How to pick the best telephoto lenses for Nikon? Owners of the best Nikon cameras are spoilt for choice, with a catalogue of lenses that ranges from modest zooms bearing wide maximum apertures, to super-telephoto zooms that stretch to 500mm.
To make it easier for you to figure out which is the best far-reaching lens for you, we've put together this guide to the best Nikon F-mount telephoto lenses around right now. There are actually a number of hyper-telephoto 150-600mm lenses on the market as well, but we have a separate buyer’s guide for those: the best 150-600mm lenses.
You might be tempted to stick to own-brand Nikon lenses, but it'd be a mistake not to more fully consider your options. Third-party manufacturers such as Tamron and Sigma are making excellent optics for all sorts of different users, and many of these are as good or even better than Nikon's own-brand lenses, with the added benefit of generally being more affordable.
One thing to watch out for is that some of the more recent lenses feature an electromagnetically controlled diaphragm. Compared with the mechanical lever traditionally used in Nikon’s F mount lens system, this enables greater consistency in aperture control, especially when shooting in high-speed continuous drive mode; the downside is that aperture control is incompatible with older Nikon bodies, including the D300s, D3000 and D5000.
Read on for our pick of the telephoto zooms that currently win out for price and performance.
Affordable telephotos
1. Nikon AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II
A particularly travel-friendly tele zoom for APS-C only
Mount: Nikon F DX | Full-frame compatible: No | Autofocus type: Ultrasonic (motor) | Stabilizer: Yes | Electromagnetic diaphragm: No | Minimum focus distance: 1.1m | Filter thread: 52mm | Dimensions (WxL): 71 x 83mm | Weight: 300g
Squeezing a quart into a pint pot, this has a retractable design, as featured in some of Nikon’s 18-55mm ‘standard’ zooms. The upshot is that it packs away to just 83mm in length and weighs a mere 300g, making it particularly well suited to travel photography.
However, the weight reduction is due in part to the lens having a plastic rather than metal mounting plate – it’s certainly not one of Nikon’s most robust optics.
The autofocus system is based on an ultrasonic motor, rather than being a ring-type system. This results in autofocus speeds being fairly pedestrian, and there's no full-time manual override. Even so, it’s a smart buy as a compact telephoto zoom for use with DX-format DSLRs.
2. Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD
It keeps the weight and cost down, but bigs up the quality
Mount: Nikon F | Full-frame compatible: Yes | Autofocus type: Ultrasonic (ring-type) | Stabilizer: Yes | Electromagnetic diaphragm: Yes | Minimum focus distance: 0.95m | Filter thread: 67mm | Dimensions (WxL): 76 x 177mm | Weight: 850g
is full-frame compatible, but gives a slightly longer effective zoom range on DX-format DSLRs than comparable 70-200mm lenses, equivalent to 105-315mm in full-frame terms.
The Tamron’s optical image stabilizer is similarly effective for static shots but less so for panning; it lacks a switchable ‘Active’ mode, but nevertheless works well when shooting from an idling vehicle or other non-steady platform.
Image quality isn’t quite as sharp as from Nikon's own telephoto lenses but it’s still very impressive in all respects. The construction includes weather seals and a keep-clean fluorine coating on the front element.
3. Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD
Simply the best budget 70-300mm zoom on the market
Mount: Nikon F | Full-frame compatible: Yes | Autofocus type: Ultrasonic (ring-type) | Stabilizer: Yes | Electromagnetic diaphragm: No | Minimum focus distance: 1.5m | Filter thread: 62mm | Dimensions (WxL): 82 x 143mm | Weight: 765g
It’s not the outright cheapest telephoto zoom on the market, but, considering that it has fast, whisper-quiet ring-type ultrasonic autofocus, plus highly effective optical stabilization, it's a steal at the price.
Unlike many of Tamron’s more recent, up-market lenses, it’s not weather-sealed, but the overall standard of build quality is still very good.
