10 Best Nikon Lenses For Sports Photography

Nikon offers a wide range of lenses specifically designed for sports photography. These lenses are characterized by their fast apertures (generally f/2.8 or faster), fast autofocus, and image stabilization features, which make them well-suited for capturing fast-moving subjects in low-light conditions. 

Some examples of Nikon lenses that are popular among sports photographers include the D7500 with the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR, the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR, and the AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR.

These lenses are high-end and expensive but are very suitable for sports photography as well as wildlife, bird, and action photography. 

Nikon Lenses For Sport Photography

The best Nikon lenses for sports photography are the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, Nikon 300mm f/4E PF ED VR, and Nikon 500mm f/4E FL ED VR.

These lenses offer fast autofocus, image stabilization, and a wide aperture, which are all important features for capturing fast-moving action in sports photography.

Additionally, the Nikon 70-200mm and 300mm lenses have a versatile zoom range, while the Nikon 500mm lens provides a longer focal length for capturing distant action.

Why I Use Nikon Lenses For Sports?

I use Nikon lenses for sports because of their fast autofocus, high image quality, and durable construction. The autofocus system in Nikon lenses is quick and accurate, allowing me to capture sharp images of fast-moving athletes without missing a beat.

The image quality is also exceptional, with sharpness and clarity that is vital for capturing the detail and motion of sports. Additionally, Nikon lenses are built to withstand the rigors of sports photography, making them reliable and dependable in any situation.

Overall, Nikon lenses are the perfect choice for capturing the action and excitement of sports.

1. AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm-Nikon

The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S Nikkor Lens is a professional-grade telephoto zoom lens that is compatible with Nikon F-mount cameras. It has a fixed maximum aperture of f/2.8, which allows for a fast and consistent performance in low-light conditions.

The lens also features Nikon’s VR (Vibration Reduction) technology, which helps to reduce camera shake and produce sharper images. Additionally, the lens has an ED (Extra-low Dispersion) element to minimize chromatic aberration and provide enhanced image quality. It also has an AF-S (Silent Wave Motor) autofocus system for fast and accurate focusing.

Overall, it is a versatile and high-performance lens that is well-suited for sports, wildlife, and portrait photography.

Features

• Fast f/2.8 aperture: This allows for fast shutter speeds and low-light performance
• Fast autofocus: It features a Silent Wave Motor for quick and accurate autofocus.
• Vibration Reduction: It provides image stabilization, which helps to reduce blur caused by camera shake.
• Electromagnetic Diaphragm Mechanism (E): Provides greater exposure accuracy and control
• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements: This helps to produce sharper and clearer images with minimal colour fringing and chromatic aberration.
• Fluorine Coating: Protects the front element of the lens from dust, dirt, and smudges.

Pros

• Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture
• low-light photography
• Shallow depth of field
• Built-in VR image stabilization
• Clear Image quality
• Shake and improve sharpness
• Fast and accurate autofocus (AF-S)

Cons

• Price is High
• Its weight is heavy

2. F-S NIKKOR 500mm-Nikon

This is called as perfect Nikon lens for supporting video photography, and its fast aperture and image stabilization make it well-suited for capturing fast-moving subjects in low-light conditions.

Lens for sports photography Nikon d7500 and sports lens for Nikon d3500 are also used for outstanding photography. Some of its key features include:

• Fast f/4 aperture: This allows for fast shutter speeds and low-light performance.
• Fast autofocus: It features a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quick and accurate autofocus, which is essential when capturing fast-moving subjects.
• Vibration Reduction (VR): It provides image stabilization, which helps to reduce blur caused by camera shaking.
• Electromagnetic Diaphragm Mechanism (E): Provides greater exposure accuracy and control
• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements: This helps to produce sharper and clearer images with minimal color fringing and chromatic aberration.
• Fluorine Coating: Protects the front element of the lens from dust, dirt, and smudges.
• Compact and lightweight: it’s relatively compact and lightweight for a lens of its focal length, which makes it more manageable to handhold and travel with.

