Are you looking to hone your wildlife photography skills? Or are you simply looking to pursue product photography without having to spend exorbitantly on industry-grade hardware? Regardless of what your preferences and skill sets are, you can safely consider investing in the Nikon D7000 compatible lenses to align the DSLR accordingly.
Pairing a lens with the Nikon D7000 clearly depends on your individual, recreational, and professional performances. You might want to pursue astrography, portrait photography, landscape capturing, or macro photography, which then determines your choice of lens. Or you might even want to capture wide-angle shots, which then require you to choose the lens accordingly.
But then, you cannot randomly go about purchasing a lens for Nikon D7000, as you might not be able to get one that suits your professional and personal needs. Also, the existing retail space dealing in lenses is replete with options that might get confusing if you are planning to set up your first camera.
Keeping these pain points and targeted requirements in mind, I have compiled a list of top-rated Nikon D7000 lenses. And most importantly, each lens featured on the list caters to specific photography skills, use cases, and price points.
Contents
- Best Nikon D7000 Lenses in 2023
- 1. Best for Astrophotography: Rokinon ED UMC
- 2. Best Full-Frame Lens: Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm
- 3. Best for Recreational Shots: Tokina AT-X PRO DX
- 4. Best for Professionals: Rokinon 14mm
- 5. Best for Low-Light Clicks: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm
- 6. Best for Product Photography: Sigma 105mm F2.8 IF
- 7. Best for Wildlife Photography: Tamron SP 150-600mm
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Verdict
Best Nikon D7000 Lenses in 2023
In the subsequent sections, I shall enlist 7 of the best options for D7000, segregated primarily as per the specs sheet and price. But then, none of the lenses randomly made it to the list. I tested close to 18 lenses before coming up with a tapered down list of 7. And, each lens that could make it to the list was subjected to a wide range of climatic and scenic conditions as a part of this detailed analysis.
So let’s get down to the reviews by taking up the lenses, one at a time:
1. Best for Astrophotography: Rokinon ED UMC
The 135mm Ultra-Multi-Coated Rokinon ED UMC lens is one of your best bets for Astrophotography. Boasting an Extra-Low-Dispersion paneling, this lens ensures minimal glare even while shooting objects farther to the actual camera.
Design, Build, and Compatibility
Coming to the design, this plastic-clad lens measures 3.23 x 4.81 inches, making it easy enough to be carried along on trips. Plus, this prime telephoto lens weighs a manageable 1.83 pounds and even comes equipped with a removable hood. And most importantly, it is compatible with DSLRs, Full Frame shooters, and APS-C cameras.
Lens Elements
This telephone lens for Nikon D7000 comprises 11 elements, including one specialized ED element and a reliable Nikon-branded AE chipset for achieving excellent auto exposure. And most importantly, there are nine diaphragm lens-specific blades in play for achieving exceptional bokeh effects.
Focusing Technology
Coming to the overall focusing technology, this telephoto lens exhibits a minimum focusing distance of 2.6ft, thereby ensuring clear shots of objects that are placed well beyond the range of a standard telephoto lens. Also, the lens boasts an internal focusing method and even comprises a built-in distance scale for some of the more accurate shots.
Other Capabilities
As a manual focus Nikon D7000 lens, the Rokinon 135mm boasts an excellent aperture range of F/2.0-22, giving you better control over the light that enters the lens. And it also wouldn’t be wrong to state that it matches up to one of the costliest prime lenses around, i.e., the Zeiss Apo, in terms of image quality.
Also, this lens has a lot of firepower for aspiring cinematographers, courtesy of exclusive features like the geared control over focus and a clickless aperture.
Who is this lens for and should you buy this?
Well, if you are into astrophotography, this 135mm prime telephoto lens is certainly worth investing in. However, I would recommend purchasing the same if you also have a penchant for bokeh shots, cinematographic aspirations, or a liking towards casual wildlife and landscape photography, as the Rokinon 135mm F2.0 ED UMC is known for its incredible image clarity and best-in-class sharpness.
- One of the sharpest, edge-to-edge images
- Wide aperture for maximizing light
- Zero image distortion
- Excellent focal length
- 9 blade lens aperture offers better control
- Fall offs are noticed at f/2
- Doesn’t offer image stabilization
- Misses out on AF capabilities
2. Best Full-Frame Lens: Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm
If you seek a budget-friendly, lightweight, and small zoom lens for your new camera, there isn’t a better option than the Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm. While it is mainly tagged as an entry-level supply for amateur photographers, the performances exhibited are seriously top-notch.
Design, Build, and Compatibility
The NIKKOR lens is plastic-made and doesn’t exude premium vibes, at least not to experienced photographers. Coming to the dimensions, it measures 3.17 x 5.75 inches, thereby qualifying it as an adequately sleek device. And adding to the portability is the manageable weight of 1.64 pounds.
As far as compatibility is concerned, it works rather well with most D-series DSLRs from Nikon. However, with D7000, it exhibits limited functionality as manual focusing is taken out of the question.
Lens Elements
As far as the lens elements are concerned, there are 14 entities in play, segregated into ten groups. And there is also an ED element in play to keep dispersion out of the images.
Focusing Technology
Coming to the focusing technology, this lens support electronic focus and paves the way for 4.3x zoom. And as the zoom ring is pretty large, zooming in and even out to utilize the entire focal range is hardly an issue. Also, as it is an AF-P lens, the Autofocus is a lot smoother and quieter as compared to the AF-S counterparts.
Other Capabilities
The Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm comes equipped with an efficient drive system that comes in handy for shooting quieter and clearer videos. And to top it all off, there is the manual override feature to make lens management easier.
Who is this lens for, and who should buy this?
If you are into full-frame zoom lenses for amateur wildlife and landscape photography, the Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm can be one of the more reliable options to invest in.
- Long yet compact
- Smooth autofocus
- Cost-effective
- Supports image stabilization
- Narrow aperture
- Vignette mode isn’t all that good
- Lacks manual focus
3. Best for Recreational Shots: Tokina AT-X PRO DX
The Tokina AT-X PRO DX is one of the brighter and sharper ultra-wide close-range lenses for the Nikon D7000. And it allows you to capture some breathtaking shots, riding on the perks of a bright aperture.
Design, Build, and Compatibility
The aesthetics relevant to this lens do look a tad dated. And it even misses out on weather protection, thereby asking you to take several preventative measures before going out. Coming to the dimensions, this lens from Tokina measures 3.6 x 3.5 inches. Also, it weighs close to 1.2 pounds, making it quite portable.
As far as compatibility is concerned, this wide-angle lens works brilliantly with Nikon and Canon EF mounts and SLRs.
Lens Elements
If you are into specifics, this lens comprises 14 elements sequenced in 12 separate groups. And on top of that, it includes multi-layer coating and even aspherical elements for better control over the shots.
Focusing Technology
And finally, there is a lens that lets you switch between manual and autofocus, depending on requirements, courtesy of the inventive focus ring in play. And when it comes to the focusing range, the 11-20mm threshold is still good enough for most subjects that are close by.
Other Capabilities
This DSLR lens makes the most of the F/2.8-22 limit and ensures that the image resolution is more than average across apertures. And even though ultra-wide shots come with a bit of distortion, the ability to adjust peripheral illumination more than makes up for this bottleneck.
Who is this lens for, and who should buy this?
The Tokina AT-X PRO DX is a good enough wide-angle lens for you if you want to take close-up shots and wide-angle pictures. And the excellent aperture makes it a good choice for low-light photography, which also explains the excellent vignette effects.
- Sharp images
- The view is relatively wide
- Aperture can bring in more light
- Easy to carry
- Loud AF
- Not good enough for videos
- Doesn’t come with weather protection
- No image stabilization
4. Best for Professionals: Rokinon 14mm
If you are game for hooded lenses, the Rokinon 14mm seems like the perfect option to pick. And as a professional, you would be able to relate better to the lowest possible levels of comatic aberration associated with this product.
Design, Build, and Compatibility
As far as the aesthetics are concerned, this lens from Rokinon weighs 1.22 pounds and measures 3.43 x 3.43 inches, to be exact. And if you are concerned about the compatibility, the product is expected to work well with EOS, Nikon, Canon, Sony Alpha, and a handful of other mounts.
