Photo by Nikon/Dixie Dixon
A new full-frame mirrorless camera like the Nikon Z8 is a great acquisition, but useless without one or two proper lenses. You can go for one of Nikon’s NIKKOR Z-series lenses or a third-party compatible lens. The good news is you have a broad lens selection to choose from, including prime wide-angle and telephoto lenses and zoom lenses. Check out our list of best lenses for the Nikon Z8 to help narrow your search.
Released in May 2023, Nikon Z8 is the latest addition to Nikon’s Z-series mirrorless cameras. Like its predecessor, Nikon Z9, the Z8 features a full-frame 45.7MP sensor and a powerful image processor. It offers 8K UHD video recording, an advanced autofocus system with subject detection and tracking, an ultra-fast burst speed (up to 120fps for 11MP JPEG photos), an all-electronic viewfinder, and Nikon’s Pre-Release Capture technology. In addition, Z8 supports the 10-bit HEIF format, includes special features for portrait photography, and can detect aircraft.
Nikon Z8 is lightweight and compact. It is 30 percent smaller than Z9 and 15 percent smaller than D850. The camera is weather-resistant and ready for adventure. But before pressing the shutter release for the first time, you need to attach a Nikon Z mount lens.
Why We Chose This Lens: NIKKOR Z 70-200mm is a telephoto zoom lens, ultra-fast, with high performance in low light conditions, and advanced VR technology.
Lens Details:
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is a high-performance lens optimized for Z-series mirrorless cameras. It features a focal length range perfect for any photographic genre — from portrait and wedding photography to sports, wildlife, and events. Mounted on a Z8 camera, the lens will produce high-quality still images and videos in any lighting conditions thanks to a wide f/2.8 maximum aperture and built-in optical VR image stabilization effective for up to five stops. At the same time, the lens has impressively short minimum focusing distances, which makes it perfect for getting really close to your subject.
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S benefits from the largest full-frame lens mount on the market (Nikon Z mount). This means a stunning bokeh effect and even illumination at the corners of the frame for minimal vignetting.
Furthermore, the lens features a customizable control ring (you may choose between quiet aperture control, exposure compensation, and ISO adjustments), two customizable Fn buttons, and a built-in display panel for lens information (aperture, focal length, focus distance, and depth of field). It is dust and drip-resistant and employs two lens coatings for reducing reflections and flares and a fluorine coating for repelling dust, dirt, and moisture.
Why We Chose This Lens: NIKKOR Z 14-24mm is an ultra-wide zoom lens, silent, portable, and optimized for outdoor photography.
Lens Details:
To complete the portability, comfort, and grip provided by Z8, NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S is the perfect lens choice. It is lightweight (it weighs only 23 oz.), dust and moisture-sealed, and provides outstanding sharpness and image quality across the frame. Its ultra-wide perspective (angle of view of 115°) makes it a must-have lens for any outdoor photography genre including landscape, nature, cityscape, astrophotography, and street life.
NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S offers a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range for high quality in low light conditions. Furthermore, it has an ultra-silent and fast autofocus system that allows you to record clear audio footage and lets you change focus without affecting the angle of view. The customizable buttons make your workflow smooth and pleasant.
The lens also benefits from Nikon’s coatings: Nano Crystal and ARNEO for non-reflective performance and Fluorine for a dust and moisture-repellant effect. It is the only lens you need for outdoor and adventure photography.
Why We Chose This Lens: NIKKOR Z 24-50mm is the optimal zoom kit lens that provides the best focal length range for all-purpose photography, exquisite image quality, and unbeatable portability.
Lens Details:
The small NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 is a great first lens choice. It is fast, silent, and easy to use. At the same time, it provides the best Nikon technologies in terms of optics and built quality. The versatile focal length range suits street photographers but also landscape and portrait photographers, food videographers, and snapshot enthusiasts. NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 features edge-to-edge sharpness and clarity, three aspherical lens elements for minimum distortions, a fast and silent autofocus system, and an ultra-short minimum focus distance. Moreover, it doesn’t have focus breathing for smooth refocusing during video recording. You will also enjoy the custom control ring.
If you want a discrete lens, you should know that NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 doesn’t change in size during autofocus. It is an IF lens, meaning only the internal lens group shifts during focus. As a result, you can take street snapshots without attracting attention. This makes a perfect lens for wandering around and taking bright detailed candid shots.
Why We Chose This Lens: NIKKOR Z 24-200mm is an all-purpose zoom lens covering both wide-angle and telephoto focal lengths and providing VR image stabilization at an affordable price.
Lens Details:
The NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 features an ultra-broad focal length range and can easily be the only lens you need. It includes VR image stabilization with up to five stops for zero camera shake blur, faithful point light reproduction for photographing city lights and other point light sources, exquisite detail acquisition, smooth and silent autofocus no focus breathing for still images, and video recording.
