Camera Accessories Archives

How to Clean a Camera Lens – Get the Best Results Every Time

January 25, 2022 by Alex Parker

Lenses are complex and intricate pieces of technology and have the power to make or break your photography – learning how to clean a camera lens the right way will get you better quality shots and longer lives from your lenses.

Cleaning is tricky because not all lenses are the same.

Some have more switches than others, focus and aperture rings, the special coating on the lens glass, and much more.

Learning how to deal with this and the best way to approach cleaning each part of your lens will save you time and stop you from doing any unnecessary damage to your lens.

They’re expensive and delicate, so they need a careful touch and regular cleaning.

If you get careless with it, you could end up scratching your lens glass and removing some of the multi-layered coatings.

Hapless cleaning can also push dirt into the finely tuned focus rings, dials and buttons – making them less responsive and tactile in the long run.

Developing good cleaning habits from the start will help you to get more value from your lens and more consistent results for your photography.

We’ll look at some things to avoid doing when cleaning, the best products or items to use, cleaning the different parts of the lens and good cleaning habits.

By the end of the guide, you’ll be well-equipped and confident enough to take on cleaning your lenses regularly – as easily and effectively as possible.

It’s one of the more overlooked skills that well-rounded photographers need to have; so well done for taking your gear maintenance seriously!

Let’s get into the guide.

What Do Lenses Need to Be Protected From?

I’m not talking about accidentally dropping your lens off the side of a cliff while trying to get your next profile picture.

I’m talking about everyday things that’ll get your camera and lens filthy.

There are tons of possibilities here, so let’s be reasonable and stick to the most important ones:

Dust
Moisture
Smudges
Grime
Oil

Lenses are dust and smudge magnets.

The oil from your skin will smudge the lens super easily. All it takes is one smudge to ruin the shot and drain the quality out of it.

Your lenses will pick up dust ferociously. It’ll get into places you didn’t even think were reachable.

Every time you change lenses dust will find its way into little nooks and crannies – and it’s a pain to get it out.

Dust will also build up over time and from normal use, especially if you do more outdoor photography.

Grime and oil will usually come from where you hand the camera, your kit bag, and your hands.

This can get pretty tiresome to clean out as it often builds up in and on the focus rings and dials.

How to Protect Against Dirt and Dust Beforehand

There are some things that you can do beforehand to slow down how fast your lens picks up dirt.

I don’t think it’s possible to stop all dirt, as loads of dust is carried by the wind and your hands – but their tips will help you tone it down and save yourself some time:

Wash your hands before you use your camera or change lenses – use soap and warm water
Use a dust and moisture resistant lens if possible
Only change lenses in a clean and windless place
Keep your camera and gear bag clean and sheltered
Use lens caps as often as you can
Clean any filters and attachments before putting them on your lens

These tips are self-explanatory and pretty simple, though often overlooked.

Taking some time to do these things before you use your gear will go a long way.

What Parts of the Lens Need to Be Cleaned?

Some parts of the lens are harder to clean than others, and they need different tools to get it done.

Here are the most common parts of the lens that need to be cleaned:

The lens elements – there’s a front and rear element, they’re probably the most important because they make the main optical unit of your lens and will affect the quality of your shots the most
The outside of the lens – it doesn’t need to be cleaned as much as the rest of the lens, but you need to make sure you do it right
The contacts on newer lenses – these are what allow driving of the focusing motor and image stabilization
Focus rings, dials, and buttons – it’s easy for dirt and grime to get wedged in there so it needs special attention

How to Clean the Different Parts of the Lens

It’s not a good idea to grab a piece of cloth and run over all the parts of your lens.

You might scratch the lens element and jam even more dirt into hard to reach places.

Here we’ll take a look at how to properly and safely clean the important parts of the lens.

Cleaning the Front and Rear Lens Elements

The lens elements have the biggest effect on the quality of your shots.

Dirt build-up and smudges will affect your image sharpness and overall quality.

The first thing you need to do is get a bulb air blower to blow the dust off the surface of the glass.

We do this so that when we use cloth it doesn’t cause any scratches on the glass.

Once you’ve blown all the dust off, take a microfiber cloth and some cleaning solution and gently work your way through the 2 elements.

Don’t press too hard and make certain you use a microfiber cloth that is safe for cleaning glass without scratching it.

Keep a section of the cloth dry so that you can get all the streaks off the glass after cleaning.

Even a small streak can mess with the quality of your shots.

Cleaning the Outside of the Lens

You won’t need to clean this too often and it’s actually really easy to do.

Make sure you get all the dirt because any remaining dirt can get into the buttons and dials.

Use a microfiber cloth and give the whole outside of the lens a wipe down.

If the dirt and dust are wedged a little tighter then grab a toothbrush.

That should help get all the stubborn dirt and grime off. It’ll also be able to clean out the dials, buttons and focus rings.

How to Clean Camera Lens Contacts

These are important to clean if you want the autofocus and stabilization to work at their best.

Only use the blower here as the contacts are made from pretty sensitive materials and are prone to damage.

If you really need to, use a microfiber cloth and make absolutely sure that no cloth fragments or moisture are left behind inside.

How to Clean a DSLR Lens Inside

It’s important to keep this as clean as possible.

It’s pretty simple and you won’t need much to get it done.

Detach your lens from your camera and put a clean cloth over the camera body to stop any dust or anything from getting into the exposed internal parts.

Use a can of compressed air to blow away all the dust and dirt out of the internal surface of the lens.

Use a proper lens cleaning cloth (you’ll find them at most photography stores – or it came with your lens) and some lens cleaning solution.

Slightly dampen the cloth so that there isn’t any water or moisture left on the surface.

Only use this to clean the inside of the lens. Don’t touch the actual lens element at all – water can easily get inside and fog up the lens.

How to Clean a Camera Lens Without Lens Cleaner

If you accidentally touch your lens elements, it’s hard to get it clean without smudges, even if you use the wipe that comes with the lens.

A great – and cheap – substitute for lens cleaner is some dishwashing liquid.

It’s fantastic for removing grease and oil from our fingers.

Put some onto a lightly damp cloth.

Be absolutely sure not to get any of the liquid under the edges of the lens element. It can be a total headache to get it out.

The best way to stop this from happening is to not over-dampen the cloth you use. This will stop extra liquid leaking to the sides.

P.S. If you’d like to know how to clean camera lens fungus then dishwashing liquid is really good at removing bacteria and fungus.

Everything You Need in Your Camera Lens Cleaning Kit

Lens cleaning kits are simple and easy kits that you can keep with you when you’re on the go.

Having a complete kit will help you give your lens a thorough cleaning when needed.

It’s all about having the right tools and keeping them in good order.

Here’s everything you need:

Lens cleaning pen system
Good quality lens brushes
Handheld air blower or a can of compressed air
A pack of 50 lens cleaning tissues
Small spray bottle
At least 3 microfiber cleaning cloths

If you can get all these together, you’ll have no trouble giving your lens a high-quality clean.