Lens Elements
This Rokinon wide-angle lens for Nikon D7000 includes 18 lens elements stacked in 12 separate groups. Plus, there are 10 ‘diaphragm’ blades in play to let you have better control over the aperture. And if you are into specifics, the 18 lens elements can be further segregated into hybrid aspherical, 2 ED lens elements, and high RI elements.
Focusing Technology
If you are a professional, you can opt for the manual focusing variant of the Rokinon lens, which works exceedingly well with a focal range of 14mm. And as the focus is fixed, zooming in and out isn’t possible with the same. Coming to the aperture, the ultrawide F/2.8 orifice lets in a lot of light, and the hooded design lets you achieve the best possible visual effects.
Other Capabilities
This camera lens also comes with a multi-layer flare-mitigating coating. Therefore, even in well well-illuminated, you need not worry about the ghost images. And on top of that, it boasts excellent visual sharpness, making it possible for you to keep the aperture on the higher side, across different lighting conditions.
Who is this lens for and who should buy this?
Overall, if you are into shooting astrophotos or sceneries as a professional, the Rokinon 14mm wide-angle lens is the perfect lens to pair with the D7000 camera.
- Returns bright and sharp pictures
- Exceptional build quality
- Minimal distortion
- Slow focus ring
- Lens flare is evident
5. Best for Low-Light Clicks: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm is the modern-day prime lens that lets you click the best images, even in minimally dim lighting conditions. And as an FX-format lens, it can work with a wide range of cameras without any issue whatsoever.
Design, Build, and Compatibility
The NIKKOR 35mm lens is one of the lightest products in the market, weighing a mere 0.67 pounds. And when it comes to dimensions, this lens measures 2.1 x 2.8 inches. Plus, it even accommodates 52mm, high-efficiency front filters.
As far as compatibility is concerned, you can pair this lens with any Nikon DSLR of choice and even make use of the 1.5x cropping quotient. Also, if you want to learn more about the premium build quality, the mount is metallic to be exact whereas the barrel sports hardened polycarbonate.
Lens Elements
If you are into specifics, this lens comprises 8 elements sequenced into 6 disparate groups. And there should be a special mention for the ED and Aspherical elements that offer better control over the shots.
Focusing Technology
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm boasts AF-S focusing technology, which is quite efficient but not as quiet as the AF-P variant. And the maximum aperture of f/1.8 ensures that the lens can accommodate a lot of external light, thereby paving the way for brighter and crisper shots.
Other Capabilities
If you want an affordable prime lens that can blur your wide-angle shots with ease, this is the camera accessory to consider. And it even comes with mechanical focus management support that can be hard to use but has you covered in case the camera is low on juice.
Who is this lens for, and who should buy this?
In conclusion, this NIKKOR 35mm lens is an exceptional resource to have for outdoor shoots, especially if you prefer something for handling low light conditions with precision.
- Compact
- Bright output
- Manual and Autofocus support is available
- Easy on the pocket
- Barrel distortion is common
- Lacks optical stabilization
6. Best for Product Photography: Sigma 105mm F2.8 IF
Nothing feels better than having a macro lens for the Nikon D7000, especially if you are into product photography. And while there are several great things about the Sigma 105mm F2.8 IF lens, the high res optics clearly justifies the higher price point.
Design, Build, and Compatibility
While some might say that the Sigma 105mm F2.8 IF is made for cameras that are mirrorless, it actually works exceedingly well even with the Nikon DSLRs. Coming to the aesthetics and the build quality, this lens strikes the perfect balance between polycarbonate and metal and feels premium in hand.
And there is an on-lens focus ring to work with, which has a rubberized texture and a dedicated aperture control system. As far as the dimensions are concerned, this lens measures 3.07 x 3.07 inches and weighs 1.60 pounds.
Lens Elements
When it comes to lens-relevant specifications, Sigma boasts 16 individual elements, placed in 11 separate groups. And there are nine additional blades in play to help you stay in better control of the aperture.
