15 Best Budget Telephoto Lens For Nikon

When shopping for the best budget telephoto lens for Nikon cameras, it can be difficult to know which lens to choose, considering the vast range of available lenses. This article will provide detailed information on the 15 best budget telephoto lenses for Nikon cameras, ensuring you make the right decision for your needs, budget and camera.

The Best Budget Telephoto Lens for Nikon – The Facts

Understanding the differences between telephoto lenses and other types of lenses is essential in order to make an informed decision. A telephoto lens is a lens that has a longer focal length than a standard lens. This means that it can magnify an image and provide more detail at a greater distance. Telephoto lenses are usually chosen for capturing distant subjects and are best suited for portrait, wildlife, and sports photography, where long-distance shooting is necessary.

Our List of the Best Budget Telephoto Lens for Nikon Cameras

We’ll look at 15 of the best budget telephoto lens for Nikon cameras. These lenses offer different features and variable performance so you should check the specific features and reviews of each lens before making a purchase. Additionally, there is no ‘one size fits all’ option as every photographer has different needs and preferences. With this information provided, you should find the most suitable lens for your Nikon camera.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II Lens

First on the list is the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II Lens. This lens is a great choice because it offers a magnificent telephoto performance in a lightweight, affordable package. The variable aperture and wide zoom range enable you to shoot close-up portraits, or distant landscape shots, with ease. Additionally, the lens features Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, enabling you to take sharper images even when you are shooting in low light conditions.

Features:

– Zoom range: 55-200mm
– Aperture: f/4-5.6
– Vibration Reduction (VR)
– Autofocus system
– Lightweight and compact

Pros:

– Excellent value for money
– Versatile zoom range
– Lightweight and compact
– Fast and quiet autofocus
– VR technology for sharper images

Cons:

– Not good for low light shooting
– Plastic construction can be fragile

Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR Lens

Next is the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR Lens. This lens is ideal for those looking to capture images at a long distance without the hefty price tag. It features a wide zoom range and an integrated vibration reduction (VR) system, enabling you to take sharper images even when shooting in low light conditions. Additionally, its fast and silent autofocus system is ideal for capturing fast action shots.

Features:

– Zoom range: 70-300mm
– Aperture: f/4.5-6.3
– Vibration Reduction (VR)
– Autofocus system
– Lightweight and compact

Pros:

– Excellent value for money
– Fast and silent autofocus
– VR technology for sharper images
– Lightweight and compact

Cons:

– Not good for low light shooting
– Plastic construction can be fragile

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens

Next is the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens. This lens offers excellent reach and performance at an affordable price. It features an advanced Vibration Reduction (VR) system, ensuring that your images are sharp and clear, even in low light conditions. Additionally, the autofocus system is fast and silent, perfect for capturing fast action shots.

Features:

– Zoom range: 55-300mm
– Aperture: f/4.5-5.6
– Vibration Reduction (VR)
– Autofocus system
– Lightweight and compact

Pros:

– Excellent reach and performance
– Fast and silent autofocus
– VR technology for sharper images
– Lightweight and compact

Cons:

– Not good for low light shooting
– Plastic construction can be fragile

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Lens

Next on the list is the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Lens. This lens is a great option for those looking for a solid telephoto lens at an affordable price. The lens offers a wide zoom range, enabling you to shoot both close-up and distant subjects with ease. Additionally, the lens features the Optical Stabilization (OS) system, ensuring that your photos are sharp and clear, even when shooting in low light conditions.

Features:

– Zoom range: 70-300mm
– Aperture: f/4-5.6
– Optical Stabilization (OS)
– Autofocus system
– Lightweight and compact

Pros:

– Excellent value for money
– Versatile zoom range
– Lightweight and compact
– Fast and quiet autofocus
– OS technology for sharper images

Cons:

– Not good for low light shooting
– Plastic construction can be fragile

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Lens

Next is the Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Lens. This lens is designed for those looking for a long reach at an affordable price. The lens features a wide zoom range and the Vibration Control (VC) system, enabling you to take sharper images even when shooting in low light conditions. Additionally, the lens also has a fast and silent autofocus system, enabling you to capture fast action shots.

