9+ Best Telephoto Lenses for Nikon | Unrivaled Guide 2023

In this guide, we will help you choose the best Nikon telephoto lens to pair with your SLR or mirrorless camera.

There are many long focal length optics proposed by the company and these are accompanied by compatible lenses, made by third-party manufacturers (such as Sigma and Tamron ). Below we have selected the most valid options and provided a brief description of the main features for each model.

In the mirror below you will find the list of the best Nikon telephoto lenses currently in the guide. Click on a model name to go directly to the part dedicated to it. If you want to know more about this type of lens or have doubts about compatibility with your camera, we recommend that you read the introductory section of the page.

Best Telephoto Lenses for Nikon 2023

Best Telephoto Lenses for Nikon | Comparison Table 2023

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Best Telephoto Lenses for Nikon | Products Overview 2023

Product Overview:

The Big Mike’s High–Power 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto Lens for Nikon DSLR is a powerful telephoto zoom lens perfect for both amateur and experienced photographers. With a maximum focal length of 500mm, this lens is a versatile tool for capturing distant subjects and creating stunning visuals. The lens is constructed with high index, low–dispersion multi–coated optical glass to reduce flare and improve image quality, and comes with a Nikkon T–mount adapter for easy attachment to your digital or 35mm DSLR cameras.

It also features a 2X Teleconverter that can double the power of the lens to 1000mm and a 67mm filter thread for adding filters. Big Mike takes pride in providing customers with top–quality accessories and solutions, and they use only the best parts and materials available. They also use innovative production processes and strict quality control to ensure their products meet the highest standards and expectations.

This state–of–the–art lens is no exception and is sure to give users confidence and reliability when taking photos. Whether you’re a professional photographer or just starting out, this lens is the perfect accessory for your camera. With its high–power zoom capabilities and multi–coated optical glass, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with your subjects and capture stunning visuals. And with the included T–mount adapter and 2X Teleconverter, you’ll be able to get even more from your lens, giving you even more flexibility and control over your shots.

Product Overview:

This JINTU 420-800mm f/8.3 HD Manual Telephoto Camera Lens for Nikon SLR is a perfect choice for any wildlife or nature photographer looking to capture stunning images without being seen by the subject. The lightweight construction of this lens is made of brass and aluminum, and it measures 10.6 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches, making it highly portable and easy to carry around on your adventures.

This lens is compatible with most Nikon SLR cameras, such as the D850, D810, D800, D750, D700, D610, D300, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600, D7000, D7100, D7200, D7500, D50, D60, D90, Df, D3, and D3X. The lens features advanced ultra-high index/low-dispersion optical glass, a new barrel material, and exotic anti-reflection coatings for an enhanced experience. The lens has a fixed aperture of f/8.3, and it does not have an auto-focus function. As such, it is recommended to use a live view for accurate focus. Additionally, the focal length and aperture details are clearly visible.

The lens also features a push-pull zoom and a ribbed focusing tube with the smooth movement for precise settings. Finally, the lens comes with a small bag, allowing you to store and carry it around with ease. This lens is a great choice for any photographer who wants to capture stunning images and videos with ease. With its advanced features and design, it is sure to be a great addition to your camera setup.

Product Overview:

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 Compact Telephoto Zoom Lens is an immensely versatile all-in-one zoom lens ready to capture any beauty encountered on your next trek. This lens features Nikon technologies including Aspherical Lens Elements, ED Glass Elements, ARNEO Coat, and Fluorine Coat for superb image quality and edge-to-edge clarity. It also features built-in Vibration Reduction image stabilization for shake-free shots and on-the-go convenience.

The 24-200mm lens is ideal for sweeping landscapes, impressive architecture, and lively street photography. It has impressive video performance with remarkably smooth, fast, and quiet autofocus, perfect for capturing video footage. The customizable, clickless control ring offers quick and quiet access to the most used camera settings. The lightweight design of this lens makes it perfect for grab-and-go shooting, giving you the convenience of always having the right lens with you.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 Compact Telephoto Zoom Lens is the perfect solution for photographers and videographers who need a versatile lens to capture any scene. With its superb image quality, edge-to-edge clarity, and image stabilization, this lens is sure to capture the beauty of any landscape and impress any viewer.

Product Overview:

The Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Nikkor Telephoto Zoom Lens is a powerful and versatile addition to any Nikon DX-Format Digital SLR Camera. Its 11.1x zoom range with a focal length of 18-200mm can capture everything from wide-angle landscape shots to distant wildlife photos. The lens is designed with a Stabilisation System Vibration Reduction II (VR II) that keeps your photos sharp and clear, even in low lighting and unsteady hands.

Its Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology provides fast and quiet autofocus performance, while the M/A mode quickly switches between autofocus and manual focus. The 7-blade circular aperture corrects blurred elements for more natural backgrounds. This lens is the perfect choice for all photographers, from amateur to professional. Its lightweight and compact design, combined with its powerful zoom range, allows you to capture professional-level shots without the bulk of most telephoto lenses. The lens also offers improved low-light performance, so you can take stunning photos in dimly lit areas.

And with its advanced technologies, like the Vibration Reduction II (VR II) and Silent Wave Motor (SWM), you'll get precise autofocus and sharp images, even in the most challenging conditions. The Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Nikkor Telephoto Zoom Lens is an all-in-one telephoto solution for any photographer. Whether you're taking wide-angle outdoor shots or distant wildlife photos, you'll get the perfect image every time.

With its advanced technologies and lightweight design, you'll be taking stunning photos with ease. Whether you're an amateur or a professional, the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Nikkor Telephoto Zoom Lens is the perfect choice for capturing beautiful shots no matter the environment.

Product Overview:

The Lightdow 420-800mm f/8.3 Manual Zoom Super Telephoto Lens is a powerful and versatile tool designed to allow quality telephoto and zoom capabilities for Canon EOS Rebel T3 T3i T4i T5 T5i T6 T6i T6s T7 T7i SL1 SL2 6D 7D 7D 60D 70D 77D 80D 5D II/III/IV DSLR Camera Lenses. This lens is constructed with solid full metal, multi-coated low-dispersion glass, and an anti-reflection coating, giving the user superior optical performance.

The 420-800mm lens is ideal for shooting far-away objects, allowing you to capture the moment with clarity and precision. With a wide range of focal lengths and aperture, photographers can capture detailed photos of distant wildlife, stunning landscapes, sports, and more. It is designed to focus manually and requires the user to set their camera to manual mode in order to achieve the best results. This lens offers a number of advantages, including a manual focus telephoto zoom lens, fast shutter speed, and the use of remote shutter release.

All of these are necessary to avoid camera shake and achieve the best possible results from the lens. Additionally, this lens does not require an adapter or converter for use in any country, making it ideal for international trips.

Product Overview:

The Opteka 650-1300mm f/8 Super Telephoto Zoom Lens is a powerful, long-range lens that offers a wide range of focal lengths and is compatible with a variety of Nikon digital SLR cameras. This lens features an optimized design and incorporates 6 optical glass elements (including one SD super-low dispersion) in 5 groups to reduce chromatic and spherical aberrations while maintaining a high level of image quality.

The high-definition anti-reflective coating also suppresses lens flare and ghosting for increased contrast and color fidelity. The Opteka 650-1300mm f/8 Super Telephoto Zoom Lens also features a full metal body and rear mount, making it very durable and rugged. Manual focusing is also available, with preset f-stops that correspond to the focal length at which you are shooting. An index for distance and diaphragm scale is inscribed on the lens barrel to coordinate focal length and aperture.

This lens is also compatible with all Nikon APS-C and full-frame cameras. Opteka is an American-based photography brand that has been a leader in the science of optics since the early 2000s. With a passion for photography, Opteka has been able to create products that have been able to achieve and surpass their goals. The Opteka 650-1300mm f/8 Super Telephoto Zoom Lens is a great example of its commitment to excellence and is the perfect choice for any photographer looking for a powerful and reliable long-range lens.

Product Overview:

The Tamron 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD (Model A035) is an ultra-telephoto zoom lens that provides AF precision and clarity when shooting in-the-moment action. It features three LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements positioned to prevent aberrations that are typical with many telephoto lenses and Tamron’s proprietary eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) Coating to reduce reflections.

Its lens barrel is made primarily of magnesium, making it the lightest weight in its class and ideal for handheld shooting over long periods of time. It also has a minimum object distance of 1.5m and a maximum image magnification ratio of 1:3.6, giving you the ability to soften the foreground or background for dramatic emphasis on your subject. The Tamron 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD is also designed for superior weather protection, featuring moisture-resistant construction and a fluorine-coated front element.

This lens also has a 4-stop VC image stabilization system that ensures that your images remain sharp and clear even in low-light conditions. Additionally, this lens comes with a 6-year limited USA warranty. The Tamron 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD is a highly portable, ultra-telephoto zoom lens with AF precision and features that make it an ideal choice for capturing action shots with clarity and ease. Its weather protection, image stabilization, and wide maximum aperture make it a great choice for any photographer looking for a telephoto lens that offers superior performance and durability.

Product Overview:

The Meike 85mm F1.8 is a full frame, autofocus telephoto lens ideal for Nikon F Mount DSLR cameras and compatible with Nikon APS-C cameras. This lens is perfect for capturing beautiful portraits with a smooth background blur effect, even in dark conditions. It is also suitable for a wide range of other subjects, such as selective architecture, landscapes, short-range sports, and theatre photography.

This lens is equipped with a wide aperture of F/1.8 and a 6-group and 11-element construction, making the lens capable of delivering sharp images. It also has electronic contacts and a USB connection, which can be used to upgrade the lens firmware. This allows you to keep your lens up to date and ensure it delivers the best performance possible.

The Meike 85mm F1.8 Wide Aperture Full Frame Auto Focus Telephoto Lens for Nikon F Mount DSLR Camera and Compatible with Nikon APS-C Cameras D610 D750 D780 D810 is a great choice for any photographer looking for a versatile lens capable of capturing stunning photos in a range of settings. It is easy to use, equipped with the latest technology, and is sure to deliver excellent results.

Product Overview:

This BIG MIKE'S ELECTRONICS 420-1600mm f/8.3 HD Manual Telephoto Lens is a great choice for any Nikon D-Series digital SLR camera owner, providing a versatile and powerful focal length range, perfect for any situation. This lens comes with a T-Mount adapter to fit all Nikon digital and 35mm SLR cameras and is equipped with high index, low-dispersion multi-coated optical glass to reduce flare and improve image quality.

This lens also includes a 2X Teleconverter that doubles the power of your lens to 1600mm, providing a truly impressive magnification range. This telephoto zoom lens is perfect for both amateur and professional photographers alike, allowing experienced veterans to capture stunning works of art and giving newcomers the opportunity to explore and experiment with the power of a telephoto lens. With its versatile focal length range and powerful zoom capabilities, this lens is ideal for capturing landscapes, wildlife, sports, and any other type of photography in between. The BIG MIKE'S ELECTRONICS 420-1600mm f/8.3

HD Manual Telephoto Lens is a must-have accessory for any Nikon D-Series digital SLR camera owner looking to take their photography to the next level. With its high-quality construction, long-lasting durability, and impressive magnification range, this lens is sure to provide you with the sharp precision and professional results you're looking for.

Best Nikon Telephoto Lens: Which to Choose? The Features to Evaluate

There are about a dozen telephoto lenses for Nikon that are part of this guide, and although they are all in the same category, they are very different from each other. Not surprisingly, their price also varies from a few hundred euros to several thousand, for the most advanced optics.

So let's try to clarify what are the key characteristics of telephoto lenses , those on the basis of which each model differs from the other.

The most important properties of lenses, in general, are the focal length and aperture. In the case of telephoto lenses, a very important role is then covered by some options and particular optical characteristics.

Focal Length

The focal length, which as you probably already know is expressed in millimeters, is that parameter that indicates the angle of view that you can frame with a lens.

Low values ​​(such as 24mm ) correspond to a wide angle of view, typical of wide angles, which allows you to shoot very large scenes, such as landscapes.

On the contrary, high values ​​( 100mm, 200mm, 300mm …) allow to frame a narrow-angle of view. This has the effect of concentrating the shot on a particular, which appears all the more magnified as the focal length increases. Exceeding the 70mm focal length, you enter precisely the field of competence of telephoto lenses, the subject of this guide.

In the diagram below we show the shot that would be obtained by shooting from the same point (the terrace of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris) using a different focal length.

Although technically, an 85mm also belongs in all respects to this category, we think that if you are looking for a Nikon telephoto lens you are oriented towards much longer focal lengths, which involve a significant magnification of the subject. For this reason, we have only considered lenses that reach at least 200mm of maximum focal length.

However, most of the lenses we have considered are of the zoom type and offer a remarkable focal range. Many of them also cover more moderate focal lengths, from medium-telephoto, such as the various 70-200mm or 70-300mm, which guarantees considerable versatility.

Aperture (Brightness)

The second parameter to consider when choosing a Nikon telephoto lens is its maximum aperture.

This value, as well as the focal length, is always indicated in the model name, preceded by “ f / “. As a general rule, a large maximum aperture, which corresponds to a low value (such as f / 2.8 ) is preferable to a narrow one (higher values, such as f / 5.6 ).

The most virtuous lenses, from this point of view, are called bright in jargon, as opposed to those defined as dark. A large aperture has several positive effects on photography. Below, we mention the most significant ones:

• Open apertures allow you to reduce shutter speeds, limiting the risk of finding yourself with blurred photos.
• A wide aperture allows you to keep the background out of focus and focus interest on the subject, an effect normally sought in genres consistent with long focal lengths.
• A very wide maximum aperture makes it possible to use teleconverters (if compatible) without serious repercussions on the performance of the lens.

That said, the brightness of a telephoto lens must always be evaluated in relation to its range. As the focal length increases, it is increasingly difficult (for design reasons) to find oneself with large apertures, if not investing a very high budget.

For a lens that reaches 200mm (we will see many telephoto lenses for Nikon on this cut) an aperture of f / 4 can be considered satisfactory, f / 2.8 excellent, and f / 5.6 mediocre. Going up to 400mm, however, an aperture of f / 5.6 is considered more than appreciable, while the few options available at f / 4 are purely professional in nature. A 400mm / 2.8 complex, on the other hand, would cost more than a small car!

In the case of tele-zoom lenses, two different maximum apertures are often indicated (ex: 70-300 f / 4-5.6 ). In these cases, the widest aperture refers to the minimum focal length and the narrowest aperture to the maximum focal length. At focal lengths between minimum and maximum, an intermediate diaphragm opening can be used.

However, the subject is too broad to be explained in detail here. If you want to know more, we recommend that you read our guide to the lens aperture.

Reproduction Ratio

The reproduction ratio is another feature that - depending on your needs - could be important to consider for choosing a Nikon telephoto.

This is the maximum magnification that you will be able to obtain in close-up shots and refers to the ratio between the dimensions of the subject in focus and those of the sensor. In the case of macro lenses proper, the reproduction ratio would be 1x (or 1: 1). You could then fully shoot a subject with the same sensor size.

We have dedicated a separate guide to lenses of this kind (see: best macro lenses for Nikon ), while here we will not deal with such high magnifications. However, some of the telephoto lenses for Nikon that we will analyze have a very interesting reproduction ratio, such as 0.4x or 0.3x for example. In the datasheets of the individual models, further on, we have reported the most performing optics from this point of view.

The ability to obtain high magnifications in the close-up pictures depends, technically, on a high ratio between focal length and minimum focus distance.

Obviously, we advise you to consider this parameter if you are interested in shooting details and close-ups (butterflies, insects, flowers…). If not, it's a feature that can easily take a back seat.

Image Stabilizer

Among the possible options of telephoto lenses, the image stabilizer is certainly the most interesting. This device makes it possible to obtain perfectly clear photos even using relatively long shutter speeds in relation to the focal length used.

As a rule, to have a good chance of avoiding blurry photos, you should use a faster time than the inverse of the focal length, for example, less than 1/200 when shooting at 200mm or less than 1/400 when shooting at 400mm.

In the case of a stabilized lens, this safety threshold is significantly lowered and makes it possible to shoot at super-telephoto focal lengths even with rather long times (eg: 400mm @ 1/90 ).

The importance of the image stabilizer, especially for telephoto lenses, is such that its presence has become somewhat of a standard on this type of lens. Almost all Nikon telephoto lenses that we will see are in fact equipped with them. Older models generally provide a maximum gain of about 3 stops of time, while the latest generation optics also reach 5.

Telephoto Lens Compatibility with Nikon Cameras (Reflex / Mirrorless, DX / FX)

The choice of a lens must always be made according to - as well as your needs - also the camera in possession: reflex or mirrorless. Each Nikon telephoto lens has a specific amount, which makes it compatible with one of two types of cameras.

Most of the lenses that we will see, in truth, are designed for SLR cameras. Nikon Z telephoto lenses for mirrorless cameras (to which we dedicated the last part of the guide) are in fact available, for the moment, in a very limited number of models.

Considering the considerable commitment the company is showing in this segment, it is easy to foresee that a number of new lenses will be introduced for these cameras shortly.

In the meantime, if you own a mirrorless camera and can't find a natively compatible model that's right for you, you can use a telephoto lens designed for reflex cameras using the simple FTZ adapter.

This adapter is often supplied as a kit with the camera itself, but you can also buy it separately. Its use does not alter in any way neither the optical quality of the lens nor the autofocus performance.

Beyond the type of camera, a priori distinction must be made regarding the type of sensor integrated into it. Except in rare cases (appropriately highlighted in the guide), the Nikon telephoto lenses that we will see are suitable for both FX cameras (full-frame) and DX cameras (APS-C).

However, if associated with the latter, their focal length will be 1.5x higher due to the crop factor. For example, a 70-200mm used on a DX camera will behave like an “equivalent” 105-300mm. The range of the telephoto lens will therefore be even more boosted.

In the individual cards, to dispel any doubts, we have written in black and white which types of cameras each lens is suitable for and what its equivalent focal length is.

Tamron SP AF 70-300mm f / 4-5.6 Di VC USD

The first telephoto lens for Nikon that we want to describe to you is one of the cheapest options among those present in this guide.