Best Nikon Lenses for Landscape Photography of 2022

Updated on February 7, 2020

Whether your goal is to shoot star trails, mountainscapes, or the sun setting over a vast expanse of water, adding a fast, wide-angle lens to your gear kit will greatly improve your photography. The best Nikon lenses for landscape photography are designed specifically to enhance your images and make the environment you find yourself in look just as incredible as you see it with the naked eye.

Capturing the perfect landscape photo is easier said than done. It takes much more than the click of a button – reaching your destination, waiting for the right light to hit your surroundings, and adjusting the composition are just some of the steps you need to take to get that perfect shot. With a good landscape lens attached to your Nikon DSLR, you can be sure to achieve the best results in any situation. Check out our list of the five best Nikon lenses for landscape photography and start shooting like a pro in no time!

For more of our top landscape photography gear recommendations, check out the Best Landscape Lenses.

Quick Answer – The Best Nikon Lens for Landscape Photography

Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G EDView at AmazonSigma 18-35mm F/1.8 DG HSM ArtView at AmazonNikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VRView at AmazonTamron 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USDView at AmazonNikon 14-24mm f/2.8G EDView at Amazon

Comparison Table – Best Nikon Lens for Landscape Photography

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Want to learn more about a technical term? Check out our Features Explained section below.

Need buying advice? Take a look at these Things to Consider.

Reviews – The Best Landscape Nikon Lenses

Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED

Specs

Aperture: f/3.5-4.5GFocal Length: 10-24mmLength: 3.43 inchesWeight: 1.01 lbs

Features

Silent Wave Motor For Quiet ShootingFast And Reliable AutofocusMore Affordable Than Similar Lenses

BEST FOR: THE ‘ON A BUDGET’ BEGINNER 

The Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED provides professional looking photos on a beginner’s budget. If you’re just starting out with landscape photography, the quality and smoothness of the images captured by this lens is well worth the investment. This is a great travel-friendly lens because it’s lightweight enough that you can carry it with you wherever you go, ensuring that you never miss out on a spectacular shot.

The ability to let the auto-focus do the work for you without having to worry about warping or distortion makes this lens incredibly easy to use. When used at its widest focal length (10mm), this beginner-friendly piece of glass can frame a huge amount of scenery. While some distortion is to be expected, the images it produces are still impressively realistic.

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Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 DG HSM Art

Specs

Aperture: f/1.8Focal Length: 18-35mmLength: 4.8 inchesWeight: 1.79 lbs

Features

Smooth and Accurate ZoomFast Aperture For Excellent Low Light PerformanceGreat For Video Makers As Well As Photographers

BEST FOR: LOW LIGHT PROS 

The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is a technological masterpiece, being one of the first lenses to provide both zooming capabilities and an extremely fast aperture. This affordable lens comes in at just under $700, with a number of features, such as the hypersonic motor, that are normally found only on professional-grade full-frame lenses. 

The wide aperture of the lens ensures great performance in low light conditions. The Sigma 18-35mm can be considered an excellent substitute for your standard kit lens thanks to its multi-purpose zoom range. Featuring a sturdy build and an accurate autofocus system, it will support your creativity as you set out to explore the unpredictable outdoors.

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Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR

Specs

Aperture: f/4Focal Length: 16-35mmLength: 4.92 inchesWeight: 1.5 lbs

Features

Ultra-wide Zoom Is Great For Vast Landscapes and InteriorsManual And Automatic Focus Mode Switch Makes It Easy To Shoot On-the-goExclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor

BEST FOR: THE LIGHT PACKER 

The Nikon 16-35mm F/4G ED VR provides great performance in a small, lightweight package. The lens only weighs 1.5lbs and can easily be carried around in a backpack or daypack, depending on where your preferred shooting location is. 

The sharpness of the lens is highly praised by reviewers and provides the user with crisp and clear image quality, whether it is being used for photography or videography. The autofocus on this lens works fast and is extremely accurate, even in lower light conditions. 

It is also relatively quiet, ideal for those situations where you’d rather be discreet. When this lens is used on its widest focal length (16mm), some distortion will appear which can easily be fixed in post-production.

