode. With natural light, you can set the aperture manually by turning the ring on the front of the lens.
Which Lens Should I Choose If I Am Looking To Shoot Portraits?
A fast wide-angle lens is ideal for shooting portraits. This allows you to create large group shots without having to worry about getting too close to your subjects.
Which Lens Should I Choose If I Am Looking To Shoot Landscapes?
A long telephoto lens is ideal for capturing distant landscapes. These lenses enable you to isolate objects from the background, giving you more creative freedom when composing your shot.
What Is The Difference Between A Prime Lens And A Zoom Lens?
Prime lenses are fixed focal length lenses. They offer no zoom capability, so you cannot change their focal length.
Zooming means that the focal length of the camera changes. The maximum focal length of a zoom lens is usually much wider than that of a prime lens.