Make sure to keep the kit in good order and replace items when they get a little worn out or damaged.

It’s better to replace a kit that an expensive lens.

Here Are Some Things to Avoid Doing When Cleaning Your Lens

You need to be careful when cleaning and using your lens.

Don’t tilt the camera upwards when changing the lens – instead of face it down to reduce the amount of dust blowing inside
Be careful not to let any cleaning liquid leak off the sides of the lens elements when cleaning – it’s really hard to get out of the edges once it’s in there
Avoid using the wrong microfiber cloth when cleaning the lens glass
Always use the air blower first to get all the larger grains and chunkier dirt out – wiping these with a cloth will probably grind them against the glass and scratch it
Don’t use overly damp cloths as the extra water can easily seep into the lens and fog it up
It’s generally better to avoid using microfiber cloths on optical surfaces altogether – they hold dirt and cause scratches more easily. Use the lens brush instead
You should do a basic cleaning daily, and a thorough cleaning once a week

Keep these in mind when you clean your lens and you’ll be far less likely to damage your lens.

You might think that daily cleaning is too much but it’s necessary if you use the camera every day.

Remember that dirt can be easily cleaned off, but scratches are there to stay – better to be safe than sorry.

Our Final Thoughts

That is everything you need to know about keeping your lens clean and doing it safely.

Getting into the habit of cleaning your lens each day you use it will take some patience – but it’ll be well rewarded.

It’s much better to grind now and save yourself costly repairs or even having to replace a damaged lens.

I can tell you from experience that it’s horrible losing a lens to a preventable error.

By now you should feel confident to clean and maintain your lens like a pro.

Go out and put together a good-quality lens cleaning kit and take it everywhere with you.

All it takes is one scratch in the wrong place to ruin a lens forever.

Take your new knowledge on how to clean a camera lens and build some good habits that will keep your gear in excellent condition for longer.

You May Like TO Read Also:

Best Nikon Lenses for Landscape Shots in 2023 – Top Guide From Experts!

January 15, 2022 by Alex Parker

If you’re interested in photographing landscapes, you’ll need to choose one of the best Nikon lenses for landscape photography. Having the best lens is arguably more important than having the best camera.

The lens you choose will heavily influence how you compose your shots, which part of the image is emphasized, and much more. We’ll deal with the important aspects of what makes a lens good for landscape photography as we make our way through the reviews.

It’s important that you choose a lens that works to your strengths and complements your style. This isn’t to say that you should only stick to one style and never try to broaden your skillsets, but getting really proficient at one thing at a time is essential if you want to get professional grade photographs.

It’s all about focus and intentional learning and improvement. Landscape photography may not be your passion, but taking the time to focus and build your skills up with one lens at a time will be fruitful. You might discover that you have a good creative eye and nick for landscape photography. You’ll never know if you don’t give it a good go.

We’ll take a deeper look at the lenses that have made the list, their strengths, and weakness, what makes them unique and how they perform in the real world.

Let’s get into the reviews.

10 Best Nikon Lenses for Landscape in 2023 – Comparison

Product Name	Features	Price
Nikon 10-20mm Ultra-Wide Angle Zoom Lens	Focal Length: 10-20mm Aperture: f/4.5 – f/5.6 Lens Type: Ultra-wide angle Format: DX Motor Type: AF-P	Check Price
Nikon NIKKOR 35mm Prime Lens	Focal Length: 35mm Aperture: f/1.8 – f/22 Lens Type: Standard prime Format: DX Motor Type: AF-S	Check Price
Tokina 11-16mm Wide Angle Zoom Lens	Focal Length: 11-16mm Aperture: f/2.8 – f/22 Lens Type: Wide angle zoom lens Format: DX Motor Type:	Check Price
Nikon Landscape and Macro 2 Lens Kit	Focal Length: 10-20mm and 40mm Aperture: f/4.5 – f/5.6 and f/2.8 Lens Type: Landscape and macro kit Format: DX Motor Type: AF-S	Check Price
Nikon 18-105mm Zoom Lens	Focal Length: 18-105mm Aperture: f/3.5 – f/5.6 Lens Type: Zoom lens Format: DX Motor Type: AF-S	Check Price
Nikon 40mm NIKKOR Close-Up Prime Lens	Focal Length: 40mm Aperture: f/2.8 Lens Type: Portraits and close-ups Format: DX Motor Type: AF-S	Check Price
Sigma 10-20mm Super-Wide Angle Lens	Focal Length: 10-20mm Aperture: f/3.5 Lens Type: Super-wide angle Format: DC (designed for APS-C) Motor Type: HSM	Check Price
Altura 8mm Ultra-Wide Angle Fisheye Lens	Focal Length: 8mm Aperture: f/3.0 – f/22 Lens Type: Ultra-wide fisheye Format: DX Motor Type: No autofocus	Check Price
Nikon 18-300mm Zoom Lens	Focal Length: 18-300mm Aperture: f/3.5 – f/5.6 Lens Type: Zoom lens Format: DX Motor Type: AF-S	Check Price
Rokinon 10mm Ultra-Wide Angle Lens	Focal Length: 10mm Aperture: f/2.8 Lens Type: Ultra-wide angle lens Format: Designed for APS-C cameras Motor Type: EF-S	Check Price

Here Are Our the Best Nikon Lenses for Landscape Photography

1 Nikon 10-20mm Ultra -Wide Angle Zoom Lens

Weight: 8.2 ounces
Dimensions: 2.9 x 3 x 3 inches
Focal Length: 10-20mm
Aperture: f/4.5 – f/5.6
Lens Type: Ultra-wide angle
Format: DX
Motor Type: AF-P

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This lens prides itself on good value for money. It’s an affordable option that has the ability to get you some good photos when starting out in landscape photography.

It’s a great lens if you’re exploring your first stages of landscape photography it’s not too expensive and delivers quality and good performance where it matters.

The aperture isn’t particularly wide and this means that it isn’t a fast lens. The good news though is that you’re capturing landscapes and not the 100m dash at the Olympics.

It’s very well suited to landscape and also doubles as a relatively decent macro lens thanks to the short 22cm focal length.

You’ll be able to get complex scenes that capture a lot of detail and a wide viewing angle. It’s a great lens to learn the ropes while getting some interesting and good quality photos along the way.

Key Features:

10-20mm ultra-wide-angle zoom lens
Vibration reduction (VR)
Maximum aperture of f/4.5
22cm minimum focus distance
Accepts screw-on filter types

Pros

Short minimum focal length
It’s worth the money and gives you reliable performance and results
Very wide angle view to get more into your shots
Autofocus stepping motor is near-silent and smooth – great for videos too
Lightweight and easy to carry around

Cons

It’s quite slow when used at the 22mm focal length as the aperture is rather narrow
It’s not a full frame lens and will give you a cropped image regardless of the camera used

2 Nikon NIKKOR 35mm Prime Lens – Editor’s Choice Best Nikon Lenses for Landscape

Weight: 7 ounces
Dimensions: 2.1 x 2.8 x 2.8 inches
Colour: Black
Focal Length: 35mm
Aperture: f/1.8 – f/22
Lens Type: Standard prime
Format: DX
Motor Type: AF-S

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Nikon is well-known for making lenses that deliver great image quality and performance at very affordable prices – and that holds true for this lens.