Features:

– Zoom range: 70-300mm
– Aperture: f/4-5.6
– Vibration Control (VC)
– Autofocus system
– Lightweight and compact

Pros:

– Excellent value for money
– Versatile zoom range
– Lightweight and compact
– Fast and quiet autofocus
– VC technology for sharper images

Cons:

– Not good for low light shooting
– Plastic construction can be fragile

Tokina SZ 500mm f/8 Reflex MF Lens

Next is the The Tokina SZ 500mm f/8 Reflex MF lens is a single–focal length telephoto lens perfect for wildlife photographers. It‘s a manual focusing lens, meaning you must adjust the focus yourself. This lens is designed for use with cameras with an APS–C or smaller type of sensor, such as the Canon EOS 7D Mark II or the Nikon D7000 DSLRs.

The Tokina SZ 500mm is a macro–telephoto lens with outstanding sharpness. It has 8 lens elements in 6 groups and the optical elements are treated with Tokina‘s multi–layer Coat technology, which reduces flare and ghosting. The lens has a 9–blade aperture diaphragm to enable smooth and natural–looking bokeh.

Features:

– Zoom range: 500mm
– Aperture: f/8
– Fast Autofocus system
– Weather resistant
– Lightweight and compact

Pros:

– Excellent value for money
– Versatile zoom range
– Lightweight and compact
– Fast and quiet autofocus
– Weather-resistant design

Cons:

– No internal autofocus
– Slow shutter speed adjustment

Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Lens

Next up is the Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Lens. This lens is an ideal option for those looking to capture close-up shots of smaller subjects. It has a wide aperture, enabling you to capture more light and create beautiful images in low light conditions. Additionally, the lens has a fast and silent autofocus system, enabling you to take sharp images quickly and accurately.

Features:

– Zoom range: 85mm
– Aperture: f/3.5
– Vibration Reduction (VR)
– Autofocus system
– Lightweight and compact

Pros:

– Excellent value for money
– Wide aperture for low light shooting
– Lightweight and compact
– Fast and quiet autofocus
– VR technology for sharper images

Cons:

– Limited zoom range
– Plastic construction can be fragile

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens

Next on the list is the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens. This lens is the ideal choice for those looking for a long reach at an affordable price. It has a wide zoom range and the Optical Stabilization (OS) system, ensuring that your images are sharp and clear, even when shooting in low light conditions. Additionally, the lens also has a fast and silent autofocus system, ensuring that you capture fast action shots quickly and accurately.

Features:

– Zoom range: 150-600mm
– Aperture: f/5-6.3
– Optical Stabilization (OS)
– Autofocus system
– Lightweight and compact

Pros:

– Excellent reach and performance
– Fast and silent autofocus
– OS technology for sharper images
– Lightweight and compact

Cons:

– Not good for low light shooting
– Plastic construction can be fragile

Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO Lens

Next is the Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO Lens. This lens is a great option for those who want to capture a wide range of subjects from close-ups to distant landscapes. It has a wide zoom range and the Vibration Control (VC) system, ensuring that your images are sharp and clear, even when shooting in low light conditions. Additionally, the lens has a fast and silent autofocus system, ideal for capturing fast action shots.

Features:

– Zoom range: 16-300mm
– Aperture: f/3.5-6.3
– Vibration Control (VC)
– Autofocus system
– Lightweight and compact

Pros:

– Excellent value for money
– Versatile zoom range
– Lightweight and compact
– Fast and quiet autofocus
– VC technology for sharper images

Cons:

– Not good for low light shooting
– Plastic construction can be fragile

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens

Next is the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens. This lens is an ideal option for those who want to capture a wide range of subjects from close-up to distant landscapes. It features an advanced Vibration Reduction (VR) system, ensuring that your images are sharp and clear even in low light conditions. Additionally, the lens also has a fast and quiet autofocus system that is ideal for capturing fast action shots.

