Nikon D3100 offers a wide array of possibilities with innumerable lens options to connect without any serious compatibility issues. Nikon D3100 lenses work best with DX-type cameras to produce full-frame viewing at all angles and zoom lengths.
Apart from Nikon’s native lens range, Sigma also offers a wide range of its lenses fitting with Nikon DSLRs, including D3100 and beyond.
If you are looking for a high-end special-purpose prime lens for photography, a Nikon 35mm or Nikon 50mm prime lens is the answer.
Nikon 50mm shoots immaculate portraits with deep blurs and high contrasts at all lighting conditions. A broad scope lens, such as Sigma 18-300mm comprehensively covers everything from insect photography to the wide vales in one place.
The section covers all the Nikon D3100 lenses for a variety of photography situations. All these lenses are fully compatible with Nikon D3100 DSLR.
Best Compatible Lenses for Nikon D3100 DSLR Camera
- DX NIKKOR 35mm F1.8G Wide-Angle Prime Lens
- Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm F1.8G Fixed Lens
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.8G Portrait Lens
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm F3.5-5.6G All-in-One Zoom Lens
- Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm F4.5-5.6G ED Zoom Lens
1. DX NIKKOR 35mm F1.8G Wide-Angle Prime Lens
Nikon’s indigenous Nikkor DX-format lens is a less expensive, dually compatible model for wide-angle photography and surreal travel shootings.
The prime lens is made for a 35mm equivalent camera body and is compatible with both the DX and FX-format DSLRs. The lens is fastest in focusing on videography modes as well as a handy part-time portrait maker when needed.
Features
- The aperture setting fits to all the light settings, thanks to the 7-blade diaphragm that delivers a near-circular angle of view along with its lighting control elements.
- For night photography, the aperture range opens to F/1.8 for soft and grain-free images. For bright modes, the aperture shuts down to F/22 and gives a clear image without tanning the results.
- For added protection, Nikkor 35mm features a lens hood so that the elements never run out of the performance in a long run.
- For clear AF modes, a silent wave motor is embedded inside the lens barrel that helps in quiet videos alongside accurate object focusing. The angle of view is 44 degrees, though it can be extended to 52.5mm by attaching the filters.
- Out of 8 elements in 6 groups, Aspherical elements are for canceling lens aberrations and coma effects, and the ED element reduces chromatic aberrations.
- The lens body is sturdy to extreme temperatures and moisture impacts. A tight rubber seal around DX Nikkor 35mm ensures splash and water resistivity.
- For optimal light transmission and deep contrasts, Nikon 35mm is embodied with a Super Integrated Coating around all the 6 groups.
Pros
- High aperture range, up to F/1.8 for low light capturing
- Exclusively designed for wide-angle photography
- Compatible with FX and DX-format DSLRs
- Robust hardware alongside high-end software
- Cutting-edge silent SWM focusing
Cons
- Crops the overall viewing angle in FX camera bodies
- The lens performance is limited for portraits
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2. Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm F1.8G Fixed Lens
If you are into close-focused natural shots, Nikon 85mm is the best pick for everything that could be done with a macro lens.
Nikon’s Nikkor 85mm is a highly specialized non-zoomable prime lens for closed focus photography and portraits with a focus of up to 0.8m from the object.
Features
- The lens features an immaculate and highly sophisticated SWM and wide aperture to deliver the best results any time and everywhere.
- The focusing modes can be switched between AF and manual modes with a lens-based switch when needed.
- A silent wave motor is embedded inside the barrel setting to maximize smoothness in focus span and to help aim objects without a hiss when making videos.
- Nikon 85mm comes with a wide aperture range. For low-light conditions, open its 7-blade near-circular diaphragm up to F/1.8 without graining effects or noise.
- Besides, there are multiple f-stops alongside the aperture range to make things far easier for amateur photographers. The aperture setting could be tempered in Manual modes quite comfortably, no professional training is required.
- In macro, the complementary bokeh effects deliver stunning views and isolated backgrounds. The installed elements and SIC nano-coating assist the lens in creating sharp and contrast-rich foregrounds alongside smooth and blurry backgrounds.
Pros
- Nikon 85mm is constructed solely for closed-focused macro photography
- Tinker manually with lens settings for stunning deep blurred portraits
- Wide aperture range between F/1.8 to F/22
- Easy to carry around when traveling
Cons
- For FX cameras, the DX lens works only in DX crop mode
- The lens is not zoomable
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3. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.8G Portrait Lens
If you are only a beginner, augment your portrait making skills with Nikon’s 50mm prime lens. If you are already a professional, Nikon AF-S 50mm is the best buddy for manual close-up photography of natural objects and wedding events.
Features
- The aperture ring opens wide from F/1.8G up to F/16. For bright lights, it is better to close your lens’s retina nearing F/16. Do the exact opposite for cloudy or night photographs.