You’re going to get sharp and accurately colored images – even more so with this lens, as it’s a prime lens. You’ll get hard to match image quality from prime lenses like this.

The 35mm lens is great for landscape photography because it teaches you how to compose your shots better and is zoomed in enough to let you zero in on a subject and bring it to life in your image.

It’s excellent for landscape shots that feature an interesting subject like an alluring tree with slightly shrouded mountains in the background. You can get unique and sharp photos once you get a feel for using this lens.

The bokeh effects are also smooth and pleasing thanks so the f/1.8 aperture. It’s one of the best prime lenses for Nikon cameras at this price.

Key Features:

52mm (35mm equivalent) prime lens
Silent Wave Motor AF system
Variable aperture from f/1.8 to f/22
The F-mount lens with AF-S motor
30cm minimum focal range

Pros

Great bokeh and shaping of distant lights in your landscape shots
The compact design makes it a pleasure to use frequently
It’s a prime lens so the image sharpness is excellent
The lens works fast when focusing on closer objects
Very cost effective option

Cons

The 35mm lens is cropped to a 52mm prime (at the 35mm equivalent); meaning you’ll have to do more legwork to get the same shots as a 35mm full frame lens
The image stabilization could be better – mount up for your landscape shots if you want sharp photos

3 Tokina 11-16mm Wide Angle Zoom Lens

Weight: 1.21 pounds
Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 4 inches
Focal Length: 11-16mm
Aperture: f/2.8 – f/22
Lens Type: Wide angle zoom lens
Format: DX

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Tokina is a slightly lesser known lens brand, but don’t let that dissuade you. It’s a solid lens at an affordable price that delivers a high quality build and steady performance.

The aperture isn’t as wide as some of the other wide angle lenses on this list, so if you’re planning on doing astrophotography, the f/2.8 aperture of this lens may not be wide enough for you.

Mount your camera on a good tripod and you’ll get superbly sharp photos and well exposed landscape shots. It a great lens to help carry you over the early stages of landscape photography and get you some very high quality images and get your work looking more professional.

It’s a little more expensive than the 2 lenses we’ve already looked at, but the extra investment will be worth it when you put this lens to work.

The build quality is surprisingly sturdy and it has a premium feel to it. You’ll enjoy using this lens and the photos you take will keep you wanting more.

It’s a fantastic wide lens for landscape photography and a reliable new member for your kit collection.

Key Features:

11-16mm wide angle zoom lens designed for APS-C cameras
Variable aperture from f/2.8 – f/22
3 year Tokina warranty
2 super low dispersion lens elements
77mm filter thread and a multi-layer coating on the glass

Pros

Very good image quality to rival far more expensive wide angle lenses
Very good build quality and durability – perfect for outdoor use
The image stabilization is actually quite good
It excels at landscape photography

Cons

Filter thread size is larger than usual at 77mm – if you like filters then you’ll need to have adaptors handy most of the time
The autofocus isn’t as good as several of the lenses it competes with

4 Nikon Landscape and Macro 2 Lens Kit

Weight: 2.75 pounds
Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.6 x 5.5 inches
Focal Length: 10-20mm and 40mm
Aperture: f/4.5 – f/5.6 and f/2.8
Lens Type: Landscape and macro kit
Format: DX
Motor Type: AF-S

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This 2 lens kit has been included in this list because the wide angle lens checks all the boxes for what we’re looking for in a landscape lens – and then you get a 40mm macro lens that works great as an everyday carry lens.

The versatility is ridiculous and you’ll be covered for almost all of your common photography needs. It’s excellent because many of the weaknesses of the narrow aperture landscape lens are covered by the wider aperture of the macro lens.

The main selling point of this kit other than its versatility is its value. You’re getting 2 fantastic and highly compatible lenses for a great price. You’ll be able to take amazing pictures with each lens that are vastly different from the others.

Make sure you focus on learning and mastering one lens at a time to get the best results from your effort.

Key Features:

One 40mm macro lens and one 10-20mm ultra-wide-angle zoom lens
2 Nikon online school lessons are included for free along with the kit
Broad compatibility with several cameras
f/2.8 aperture on the macro lens and f/4.5 – f/ 5.6 on the wide angle lens

Pros

an amazing value-for-money deal that gives you a very well rounded lens kit to fill in the gaps from only using the stock lens
great aperture range when using both lenses
fantastic macro performance from the 40mm lens
images are crisp, colorful, and generally very high quality

Cons

It’s a more significant investment and you may not end up using one of the lenses often
The landscape lens is rather slow at shorter focal ranges

5 Nikon 18-105mm Zoom Lens – Best Landscape Lens for Nikon Dx

Weight: 1.5 pounds
Dimensions: 3.5 x 3 x 3 inches
Focal Length: 18-105mm
Aperture: f/3.5 – f/5.6
Lens Type: Zoom lens
Format: DX
Motor Type: AF-S

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These zoom lenses are almost unmatched in their versatility. There is a slight trade off in quality and sharpness in order to achieve this level of usability. This can be counteracted through good technique, smart editing, and a good quality tripod.

This lens can take care of nearly all your photography needs. It specifically performs well at the wider end of its range. This makes it a great lens for landscape photography.

It’s an excellent lens for you to build up your skills because you have access to a huge range of focal lengths. You quickly become familiar with what it takes to get awesome photos at different focal lengths.

Focusing on improving one of your abilities at one focal range will be your quickest path to success. Overall, this lens is extremely versatile and of the most useful landscape photography lenses.

Key Features:

Large zoom range (5.6x) from wide angle through to telephoto
f/3.5 – f/5.6 variable aperture
Vibration reduction for sharper handheld shots
Includes a 67mm clip-on front lens cap
45cm shortest focusing distance

Pros

Broad versatility and nearly unmatched usability
Excellent value for money – it’s seriously affordable
Great bokeh effects thanks to the circular aperture
It’s lightweight for a zoom lens that’s this capable

Cons

Image quality and sharpness need careful attention to get right
Can be difficult to learn to use well

6 Nikon 40mm NIKKOR Close-Up Prime Lens – Best Nikon Lens for Landscape and Portrait

Weight: 8.3 ounces
Dimensions: 2.6 x 2.7 x 2.7 inches
Colour: Black
Focal Length: 40mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Lens Type: Portraits and close-ups
Format: DX
Motor Type: AF-S

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Prime lenses are widely accepted to produce higher quality images that are sharper than the ones produced by zoom lenses. Many photographers believe that prime lenses are better than zoom lenses.

The 40mm offers a unique landscape photography experience. They are excellent at isolating a subject while still bringing the scene and the background to life.

They’re great for shooting silhouettes and well composed landscape shots. Your composition skills will be developed quickly as the prime lens forces you to do the legwork and plan your shots more carefully.

