When it comes to the NikonD3000, there is an array of lenses to pick from. Because of that, it may be hard to pick the right lenses if you do not know what to look for.
One thing you want to keep in mind here is that while the D3000 is neither the greatest nor the latest, it is better to buy a new quality lens rather than purchasing an entry level DSLR.
We have put together this guide to help you pick the best lens for Nikon D3000 and hopefully, you can make the right choice.
Awesome Nikon D3000 Lenses: Comparison Table
We have simplified your research even further by providing you with the following summed up list. It’s a quick run-down of the lenses later reviewed in this write-up.
| Ranking | Product Name | Compatible Mountings | Maximum Focal Length |
| 1 | Nikon NIKKOR AF-S FX f/1.8G 50mm Lens | Nikon FX | 50 Millimeters |
| 2 | Nikon NIKKOR 85mm AF-S Fixed f/1.8G Lens | Nikon FX | 85 Millimeters |
| 3 | 52MM Professional HD Altura Wide Angle Lens | Sony, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Fuji | 52 Millimeters |
| 4 | Nikon NIKKOR AF-S DX f/1.8G 35mm Lens | Nikon DX | 35 Millimeters |
| 5 | Nikon NIKKOR 55-300mm AF-S DX f/4.5-5.6GED Lens | Nikon DX | 300 Millimeters |
| 6 | Nikon f/4.5.6.G 70-300mm Zoom Lens | Nikon FX | 300 Millimeters |
| 7 | Tokina f/2.8 AT-X116 11-16mm Digital Zoom Lens | Nikon FX | 16 Millimeters |
| 8 | Tamron f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Auto Focus 70-300mm Zoom Lens | Nikon F | 300 Millimeters |
| 9 | Nikon Micro-NIKKOR AF-S DX 40mm Close-up Lens | Nikon DX | 40 Millimeters |
| 10 | Sigma F3.5-6.3 Contemporary 18-300mm DC Macro Lens | Nikon DX | 300 Millimeters |
1. Nikon NIKKOR AF-S FX f/1.8G 50mm Lens
Our top pick is the Nikon NIKKOR AF-S FX f/1.8G 50mm Lens. This unit came as a replacement for the AF-D lens.
This durable device has a front element that does not rotate or extend during autofocus operations, making it easy to add circular filters and filter holders in its use.
In addition, it features a silent wave motor, which ensures that autofocus works in a super quiet manner. It also utilizes a super integrated coating that offers it great ghosting and flare resistance.
Pros
- Silent and fast autofocus
- Lightweight
- Great flare –resistance
- Durable construction
Cons
- Noticeable vignetting
2. Nikon NIKKOR 85mm AF-S Fixed f/1.8G Lens
If portrait photography is your main focus, then the Nikon NIKKOR 85mm AF-S Fixed f/1.8G Lens might be a great option. It has a superb aperture of f/1.8 that allows you to capture stunning and noise-free mages even in lower light conditions.
The Nikon 85mm lens has a durable construction that makes it extremely durable. On top of that, its autofocus system is super silent and fast.
Pros
- Smooth and beautiful bokeh
- Great value for money
- Very sharp
- Silent and fast focus
Cons
- Slow focusing speed
Also read: 12 Best Canon Lenses for Video
3. 52MM Professional HD Altura Wide Angle Lens
The 52MM Professional HD Altura Wide Angle Lens is easy to use quite affordable. This unit is compatible with most Canon DSLR cameras.
This lens has a detachable macro-lens that enables you to get close-ups of smaller subjects in an impressively high resolution.
On top of that, the optical design features a multicoated element that makes it flare-resistant. More importantly, this lens is ideal for both professionals and amateurs.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Durable construction
- Flare-resistant
- Comes at an affordable price
Cons
- Prone to chromatic aberrations
4. Nikon NIKKOR AF-S DX f/1.8G 35mm Lens
Another lens that’s worth your money is the Nikon NIKKOR AF-S DX f/1.8G 35mm Lens. This unit only weighs 7.1oz, making it super tiny and light. In addition, it is built with hard polycarbonate, and metal is made with full metal, which makes it solid and durable.
Further, the autofocus operation is quiet and smooth, whether you are using Live view or optical viewfinder. What’s more, the f/1.8 aperture ensures you get smooth and high-quality images.
Pros
- Very tiny and lightweight
- Strong and durable construction
- Silent and smooth autofocus
- Smooth and sharp images
Cons
- No image stabilization
5. Nikon NIKKOR 55-300mm AF-S DX f/4.5-5.6GED Lens
The Nikon NIKKOR 55-300mm AF-S DX f/4.5-5.6GED Zoom Vibration Reduction Lens was introduced in 2010. It uses the vibration reduction technology that ensures you get sharp and smooth images even at lower shutter speed.
Besides that, this unit has silent autofocus, all thanks to the silent wave motor. The lens is mostly plastic apart from the metal mount making is super light and easily portable.
Another impressive thing with this device is that it has 17 optical elements that help to reduce chromatic aberrations leading to sharper and smoother images at larger apertures.
Pros
- Silent autofocus operation
- Sharp images
- Light and portable
- Easy to use
Cons
- Slow autofocus
6. Nikon f/4.5.6.G 70-300mm Zoom Lens
The first thing you will notice when you see this lens is the plastic mount, which is quite rare to find. The Nikon f/4.5.6.G 70-300mm Zoom Lens has a sturdy plastic construction that makes it long-lasting and ideal for amateurs.
On top of that, the zoom barrel features a thick rubber that makes it comfortable to use and hold. Besides that, it has a great resolution of up to 300mm, which helps to deliver contrasted and sharper images. Also, the lightweight design, combined with a great focal range, makes it a perfect travel lens.
Pros
- Sharp images
- Comes at an affordable price
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- Slow and noise
7. Tokina f/2.8 AT-X116 11-16mm Digital Zoom Lens
If you are searching for a telephoto lens, consider checking out the Tokina f/2.8 AT-X116 11-16mm Digital Zoom Lens. This unit has enough apertures that allow you to navigate through the settings and get exceptional, artistic images.
If you are into nature and landscape photography, this is also a great option. Also worth noting is that this lens has a tough construction that makes it extremely durable.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Sturdy construction
- Clear images
- Easy to use
Cons
- Poor autofocus
8. Tamron f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Auto Focus 70-300mm Zoom Lens
If you are looking for an affordable lens for your Nikon D3000, the Tamron f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Auto Focus 70-300mm Zoom Lens might be a great choice. With a 70-300mm focal range, this unit can capture landscape, sports, wildlife as well as portraits.
At 16 ounces, this lens is super light and features a plastic construction that makes it easily portable. The nine aperture blades help in creating a round shape for beautiful and smooth bokeh.
Pros
- Fantastic bokeh
- very affordable
- Versatile
- Lightweight
Cons
- Noisy
9. Nikon Micro-NIKKOR AF-S DX 40mm Close-up Lens
The Nikon Micro-NIKKOR AF-S DX 40mm Close-up Lens ensures exceptional and fun shooting experience. This unit provides a high resolution and contrast, which allows you to get a close-up to the smallest subjects.
This lens is best suitable for capturing natural and landscape surroundings for extreme close-ups. What makes this lens unique is its ability to offer fine detail when it comes to landscape photography.
Pros
- Focus limiter switch
- Compact
- Sharp
- Inexpensive
Cons
- No image stabilization
Read more:12 Best Minolta Lenses As Rated By Our Unbiased Editors
10. Sigma F3.5-6.3 Contemporary 18-300mm DC Macro Lens
Lastly, we have the Sigma F3.5-6.3 Contemporary 18-300mm DC Macro Lens for Nikon. You can bring this lens when traveling all over the world. This unit provides softer images because of its 300mm zoom range. As a result, this might not be an excellent option for indoor shots. It is lightweight and quite easy to use.
Pros
- Fast and quiet autofocus
- Great construction
- Efficient image stabilization
- Remarkable close-up capability
Cons
- Strong pincushion distortion
Buying Guide for Lens for Nikon D3000
There are several things to consider before buying a lens for your Nikon D3000. Some of these factors include:
Focal Length
When we talk about the focal length, it refers to the distance between the lens and sensor when a subject is in focus.
Simply put, the focal length determines how sharp an image will be. A lens with more focal length enables you to zoom in with astounding clarity.
Lens Aperture
In layman’s terms, aperture is the diaphragm opening in a camera lens that controls the amount of light that gets in.If you are interested in playing around with photography effects, you may want to get a lens with a higher aperture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answered a few commonly asked questions below that will help you get a clearer idea about what we are discussing.
Is the Nikon D3000 a good camera for beginners?
Yes, it is. This is mainly because the Nikon D3000 is a great entry-level camera with several features and modes that you will get to enjoy without having extensive tech knowledge.
Which is the best lens for a Nikon D3000?
It may be hard to pick out a particular lens as the best because there are several good options in the market.
You want to focus on the features of a particular lens, as this will guide your buying decision.
Do Nikon lenses fit all types of Nikon Cameras?
Any lens that fits into DSLR should not be used in compact cameras. Normally, companies design an assortment of separate lenses made exclusively for compact cameras.
Best Choice
The Nikon NIKKOR AF-S FX f/1.8G 50mm Lens, in our opinion, would be the best option. It is user-friendly, well-built, and durable.
Above all, it has a relatively fast sensor which operates quietly. So, it’s reliable when speed and discreetness are key.
And with those features in mind, we believe this lens provides a great value proposition.
Final Thoughts
There it is. We have told you all there is to know about picking the ideal lenses for your D3000. You are now armed with all the knowledge you need to pick the perfect lenses.
There is no reason why you should not capture those memorable moments and in good quality too.