Aided by the inclusion of both an LD (Low Dispersion) and an XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) element, levels of sharpness and contrast are very pleasing, and colour fringing is well controlled. All in all, you can’t buy better if you’re in the market for a budget 70-300mm lens.
Unlike some Nikon tele-zooms, the Tamron is compatible with FX as well as DX-format bodies, and its conventional autofocus and aperture control systems make it compatible with older DSLRs.
Premium telephotos
4. Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2
A pro-spec lens with a consumer-friendly price tag
Mount: Nikon F | Full-frame compatible: Yes | Autofocus type: Ultrasonic (ring-type) | Stabilizer: Yes | Electromagnetic diaphragm: Yes | Minimum focus distance: 0.95m | Filter thread: 77mm | Dimensions (WxL): 88 x 194mm | Weight: 1,485g
Nikon’s latest and greatest AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 FL ED VR lens is undeniably spectacular, but does everything pretty much as well, and for just half the price. It has an astonishingly fast autofocus system and a triple-mode optical stabilizer, with the third mode being similar to Nikon’s ‘VR Sport’ mode – this applies stabilization only during exposures, making it easier to track erratically moving objects in the viewfinder.
On top of that, the Tamron’s VC (Vibration Compensation) system is a stop more effective than the Nikon’s, with class-leading 5-stop performance. The weather-sealed build quality doesn’t feel quite as robust as that of the Nikon lens, but it’s pretty close, and image quality is epic in every respect.
5. Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 DG OS HSM Sport
Fast and hardy, this lens never misses a moment
Mount: Nikon F | Full-frame compatible: Yes | Autofocus type: Hyper Sonic Motor | Electromagnetic diaphragm: Yes | Minimum focus distance: 1.2m | Filter thread: 82mm | Dimensions (WxL): 94.2 x 202.9mm | Weight: 1,850g
The Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 DG OS HSM joins the 'Sport' line, and as this name implies, speed is very much the name of the game here. The lens has been designed with outstanding action capture in mind, and it hits this mark pretty perfectly. It boasts class-leading autofocus speeds and an Intelligent OS that provides effective, algorithm-led image stabilisation in all camera orientations.
Water- and oil-repellent coatings on the front of the lens ensure that it can stand up to challenging weather conditions. There's also a focus limiter and a manual override switch to give you very precise control over how your autofocusing works. The drawbacks? All this tech doesn't come cheap, and it also makes the lens pretty heavy even with the magnesium-alloy construction, so bear this in mind before you buy.
6. Nikon AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR
An excellent performer, and it’s recently become more affordable
Mount: Nikon F | Full-frame compatible: Yes | Autofocus type: Stepping Motor | Stabilizer: Yes | Electromagnetic diaphragm: Yes | Minimum focus distance: 1.2m | Filter thread: 67mm | Dimensions (WxL): 84 x 146mm | Weight: 680g
We were always big fans of Nikon’s AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR and is even better. It features a ‘Pulse’ stepping motor autofocus system that’s incredibly fast and essentially silent in operation, and there’s also an electromagnetically controlled diaphragm; the only catch is that both of these systems make the lens incompatible with a number of older Nikon DSLRs.
The VR system is particularly effective, with 4.5-stop performance and a switchable ‘Sport VR’ mode, ideal for tracking erratically moving objects through the viewfinder. The weather-resistant construction feels robust, and the lens is a top performer in terms of handling and image quality, although some may be disappointed at the lack of a focus distance scale. Since launch, the average selling price has dropped by almost a third, making this lens much better value.
Long-range telephotos
7. Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD
You get a lot of reach for your money
Mount: Nikon F | Full-frame compatible: Yes | Autofocus type: Ultrasonic (ring-type) | Stabilizer: Yes | Electromagnetic diaphragm: Yes | Minimum focus distance: 1.5m | Filter thread: 67mm | Dimensions (WxL): 86 x 199mm | Weight: 1,115g
Weighing barely more than a kilogram, is much lighter than most 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses, but gives you twice as much telephoto reach at the long end of its zoom range – if you’ve upgraded from a DX camera with a 70-300mm lens, and are missing the 1.5x crop factor on your FX body, it can give you back some of your lost reach. The lens is sturdy and robust, despite its relatively light weight compared with the likes of Nikon’s AF-S 80-400mm VR, and incorporates weather seals.
