This is a guide covering the best Nikon lenses for landscape photography.
Landscape photography can be fun. Not only do you have the chance to see beautiful cities and nature, but you can also rely on natural light compared to shooting indoors.
And for those who are using Nikon cameras, we’ve come up with some of the best lenses that can come in handy for pros and hobbyists alike.
I have listed both F and Z-Mount lenses so make sure to choose a lens compatible with your camera type.
In a hurry? Here’s the quick overview:
- ⭐ Best Overall Nikon Lens for Landscape Photography
- 🌐 Best Wide-Angle Nikon Lenses for Landscape Photography
- 🔭 Best Zoom Nikon Lenses for Landscape Photography
- 🌄 Best Standard Nikon Lenses for Landscape Photography
- 💸 Best Budget Nikon Lens for Landscape Photography
How to Choose the Best Nikon Lens for Landscape Photography?
Focal Length: A wide-angle lens with a short focal length (14mm or lower) is best for capturing wide vistas and landscapes, while a lens with a longer focal length (50mm or higher) is better for capturing more detailed shots of specific features in the landscape such as mountain peaks or waterfalls.
Aperture: A wide aperture (f/2.8 or lower) is important for landscape photography as it allows more light to enter the camera, resulting in better low-light performance and sharper images.
Image stabilization: This feature can help reduce camera shake and blur in your photos, especially when using a long focal length lens or shooting at slow shutter speeds.
Quality of optics: Look for lenses that are known for their sharpness and minimal distortion as it will help to produce high-quality images.
Weather sealing: Look for lenses that have weather-sealing capabilities, it will allow you to shoot in harsh conditions without worrying about damaging your lens.
Zoom or prime: Zoom lenses are versatile and give you the freedom to change focal length without changing lenses, prime lenses are known for their sharpness and fast aperture.
Table of Contents
12 Best Nikon Lenses for Landscape Photography
1. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Focal length: 28 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
- Maximum aperture: F1.4–16
- Minimum aperture: F1.4–16
- Weight: 645 g (1.42 lb)
- Diameter: 83 mm (3.27″)
- Length: 101 mm (3.98″)
- Sealing: Yes
If you’re looking for the best Nikon lens for landscape photography, then might as well consider the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28mm F/1.4E ED Lens.
However, if you are just shooting landscapes, wide apertures might not come in handy as you are mostly using F/16 or up to F/5.6. Anything beyond that and you are already compromising sharpness.
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28mm F/1.4E ED Lens is not some hobbyist’s lens. It is something that you’d typically see in a pro photographer’s bag.
It can be used for taking portraits and could even create bokeh making it not only the best Nikon lens for landscape photography but even potentially for shooting portraits.
The gold ring series optics provides extraordinary sharpness in your photos. You get no distortion or aberrations. It also has this superb construction that allows you to work in different conditions.
The autofocus is also accurate allowing you to shoot with ease especially during the daytime.
We’ve also tried it out at night for astrophotography and it produces some of the most stunning results.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Versatile
- Durable construction
- Sharp and no distortions
My Cons With This Lens:
- n/a
2. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format: size APS-C / DX
- Focal length: 35 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (DX)
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 210 g (0.46 lb)
- Diameter: 70 mm (2.76″)
- Length: 53 mm (2.07″)
Like we said earlier, a lot of landscape photography enthusiasts won’t need wide aperture lenses if they intend to take photos of cities and nature.
That’s what makes the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm F/1.8G lens more than just a wide angle lens. Apart from being arguably the best Nikon lens for landscape photography, it could even be a good portrait photography lens as well.
Its 35mm focal length is just slightly wider than your typical 50mm lens. Plus, it has a wide aperture that generates beautiful bokeh.
This is a good choice not only for budget-strapped photographers but even for pros smart enough to invest only in what’s practical.
In case you’re a traveler who shoots both landscapes and portraits, then this can be a good pick. With its great optics, it is the best Nikon lens for landscape and travel photography. It has a lightweight design making it easy to carry around.
Among its features is a silent wave motor AF system. And if you feel comfortable shooting on manual, there is a switch by the side allowing you to instantly turn off AF operation.
The downside is that it is a bit slow when it comes to its focusing.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Superb picture quality
- Can be used for both portraits and landscapes
- Lightweight design
My Cons With This Lens:
- AF is a bit slow
3. Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 35 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
- Maximum aperture: F1.4
- Minimum aperture: F16
- Weight: 600 g (1.32 lb)
- Diameter: 83 mm (3.27″)
- Length: 90 mm (3.52″)
- Sealing: Yes
The Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm F1.4G lens is one of the best Nikon lenses for landscape photography and more. However, it stands out as a lens in different ways.
If you think that 50mm is getting boring for shooting portraits, this lens can also get the job done. Because of this, the Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm F1.4G lens is considered by some as the best Nikon lens for landscape and travel photography.
It can bring superb results with vibrant colors and sharp images.
It has a nanocrystal coat and aspherical lens element that can eliminate ghosting flare. And on top of that, you can enjoy a quiet autofocus performance.