You’ll be able to get very unique and interesting landscape shots and you’ll learn to expand your creative thinking and general photography skills.

This lens will give you exquisitely sharp images that you’ll be able to print out and display it in large sizes. These lenses can be used in tons of other situations – not just landscape photography – but that’s not in the scope of this review.

Key Features:

Maximum reproduction ratio is 1.0x
Autofocus to 64 inches
Features a close range correction system (CRC) and a silent wave motor
40mm DX-format prime lens
9 element lens construction

Pros

Sharp and crisp images from a reliable prime lens
Unique landscape photography results that only a 40mm prime lens can offer
Robust build quality and amazing durability
It’s good at late afternoon/early evening shots
Better than several more expensive prime lenses

Cons

The minimum focus length is not as short as some competing models
Autofocus is quite slow and makes some errors

Also Read: Best Lens for Nikon D5100

7 Sigma 10-20mm Super-Wide Angle Lens

Weight: 1.15 pounds
Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.4 x 3.4 inches
Focal Length: 10-20mm
Aperture: f/3.5
Lens Type: Super-wide angle
Format: DC (designed for APS-C)
Motor Type: HSM

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Sigma wide angle lenses are very good at bringing out and accentuating scenes that have more than one subject. This is done without sacrificing the peripheral brightness and details in the background.

Shooting with this super-wide angle lens will let you capture difficult and complex scenes. You’ll get a lot of details and a very wide viewing angle.

The ability to shoot at 10mm gives you unique photos that emphasize the most important parts. You’ll be able to zoom in and out a little, which will save you from having to move around and set up in another spot.

This can save you a lot of time and also give you some creative leeway.

It’s a top wide angle lens for Nikon cameras and one of the best landscape photography lenses at this price.

Key Features:

Hyper-sonic motor for extra smooth and silent performance
Super-wide angle 10-20mm zoom lens
f/3.5 aperture, high contrast images, and good peripheral brightness
Aspherical lens for aberration correction
Super multi-layered coating for enhanced light penetration

Pros

High quality images with reduced distortion when shooting at 10mm
The aperture is wider than many other super-wide angle lenses
Low light performance is better than many similar lenses
It’s a solid and compelling choice if you don’t have the budget to buy a high end lens
The peripherals are bright and detailed

Cons

A wide angle prime lens would give you better image quality and won’t cost too much more
Image stabilization isn’t super-consistent

8 Altura 8mm Ultra – Wide Angle Fisheye Lens

Weight: 1.14 pounds
Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 3 inches
Focal Length: 8mm
Aperture: f/3.0 – f/22
Lens Type: Ultra-wide fisheye
Format: DX
Motor Type: No autofocus

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Fisheye lenses can get you beautiful shots that normal lenses aren’t able to do, this lens is no exception. If you remove the lens hood, you’ll be able to capture a 180° view.

You can create some eye-catching photos using this feature. It’s perfect for snapping cityscapes and broad landscapes. You’ll be able to inject some variety into your photography and have fun doing it.

It’s a prime lens too – meaning you’re getting excellent image quality, clarity, and sharpness.

It’s not a versatile lens and its use is relatively limited; though it’s really easy to bring along thanks to the provided lens case.

It’s an affordable lens that can have a huge impact on your work and landscape shots. It’s compatible with a wide range of Nikon cameras and fun addition to your kit.

In terms of uniqueness and viewing angle, it’s one of the best prime lenses for Nikon cameras.

Key Features:

8mm ultra-wide angle fisheye lens
Variable aperture from f/3.0 – f/22
Manual focus only with the removable lens hood for 180° view
Compatible with all Nikon APS-C cameras
Comes with a custom designed lens case

Pros

Get awesome 180° shots with a fisheye effect
This lens can help breathe life into your landscape photography
The wider aperture makes it pretty decent in low light
Compatible with a wide range of Nikon cameras

Cons

Having to remove the lens hood to get the full viewing angle can be bothersome
There is no autofocus at all

9 Nikon 18-300mm Zoom Lens – Best Nikon Lens for Landscape and Travel

Weight: 1.21 pounds
Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches
Colour: Black
Focal Length: 18-300mm
Aperture: f/3.5 – f/5.6
Lens Type: Zoom lens
Format: DX
Motor Type: AF-S

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This is hands down one of the best Nikon lenses for landscape photography is you’re looking for something versatile.

It takes awesome landscape shots because of the 18mm end of the lens. The aperture is wide enough to make is relatively fast at the shorter focal ranges.

You’ll be able to zoom in all the way to telephoto if you want to get shots that are unique to telephoto lenses.

The versatility of this lens can’t be overstated. It can cover you in pretty much all situations. It’s a solid lens that’s a little on the heavy side, which will help your handheld image stabilization and give you sharper photos.

It’s an effective lens across its entire focal range and will give you sharp images consistently.

These lenses aren’t the easiest to learn to use and master, so take your time to learn its ins and outs and get a good grasp of how to get the best out of it.

It’s one of the best lenses for landscape photography that offers this level of versatility. It’s a slightly bigger investment than some of the other zoom lenses we’ve looked at, but it’s worth every penny.

Key Features:

18-300mm focal range with autofocus
The minimum focus distance of 48cm
Aperture range from f/3.5 – f/22
Ultrasonic autofocus is fast and silent

Pros

Boasts serious versatility and broad usability
Solid and durable build with a premium feel
Excellent for traveling as it performs well in almost all situations
The autofocus works all along with the focal range and makes zooming smooth
Image stabilization is better than expected

Cons

It’s not the lightest lens out there – so prepare accordingly
Low light performance isn’t as good as it could be

Also Read: Best GoPro Case Review

10 Rokinon 10mm Ultra-Wide Angle Lens

Weight: 1.35 pounds
Dimensions: 3 x 3.4 x 3.4 inches
Colour: Black
Focal Length: 10mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Lens Type: Ultra-wide angle lens
Format: Designed for APS-C cameras
Motor Type: EF-S

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Here’s another ultra-wide angle lens from a different manufacturer. We’ve added another option for you because these wide angle lenses are so well-suited to landscape photography.

The lens you use doesn’t always need to be the same brand as your camera. You might save quite a bit of money buying a lesser known brand that delivers equally good quality.

The aperture is fast at f/2.8 and the minimum focus distance is only 24cm. The low light performance isn’t bad either and is good enough for well-planned and set up low light landscape shots.

It’s a solid and reliable unit that performs well in its specialty and gives more expensive lenses a good run for top wide angle lens for Nikon cameras.

It’s a wise and worthy investment and will give you excellent results if you’re willing to put in the work.

Key Features:

25mm closest focusing distance
10mm ultra-wide angle prime lens
3 high precision lens elements used
110° true viewing angle
The inner focusing system that doesn’t change the length

Pros

Fantastic view angle for interesting and well balanced landscape photography
Very lightweight and compact
Image quality and sharpness you’d expect from a prime lens at this price point
Aperture is fast and low light performance is good
Great build quality

Cons

Shooting during the day may take a little while as the shutter speed may need some frequent adjustments to get the right exposure
The autofocus isn’t amazing (not that it’s very useful in low light anyway)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it true that Photoshop and skilled editing is far more important than the actual photographing process?

