The Nikon D3100 is among the best travel cameras you find and a beginner-friendly DSLR.
It’s also good blogging camera to have, whatever your niche is.
But if you’re looking to elevate your travel photography even more and produce beautiful, professional-quality photos, it’s high time to get yourself a new lens!
Yes, there are tons of D3100 lenses ... but no, this doesn’t have to be a painful process.
To help you out, we’ve rounded up 15 of the best Nikon D3100 lenses and included a guide to choosing the right lens for you.
Want a quick answer? We recommend the Sigma 17-50mm F2.8.
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There are several types of Nikon D3100 lenses, including:
A prime lens is perhaps the most basic type of lens, which is a fixed lens with a specific focal length that you can’t adjust. In other words, you can’t change the zoom in this lens. This might sound like an inconvenient thing, but the fixed focal length actually gives you sharper photos.
Prime lenses are generally faster and can produce higher-quality photos than zoom lenses, which we’ll talk about shortly. It makes them an excellent choice for portraits and events.
In contrast, a zoom lens has a variable focal length that allows you to zoom in and out. This means that you can easily adjust the magnification of your short by a simple twist of the lens. It’s a super versatile choice for those who want a wider focal range to cover a wider variety of photography.
For those who travel a lot to scenic places or love capturing architectural shots, we would recommend going for a wide-angle lens. This lens type can take in more of the scene in front of it as it has a wider angle of view.
An ultra-wide-angle lens can take in an entire 180-degrees of a view. We also love wide-angle lenses for low-light and astrophotography!
Another popular type of lens is the portrait lens, which is a specific choice for photographing portraits or human subjects. They usually have the optimal combination of focal length and aperture to capture flattering photos of people.
Go for a short lens if you also want to capture the background behind the person, and a long lens if you’d rather focus on the face and get sharp, beautiful close-ups.
A macro lens, typically used in macro photography, is a lens that is capable of life-sized or 1:1 magnification. You can use it to take extreme close-ups of small subjects while maintaining a sharp focus and astounding amount of detail.
Within the category of macro lenses, there are three further classifications including the short, mid-range, and long macro lens. They vary in terms of the photo quality produced and how close you can get to your subject.
Last but not least is the telephoto lens. This is perhaps what most people would see in their mind when picturing professional photographers and paparazzis. Yes, a telephoto lens is the super long and heavy lens that you often see depicted as the typical photographer lens.
They are long-focus lenses that can capture subjects from a distance without losing sharpness. You can use this type of lens for sports and wildlife photography, among others.
A few things to think about before you choose a lens for your Nikon D3100!
First and foremost, it’s super important to know what lens type you are going for. Take a closer look at the types of lenses we’ve mentioned above and see which one is the closest to what you are looking for.
You should also know what you will be using the camera for. That is because someone who needs a compact and versatile lens for travelling is completely different from a professional wedding photographer who prioritizes photo quality above anything else.
Next, it’s time to plan a budget and figure out how much you can spare for a camera lens. Obviously, a beginner photographer would be willing to spend less than someone whose living depends on photography.
The Nikon D3100 is an entry-level DSLR that may not be too expensive, but don’t forget that you may need to buy an additional lens with it! For example, you can also make smart choices like choosing an F/2.8 lens over the F/1.2 if you won’t be shooting much in low light.
When it comes to technical features, the aperture of your lens is a crucial factor to consider. It’s represented by an F and number, and represents the amount of light that the lens’ sensor can let through.
While a lower number like F1.4 means that your lens can open really wide and excels in low-light situations, a higher number like F8 means just the opposite.
The focal length is also just as important, which is measured in millimeters. It is the lens’ magnification and ability to capture a scene. A lens with a shorter focal length has a wider field of view that can be perfect for landscapes and architecture.
Meanwhile, a longer focal length can be great for sports and wildlife. The focal length also influences the minimum focusing distance of your lens, which is how close you can shoot your subject from and still get a crisp focus.