It is almost near perfect if not for its slow AF.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Sharp results
- Vibrant colors
- Perfect for portraits and landscape
- Quiet AF
My Cons With This Lens:
- n/a
4. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 17-35mm f/2.8D
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 17–35 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 745 g (1.64 lb)
- Diameter: 83 mm (3.25″)
- Length: 106 mm (4.17″)
- Sealing: No
Not a lot of photographers are willing to invest big into prime lenses for their bags. For those who want to save a lot of money on their gear, we consider the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 17-35mm F2.8 IF-ED Zoom Lens as a good pick.
Looking at the available focal lengths, it is one of the best Nikon lenses for landscape photography. Imagine having a 17mm, 28mm, and a 35mm lens in one package.
You don’t need to switch lenses in case you want a wider or a narrower focal length.
By design, it carries 2 types of aspherical lenses—2 molded glass and a hybrid. Also, you get 2 ED glass elements that contribute to the high-quality shots that it can produce.
It also has a silent wave motor that makes it accurate and easy to use when focusing on your subjects.
The biggest downside is that it is a bit soft from F/2.8 to F/4.5. Now, if you are sometimes shooting portraits then this is bad news.
However, if you are only shooting landscape photography, then this won’t be an issue.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Highly versatile as a wide-angle lens
- Silent and accurate AF
- Sharp from F/5.6 above
My Cons With This Lens:
- A bit soft from F/2.8 to F/4.5
5. Nikon AF-S VR NIKKOR 16-35mm f4G
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 16–35 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes (vibration reduction (VR II) up to 4 stops)
- Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
- Maximum aperture: F4
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 685 g (1.51 lb)
- Diameter: 83 mm (3.25″)
- Length: 125 mm (4.92″)
- Sealing: Yes
If you’re a true fan of the outdoors and shooting cityscapes, it might be a good pick to buy the Nikon 16-35mm F4G ED AF-S VR NIKKOR lens.
You’ll have a variety of wide-angle focal lengths to choose from. By design, this lens is made for shooting landscapes since the widest that it can go is up to F/4 only.
The reason behind this is to never compromise on sharpness.
It includes features like vibration reduction to help you shoot even if you don’t have a tripod. Plus, the lens has a nanocrystal coat that contributes to the superb results of each shot.
There are still some distortions that you’ll notice. The good news is that it isn’t too bad since you can use Photoshop to correct it.
Also, be sure to check out the full list of best wide-angle lenses for Nikon.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Takes sharp photos
- A wide range of wide-angle focal lengths
- With vibration reduction
My Cons With This Lens:
- Noticeable distortion
6. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 50 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F16
- Weight: 185 g (0.41 lb)
- Diameter: 72 mm (2.83″)
- Length: 53 mm (2.07″)
- Sealing: No
What does a 50mm prime lens doing in our list of best Nikon lenses for landscape photography?
50mm prime lenses are among the most versatile focal lengths out there. With the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50m F1.8G lens, you have a portrait and a landscape lens.
It is a practical choice for composing your shots as well. It produces sharp results along with vibrant colors.
On top of that, you don’t need to spend a lot for this lens. For both a professional and a hobbyist, this comes in as a great option. What’s the biggest downside of this lens compared to the other best Nikon lenses for landscape photography?
It’s focal length. There are some instances where you need a wider perspective when shooting landscape photography.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Versatile camera for portraits and landscapes
- Vibrant colors and sharp results
My Cons With This Lens:
- There are instances when it can’t produce the wide-angle shot that you need
7. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 50 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
- Maximum aperture: F1.4
- Minimum aperture: F16
- Weight: 290 g (0.64 lb)
- Diameter: 74 mm (2.89″)
- Length: 54 mm (2.13″)
- Sealing: No
The Nikon AF-S FX Nikkor 50mm F1.4G lens is among the most popular lenses for Nikon users. It has a wide aperture and a versatile focal length perfect for creating bokeh and shooting at low light scenarios.
Plus, you get vibrant colors in your shots. 50mm, as we’ve mentioned is a practical pick since it can be used for both landscapes and portraits.
However, you might find it frustrating if you are shooting lakes, cityscapes from a higher perspective, or any scenario that requires a wider focal length.
If you are shooting from F/1.4 to F/4.5, we consider the results to be a bit soft and not passable for a landscape lens.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Versatile focal length
- Vibrant colors
My Cons With This Lens:
- Soft results on some of its wider aperture
8. NIKON NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: APS-C / DX
- Focal length: 16–50 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Lens mount: Nikon Z
- Maximum aperture: F3.5–6.3
- Minimum aperture: F16
- Weight: 135 g (0.30 lb)
- Diameter: 70 mm (2.76″)
- Length: 32 mm (1.26″)
- Sealing: No
The Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F/3.5-6.3 VR Ultra-Compact Zoom Lens is a practical choice for those who can’t decide which lens to bring.
This lens is one of the best Nikon lenses for landscape photography because you can shoot using a variety of focal lengths.
