This is a guide covering the best Nikon Lenses for wedding photography
Shooting wedding photos can get tricky because you will need to worry about having a wide-angle lens, a portrait lens, and a lens that will allow you to shoot from afar.
The good news for Nikon users, there are lots of Nikon lenses to choose from. We’ve come up with a list of some of the best Nikon lenses for wedding photography.
These options will give you an insight when it comes to its pros and cons. Plus, you will also have an idea of whether or not it is something that fits your style. I’ve listed both DX and FX-Format lenses so make sure to pick one that fits with your Nikon camera body.
In a hurry? Here’s a quick rundown:
- ⭐ Best Overall Nikon Lens for Wedding Photography
- 👩🦳 Best Nikon Lenses for Wedding Photography Portraits
- 👫 Best Nikon Lenses for Wedding Photography Group Photos
- 💒 Best Nikon Lenses for Wedding Photography Event Shots
- 🔭 Best Nikon Lenses for Wedding Photography Distance Shots
- 💸 Best Budget Nikon Lens for Wedding Photography
How to Choose the Best Nikon Lens for Wedding Photography?
Focal length: A versatile lens with a wide range of focal lengths, such as the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR or the Nikon 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 D AF Nikkor, is a good choice for wedding photography as it allows you to capture a variety of shots, from wide-angle group shots to tight portraits.
Aperture: A lens with a wide aperture, such as the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G, Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D, Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED, Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G, and Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G, will allow you to capture beautiful bokeh and create a shallow depth of field, which is great for portraits.
Image stabilization: Lenses with image stabilization, such as Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR or Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR, can help you capture sharp images in low light or when shooting handheld.
Durability: Wedding photography can be demanding and hard on equipment, so it’s important to choose a lens that is well-built and durable. Nikon’s pro-grade lenses, such as Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED, and Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G, are built to withstand heavy use and are a great choice for wedding photography.
Table of Contents
10 Best Nikon Lenses for Wedding Photography
1. 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
The best Nikon lens for wedding photography is the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G.
A nifty-fifty lens is likely the best pick for any wedding photography gig. It is an easy-to-use focal length that works well in both portraits and macro shots.
It’s a good choice when you need to shoot subjects that aren’t moving such as the wedding ring or the cake and it is a good choice for shooting candid moments as well.
The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.8G lens is known for sharp photos and vibrant colors typical of what you can expect from a G lens.
Some photographers consider this as the best Nikon lens for weddings considering the bokeh that it can produce for portraits, plus how it can perform in the majority of situations.
Performance-wise, it comes with a smooth, ultrafast, and quiets autofocusing thanks to its silent wave motor.
Even if it is considered by many as the best Nikon lens for weddings, it has a few flaws. If you’ll look closely, the edges are not exactly as sharp as the center.
Other than this small flaw, it’s the perfect lens not only for weddings but for most situations too.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Quick and quiet AF
- Sharp and vibrant colors
- A wide aperture that can produce beautiful bokeh
- Versatile range
My Cons With This Lens:
- Lacks sharpness in corners
2. Nikon 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 D AF Nikkor
The best budget Nikon lens for wedding photography is the Nikon 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 D AF Nikkor.
Let’s say that you’re just starting as a wedding photographer and the funds are a bit tight.
For someone who is a bit stingy, then you might find the Nikon 28-200mm F3.5-5.6 D Nikkor Zoom Lens as the right match for you.
It’s one of the best Nikon lenses for wedding photography because you will get everything you need.
This lens comes with a practical range. It can be used for shooting group shots and other wide-angle shots required during a wedding.
Also, if you are going to shoot candid shots from guests, you can be discreet given the long range of this lens.
It has smooth operations especially when it is searching for the subject. The downside to this lens is that it’s not a close-up lens.
You need at least 4 feet to get the AF to function. Also, the lens is not as good indoors compared to outdoors.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Sharp results
- Vibrant colors
- A good range for all wedding photography needs
My Cons With This Lens:
- You will need at least 4 feet for the AF to focus
3. Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D
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: F22
- Weight: 155 g (0.34 lb)
- Diameter: 64 mm (2.5″)
- Length: 39 mm (1.54″)
- Sealing: No
Another nifty fifty option on our list of best Nikon lenses for wedding photography is the Nikon AF FX Nikkor 50mm F1.8D lens.
It is a high-speed lens just like the 50mm G lens version. It comes with a wide aperture that can deliver excellent bokeh and do well even indoors.