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Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD

Specs

Aperture: f2.8Focal Length: 15-30mmLength: 5.61 inchesWeight: 2.42 lbs

Features

Moisture-resistant ConstructionOptimal Low Light PerformanceImage Stabilization System To Reduce Blur

BEST FOR: THE RUGGED EXPLORER 

The Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 DI VC USD is an ultra-wide angle lens that allows you to frame vast landscapes without skimping on quality. This lens is perfect for the explorer who isn’t afraid of getting a little dirty, as it’s made to be tough and moisture resistant.

The lens also has an anti-reflective coating, meaning that even on sunny days, you’ll be able to capture the perfect shot without glare or ghosting. For an ultra-wide angle that is decently priced at just under $1,300, this Tamron lens provides little to no distortion to your photos, regardless of the scene you’re shooting.

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Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

Specs

Aperture: f/2.8Focal Length: 14-24mmLength: 5.2 inchesWeight: 2.14 lbs

Features

Extra Sharp ImagingFast Aperture Great For Shooting In Low LightNano Crystal Coat To Avoid Glare and Ghosting

BEST FOR: THE BUDDING ASTROPHOTOGRAPHER

If your passion for photography lies among the stars, the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED is the perfect lens for you. This lens is smooth and sharp, even when its aperture is wide open at f/2.8. This lens is not the most budget friendly pick on the list, but you get what you pay for — an incredibly well-constructed lens that exceeds expectations.

The Nikon 14-24mm lens can be quite heavy even when used without a tripod, but it performs exceptionally in low-light conditions, meaning that you will be able to capture the milky way without grain or blur. One minor downside is that this lens is unable to have a filter attached to it, unless you purchase a filter kit, which can be quite expensive.

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THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING NIKON LENSES FOR LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

SIZE AND WEIGHT

Since you will be spending many hours carrying your camera around your neck or on your shoulders as you seek out the perfect shot, consider the size of the lens before buying. Professional landscape lenses can be heavier than the camera body at times, and while this usually extra weight equates to a sturdy build and quality components, entry-level photographers often prefer lightweightness and ease of use.

If you plan to shoot in the evening or during the night, keep in mind that you will probably need to add a tripod to your equipment as well, which will increase the weight you carry even more.

LOW LIGHT PERFORMANCE

The aperture of a lens, measured in f-stops, is one of the factors determining how much light will reach the sensor. A lens with a wide aperture of f2.8 or lower is preferable as it will perform much better in low light conditions. But a wide aperture comes at a price, as it significantly affects the value of a landscape zoom lens.

A bright lens is well worth the investment if you intend to focus on astrophotography or on capturing scenes after dusk. On the other hand, if you plan to shoot mainly in daylight, a higher number of f-stops will not sacrifice image quality and can save you a few hundred bucks.

FOCAL RANGE

Landscapes are traditionally shot with wide-angle lenses that allow you to frame a vast, panoramic scene in a single photograph. Wide-angle lenses can differ greatly, with focal lengths starting at just 10mm and going up to 35mm. The lesser the focal length, the wider the framing perspective.

An ultra-wide-angle lens can be useful to capture deserts, mountain ranges, or sweeping valleys, while wide-angle lenses of 24mm or more enclose the image into a narrower frame. The advantage of zoom lenses is that you can adjust the focal length by twisting a ring on the lens, increasing multi-functionality. In this sense, choosing a lens with a large focal range will make it easier to adapt to the various situations you may find yourself in while exploring the outdoors.

FEATURES EXPLAINED

WIDE-ANGLE

A lens with a short focal length, often used for landscape photography because of its ability to include vast scenes in the frame.

APERTURE

The opening that lets light reach the sensor.

FOCAL LENGTH

The distance between the lens and the sensor, usually stated in millimeters, affecting the framing perspective.

DISTORTION

The warping that often occurs in an image shot with an ultra-wide-angle lens.

ZOOM

The possibility to adjust the focal length, usually by twisting a ring on the lens.

AUTOFOCUS

The capacity of the lens to automatically detect and focus on the subject.

READ MORE

For more of our top outdoor photography gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer’s guides:

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