This is actually a question that’s being asked more now than ever before. We’re so used to seeing those landscape shots that look like they’ve been shot on another planet. Good editing and post-processing can fix a lot of the errors made during shooting, but it will never match up to a well-taken photo with the same editing. It’s very difficult to fix a poorly exposed photo or a blurry one. There are many things that editing can’t help with like composition and the creative element that makes photography unique and interesting.

Are attachable filters useful in landscape photography? If they are, which ones should I get?

Yes, filters are useful. You should make sure that you can decent shots before you begin relying on filters too heavily. A filter can make a good photo great, when used correctly and intelligently. The 3 most commonly used filters are the Gradual Neutral Density (GND), Neutral Density (ND) and Circular Polarizer filters. You need to make sure that they match the thread size of your lens and that they’re made with anti-reflective coating. Do some research into these 3 filters to decide which ones are best for your photography?

What other gear do I need for landscape photography?

A good quality tripod will give you the fastest improvement in the quality of your shots. This is especially true with longer exposures and slower shutter speeds. Using a remote shutter will also improve the sharpness of your shots. You’ll need a good protective case for all your gear. Landscape photography can often involve long stints outdoors and exposure to the elements. Get something that gives you good protection against these. Lens attachments such as lens hoods, caps and filters will also do a lot to improve the overall quality and appearance of your work.

How important is autofocus in landscape photography?

There were a couple of options in this landscape photography lens review that didn’t feature autofocus – and that’s not a big deal for this type of photography. You should be taking a decent amount of time to prepare each shot you take. Your camera will be mounted on a tripod and the focus should be manually fine-tuned to best capture what you want it to. That being said, if you’re into capturing moving objects like wildlife and fast-moving trains, then having good autofocus may be a smarter choice for you.

What Is the Best Lens for Landscape Photography

You’ve probably wondered what lens to use for landscape photography. It’s common to think that you’ll need the best lens if you want the best results.

While this is true to an extent, having an expensive lens isn’t the only thing that matters.

Seasoned photographers know the value of high-quality lenses, but they also know how important it is to choose a lens that best suits your needs and your style.

Each type of lens is going to give you very different results, so you’ll need to make sure that you’re extra clear on what you want to get out of your landscape photography.

Write down exactly what your goals are, and what kind of results you’re looking for. If you’re into astrophotography, you’ll need a lens that best suits that.

If you’re into shooting huge scenic shots, then you’d need a wide lens for landscape photography.

Take a few minutes to be intentional about defining exactly what you’re looking for in a lens, and the kind of landscape photographer you want to be.

Let this be your guide as you move forward and choose the lens that will best help you reach your goals and get the results you want.

P.S. Writing these things down helps you make your thoughts tangible. You’ll feel the difference and become even more motivated to make them happen.

Our Final Thoughts

We want you to remember to focus on building one aspect of your landscape photography at a time. Try to master – or at least become really proficient with – the lens you have.

Work on getting the best results in the niche that you choose to focus on. Developing your practical skills and your internal skills (composition, creativity, etc.) takes time and practice.

Slap your choice of the best Nikon lenses for landscape photography onto your camera and get out there and start getting the results you’ve been waiting for. Don’t be discouraged if there is a steep learning curve. Give it some time and you’ll be shooting landscapes like a pro.

You May Like To Read Also:

Best Lenses for Sony A7riii in 2023 – Complete Buying Guide

January 6, 2022 by Alex Parker

The Sony A7R III is an excellent camera. It’s a very high-quality, full-frame 42MP camera that can produce brilliantly sharp and color-accurate photos. You need to make sure that you choose one of the best lenses for sony a7riii cameras to get the most out of your camera and let its excellent performance prove its worth.

It has the potential to take photos that few other cameras can match. It’s amazing in low light, versatile and reliable.

Having the right lens that caters your style and plays to your strengths as a photographer can be what takes your work to the next level.

With some experience, practice and a carefully chosen lens; you’ll be able to take shots that capture attention and get your ideas across in a beautiful and inspiring fashion.

We’re going to review what we think are the best lenses for your Sony A7R III. We’ll look at what makes each lens special and some of its strengths and weaknesses.

You’ll also find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about these lenses and the camera itself. By the time you’re done here, you should have a pretty firm idea of which lens best suits your needs, goals, and budget.

It’s important that you keep all this in mind as we want you to choose the lens that boosts your strengths and helps you in your weakest areas.

Let’s get into the reviews.

Comparison of 5 Best Lenses for Sony A7riii in 2023

Product Name	Features	Price
Sony 70-300mm Telephoto Zoom Lens	Focal Length: 70-300mm Aperture: f/4.5 – f/5.6 Lens Type: Telephoto Zoom Lens Format: Full Frame Telephoto Zoom Mount Type: Sony E-Mount	Check Price
Sony 24-105mm Standard Zoom Lens	Focal Length: 24-105mm Aperture: f/4 Lens Type: Standard Zoom Lens Lens Format: Full Frame Mount Type: Sony FE-Mount	Check Price
Sony 85mm Medium Telephoto Prime Lens	Focal Length: 85mm fixed Aperture: f/1.8 – f/22 Lens Type: Medium Telephoto Prime Lens Format: Full Frame Mount Type: Sony E-Mount	Check Price
Sony 18-135mm Zoom Lens	Focal Length: 18-135mm (27-202mm) Aperture: f/3.5 – f/5.6 Lens Type: Zoom Lens Lens Format: APS-C Cropped Mount Type: Sony E-Mount	Check Price
VILTROX 85mm Standard Prime Lens	Focal Length: 85mm fixed Aperture: f/1.8 – f/16 Lens Type: Standard Prime Lens Lens Format: Full Frame Mount Type: E-Mount	Check Price

Here Are Our 10 Best Lenses for Sony A7riii Cameras

Here we’ll take a deeper look into each of the lenses. We’ve selected them based on how well they strike the balance between cost, features, quality, versatility, and uniqueness.

We’ve taken the time to go through the leagues of options out there – there’re more than you think – and brought them together in one place for you. We want the process of choosing the right lens for your A7R III to be as fast, informative, and enjoyable as possible.

Keep your photography style, needs, and budget in mind as you read through and compare the lenses.

1 Sony 70-300mm – Best Telephoto Zoom Lens

Weight: 1.88 pounds
Dimensions: 3.3 x 3.3 x 5.7 inches
Colour: Black
Focal Length: 70-300mm
Aperture: f/4.5 – f/5.6
Lens Type: Telephoto Zoom Lens
Format: Full Frame Telephoto Zoom
Mount Type: Sony E-Mount

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This lens is fully compatible with the full frame sensor of the Sony A7R III. The focal length that the lens offers is what you actually get in practice.