Features:

– Zoom range: 28-300mm
– Aperture: f/3.5-5.6
– Vibration Reduction (VR)
– Autofocus system
– Lightweight and compact

Pros:

– Excellent value for money
– Versatile zoom range
– Lightweight and compact
– Fast and quiet autofocus
– VR technology for sharper images

Cons:

– Not good for low light shooting
– Plastic construction can be fragile

Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens

Next up is the Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens. This lens is a great choice for those who want to take beautiful images with a wide aperture. It features a wide zoom range and the Vibration Control (VC) system, ensuring that your images are sharp and clear, even when shooting in low light conditions. Additionally, the lens also has a fast and silent autofocus system, ideal for capturing fast action shots.

Features:

– Zoom range: 70-200mm
– Aperture: f/2.8
– Vibration Control (VC)
– Autofocus system
– Lightweight and compact

Pros:

– Excellent value for money
– Wide aperture for low light shooting
– Lightweight and compact
– Fast and quiet autofocus
– VC technology for sharper images

Cons:

– Limited zoom range
– Plastic construction can be fragile

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens

Next on the list is the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens. This lens is a great choice for those looking to capture distant subjects with ease. It has a wide zoom range and the Vibration Reduction (VR) system, enabling you to take sharper images even when shooting in low light conditions. Additionally, the lens also has a fast and silent autofocus system, perfect for capturing fast action shots.

Features:

– Zoom range: 80-400mm
– Aperture: f/4.5-5.6
– Vibration Reduction (VR)
– Autofocus system
– Lightweight and compact

Pros:

– Excellent reach and performance
– Fast and silent autofocus
– VR technology for sharper images
– Lightweight and compact

Cons:

– Not good for low light shooting
– Plastic construction can be fragile

Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8 Lens

Next is the Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8 Lens. This lens is a great option for those looking for wide-angle shots at an affordable price. It has a wide aperture, enabling you to take images with more detail and clarity in low light conditions. Additionally, the lens also has a fast and silent autofocus system, perfect for capturing fast action shots.

Features:

– Zoom range: 11-16mm
– Aperture: f/2.8
– Autofocus system
– Weather resistant
– Lightweight and compact

Pros:

– Excellent value for money
– Wide aperture for low light shooting
– Lightweight and compact
– Fast and quiet autofocus
– Weather-resistant design

Cons:

– Limited zoom range
– Plastic construction can be fragile

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens

Next is the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens. This lens is an ideal choice for those who want to capture distant subjects at an affordable price. It features a wide zoom range and the Optical Stabilization (OS) system, ensuring that your images are sharp and clear, even in low light conditions. Additionally, the lens also has a fast and silent autofocus system, enabling you to take sharp images quickly and accurately.

Features:

– Zoom range: 150-600mm
– Aperture: f/5-6.3
– Optical Stabilization (OS)
– Autofocus system
– Lightweight and compact

Pros:

– Excellent reach and performance
– Fast and silent autofocus
– OS technology for sharper images
– Lightweight and compact

Cons:

– Not good for low light shooting
– Plastic construction can be fragile

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH Lens

Finally, the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH Lens. This lens is an ideal choice for those looking to capture distant subjects with superb quality and clarity. It features a wide zoom range and the Power O.I.S. system, ensuring that your images are sharp and clear, even when shooting in low light conditions. Additionally, the lens also has a fast and silent autofocus system, perfect for capturing fast action shots.

Features:

– Zoom range: 100-400mm
– Aperture: f/4-6.3
– Power O.I.S. system
– Autofocus system
– Lightweight and compact

Pros:

– Excellent reach and performance
– Fast and silent autofocus
– Power O.I.S. technology for sharper images
– Lightweight and compact

Cons:

– Not good for low light shooting
– Plastic construction can be fragile

Conclusion of the Best Budget Telephoto Lens For Nikon

When it comes to choosing the best budget telephoto lens for Nikon cameras, there is a wide range of options available. We provided detailed information on the best options available, helping you make an informed decision. Every lens has its own features, pros, and cons, so it is important to research each lens carefully before making a purchase. With this information provided, you should have no problems finding the right telephoto lens for your Nikon camera.