Performance benefits from super-fast autofocus, 4-stop dual-mode stabilization, and an autofocus limiter that you can use to select either the short or long section of the focusing range. Best of all, image quality is every bit as good as from Nikon’s heavier and pricier 80-400mm VR.
8. Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C
This Sigma scores highly on the bang-per-buck scale
Mount: Nikon F | Full-frame compatible: Yes | Autofocus type: Ultrasonic (ring-type) | Stabilizer: Yes | Electromagnetic diaphragm: Yes | Minimum focus distance: 1.6m | Filter thread: 67mm | Dimensions (WxL): 86 x 182mm | Weight: 1,160g
A little more compact and lightweight than the competing Tamron 100-400mm lens, and rather less heavy than the Nikon 80-400mm (below), this still feels solid and sturdy.
It even has a dual-mode zoom mechanism, which you can operate by twisting the conventional zoom ring or with a push-pull action of the barrel; the supplied lens hood is specially shaped for the latter option.
Impressive image quality benefits from the inclusion of four SLD (Special Low Dispersion) elements and, like the much pricier Nikon 80-400mm, there are switchable auto/manual-priority AF modes.
Two custom settings can be applied to tailor the autofocus and stabilization systems to your requirements, via Sigma’s optional USB dock. It’s a great lens for the money, although the lack of an optional tripod mounting ring might be a bit of an upset.
9. Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
A big bruiser of a lens, with a tough build
Mount: Nikon F | Full-frame compatible: Yes | Autofocus type: Ultrasonic (ring-type) | Stabilizer: Yes | Electromagnetic diaphragm: No | Minimum focus distance: 1.75m AF, 1.5m MF | Filter thread: 77mm | Dimensions (WxL): 96 x 203mm | Weight: 1,570g
At nearly three times the price of Sigma and Tamron's 100-400mm lenses, the probably won’t seem like great value (although does give you an increased 5x zoom range). However, it’s really well built and, compared with the original edition of the lens, the AF-S model has a massively faster autofocus system, with auto/manual-priority AF mode options, along with much-improved VR.
Even so, it lacks the Sport VR mode that’s featured in some of Nikon’s latest telephoto lenses and, even for static shots, VR is only worth about three stops.
As you’d expect for a lens of this weight, it’s supplied with a tripod collar, and it delivers very good image quality. Ultimately, however, it struggles to justify its much higher selling price than the Sigma and Tamron 100-400mm zooms.
10. Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Great value for an own-brand Nikon lens, with monster reach
Mount: Nikon F | Full-frame compatible: Yes | Autofocus type: Ultrasonic (ring-type) | Stabilizer: Yes | Electromagnetic diaphragm: Yes | Minimum focus distance: 2.2m | Filter thread: 95mm | Dimensions (WxL): 108 x 268mm | Weight: 2,300g
Despite its reasonable asking price certainly isn’t lacking in advanced features, including very fast ring-type ultrasonic autofocus, an electromagnetically controlled aperture, and a 4.5-stop stabilizer complete with Sport VR mode.
It’s also unusual for this class of super-telephoto zoom in having a constant rather than variable aperture, with f/5.6 remaining available throughout the entire zoom range.
Three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements help to boost sharpness and contrast while reducing colour fringing. The Nikon doesn’t have quite the maximum telephoto reach of competing Sigma and Tamron 150-600mm lenses, but it comes very close, and it's great value at the price.
Read more:
The best Nikon lenses in 2019
The best Nikon cameras
The 8 best portrait lenses for Nikon users
The best superzoom lenses for Nikon DX DSLRs
The best macro lenses in 2019
The best 50mm lenses
The best 70-200mm lenses
The best budget telephoto lenses
The best 150-600mm lenses
The best 100-400mm lenses