Next is the size and weight of your lens. Depending on how much travelling you will be doing, this can be an especially important aspect of your lens. Remember that the Nikon D3100 is a DSLR, which makes it a bit bulkier than a mirrorless, and that any lens you choose will be additional weight you have to carry around.
A telephoto lens is obviously larger and heavier than a prime lens, so this is definitely something to keep in mind when choosing your lens.
The D3100 doesn’t feature any image stabilisation, but don’t worry because almost all of the lenses we will talk about today comes with built-in optical stabilisation. This can be great to ensure that you have smooth, blur-free photos each time. Of course, using a DSLR camera gimbal will help if you’re shooting a video!
Last of all, let’s talk about the build quality. This may be something that lots of people overlook when picking out a lens, but can determine how much you enjoy using the lens afterwards!
For instance, a lens with a plastic construction would be cheaper and more lightweight, but can feel less sturdy and won’t last as long. Features like weather-sealing and a dust-resistant coating are also great plus points to look for.
Minimum focus distance: 0.28 m
Focal length: 17-50 mm
Max aperture: F2.8
Filter diameter: 77 mm
Weight: 565 g
Size (diameter x length): 83 x 91 mm
The Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 is the only lens to look at if you want the best overall choice for your Nikon D3100.
It’s an affordable zoom lens that is super versatile, where the useful focal range lets you dabble in all sorts of photography. Even for portraits, as the bokeh effect is beautiful!
In terms of performance, this lens excels in low light and can produce impressive images with high quality.
There are 2 FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements, two glass mold and a hybrid aspherical lens that will correct and visual aberrations in the photos. The brightness and contrast are also impeccable, even when shooting at wide open.
We also love Sigma’s Hyper Sonic Motor that ensures the fastest, most silent autofocus. This makes it a great lens to use for street photography and in quiet environments.
The one downside is that this lens will produce some soft edges at maximum aperture and vignetting when you are shooting at the 17mm focal length. But these aren’t a major issues and you can easily fix them in post-processing.
Minimum focus distance: 0.3 m
Focal length: 35 mm
Max aperture: F1.8
Filter diameter: 52 mm
Weight: 200 g
Size (diameter x length): 70 x 52.5 mm
If what you’re looking for is a light and compact prime lens, go for the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX, which offers impressive performance at an affordable price.
It’s an overall great lens with an even greater value for money, especially for those looking for an all-round lens and don’t mind foregoing zoom capabilities.
First off, the 35mm focal length is actually a versatile and natural angle that can cover a wide range of shots.
Its wide F1.8 aperture is an excellent bonus as it means you can take photos in poorly lit conditions and still enjoy super sharp and crisp results.
We also love the bokeh that this lens produces, so that’s your portraits covered.
Best of all is Nikon’s unique Rear Focusing System, which ensures that only the rear lens group moves when you’re focusing to achieve quicker results.
Of course, it also comes with a Silent Wave Motor for quiet autofocus and professional optics.
Minimum focus distance: 0.45 m
Focal length: 18-140 mm
Max aperture: F3.5-5.6
Filter diameter: 67 mm
Weight: 490 g
Size (diameter x length): 78 x 97 mm
In terms of zoom lenses for the Nikon D3100, it doesn’t get better than the Nikon 18-140mm F3.5-5.6.
More than a mere standard zoom lens, this is actually a versatile telephoto lens that you can use for just about anything, including wide-angle shots.
The multipurpose focal range actually lets you capture anything you want. From sceneries and architecture to portraits and wildlife, you got it.
Plus, it’s also reasonably sized and weighed for a zoom lens, making it pretty great to travel with. One lens to document every aspect of your backpacking trip: from the people to the landscape. What more do you want, right?
Its quality and performance are great, featuring edge-to-edge sharpness, superb autofocus, and Vibration Reduction (VR) for sharp stills.
