Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

What are the best lenses (for the budget-minded) for nature and landscape photography for my Nikon D7100?
Is there a (budget) trinity of lenses?

Photosmoke

The Tamron 70-300mm VC is a great lens for a good price.

jgitomer Loc: Skippack Pennsylvania

For landscape photography have a look at some of the older manual focus primes. There are some excellent lenses available at reasonable prices and since landscapes don't move :D the lack of autofocus isn't a serious concern.

Jerry

2nefoto

the old adage "you get what you pay for" applies in lens purchases. for landscape images I like the Nikkor 18-70mm 3.5/5.6 which is a DX lens. If your shooting takes place during daylight, this lens can serve you well. As for your nature work, it depends on how close you want to get. I do not know if your intended work warrants a macro lens.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The new Sigma 18-300mm is an absolutely amazing all-in-one type lens for only $599. Plus its the new Contemporary series and you can custom adjust many of its settings and features with Sigmas USB Dock system right at home! This is a very valuable benefit to Sigmas newer lenses!

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Since your D7100 has a focus motor you can get some real bargans on eBay. Their are a lot of older lenses tht do not have a motor that go for very good prices. Just for fun I have set a tab for eBay with Nikon mount lenses under $60 and sometimes I am amazed at what comes up ande sells for less than the $60. If you have a kit lens it should do for landscaps. You do not need a fast lens and if you shoot at about f/8 you will be harpressed to get better IQ with a higher priced lens.

MarkD Loc: NYC

You have an 18-140, a 12-24, and a 60mm micro. You're set now. You could add a Nikon 55-300 VR or Tamron 70-300 VC if you want a longer lens, but there's no need to replace what you have now.

Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

Thanks. I hear that the 18-140 doesn't get high marks from DxO. I am looking for the sharpest lenses for the budget-minded photographer.

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

Nikkor 55-300mm...a great lens for the price...and of course, the Nikkor 18-105mm, an excellent every day lens...

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Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

nice pics! :thumbup:

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

Cheers Mate...both taken with the 55-300

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

In my Not So Humble Opinion you need to us the glass that you have until you have gotten the best IQ you can. Just hearing that a lens doesn't get great marks from somebody doesn't mean that it can't be a great lens for you. If you are shooting landscapes you will not need a fast lens. You will be shooting at f/8 - f/11 that should give you great IQ. You may want to avoid shooting at 18 or 140 mm since they will probable not give you the best IQ. This is true with most lenses It his book "The Camera" Ansil Adams gave the advice that you don't need the sharpest lens for landscape work. As for the trinity - Most photographers do not have the need for the "fast glass" or the constant aperture or for every focal length. Fun to dream about but most of us just don't need it. I would advise you to keep note book handy and then make note whenever your lenses wont do what you want the to do and why. Then after awhile you will have a true picture of what you will need when you buy a new lens. - Dave

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

I bought a new D7100 last spring and had good luck with a Tokina 11-16mm that I bought, a Tamron 24-70 that I rented for my trip and a 55-200 kit lens.

Recently, based on MT Shooter's endorsements, I sold the 55-200 and bought a Sigma 70-200 APO AF f/2.8. Also have a 35mm prime lens.

I didn't really like the 18-105mm kit lens, so I bought an 18-70mm on ebay because I really liked my old 18-55mm and I feel it's a smidge sharper, but have my eyes out for a 16-85mm to replace that (or maybe a Tamron 24-70).

So now I have 11-16mm f/2.8, 18-70mm, 35mm, 70-200mm f/2.8 and for kicks, a 70-300mm Nikon f/3.5-5.6. Only the wide angle and the Sigma have VR. Purchased the Tokina on Amazon prime, but I got everything else on ebay. Some good deals to be found there if you are patient enough.

I tend to look for FX bargains so I can step up to full frame someday if desired. Although, that Canon 7D Mark II may change my mind once I put my hands on one and I'll have to turn all my glass over. I love the D7100, but it's 6 FPS is kinda bogus with that small buffer unless I but a super expensive SD card and turn all the bells and whistles off and shoot in jpeg. Nikon's as a general rule feel better in my hands than Canon, but I want to shoot sports and need more speed. can't afford a D4 on my present budget.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

:thumbup:

The AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR IF-ED, is also a good budget choice for daytime Nature pics. It's sharp, and works great in good light. On the D7100 the 70-300mm FX lens delivers the a "35mm equivalent" field of view of 105-450mm.

Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

Thanks Dave! Good advice! :thumbup: