Selects: Top 5 Nikon-fit DSLR Lenses for Landscape Photography

Dylan Nardini, the 2021 Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year and winner of the 2021 British Landscape Photography Awards, mostly shoots with Nikon DSLRs and a selection of Nikon, Sigma and Zeiss lenses. In this article, Dylan shares his favourite Nikon-fit DSLR lenses for outdoor and landscape photography—and the photography he captured with the lenses.

Dylan's best Nikon-fit lenses for landscapes include:

• Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM

• Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm f/2

• Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8

• Tokina AX-T M100 Pro D 100mm f/2.8 Macro

• Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary

Over to you, Dylan.

1. Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM

If you are anything like me, when deciding on your next purchase, you’ll spend many hours on the internet reading reviews. Then, it’s all about price, balanced with confidence in the seller. I was first looking for a zoom lens with a large maximum aperture. My initial research had narrowed it down to the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM. After choosing the model I could afford, it was down to finding the balance of a good price from a trustworthy seller. This led me to MPB. The lens arrived boxed, with a soft case and all the lens covers. This lens has been a workhorse ever since, it has gone everywhere with me and helped me develop all aspects of my work, especially in the hills. Weather sealed, along with my Nikon D850, this lens helped me capture one of the finest and briefest moments I’ve experienced. It resulted in creating an image, Enlightenment, that won the British Landscape Photography Awards 2021 in the Landscape category.

2. Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm f/2

With full confidence in MPB, I’d got the bug and I was exploring the trade-in option. I had thought I could tidy up my camera bag, which had accumulated an array of cheaper lenses. While serving me well in my photographic journey to that point, I was hoping to upgrade my glass. So, I rounded up my Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM and 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG lenses and got a fair estimate of valuation and sent them off to MPB. The replacement lens I had in mind was the Zeiss 25mm f/2 ZF.2 Nikon, which I had always admired. With the trade-in, the price of the Zeiss was now halved. This made the investment all the more exciting. The Zeiss became my favourite landscape lens by far. And, along with the 70-200mm, was one of the main lenses in my bag.

The Zeiss 25mm was definitely an absolute delight to use, the quality of the image from it was night and day to what I had been used to. And I would still be using it today if it wasn’t for an unfortunate dunking in the Atlantic at Durness one winter. A freak wave took out my Nikon D810and Zeiss 25mm. With its last moment captured as it took its final accidental shot.

3. Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 F

I was tempted by the wider version. So, after much indecision, I went with the Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 ZF.2 Nikon. Once again, I purchased this from MPB. I still use it to this day but found the wider view means it doesn’t get aired quite as much as its predecessor—mainly because I have a 24-70mm, which takes in the narrower view instead. But, in saying that, it has still played an invaluable part in my development. One image, in particular, sticks in my mind as a favourite. ‘Arran Light’ has become a very special image, as it was one of the three that made up my winning images for the Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year (SLPOTY) 2021 title.

4. Tokina AX-T M100 Pro D 100mm f/2.8 Macro

As well as everyday lenses that often stay in my bag continuously, I have others that I need for specifics, like certain styles or subjects. One such lens I felt I needed to add to my options was a macro lens. Macro isn't something I practice often, but having the option available was the driving force behind my eventual purchase of the Tokina AX-T M100 Pro D 100mm f/2.8 FF Nikon Macro from MPB. I have tried the odd bit of macro with it. Recently, its main use has been to scan in film negatives, but it has also helped me develop and experiment with some techniques, particularly multiple exposures.

5. Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary

Finally, and most recently, I took the decision to replace the workhorse Sigma 70-200mm, which had served me so well. I wanted to get more reach from a zoom and lighten the load in the bag. The 70-200mm was particularly heavy. I researched my options, looking for that fine balance again between quality and price. It’s never easy to justify to myself to splash out for equipment, especially when I already have a decent collection of lenses—including a good few Nikon AIS primes too.

When I got the quote online, I could now see what I could afford a Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM within my budget. I was willing to sacrifice the f/2.8 capability of the 70-200mm for a lighter and further-reaching lens. I sent the old one away to confirm the quoted price, and I was surprised to get a little more than the quote. After confirming the trade-in, I received the 100-400mm within a day or two. It wasn’t long before I was out giving it a go in the landscape, especially keen to see how I could use the extra reach.

Looking for more Nikon content? Check out our Nikon D850 specs article and Nikon D810 review, and more camera gear guides on the MPB content hub.