It’s a fantastic zoom lens that also lets you focus up close (slightly less than 3 inches). You have the ability to zoom in deep while keeping your shots sharp and well-focused thanks to the awesome autofocus and steady image stabilization.

This lens is ultra-versatile and can be used for tons of different creative shots. The super-fast manual focus and the variable aperture open new creative avenues for you to explore.

The A7R III is a high-end camera and this lens will be a versatile and reliable addition to match it. It’s quite big so lugging it around may not be as easy as other smaller lenses, but the creative control and new opportunities it gives you quickly make up for its larger size and extra weight.

Key Features:

The focal length of 70-300mm
Full frame compatible
9 blade circular diaphragm aperture
2x extra-low dispersion (ED) glass
Close-up focusing on less than 3 inches

Pros

Broad zoom range for extra versatility
Awesome manual and autofocus performance
Very good image stabilization
Generally a very smooth and silent lens
Excellent build quality

What We Didn’t Like

Struggles to produce the image quality that a prime lens can – this can be a little wasteful on such an excellent camera – but its versatility fills that gap
Low light performance isn’t great as the aperture isn’t very wide

2 Sony 24-105mm Standard Zoom Lens – [Editor’s Choice Best Lenses for Sony A7riii]

Weight: 1.46 pounds
Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.4 x 1 inches
Colour: Black
Focal Length: 24-105mm
Aperture: f/4
Lens Type: Standard Zoom Lens
Lens Format: Full Frame
Mount Type: Sony FE-Mount

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Having a standard zoom lens can save you so much carrying space, especially if you like to have your camera and kit bag with you when you’re out and on the move.

It’s a capable and versatile lens that can shoot stunning wide-angle shots and then switch over and snap detailed macro shots – thanks to the 24-105mm focal range.

The lens is lightweight and surprisingly sturdy.

The f/4 constant aperture will make sure that the exposure and depth-of-field are kept constant along with the entire zoom, making this lens faster and more versatile than many of its competitors.

24-105mm lenses are a must have as they can be used so broadly and are great for widening your skillset and challenging your creativity.

It’s also a great way to point out your weaknesses as the constant aperture means you’ll need to pay close attention to ISO and shutter speed. You’ll develop a better intuition for how they’re interconnected and affect each other.

All these factors come together to make this one of the better lenses for Sony A7R III cameras.

Key Features:

FE-Mount for versatile compatibility
Constant f/4 aperture along with the entire zoom range
The minimum focus range of 38cm (1.25ft)
Dust and moisture resistance along with a robust build
DDSSM (direct drive super-sonic wave motor) for excellent focus ability

Pros

Great for ultra-wide-angle photography
Awesome for macros and close-up photography
Lightweight, compact, and easy to carry around
Easy to learn how to use this lens well

What We Didn’t Like

Not well-suited to low light situations as the f/4 aperture isn’t very wide
Image stabilization should be a little better at this price point

3 Sony 85mm Medium Telephoto Prime Lens – Best Budget Lenses for Sony A7iii

Weight: 13 ounces
Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.8 x 4.7 inches
Colour: Black
Focal Length: 85mm fixed
Aperture: f/1.8 – f/22
Lens Type: Medium Telephoto Prime
Lens Format: Full Frame
Mount Type: Sony E-Mount

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The 85mm lens is arguably the best street lens for Sony A7R III cameras. The f/1.8 wide aperture does wonders in reducing the complexity of street shots and providing absolutely gorgeous bokeh and depth-of-field photo effects.

These lenses are excellent for portrait photography and for getting up close to the subject without suffering from any image distortion. Many seasoned photographers are increasingly relying on this lens for more of their work – especially for events. It’s also a great Sony A7 III 85mm lens.

They’re great for weddings and events because they capture the essence of the scene and keep a personal feel in their photos.

Your image quality will be excellent and sharp – as you’d expect from such a high-quality prime lens. This lens is a wise investment that’ll deliver high-quality and value-driven performance.

It’s really difficult to find another lens that can challenge the quality and uniqueness of this 85mm prime lens.

Key Features:

Variable aperture ranging from f/1.8 to f/22
9 diaphragm blade circular aperture
Dust and moisture resistance
Double linear motor system for precise focusing
The focus hold button is customizable and allows for other functions

Pros

It’s a prime lens so you can expect the absolute best image quality and clarity from your photos
Great for skill building and developing your ability to compose your shots
A great option if you’re a working photographer who gigs at concerts, weddings, and other special events
Fantastic build quality and value for money
Low light performance and clarity are excellent – noise reduction is good too

What We Didn’t Like

You can’t really run this as a primary lens – you’ll have to carry it around as an extra lens
It’s a specialty lens and therefore not a great choice if you’re looking for broad versatility

4 Sony 18-135mm – Best Street Lens for Sony A7iii

Weight: 11.5 ounces
Dimensions: 2.8 x 3.5 x 0 inches
Color: Black
Focal Length: 18-135mm (27-202mm)
Aperture: f/3.5 – f/5.6
Lens Type: Zoom Lens
Lens Format: APS-C Cropped
Mount Type: Sony E-Mount

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This is the first lens that isn’t full-frame; it’s an APS-C lens that fits E-Mount cameras.

We know the A7R III is a full-frame camera and that using this lens will crop your images and give you the 35mm equivalent of a 27-202.5mm focal range.

The main reason we’ve included this lens is because of the cost. Full-frame lenses at this focal range can cost 3-4 times more than this lens does.

If you’re looking for a reliable travel lens or an everyday carry – but don’t want to sell a kidney to buy one – then this lens might be right for you.

27mm gives you some decent wide-angle shots and the 202.5mm zoom will give you awesome close-ups and let you create stylish depth-of-field shots. You’ll also get Sony A7R II lens compatibility if you ever need it.

This lens is versatile and fantastic for travel and everyday photography. It’s high quality and affordable – a great option that’s a little more wallet-friendly than other full-frame lenses.

Key Features:

27-202.5mm focal length (at the 35mm equivalent)
5x magnification when zoomed in
2 extra low-dispersion glasses
7 diaphragm blade circular aperture

Pros

Very cost-effective when you consider the versatility
Excellent for travel photography and as an everyday carry lens
Good image and video quality
Lightweight and designed to be as portable as possible

What We Didn’t Like

You have to accept the cropped image – but this can be countered by carefully composing you shots
You’ll need to make sure your A7R III is set to cropped mode if you want to use this lens

Also Read: Best Travel Lens for Sony A6000 Cameras

5 VILTROX 85mm – Best Budget Lenses for Sony A7iii

Weight: 2.2 pounds
Dimensions: 5.6 x 4.7 x 5 inches
Color: Black
Focal Length: 85mm fixed
Aperture: f/1.8 – f/16
Lens Type: Standard Prime Lens
Lens Format: Full Frame
Mount Type: E-Mount

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This is the first non-Sony lens that we’ve looked at. You don’t always need to buy big brand lenses to find excellent performance and high-quality builds.

You’ll save a pretty penny here too, as other 85mm prime lenses can cost over double what this lens does.