Pros

• High focal length
• Fast aperture
• Image stabilization
• Durable construction
• High-quality optics
• Multiple focus modes

Cons

• The Nikon F-S NIKKOR 500mm lens is one of the most expensive lenses
• The lens is quite heavy, making it difficult to hold steady for long periods of time
• The lens is quite large, making it difficult to pack and transport

3. AF-S NIKKOR 600mm 

Another long-distance option is the zoom lens for Nikon which is perfect for capturing subjects that are far away, and its fast aperture and image stabilization features help to capture sharp and clear images. Some of its key features include:

Features

• Fast f/4 aperture: This allows for fast shutter speeds and low-light performance.
• Fast autofocus: It features a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quick and accurate autofocus, which is essential when capturing fast-moving subjects.
• Vibration Reduction (VR): It provides image stabilization, which helps to reduce blur caused by camera shaking.
• Electromagnetic Diaphragm Mechanism (E): Provides greater exposure accuracy and control
• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements: This helps to produce sharper and clearer images with minimal color fringing and chromatic aberration.

Pros

• Long focal length
• Lens has a maximum aperture of f/4
• The lens features Nikon’s AF-S
• VR (Vibration Reduction)
• Durable construction

Cons

• High Price
• Maximum Aperture of f/5.6

4. AF-S NIKKOR 300mm

A popular lens for sports and wildlife photography, this lens is fast and sharp, making it perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects. Some of its key features include:

Features

• Fast f/2.8 aperture: This allows for fast shutter speeds and low-light performance.
• Fast autofocus: It features a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quick and accurate autofocus, which is essential when capturing fast-moving subjects.
• Vibration Reduction (VR) II: This is the latest version of Nikon’s image stabilization technology, which provides improved image stabilization.
• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements: This helps to produce sharper and clearer images with minimal color fringing and chromatic aberration.

Pros

• High-quality optics
• The lens is compatible with both FX and DX-format Nikon cameras
• The 300mm lens is suitable for a wide range of photography
• Versatile use
• Long focal length

Cons

• Highly Rate

5. AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm

This wide-angle lens is used as the lens for indoor sports photography Nikon, and its fast aperture makes it ideal for low-light conditions. Some of its key features include:

Features

• Fast f/2.8 aperture: This allows for fast shutter speeds and low-light performance, making it well-suited for dimly lit indoor or nighttime situations.
• Fast autofocus: It features a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quick and accurate autofocus
• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements: This helps to produce sharper and clearer images with minimal color fringing and chromatic aberration.
• Nano Crystal Coat: This feature helps to reduce ghosting and flare in images.
• 14-24mm wide-angle: This wide-angle focal range allows you to capture a large field of view, making it great for capturing landscapes, architecture, and interiors.

Pros

• Wide Angle of View
• High Image Quality
• Versatile Focal Range
• Great for Astrophotography
• Filter Compatibility

Cons

• Relatively high price

6. AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm

This versatile lens is great for general sports photography and its fast aperture is perfect for capturing fast-moving action. Some of its key features include:

Features

• Fast f/2.8 aperture: This allows for fast shutter speeds and low-light performance, making it well-suited for dimly lit indoor or nighttime situations.
• Fast autofocus: It features a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quick and accurate autofocus
• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements: This helps to produce sharper and clearer images with minimal color fringing and chromatic aberration.
• Nano Crystal Coat: This feature helps to reduce ghosting and flare in images.
• Aspherical lens elements: This helps to reduce distortion, even when shooting at the widest angle of 24mm

Pros

• The AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm lens is a versatile lens
• Fast autofocus
• This lens features a constant aperture of f/2.8
• Image stabilization
• High image quality

Cons

• Highly Expensive

7. AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm

This is another versatile lens, great for general sports photography, and its image stabilization feature makes it ideal for capturing sharp images in low-light conditions. Some of its key features include:

Features

• Constant f/4 aperture: This allows for consistent light intake throughout the zoom range, allowing for more control and predictability of the lens exposure.
• Vibration Reduction (VR): It provides image stabilization, which helps to reduce blur caused by camera shaking.
• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements: This helps to produce sharper and clearer images with minimal color fringing and chromatic aberration.
• Nano Crystal Coat: This feature helps to reduce ghosting and flare in images.
• 24-120mm standard zoom range: This standard zoom range allows you to capture a wide variety of subjects, making it great for general photography, including landscapes, portraits, events, and more.

Pros

• Versatile zoom range
• Fast and accurate autofocus
• High-quality construction
• Compatible with full-frame cameras

Cons

• Relatively heavy and bulky
• Expensive
• Chromatic aberration

8. AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm

This lens is great for capturing the action at a variety of distances, and its image stabilization feature helps to capture sharp images, even when shooting at the longer end of the focal range. Some of its key features include:

Features

• The versatile zoom range of 80-400mm: This allows you to capture a wide range of subjects, from wide-angle to super-telephoto, and is great for sports and wildlife photography.
• Vibration Reduction (VR): It provides image stabilization, which helps to reduce blur caused by camera shaking.
• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements: This helps to produce sharper and clearer images with minimal color fringing and chromatic aberration.
• Nano Crystal Coat: This feature helps to reduce ghosting and flare in images.
• Internal Focusing (IF) design: It helps to maintain a constant lens length while focusing, which helps to make the lens more balanced and easier to handle.
• It also has a fast and accurate autofocus, making it ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects.

Pros

• High zoom range
• Vibration Reduction (VR)
• Excellent image quality
• Weather-sealed
• Durable construction

Cons

Expensive rate is Compatible

9. 85mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor Lens-Nikon

The 85mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor Lens is a high-quality lens designed for professional photographers and videographers. It is a prime lens with a fixed focal length of 85mm, making it ideal for portrait, wedding, and low-light photography.

The f/1.4 aperture allows for a shallow depth of field, creating a beautiful bokeh effect and separating the subject from the background. The lens also features a silent wave motor for fast and accurate autofocus, as well as a built-in lens hood for added protection. The Nikon mount makes it compatible with all Nikon DSLR cameras.

Overall, this lens is a versatile and reliable choice for any professional photographer looking for a high-quality portrait lens.

Features

• Fast maximum aperture of f/1.4 for low-light and selective focus photography.
• AF-S (Silent Wave Motor) for fast and quiet autofocusing.
• Nikon Super Integrated Coating for improved color and contrast.
• 9-blade rounded aperture for smooth bokeh.
• M/A (Manual-priority Autofocus) mode for quick switching between autofocus and manual focus.
• Durable metal construction with a professional-grade rubber focusing ring.
• Compatible with Nikon FX and DX format cameras.
• Close focusing distance of 0.85m (2.8 ft) for macro-like shots.
• Aspherical element for reduced spherical aberration and improved sharpness.
• Optional HB-78 hood for reducing lens flare and protecting the front element.

Pros

• Fast and reliable autofocus
• f/1.4 aperture is wide
• Sharp image quality
• Shallow depth of field

Cons

• High Price

10. Nikon 70-180mm-Nikon

The Nikon 70-180mm is a telephoto zoom lens for Nikon F-mount cameras. It has a focal length range of 70-180mm and a maximum aperture of f/4.5-5.6. This lens is ideal for portraits, sports, and wildlife photography. It also features Nikon’s VR image stabilization technology, which helps to reduce camera shake and produce sharp images even in low-light conditions.

Features

• The Nikon 70-180mm lens has a zoom range of 70-180mm, making it ideal for a wide range of photography needs, from wide-angle landscapes to telephoto portraits.
• The lens has a focal length of 70-180mm, which allows for a wide range of composition options and makes it a versatile lens for a variety of shooting situations.
• The lens features Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, which helps to reduce camera shake and blur, making it easier to capture sharp, clear images in low-light conditions.
• The lens has a constant aperture of f/4, which allows for a consistent depth of field and exposure across the zoom range.
• The lens features a silent wave motor (SWM) that provides fast, precise, and quiet autofocus, making it a great option for capturing candid moments.

Pros

• The Nikon 70-180mm lens offers a wide zoom range
• Provides Sharp Images
• Built-in Vibration Reduction
• Fast Autofocus
• Compact and Lightweight
• Weather-Sealed
• Affordable

Cons

• Healthy Weight

Conclusion

These lenses are great for sports and wildlife photography, their versatile zoom range allows you to capture a wide range of subjects, and their image stabilization will allow you to capture sharp images even when handholding the lens. These are relatively more affordable than other similar lenses and these are a great option for those who value versatility and portability. These are a great addition to a photographer’s kit, who needs a lens that can cover multiple ranges and provide good image quality.