- The depth-of-field and contrast combinations are enormous for a full-frame 47-degree viewing angle. Every time it captures a picture, the internal elements instantly add contrast, sharpness, and bordering to it. Unwanted flares and aberrations are taken care of via nano-coating adjacent to lens elements.
- The lens elements including AA elements and super ED glass elements vanish axial aberrations and coma effects, delivering clean and clear photos that require no post-click touch-ups and editing skills.
- Nikon AF-S keeps full-frame compatibility in all the camera bodies, including FX and DX formats. The minimum focusing distance is 1.48ft which is capable of mid-range macro photography alongside portraits.
- For videos, gear-free silent wave motor inducts wavelength and converts them to electric signals that accurately predict the focal length and maintain focus at all distances for fast-moving objects.
Pros
- F/1.8G aperture setting produces ameliorated bokeh effects in portrait modes
- The lens comprises SIC nano-coating for flare removals and light infringements
- A great pick for well-lit, sharp, and in-depth portraits
- Fast and silent focusing, thanks to SWM
Cons
- Don’t buy it for wide-angle shootings
- Non-zoomable lens
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4. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm F3.5-5.6G All-in-One Zoom Lens
Nikon AF-S DX 18-140mm sums up all-round performance in it. From wide-angle shots to minuscule macro photography, Nikkor captures everything inside it.
The lens barrel holds 17 elements in a 12-group setting with a zoom ratio of up to 7.8x. The sophisticated lens elements muster up great results, whether in still photography or making videos.
Features
- For quiet zooming, Nikon has Silent Wave Motor that shoots up fast and steady at all lengths and angles.
- For handheld videography and still pictures, Vibration Reduction image stabilization eliminates ghosting effects and shakes with its 4-stop settings. VR never misses important clicks by adjusting blurry results to deliver sharp and clear photos.
- Nikon’s macro shooting works as close as 1.48m from the object. The bokeh effects isolate foreground and background and automatically enhances color contrasts, sharpness, and depth ratio in portraits and macro modes.
- The aperture range is between F/3.5 – 5.6G including ED glass and AA elements for aberration corrections and coma effects.
- Besides, Nikkor 18-140mm is a star performer in bright light flare removal and night light photography modes with its multiple f-stops and super integrated nano coatings.
Pros
- A wide focal range for all-purpose filmmaking
- 4-stop VR zoom for error-free capturing
- Highly protected lens hardware
- Swift and a silent ultrasonic focus
Cons
- Maximum zoom adds unwanted noise to results
- Bulky in size and weight
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5. Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens
Sigma contemporary zoom lens is an all-in-one solution to the wide-angle and macro photography applications. It is made with the finest lens elements, quiet motor machinery, and incredible zoom.
The zoom ratio of Sigma 18-300mm magnifies up to 16.6x from the original size. Be it portraits or natural wide-angle photography, events or close-up insect shots, adjust the lens groups, and shoot.
Features
- Sigma 18-300mm is designed for all the APS-C type cameras. Its focal range equals 27-450mm with astonishing pixel compactness and sharpness at all the zoom levels.
- The lens elements further enhance image quality, cancels out aberrations, and adds color and depth to the captured objects.
- Four FLD elements and one SLD glass element are layered inside the lens with super multi-layer coating to reduce chromatic aberrations, coma effects, flare, and ghosting effects.
- For making videos, the zoom and focus motors are constructed gear-free and noiseless. Hyper Sonic Motor dually optimizes zoom and autofocus in capturing images and videography applications.
- The focal range is assisted with wide aperture settings throughout the zoom to stay adrift with the background blurring and sharp foregrounds.
- Optical Stabilizer fixes blurry shots in handheld modes with its multi-stop modules. With OS, memorable clicks won’t be wasted away in a trash folder.
- The aperture includes a 7-blade setting to absorb maximum light when needed. The aperture ring also helps in recreating photos with bokeh effects.
- For firmware updates, Sigma offers SIGMA optimization pro software updater and USB docking port to conveniently update lens and focus settings.
Pros
- Optical Stabilization compensates shakes with complete accuracy
- Wide zoom range, up to 16.6x magnification ratio
- Ultra-quiet HSM motor for zoom and focusing
- USB docking for firmware updates
Cons
- Too bulky for a travel lens
- Expensive
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6. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm F4.5-5.6G ED Zoom Lens
Nikon AF-S 55-300mm features a superior design for all-purpose photography needs. It features a humungous focal range and multiple aperture ranges to capture close-up as well as distant shots almost perfectly at all the viewing angles.
Features
- The zoom lens comprises 5.5x telephoto zoom with multiple elements for image stabilization, background smoothness, foreground sharpness, and contrast enhancements.
- For image stabilization, Nikon DX has a contemporary Vibration Reduction technology with optical stability that compensates for shakes and handheld blurring in still photography and videos.
- VR works with a 3-stop setting to offer sharp and clear results. