It can be intimidating to try to figure out which lens is best for your Nikon D3000 camera. When we get a brand new piece of equipment, we really want to make the most of it right away, so there can be a fear of purchasing the wrong lens! Fortunately, we have compiled a list of the best Nikon D3000 lenses, as well as universal qualities that you should look for when purchasing your perfect lens. Remember, not all lenses are the same. Some allow you to take certain types of pictures, or use more manual effects to create the best look. Others are specific to wide-angle photograph taking, or can make your portraits really sing! The common denominator in all of the lenses featured in this article is that they are the cream of the crop. You really can’t go wrong when selecting one of the lenses detailed in this article.
What Makes A Good Nikon D3000 Lens?
There are several qualities to look for in your perfect Nikon D3000 Lens. Ensuring that your lens has these particular components will put you on the right track to taking the best pictures possible. There are three things that you need to look out for; focal length, lens mount and aperture.
Focal Length
When we talk about focal length we are really referring to the distance between the lens and the sensor that focuses on the object in question. Put in laymen’s terms, focal length refers to how sharp or fuzzy your picture will be. When you have more focal length you can zoom in on objects with more clarity. A lower focal length will allow you to get much wider shots. Lower focal length is good for sweeping landscapes and grand vistas. Shorter focal length is good for macro photography or extreme close-ups. There are plenty of Nikon D3000 lenses that specialize in various focal lengths. Think about what you’re planning on using your camera for and choose the one that is best for your needs.
Lens Mount
The lens that you buy will need to be affixed to your camera in some fashion, and that is where your lens mount comes in. You want to make sure that the lens you purchase is compatible with your Nikon camera, otherwise, it will not fit on properly. Make sure that you only purchase lenses that will mount seamlessly onto your camera to avoid any issues with having to return the lens. Never attempt to force a lens onto your camera, or try to work with an ill-fitting one. The best case scenario is that you will take less than desirable pictures with your ill-fitting lens. The worst case scenario is that the lens could fall and shatter. Since lenses are very expensive, you do not want to risk breaking one! Always make sure that the lens is compatible with your camera and also firmly attached on before you start taking photographs.
Aperture
Simply put, aperture controls the amount of light that gets into your camera. Those cool photo effects where a picture is totally washed out or dark are designed by manually fiddling with the aperture to get a specific effect. If you are the type of person who likes to mess around with photo effects, or who understands the ins and outs of photography, getting a lens with a higher maximum aperture is something that you will want to consider. If you prefer not to use special effects or don’t know much about the functionality of your camera, this setting is not as important. Choosing the right lens for your Nikon D3000 is a personal matter, and there are no wrong answers.
Top Picks For Nikon D3000 Lenses
The lenses below are all ones that we have rated four stars or above. They are the best Nikon D3000 lenses on the market today, and all of them are available at Amazon or other retailers. We’ve given each one a rating and also provided a small overview of what you can expect from each individual lens.
NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II Lens
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This lens is amazing for getting those coveted close-up shots. The telephoto lens makes it easy to zoom in on a subject and really highlight those finer details. The only downside is that telephoto lenses tend to be a little bit on the heavier side, and are often cumbersome for photographers on the go. The NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II Lens does the trick. It is light enough to be easily transported and will be able to really capture those far away items of interest with perfect clarity. This is the lens for those who are interested in photographing nature, as you don’t need to be right up close to your subject to get a great shot. Often, there are obstacles in the way or even dangerous terrain or animals that prohibit photographers from getting their best shot. With this lens, you don’t have to worry about putting yourself in harm’s way. You can shot your picture from far away and be totally assured that you are safe. This is the lens for those who really want to capture that perfect puma or bear picture, but don’t want to run afoul of any predators! The aperture on this lens is top of the line, so your pictures will be saturated with light every time. With a focal length range of 55-200 MM and functions that work against unwanted camera effects,s like image ghosting, this lens is an absolute gem.
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens
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This lens allows you to get the right shot and is tough and lightweight. When you shoot with the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens, your snaps will come out crystal clear and free of any unwanted effects. The shutter speed is fast enough to capture all of the action, so this is an amazing lens for shooting sporting events or any type of fast-paced action shots. You will be able to get a clear visual right in every single frame! The lens is not zoomable, so the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens is not one that will help with those extreme close-ups, so if you’re interested in shooting things far away, this might not be the right lens for you. If you want to shoot close items at good speeds with a lens that is durable and reliable, consider the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens. It really is a winner in its class!
Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G Close-up Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras
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This lens is known as the king of the macro lenses for its ability to capture people, places and things very close up. Macro lenses are like magnifying glasses for your camera and they allow the user to get up close and personal with their subject matter while remaining at a safe distance. The aperture on this model is superb and the shutter speed is such that you can capture even the smallest movements. You can also enable autofocus, so the object that you’re shooting will automatically be shot in the clearest possible way. With its close-range correction system, the Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G Close-up Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras is able to automatically smooth over tiny flaws for a perfect shot every time. It’s really difficult to find any faults with the Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G Close-up Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras but if we had to pick one, it would be that the lens is not zoomable. You are pretty much at the mercy of the lens itself, so those who love to play with aperture and manual settings might be a little disappointed. For the rest of us, this lens is an amazing pick!
Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens for Nikon
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The Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens for Nikon is a good lens for focusing in on your subject material and also making sure that it has an ample amount of light to be photographed clearly. This is a great lens for those who want to shoot their subjects and not have to fiddle around too much with the technology. It’s also a good one to have on hand for anyone with a Nikon D3000 camera, as it is a sturdy, reliable lens that will take fairly good photographs on a regular basis. The Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens for Nikon is popular with novices and experts alike because it is durable and stays put throughout the shots. The only real problem with the Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens for Nikon is that it tends to have a rough lens cap, which can sometimes scratch the lens if jostled around too much. You need to be a little careful with this lens. The scratchy cap and limitations with manual functions are why we gave the Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens for Nikon a four-star rating.
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X116 Pro DX II Digital Zoom Lens
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The Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X116 Pro DX II Digital Zoom Lens is at the top of the pack in this list for good reason! It is one of the best ultra-telephoto lenses on the market, and it has enough aperture for the user to be able to fiddle with camera settings and get a unique, artistic picture. We love this lens and we bet that you will too! If you’re a nature enthusiast, this lens is a must. It is perfect for capturing those beautiful night skies in perfect clarity. No stars will blur together or become overexposed when you shoot with the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X116 Pro DX II Digital Zoom Lens. You can also use it to capture glorious panoramic shots or city skylines. Rest assured, every detail will be accounted for when you use this lens. The shots are extremely sharp and the user has creative control over the manual functionality, making creating artistic snaps with this lens a breeze! It is also sturdy and lovingly built, so it will last for a long time. We think that the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X116 Pro DX II Digital Zoom Lens is a great investment and a wonderful tool for serious photographers who want to really get into nature or nighttime photography.
Sigma 30mm F1.4 Art DC HSM Lens for Nikon
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The Sigma 30mm F1.4 Art DC HSM Lens for Nikon is a great lens for capturing what is in the moment. It’s a good lens for candid shots and any spur-of-the-moment shots, like getting a snap of that amazing street performer on the fly! It is a little on the heavy side, but worth its weight in gold because of the quick shutter speed and its ability to grab candid shots with ease. Your street photographs will come out stunning instead of smeary and out of focus. The Sigma 30mm F1.4 Art DC HSM Lens for Nikon specializes in mimicking human vision as accurately as possible, meaning that your snaps will be as close to what you actually saw as they can be. In most cases, the snaps will come out almost identically. The Sigma 30mm F1.4 Art DC HSM Lens for Nikon is a great everyday lens, as it is not zoomable and does not have the bells and whistles of other lenses. It is perfect for candid snaps and celebrating everyday occurrences.
Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
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The Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras is an excellent lens for people who are on the go. It is lightweight and easily transported. Carrying this lens around won’t be a problem at all, as the lens cap is solid and won’t easily scratch the lens itself. It is also a great lens for beginners because it is easy to grab a great shot thanks to the automatic focus, although there is a slight problem that some users reported with focus speed. The Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras will not instantaneously focus, so users have to be a little patient with this lens. Overall, the Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras is a solid lens that will give beginners some great shots. It is also a good one for experts to keep on hand, as it makes a great addition to your lens portfolio and is great to grab and go out and shoot with.
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras
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The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras lens is one of the best on the market, and we think that it is one of the best on this list also because it is a great lens for both beginners and for experts alike. It is a great lens for taking pictures at night without fear of overexposing or underexposing them because the focus is automatic. The quality of your shots will always be sharp and well focused. The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras can work just as easily during the day as at night, transitioning seamlessly between the two. Beginners will love that they don’t need to fiddle around too much with the aperture or any other finicky elements of the lens in order to get a good shot. Experts will love how this lens gives them crystal-clear images that otherwise would take several minutes to stage properly. It’s a true win-win for everyone!
Buying a lens for your Nikon D3000 camera does not have to be a stressful process. You can streamline it and make it so much easier by simply checking out some of the best options that we’ve laid out here. There is truly something for every photographer on this list. Happy snapping!