Although the maximum aperture is smaller than other NIKKOR Z lenses, NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 compensates in versatility and portability. It weighs only 20.2 oz. and provides focal lengths offered by telephoto lenses twice as heavy. Thus, NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 makes an excellent travel lens, allowing you to capture a wide range of subject matters. This includes landscapes, architecture, street life, people, events, and tiny subjects.
In addition, the lens is dust and water-sealed and offers a customizable control ring for maximum precision with no effort. It is also an IF lens and provides a short minimum focus distance of 1.64′ to 2.30′.
Why We Chose This Lens: Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD is a telephoto zoom lens that’s sharp, portable, and good value for the money.
Lens Details:
Covering a broad telephoto focal length range, Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD lets professional and amateur photographers explore the world of close-up photography at an affordable price and without too much weight to carry around. With good lighting and a tripod, you can even try macro photography. The narrow aperture limits don’t make low-light use very accessible.
The autofocus system is fast and accurate making the lens perfect for burst shooting and video recording, which is what you need for a Nikon Z8. But because it doesn’t include image stabilization, you may want to use it with a tripod when reaching the high-end focal length. The lens comes with a reversible lens hood to help you avoid glares and reflections.
It has a solid build quality and moisture-resistant sealing, so you are fine shooting in any weather conditions. The lens is made of an aluminum-magnesium alloy that minimizes weight and provides high strength and durability.
Why We Chose This Lens: Venus Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro is a wide-angle lens optimized for macro photography and provides a greater depth of field than other similar lenses.
Lens Details:
Venus Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro is a compact and lightweight lens designed for macro photography. It provides edge-to-edge sharpness, a small and light lens barrel for easiness of use in fields, a short working distance, and an extreme 5:1 magnification factor. Due to the high magnification factor and lack of optical image stabilization, you will need a tripod. Although Venus Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro has a greater depth of field than other macro lenses, image stacking may still be required from time to time. However, it is good value for the money considering it is a macro lens.
Venus Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Lens provides manual focus and can only focus close (it doesn’t focus to infinity). It also features a manual magnification ring and an aperture ring. The lens has a bayonet socket at the front for the lens cap, which can be used to attach an LED ring light.
The Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Lens provides something few other lenses can offer: an extreme magnification factor that allows you to photograph unseen details to the bare eye.
Why We Chose This Lens: The Samyang 85mm f/1.4 is a prime all-purpose lens with an ultra-wide maximum aperture, a beautiful bokeh, and a smooth focus ring.
Lens Details:
Designed for photographers who know their way, Samyang 85mm f/1.4 offers a fixed versatile 85mm focal length, manual focus, a large maximum aperture, and high image quality. The focal length favors portrait and street photography but can work for landscape and commercial photos as well. The reduced weight and compact design improve portability. And although the lens doesn’t have autofocus, the manual ring focus is smooth and precise giving you all the control you need.
Due to the generous maximum aperture, the lens takes beautiful photographs in any lighting conditions and creates a smooth and impressive bokeh effect. For its price category, Samyang 85mm f/1.4 provides outstanding built quality. The lens is made of aluminum alloy, is weather-sealed, and feels solid and reliable. The electronic connection with the camera is present and allows for in-camera aperture control.
Why We Chose This Lens: The Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.8 Z STM is the ultimate prime lens for portrait and street photography, featuring a large maximum aperture and a noiseless focus motor.
Lens Details:
Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.8 Z STM features a fixed 50mm focal length. It provides the realistic perspective portrait and street photographers need. Including autofocus with minimal focus breathing and a noiseless focus motor, a large f/1.8 maximum aperture, and an HD Nano multilayer coating with water-resistant and antifouling properties.
The large aperture creates a smooth and creamy bokeh effect. For a more intense effect, you can go as close as 1.9’ from your subject. However, the lens doesn’t have built-in optical image stabilization, so you are relying on Z8’s image stabilization system.
Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.8 Z STM has a customizable control ring you can configure to work as an aperture or focus ring or to control exposure compensation or ISO sensitivity. If you are set on autofocus and in-camera controls, you can switch it off to avoid moving it by mistake. Overall, the lens provides good image quality, solid build, and fair functionalities that let you express your creativity.
Finding the best lens for the Nikon Z8 depends a lot on your type of photography and workflow. If you can’t settle on one focal length, choose a performing zoom lens that has you covered in any situation. But if you prefer a particular perspective and composition, choose the best prime lens you can afford and stick to it. Z8 is an amazing camera that already incorporates advanced technology. Matching it with an appropriate lens will help you take impressive photographs and videos effortlessly.
Featured Image from Nikon/Dixie Dixon
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