You’re getting the image sharpness and high-quality performance that you’d expect from a prime lens without having to shell out ‘big-brand’ money.

It’s a slightly riskier option as you get what you pay for – but if you’re diligent and take good care of your lens, you’ll get good results and a good life span from this lens. It’s one of the best budget lenses for Sony A7R III cameras and offers great value for money.

Key Features:

85mm full-frame prime lens
Sony A7R II lens compatibility
Noiseless STM focus motor
Variable aperture from f/1.8 to f/16
80cm minimum focus distance

Pros

Much cheaper than most of its competitors – very budget friendly
Good image and video quality as it’s a prime lens
Good build quality and durability
Easy to use and fits several Sony E-Mount cameras

What We Didn’t Like

Autofocus isn’t the best
Image stabilization could be better

6 Sony 16-35mm – Best Wide Angle Zoom Lens

Weight: 1.5 pounds
Dimensions: 4.9 x 3.5 x 10 inches
Focal Length:16-35mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Lens Type: Wide Angle Zoom Lens
Lens Format: Full Frame
Mount Type: E-Mount

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This is one of the most interesting zoom lenses to use that can give you some seriously awesome and unique shots.

It’s not particularly easy to learn how to use and master for professional shots, but once you learn the ropes and get the hang of it; you’ll be able to capture some mind-blowing shots.

It’s a great lens for capturing the full complexity of a scene. It can be filled with awesome detail from corner to corner and not distort or take anything away from the character of the scene.

This lens is a fantastic match for your A7R III as it has a full-frame 42MP sensor. You can get very sharp photos that are packed with tons of details in a truly full frame image.

This lens is ideal for you if you’re looking to try something different and get some unique and professional shots. You’ll challenge your creativity and learn something new at the same time.

It’ll take some time to build up the skills you need to get the most out of this lens. It’ll be well worth the time investment and you’ll be impressed by what you can achieve with it.

Key Features:

Wide angle zoom lens with a focal range of 16-35mm
Constant maximum aperture of f/2.8
11-blade circular aperture for excellent bokeh
2 DDSS motors
Dust and moisture resistance

Pros

Very unique results and excellent for skill building
Ultra-wide angle with very little distortion of the vertical lines
One of the best lenses for landscape photography
High-quality and detailed images despite fitting so much into one frame
Fantastic image stabilization

What We Didn’t Like

It’s expensive and specialized – not designed for versatility
A little bit of softness at the corners when shooting at the 16mm focal range

7 Sigma 16mm Contemporary – Best Landscape Lens for Sony A7riii

Weight: 14.2 ounces
Dimensions: 3.6 x 2.8 x 2.8 inches
Colour: Black
Focal Length: 16mm fixed
Aperture: f/1.4
Lens Type: Ultra Wide Angle Lens
Lens Format: APS-C Crop
Mount Type: E-Mount

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This Sigma contemporary lens is one of the best budget lenses for Sony A7 III cameras. It’s compatible with the E-Mount and comes at a great price.

The build feels solid and well-designed and the autofocus is fast and accurate. It’s especially well-suited to video because of the 24mm (35mm equivalent) wide-angle lens and hybrid AF.

It’s one of the best lenses for Sony A7 III video capturing. You’ll find its videos to be very smooth and maintain their sharpness while panning and refocusing.

This lens is an affordable entry into landscape and low-light photography. Lenses that specialize in this area generally cost thousands of dollars – many times more expensive than this lens.

You’re getting good quality and reliable performance from this 16mm lens. It’s not full frame, so make sure you set your A7R III to shoot in crop mode if you plan on using this lens.

Even with the crop factor, the view angle is still wide enough to capture some epic landscapes and event photography. Overall, it’s one of the best prime lenses for Sony A7R III cameras at this price.

Key Features:

Ultra-wide angle APS-C sensor (24mm equivalent)
Wide f/1.4 aperture for better low-light photography
Compatible with E-mount cameras
Fast hybrid autofocus for smooth and accurate video
The prime lens that takes sharp images

Pros

Very affordable entry lens
Very good low-light performance due to the wide f/1.4 aperture
Fast hybrid AF for smooth and sharp video
Has a premium feel and a good build quality

What We Didn’t Like

Not a full-frame lens so it won’t make the most of the A7R III’s full-frame sensor
Image stabilization isn’t fantastic – but it’s a trade-off for a lower price

8 Meike MK 50mm Standard Lens – Sony Fe Lenses

Weight: 10.9 ounces
Dimensions: 2.8 x 2.1 x 2.1 inches
Focal Length: 50mm fixed
Aperture: f/1.7
Lens Type: Standard Lens
Lens Format: Full Frame
Mount Type: FE-Mount

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This lens is unique because it offers you a full-frame photography experience at a very hard-to-beat price. It’s not going to beat the high-end lenses, but it does the basics well and sticks to the essentials.

The build quality is solid thanks to a metal body. It feels durable and sturdy. The focus rings are a little heavy when adjusting but these are the small compromises needed to make a full frame lens so affordable.

This lens is a great option if you’re looking to experiment with a full frame prime lens without having to risk making an expensive investment prematurely – and regretting it.

50mm lenses are important to have because they most closely match the viewing angle that our eyes have. You can take photos that look very natural and pleasing to the eye.

The wider aperture gives good low-light performance and smoothly pleasing bokeh effects. Images are sharp and the colors are shown accurately – though you’ll have to accept some softness in your pictures when shooting at the widest aperture.

You’ll get decent performance and a good introductory lens to practice with, all for a fraction of the cost of a premium prime lens.

You’ll be able to develop your skills quickly and sharply, giving you the confidence you need to make a more significant investment in a high-end lens to match the classy Sony A7R III.

Key Features:

Wide f/1.7 aperture
Fixed 50mm full frame prime lens
6-element lens construction with multi-layer coating
Metal body and lightweight build
A, P and M focus control modes

Pros

Extremely affordable for a full-frame lens
Good low-light performance and bokeh effects
Metal body and solid build
Autofocus is accurate and relatively fast

What We Didn’t Like

Some image softness when shooting at the highest aperture setting
Autofocus rings feel heavy under manual control

9 Sony 50mm SAM DT Standard Lens

Weight: 5.9 ounces
Dimensions: 1.8 x 2.8 x 2.8 inches
Focal Length: 50mm
Aperture: f/1.8
Lens Type: Standard Lens
Lens Format: APS-C Crop
Mount Type: A-Mount

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You’ll need to use an adaptor to allow you to fit this lens onto your E-Mount Sony A7R III. It’s not complicated and it’ll give you full compatibility with this lens.

When you take the crop factor into account, this lens will give you a 75mm focal length on an APS-C format camera. 75mm lenses are actually very versatile and can be used in pretty much all the same ways as a 50mm lens.

You’ll need to think more carefully about composition as this is a prime lens that is already relatively zoomed in. It’s great for developing your creative sense of what makes a composition good and pleasing to look at.

The images you’ll get from this affordable lens will feel professional and sharp. You’ll be able to get interesting depth-of-field shots, beautiful portraits, and brilliant bokeh effects.