We also love the focus ring that lets you switch between focus modes quickly and easily. And the ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass that eliminates and lens flare for outstanding results.
However, the plastic construction of this lens might make it less sturdy and easier to damage. The photos may also have some distortion.
Minimum focus distance: 0.24 m
Focal length: 10-20 mm
Max aperture: F3.5
Filter diameter: 82 mm
Weight: 520 g
Size (diameter x length): 87 x 88 mm
The Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 is our go-to wide-angle lens for the Nikon D3100. It is a very powerful lens for shooting indoor and outdoor architecture, and landscapes.
Boasting superb image quality with an impressive sharpness, this lens can correct distortion, minimize lens flare and ghosting, and reduce color aberration. The result are bright and high-contrast photos every time.
While this is also a great lens to use for astrophotography, it doesn’t come with the widest max aperture and may not be the most effective choice for low light shooting. Although it really isn’t that bad either!
Moreover, we also love the fact that it has a minimum focusing distance of 24 cm, and this combined with the wide angle means you can capture both your foreground subject and the unfolding background. It’s also super useful for when you are capturing photos in tight spaces.
There is also the HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) that delivers fast and precis autofocus, as well as the focus ring that allows you to switch between AF and manual focusing.
Minimum focus distance: 0.45 m
Focal length: 50 mm
Max aperture: F1.8
Filter diameter: 58 mm
Weight: 185 g
Size (diameter x length): 72 x 52.5 mm
Next up is the best portrait lens for those of you who are wanting to delve into the world of portrait photography, in which we case we can’t recommend the Nikon 50mm F1.8 enough.
More than just one of the best portrait lenses you can get, it’s actually also among the lightest lenses for a DSLR!
At only 185 grams, this lens is also the perfect choice for our fellow traveller. You can take it to places like Thailand and commemorate the locals you meet along the way.
But other than that, it’s also a high-performing lens that it super sharp and bright, whereas the wide aperture allows you to explore dark, indoor places without worrying about blurry photos.
Better yet, its Super Integrated Coating (SIC) ensures that light transmission is efficient for better colors and less lens flare.
We also love that Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor ensures fast, accurate and quiet autofocus!
Minimum focus distance: 0.314 m
Focal length: 105 mm
Max aperture: F2.8
Filter diameter: 62 mm
Weight: 720 g
Size (diameter x length): 83 x 116 mm
Are you looking for a macro lens that can help you capture stunning photos of small subjects, including foods, flowers, rocks, and leaves?
If so, you won’t find a better lens than the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 G, which is a compact and mid-range macro lens that can deliver absolutely sharp and stunning close-ups.
With a 1:1 magnification, this macro lens actually encapsulates the best qualities of both a short and long macro lens, making it a perfect choice for those just starting out in macro photography.
Its minimum focusing distance is enough to work with insects without scaring them away, while the weight isn’t too heavy that you’ll need a tripod to use it.
Sure, it’s not the most lightweight lens on our list, but it is relatively so for a high-quality macro lens. Not to mention the Vibration Reduction which will help ensure sharp and smooth stills, even when handheld.
Minimum focus distance: 0.163 m
Focal length: 40 mm
Max aperture: F2.8
Filter diameter: 52 mm
Weight: 235 g
Size (diameter x length): 68 x 64 mm
If you want a more budget-friendly macro lens or one with a closer minimum focusing distance, then the Nikon 40mm F2.8 might be it for you.
It’s also a much more compact and lightweight option, but without compromising performance and image quality.
You can expect sharp results even at wide-open, and impressive control over distortion and chromatic aberration.
This lens is also good for portraits, thanks to the rounded 7-blade diaphragm which gives you stunning and natural bokeh for a gorgeous focus on your subject.
While the autofocus is fast for non-macro shooting, it can be quite slow and less precise when you are shooting very closely from your subject. That said, this shouldn’t be an issue because using manual focusing for macro shots always gives the best results!
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Minimum focus distance: 1.2 m
Focal length: 70-200 mm
Max aperture: F2.8
Filter diameter: 82 mm
Weight: 1805 g
Size (diameter x length): 94 x 202 mm
The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 Sports has got to be the single best telephoto lens you can get for the Nikon D3100.
Admittedly, it may be quite expensive, heavy, and large, therefore it’s probably not the best option for beginners. But as an overall telephoto lens, it offers superb quality and performance!
It’s very versatile in terms of usage and can be used for anything from wildlife, sports, and stage events, to close-up landscapes and portraits.
Moreover, the aperture is quite wide for a telephoto lens and offers excellent performance in low light, while its VR ensures blur-free photos even when handheld.
In terms of build, it comes with a dust and splash resistant design as well as a water- and oil-repellent coating. This rugged lens can withstand extreme weather and is great for using outdoors and in nature.
There are also intelligent optical stabilisation and a fast autofocus with HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) that also features an updated algorithm.
Minimum focus distance: 0.48 m
Focal length: 18-300 mm
Max aperture: F3.5-6.3
Filter diameter: 67 mm
Weight: 550 g
Size (diameter x length): 78.5 x 99 mm
The Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 is not cheap per se, but it’s a much more affordable entrypoint into telephoto photography for anyone who’s interested.
If you are looking for a little versatility, this lens won’t disappoint either. From scenic landscapes and wide-angle group shots, to portraits with soft bokeh, and telephoto close-ups, it has got them all covered.
It’s also a tad more lightweight and portable, while the addition of Vibration Reduction technology ensures sharp stills and steady videos.
Best of all, the quiet AF can also reduce any noise for when you’re shooting videos!
This lens features Nikon's advanced technologies such as Silent Wave Motor (SWM), as well as three Aspherical (AS) and Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements. The latter produces maximum contrast and reduces lens flare and ghosting for superb photo quality.
Minimum focus distance: 0.95 m
Focal length: 55-200 mm
Max aperture: F4-5.6
Filter diameter: 52 mm
Weight: 255 g
Size (diameter x length): 68 x 79 mm
The Nikon 55-200mm F4-5.6 is a super compact and lightweight lens with a superb telephoto range, making it one of the best options for shooting wildlife in your travels.
Its portable design and affordable price makes it a great lens to bring on a backpacking trip to India, for example, where the local fauna can be so wonderful and diverse.
Not only that, this Nikon lens features 3.6x zoom that can also be used for portraits and sports. And the 1:3.5x Maximum Reproduction Ratio makes it pretty good for macro-style photography like flowers and insects too!
While this lens does come with VR technology, many users have claimed that it doesn’t work as effectively as it should. The lighter build also gives this lens a more flimsy feel.
Minimum focus distance: 0.28 m
Focal length: 18-35 mm
Max aperture: F1.8
Filter diameter: 72 mm
Weight: 810 g
Size (diameter x length): 78 x 121 mm
The Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 is not only the first lens offering F1.8 throughout its entire zoom range, it also happens to be an excellent video lens for the Nikon D3100.
This full-frame, wide-angle lens features a wide aperture that makes production in poorly lit areas much easier, as well as a stunning depth of field.
Whether you’re looking to record some close-up footage of make a close object look farther away, it’s all possible.
This lens comes with a rounded 9-blade diaphragm which ensures pleasing bokeh even when you’re shooting wide-open.
Plus, the Special Low Dispersion glass elements reduces chromatic and spherical aberration.
Minimum focus distance: 0.3 m
Focal length: 8 mm
Max aperture: F3.5
Weight: 411 g
Size (diameter x length): 74 x 119 mm
The Rokinon 8mm F3.5 is a ultra-wide-angle fisheye lens that can give you 180-degree view for a dramatic shot and exaggerate perspective.
It’s a great lens to get creative and explore facets of photography that may be less mainstream. That includes astrophotography and fun night shots!
This lens is also quite versatile and can be used for anything, from architecture and landscape to events and sports.
The image quality is impressive, as is the central sharpness on this lens. Rokinon has ensured that the lens reduce any flare and ghosting, thanks to the hybrid aspherical lenses and multi-layer coating.
However, this lens doesn’t have AF, which may require familiarisation for those who usually use autofocus. It’s also not compatible with filters and lacks vibration reduction, which means a tripod can come in handy when shooting in low light.
Minimum focus distance: 0.80 m
Focal length: 85 mm
Max aperture: F1.8
Filter diameter: 67 mm
Weight: 350 g
Size (diameter x length): 80 x 73 mm
There are so many portrait lenses out there, and you might be struggling to choose between a 50mm or 85mm prime lens for capturing portraits.
Well, if what you want is to create some photos with beautiful background blur and some of the most stunning bokeh, the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 AF-S G is your answer.
This is great for shooting headshots (not full-body), and the 0.8m minimum focus distance allows you to achieve that creamy, smooth bokeh. Although this makes the lens less versatile for other photography types.
Moreover, this is also one of the sharpest Nikon lenses out there, which means there’s no need to doubt the image quality from this lens.
In terms of shooting in low light, this is also not something to worry about, thanks to the fast F1.8 aperture.
Minimum focus distance: 0.3 m
Focal length: 90 mm
Max aperture: F2.8
Filter diameter: 62 mm
Weight: 600 g
Size (diameter x length): 79 x 114.6 mm
We also recommend the Tamron 90mm F2.8, a budget-friendly macro lens with 1:1 magnification that is also super versatile in other situations.
This Tamron lens features a new XY-Shift compensation to reinforce the existing VR technology, which makes for a super stable shooting experience.
The USD control has also been improved for faster AF, while the moisture-proof and dust-resistant design makes this a solid lens to use even in outdoor projects and on your travels.
Additionally, you’ll enjoy sharp images and a stunning background blur. Whether you’re shooting portraits or macro subjets, the bokeh will certainly be a great addition!
The Tamron 90mm F2.8 also comes with optical stabilisation to ensure blur-free images even when you’re shooting handheld.
Minimum focus distance: 0.3 m
Focal length: 11-16 mm
Max aperture: F2.8
Filter diameter: 77 mm
Weight: 555 g
Size (diameter x length): 84 x 89 mm
Finally, the Tokina ATX-I 11-16mm CF F/2.8 is another excellent lens that is especially great for wide-angle shots, including landscapes.
With a useful 11-16mm focal range, this lens is a great wide-angle zoom lens to get you started into landscape photography.
The aperture is wide enough for a decent performance in low-light conditions, better depth of field control, and simpler manual focus.
It has an extraordinary optical performance that is also brilliant for videos. Thanks to its two asphericaland two Super-Low Dispersion glass elements, there will be minimal distortion and excellent sharpness across your photos.
All of the lenses we’ve featured today will work on the Nikon D3100, as will any Nikon lens. Third-party brands like the Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 will also work, as long as you choose the Nikon DSLR option.
Yes, the Nikon D3100 is good for sports photography, especially if you choose a telephoto lens that can capture action from a comfortable distance. The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 Sports is a versatile telephoto lens that excels in sports photography.
Like a lot of other camera brands, some models will be discontinued once its successor has launched. This is the case with the Nikon D3100 as it has now been replaced by the Nikon D3200.
The Nikon D3100 was first released on August 19, 2010 as a replacement for its predecessor, the D3000. This entry-level DSLR features an array of improvements, including a 14.2-megapixel DX format.
That concludes our list of the best lenses for the Nikon D3100.
Whether you’re a full-time travel blogger, wildlife enthusiast, or professional wedding photographer, know that there is a perfect lens for you out there!
We hope the list is diverse enough whatever your need is, and that this full guide could help you choose the right lens.
So, which lens are you getting for your D3100?
Have we missed any good lens that you think is worth mentioning?
Comment down below!
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