The widest aperture at F/3.5 is also not so bad even in shooting portraits as long as you are using this lens outdoors or in a studio setting with enough lighting.
But as far as shooting landscapes, you get sharp results. Also, it comes with a vibration reduction feature that helps lessen shakes when you don’t have a tripod with you during your trip.
The only thing that you might not like when shooting landscapes is the noticeable barrel distortion.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Sharp results
- With vibration reduction
- Lightweight and compact design
- Versatile
My Cons With This Lens:
- Noticeable barrel distortion
9. Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 28 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F16
- Weight: 330 g (0.73 lb)
- Diameter: 73 mm (2.87″)
- Length: 81 mm (3.17″)
- Sealing: No
Though we’ve included a lot of wide-angle prime lenses in our list of best Nikon lenses for landscape photography, nothing beats a good wide-angle prime lens for serious hobbyists and professional photographers.
It produces sharp results and vibrant colors thanks to its nanocrystal coat and aspherical lens elements.
Though it is meant for professional photographers, there are some things that you might not like about this wide-angle lens.
For starters, you’d notice some lateral chromatic aberration. Other than that, you get something that works well.
My Pros With This Lens:
- A wide range of aperture options
- Sharp results and vibrant colors
- Compact design
My Cons With This Lens:
- Some chromatic aberration can be seen in photos
10. Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 28mm f/2.8D
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 28 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 205 g (0.45 lb)
- Diameter: 65 mm (2.56″)
- Length: 45 mm (1.75″)
- Sealing: No
The Nikon AF FX Nikkor 28mm F2.8D lens is a good pick for those who are shooting nature and cityscapes. It comes in as a good choice whether you’re shooting at night or during the daytime.
This lens has the Nikon Super Integrated Coating that helps minimize both flare and ghost. Plus, this is known to provide a good color balance.
This compact and lightweight option is also handy. Imagine having a lens that only weighs around 7.4 ounces. What’s not to like?
This lens doesn’t have an autofocus feature which can sometimes be frustrating for those who want to shoot a lot of photos. One tip when using this lens is to just have the lens on infinity.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Great color balance
- Lightweight
- Great for both daytime and low light scenarios
My Cons With This Lens:
- No AF functionality
11. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-70mm f/2.8D
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 28–70 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 935 g (2.06 lb)
- Diameter: 89 mm (3.48″)
- Length: 122 mm (4.78″)
- Sealing: No
The Nikon 28-70mm F/2.8D ED-IF AF-S Zoom Nikkor Lens may not exactly be just a wide-angle lens, but this is something that you want to bring with you if you are traveling.
This allows you to shoot landscapes, portraits, or macro shots with ease. It brings high-quality shots.
And though it is a bit heavy compared to the other best Nikon lenses for landscape photography, the trade-off isn’t that bad.
The AF is also decent. It’s not the best but it works well for any situation.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Versatile for shooting landscape, portrait, and for macro photography
- Sharp and vibrant photos
- AF works well for all scenarios
My Cons With This Lens:
- Heavy
12. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: APS-C / DX
- Focal length: 16–80 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes (4 stops)
- Lens mount: Nikon F (DX)
- Maximum aperture: F2.8–4
- Minimum aperture: F22–32
- Weight: 480 g (1.06 lb)
- Diameter: 80 mm (3.15″)
- Length: 86 mm (3.39″)
- Sealing: No
Another all-in-one lens for a variety of photographers is the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm F2.8-4E ED zoom lens. It is a perfect choice for photographers who are looking to travel and shoot different subjects from people to landscapes.
Compared with the other best Nikon lenses for landscape photography, the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm F2.8-4E ED zoom lens can be considered a stand-out.
It’s a highly durable pick that comes with a non-stick protective fluorine coating that minimizes smudges and dirt on your glass.
On top of that, image quality is superb whether when you are shooting photos or videos.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Minimizes the smudges and dirt on the glass
- A great range for a variety of scenarios
- Superb image quality
My Cons With This Lens:
Frequently Asked Questions
What Focal Length is Best for Landscapes?
The best focal length for landscapes would have to be a 28mm to 35mm lens. It gives you a slightly wider perspective compared to your 50mm lens. However, it doesn’t look distorted compared to using fisheye lenses.
Is Canon or Nikon Better for Landscape Photography?
Both Canon and Nikon are well-known and respected brands in the photography industry, and both offer a wide range of high-quality lenses and cameras that are suitable for landscape photography. It’s difficult to say which one is definitively better, as the choice will depend on your personal preferences and needs.
Concluding Remarks
If you’re in the market for the best lenses for landscape photography in your Nikon, you might want to compare the options that we’ve mentioned.
From there, you can check if it meets your budget and your expectations.
Also, check out the full list of best Nikon lenses.
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Nate Torres is a portrait photographer based in Southern California. Outside of photography, Nate specializes in SEO, content marketing, and entrepreneurship. He is also the founder of Imaginated.com, a platform for creator education.