However, the downside to this lens is that it uses a screw-linkage AF that means that it won’t have an AF if you are going to use it on many recent Nikon DSLRs.
It only works together with the more “pro-grade” Nikon cameras such as the D90 and the D7000 series.
Unfortunately, if you can use the autofocus, the AF is a bit slow. Also, it’s a normal 50mm in a full-frame FX camera but it becomes a telephoto lens when you are using a DX camera.
When it comes to performance, you get sharp results that can satisfy even professional photographers.
You can also get used to using the manual focus if you are serious about using this lens.
Overall, it’s a good pick even if you will have to make sure that your camera matches this lens.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Great for indoors
- Sharp results
- Can produce beautiful bokeh
My Cons With This Lens:
- Doesn’t always have an AF
- Turns into a telephoto lens when used on a DX Nikon camera
4. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
Lens specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: APS-C / DX
- Focal length: 18–140 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes (VR)
- Lens mount: Nikon F (DX)
- Maximum aperture: F3.5–5.6
- Minimum aperture: F22–38
- Weight: 490 g (1.08 lb)
- Diameter: 78 mm (3.07″)
- Length: 97 mm (3.82″)
The Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm F3.5-5.6G ED lens is a highly versatile option for wedding photographers.
It’s a good pick for those who want a lens that they can depend on for different situations.
The Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm F3.5-5.6G ED lens works as a wide-angle lens, portrait lens, and even as a macro lens.
It’s a good option for those who don’t want to be switching lenses when shooting weddings.
This lens is a bit heavy considering the extra range that it offers compared to the standard lens. It feels robust which gives you the confidence to shoot.
Shooting without a tripod is also easy given its vibration reduction feature. Plus, the images are sharp. But is it a pro lens? It is still a recreational photographer’s lens.
The focus is also accurate and sharp allowing wedding photographers to lessen lag time when shooting photos.
If you could partner the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm F3.5-5.6G ED lens with another lens, it might be a good idea to have a 50mm F1.8 lens.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Good range
- Quick and accurate AF
- Also does well when it comes to shooting wide shots
My Cons With This Lens:
- The quality of the shots are not as sharp as pro-lenses
5. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
Lens specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 24–70 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 900 g (1.98 lb)
- Diameter: 83 mm (3.27″)
- Length: 133 mm (5.24″)
- Sealing: Yes
The Nikon AF-S FX Nikkor 24-70mm F2.8G ED Zoom Lens is among the top best Nikon lenses for wedding photography.
Not only does it have a good range for shooting portraits, but it also performs exceptionally well when you shoot macro and group shots.
It’s the type of lens that can shoot portraits from afar and shoot group photos. All these things photographers can do without switching lenses.
The wide F2.8 aperture is also present for the entire range of the lens. It can shoot indoors well plus it can also produce beautiful bokeh.
The autofocus is also fast and accurate making it dependable for weddings.
Though it’s one of the best Nikon lenses for wedding photography, there are a few flaws that you should consider if you’re planning to get this lens.
For instance, it’s a bit heavy and bulky for a mid-range zoom lens. The corners are also not as sharp as you’d want them to be.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Wide aperture throughout the zoom range
- All-around lens for weddings
- Great for shooting indoors
- Sharp images
My Cons With This Lens:
- Heavy for a mid-range zoom lens
6. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED
Lens specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 20 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (DX)
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F16
- Weight: 355 g (0.78 lb)
- Diameter: 83 mm (3.25″)
- Length: 81 mm (3.17″)
- Sealing: No
The Nikon AF-S FX Nikkor 20mm is a stand-out wide-angle lens. This prime lens is perfect for those who are looking to shoot group photos, or if you wish to highlight the location of the wedding.
But aside from this, it is a favorite among wedding photographers because it can also come in handy for portraits.
If you are shooting subjects on corners, or if you want to include the subject from head to foot, then this is the perfect lens that you should be using.
It comes with a wide aperture as well making it handy if you need to blur the background or if you wish to shoot in low-light situations.
It offers sharp results and vibrant colors too making it compete against some of the best Nikon lenses for wedding photography.
The autofocus is also decent as it can track the subjects fast. However, though it is still sharp at F1.8, it is noticeably sharper at F5.6 and up.
There is also some chromatic aberration, but it is not exactly bad compared to other lenses.
Also, check out all of the best Nikon wide-angle lenses.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Wide aperture
- Quick and accurate AF
- Versatile for portraits and other wide-angle requirements
My Cons With This Lens:
- Some degree of chromatic aberration
- A bit softer with F2.8 and wider
7. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR
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
The Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm F2.8-4E ED lens is the perfect choice for a lot of wedding photographers who want to skip changing lenses when shooting in wedding events.