Focusing Technology
The Sigma 105mm F2.8 IF comes equipped with a speed autofocus mechanism, led by the presence of a Sonic motor that achieves accurate focusing. And complementing the same is a toggle that lets you get back to manual focus if needed. And the maximum focus range of 150mm ensures that you can even take this lens outside if you want to click some recreational shots as well.
Other Capabilities
This Nikon D7000 lens supports excellent vignetting and has a built-in mechanism to keep relative and effective distortion out of the equation.
Who is this lens for, and who should buy this?
If you want to pursue product photography professionally, you might want to get the Sigma 105mm F2.8 IF instead of investing in a high-end camera. And the best thing about this lens is the no-zoom, wider aperture functionality that ensures exceptional clicks in the natural lighting conditions, as well.
- Quickest possible AF
- Splash protection support
- Comes with an aperture lock mechanism
- Can be purchased for L and E-mounted cameras
- Pricey
- Not the best stabilization
7. Best for Wildlife Photography: Tamron SP 150-600mm
As a professional wildlife photographer, you cannot ignore the brilliance offered by the Tamron SP 150-600mm telephoto, long-range lens. And while the aperture seems quite limited for a professional lens, it can go as low as f/32-40 to capture the best possible shots of living and inanimate objects.
Design, Build, and Compatibility
Needless to say, this Tamron lens is as heavy as it can get at 4.3 pounds. And when it comes to the dimensions, it is the 10.1-inch length that matters. And while most of you would expect metal for this price, the lens is still plastic-clad, and therefore easy to carry as compared to its metallic counterparts.
And as far as compatibility is concerned, I tested it with Nikon FX and even DX shooters, standard Canon EOS units, Sony alpha shooters, and even the Minola MAXXUM shooter. And to be honest, the performances couldn’t have been any better.
Lens Elements
As far as the lens optics and specifications are concerned, Tamron throws in 20 elements segregated into 13 groups. And this includes the rotary zoom support as well. Coming to the diaphragm, there are ninerounded blades to work with.
Focusing Technology
Firstly, I am not a big fan of the AF functionality offered by the D7000 itself. However, despite the middling Autofocus, the Tamron lens displayed exceptional performance. However, I even tested with the new D800, and the marriage of newness and functionality was worth drooling over.
Other Capabilities
While its ability to capture the best long-range shots doesn’t need an introduction, I could also get the best contrast balance and image sharpness with this lens. And to make things even better, the camera even offers three optimized shooting modes, depending on the situation.
Who is this lens for, and who should buy this?
This premium lens is strictly meant for wildlife photography, and especially bird shooting, courtesy of the insanely fast autofocus. However, you should only consider investing in it if you are a professional.
- Optimized shooting modes
- Moisture resistant
- Fastest possible AF
- Comes with a new Zoom lock functionality
- Pricey
- The design could have been better
- Not meant for close-range clicks and low light snapping
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want to click landscapes, sceneries, and birds, you should consider pairing the D7000 with a telephoto lens and not a typical zoom lens that can pixelate the images in one way or the other.
I feel you should opt for a lens with both Manual focus and autofocus support as the lens then caters equally to both your advanced and basic requirements. And the manual focus is more suited if you are a professional as getting the hang of it takes some time.
Having a wide-angle lens allows you to capture a larger field, more depth and ensure that you do not miss out on any element in the frame.
If you want a DSLR lens for casual, portrait photography, it is better to opt for a wide-angle or rather a Macro lens, with a focus on sub-100mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.0-3.0, which allows more light to come in.
Verdict
Each Nikon D7000 lenses featured on the list allows you to solve a specific issue pertaining to amateur and even professional photography. And while you can pick any product from the list, here is a more handpicked and curated selection based on specific use cases:
- If you want a professional-grade lens that is best for close-range photography, the Rokinon 14mm Lens is one of the better options to look at.
- As a professional wildlife photographer, who prefers a lens with the best autofocus, the Tamron SP 150-600mm is the one to invest in.
- In case you want a standard lens that is best for low-light clicks, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED is the perfect lens to purchase.
While these are some of the more obvious lens-specific choices, you can always go through the list all over again and pick any other lens that you find suitable, as per your skillset and professional requirements.