This along with the powerful 42MP sensor of the A7R III give you images that rival those put out by much more expensive lenses.

It will take you some time to get used to this 75mm fixed focal length, but once you do, you’ll be able to get uniquely interesting photos that many zoom lenses can’t produce with the same quality.

Key Features:

50mm APS-C prime lens (75mm equivalent)
Sony A-Mount compatible without an adaptor
Small size, lightweight and portable
SAM for fast and silent autofocus

Pros

Affordability while still delivering good quality
All the benefits of running a prime lens on a great camera
Excellent for the depth of field shots, portraits, and bokeh
Wide circular aperture for sharp low-light photography

What We Didn’t Like

A-Mount means you’ll need an adapter to fit any E-Mount camera
Autofocus is accurate but sluggish – consider going manual

10 Rokinon 100mm – Sony A7iii Lens Mount

Weight: 1.6 pounds
Dimensions: 5.9 x 2.9 x 2.9 inches
Colour: Black
Focal Length: 100mm fixed
Aperture: f/2.8
Lens Type: Telephoto Macro Lens
Lens Format: Full Frame
Mount Type: Sony FE-Mount

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Rokinon is known to deliver excellent – and surprisingly affordable – prime lenses that excel at what they’re designed to do; and that rings true with this lens too.

You have a deep and narrow field of view that’s unique to telephoto lenses. Being a prime lens, you’re guaranteed to take ultra-sharp photos that kit lenses can only dream of snapping.

This lens really begins to shine when you take a look at its macro ability. There are tons of reasons why your second lens should be a macro lens and there aren’t many better choices at this price range.

The constant aperture keeps your exposure well-balanced when you focus on close-up objects. The short minimum focal range lets you get right up in on the subject while still keeping enough distance from it so as to not interfere with the lighting.

The UMC coating helps to further enhance your image quality. When you combine all these appetizing features together with the already excellent A7R III, you’ll be able to produce professional-grade images that are truly unique to telephoto and macro lenses.

You’ll develop your skills quickly and open up new creative pathways with this lens – all at an affordable price. It’s among the best lenses for sony a7riii cameras.

Key Features:

100mm full-frame macro lens
1:1 reproduction ratio for life-size images
12 inch (30cm) minimum focal range
9 blade diaphragm for excellent bokeh
UMC anti-reflective glass for enhanced image quality

Pros

Excellent value for money
Amazing macro and telephoto performance
Premium feel and intelligent build
Fully compatible with Sony E-Mount
The heavier weight helps reduce the effects of hand-shake on image sharpness

What We Didn’t Like

It doesn’t autofocus – you’ll need to brush up on your manual focus skills
It’s a little on the heavy side

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why are prime lenses said to be superior to zoom lenses?

Prime lenses almost always far sharper in terms of their image quality. This is because zoom lenses have extra glass inside them that moves in order to zoom. This means there will be less light distortion and dispersion. It’s not all bad news though, because what zoom lenses lack in sharpness, they make up for in versatility.

Can I use a crop lens (not full frame) on a full frame sensor camera (like the Sony A7R III)?

Yes, you can. The camera and lens will work fine, but there are some things you have to keep in mind. What’s going to happen is that you’ll get black areas around the edges of your image, like a vignette. You’ll have to crop that out anyway, leaving you with the same image that you’d get from a camera that isn’t full frame.

Full frame cameras are expensive, and so are full frame lenses, so take your time to save up and get a full frame lens to help you get the most out of your camera.

What are diaphragm blades and why are they important for bokeh and low light shots?

Diaphragm blades are the individual blades that collectively work together to widen and narrow down the aperture of your lens. This is the case with variable aperture lenses and cameras. The more blades there are, the closer the aperture opening resembles a circle. This allows aesthetic and nicely rounded bokeh and better control over how the light hits the sensor.

What focal length is best for each type of photography or lens type?

Here’s a quick and simple run down. Wide angle lenses give you a wider view angle and range from 8mm to about 35mm. A normal or standard lens is about 50mm and closely represents the angle your eyes see. A telephoto lens lets you get close up with a narrower view and range from 85-2000mm. Portrait lenses are slightly longer than the normal focal length and are usually 85mm, 100mm or 135mm. Landscape lenses are usually between 20-28mm.

Zoom lenses can be wide-angle zoom, normal zoom, etc. and the focal lengths are 16-35mm, 24-85mm, 70-200mm and 150-500mm. All in one lens range from 24-300mm. Finally, prime lenses have a fixed focal length and come in the following lengths: 8mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 105mm, 200mm, and 500mm.

Here’s a Couple of Things We Think You Should Know

Now that we’re done with the reviews, you should have a pretty good idea of which lens best suits your style and budget – and is capable of getting the results you’re looking for.

We hope you’ve found answers to any lingering questions you may have. It’s important to note that getting photos you’re happy with isn’t all about having super expensive gear, but rather about learning to make the most out of the gear you have available.

If you keep this sentiment, you’ll find yourself constantly looking for new and creative ways to get more interesting and better-composed shots from your lens.

The Sony A7R III is a truly remarkable camera and having an equally effective lens can take your photography to the next level – so long as you are willing to develop your skills accordingly.

We took the time to go through countless options when putting together this review to bring you the best lenses that offer quality where it matters most, and that leads us to the next point.

Here’s how we chose which lenses made this list

While throwing buckets of cash out for a lens can give you serious quality and high-end performance, the process is actually a little more complicated – if you want to make the smartest choice.

Not every photographer can afford to shell out for top-of-the-range gear and even the pros have to think carefully before investing more in their gear.

We took the smart approach and tried to find lenses that strike a good balance between all of the important aspects of a good lens; while simultaneously trying to give you a variety of options to cater to your unique needs.

Not every photographer is the same and we know this. We included some really cheap lenses and some lenses whose prices will get your heart racing.

We considered the focal length, the type of lens (telephoto, standard, etc.); whether it’s a prime or zoom lens, the cost, build quality, ease-of-use, and several other factors.

We’ve done the leg work and put together this review for you, and now you’ll know (though you probably already knew) that cost is only one aspect of this complex process.

We hope you’re ready and willing to get yourself the right lens and get out there and take some impressive and stunning photos.

Our Final Thoughts

It’s clear by now that your gear only matters up to a certain extent.

It’s very important for you to take an active role in your learning. Put some intentional focus into learning and experimenting as often as possible.

This is especially important if you’re a working professional, as it’s so easy to get stuck in a routine and lose touch with what drew you into photography in the first place.

At its base, photography is an art. It’s not just a mechanical process that lets you capture colors and shapes.

Photography can let you tell stories that words can’t. It can let you see the world in ways that you could never see through your own eyes.

Keeping this mentality will inspire you to keep learning and trying new things. You’ll be surprised by the creativity and photographic feats you’re capable of – it’s just a matter of getting out there and working on it.

Get your camera and slap on your choice of the best lenses for sony a7riii cameras, put what you’ve learned into practice, and start getting the results you’ve been looking for.

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