You get a wide-angle lens, a portrait lens, and even a medium-range telephoto lens.
It comes in handy when you need to shoot a group shot or if you want to include more background.
The lens opens up to F2.8 but not for the entire range. It can be a deal-breaker for some.
However, if you are going to use this lens, you’d find it useful especially in taking candid moments when you don’t have to rely on your tripod.
It comes with an effective vibration reduction feature that can minimize shakes by up to four stops.
Also, if you’re using an FX camera, this is lens becomes a 24-120mm lens.
It might be a bit bulkier than other lenses with the same range, but the most obvious concern is the barrel distortion, which can be corrected via Lightroom.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Wide aperture
- Has vibration reduction that can minimize shakes by up to 4 stops
- Decent range for different situations in a wedding
My Cons With This Lens:
- With barrel distortion
8. 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 sometimes an alternative to 50mm prime lenses.
It gives users the chance to have a wider perspective when they shoot portraits. It is also a good option in case someone plans to shoot large groups.
Optics is known for producing sharp photos and vibrant colors.
It comes with a nanocrystal coat and has been optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness regardless if you’re using an FX or a DX-format Nikon camera.
Hands down, it’s already one of the best Nikon lenses for wedding photography.
The wide F1.4 aperture is perfect for creating beautiful bokeh and shooting indoors.
However, there is some heavy vignetting when you use a wide aperture. Focusing is also decent though it’s not the quietest. Some might even find it a bit erratic.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Edge to edge sharpness for both DX and FX-format DSLRs
- Great alternative for 50mm prime lens
- Easy to use indoors
My Cons With This Lens:
- Vignetting in wide aperture
9. 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″)
Some users find the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm F1.8 a practical choice for most of their wedding photography needs.
The lens is known for its sharp results and is a great replacement for those who find the 50mm prime lenses to be a bit too narrow for their needs.
What makes it more practical than the F1.4 version is the fact that F1.8 can get the job done on most occasions without you going overboard with your resources.
You can produce good bokeh and shoot indoors without a problem with the F1.8 version.
The AF is also accurate and quiet. It comes with a silent wave motor that tracks the subject with ease.
It even has a weather-resistant design that can protect the lens from a bit of rain.
Unfortunately, a lot of users find the lens difficult to use if you’re the type of photographer who happens to be shooting manual.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Practical for portraits or group shots
- Produces great bokeh
- Performs well indoors
- Sharp photos
- Weather-sealed
- Quick and accurate AF
My Cons With This Lens:
- Manual focus is a bit difficult to use
10. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED
Lens specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 18–35 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
- Maximum aperture: F3.5–4.5
- Minimum aperture: F22–29
- Weight: 385 g (0.85 lb)
- Diameter: 83 mm (3.27″)
- Length: 95 mm (3.74″)
- Sealing: Yes
The Nikon AF-S FX Nikkor 18-35mm F3.5-4.5G ED zoom lens is a great choice for those who love shooting wide-angle shots.
It’s one of the best lenses for wedding photography especially if you are taking lots of group shots or if you want to highlight picturesque wedding venues.
This lens can prevent you from bringing multiple wide-angle lenses.
The results are also sharp, plus the colors are accurate. It produces sharp images even at the edges.
It makes use of a silent wave motor that is both accurate and discreet when focusing on the subject. However, it tends to focus a bit slow which can be a bit frustrating.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Sharp results
- Accurate and discreet AF
- A great range for wide-angle shots
My Cons With This Lens:
- Slow AF motor
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 50mm lens good for wedding photography?
A 50mm lens can be a good option for wedding photography as it offers a versatile focal length that can be used for a variety of shooting scenarios.
How do I choose a lens for capturing portraits of the bride and groom?
When choosing a lens for capturing portraits of the bride and groom, there are several factors to consider such as focal length, aperture, image stabilization, and autofocus.
How does image stabilization (VR) help in wedding photography?
Image stabilization (VR) can help in wedding photography by allowing you to use slower shutter speeds while still capturing sharp images.
Final Remarks
If you’re in the market for a good wedding photography lens from Nikon, keep in mind that you will most likely need a couple of lenses.
Wedding photographers keep 2 to 3 lenses ready whenever they are shooting an event. These options can help give you an idea of which lens is perfect for your style and even for your means.
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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.
