Lens Reviews

The 9 Best Nikon Lenses (According to Photographer Matt Granger)

Shutterbug Staff  |  May 16, 2018

Matt Granger is a photographer and educator who runs a popular photography YouTube channel. And if you’ve ever watched any of his videos, you’d know that he has lots of opinions about photography gear.

In the below video, Granger put his opinions on Nikon lenses out there for all the world to hear and, potentially, agree or disagree with. In the video, he picks his nine favorite Nikon lenses. You might be surprised that they are not all actually Nikon lenses; quite a few on the list are from so-called third-party lens manufacturer Tamron, and one is from Samyang.

Here are the nine Nikon F-mount lenses Granger likes, in the order they are shown in the video. (Be sure to watch the video where he explains why these are the Nikon F-mount lenses he owns and uses regularly).

#1 Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 for Nikon F

#2 Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens for Nikon F 

#3 Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED Lens

#4 Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Lens

#5 Samyang 12mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS Fisheye Lens for Nikon F Mount with AE Chip

#6 Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED Lens

#7 Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD Lens for Nikon F

#8 Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Lens for Nikon F

#9 Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II Lens

Do you agree or disagree with Granger’s list? Let us know in the comments below. You should also check out more of Granger’s excellent photography videos on his YouTube channel.

And here are two other lens recommendation stories we’ve shared recently:

Gear Advice: The 5 Best Super-Telephoto Lenses for Wildlife Photography
Gear Advice: The 5 Best Zoom Lenses for Portrait Photography
 

COMMENTS
wmdyer1's picture
Submitted by wmdyer1 on May 22, 2018 - 5:25pm

We see pretty close to eye to eye on lenses for Nikon. I too have the Laoa Venus 12mm lens, the Tamron 15-30, and the Nikon 50 1.8G. I did invest in the Nikon 70-200 2.8 E FLD and have no regrets there. I also have the Sigma 50 and 35mm 1.4 Art. And the insane Sigma 300-800 5.6 for shooting falcons here in town and the solar eclipse with a sun filter. All in all, the best lens is the one that helps you get the shot you wanted. I really enjoy your videos, both the reviews and the instructional videos.

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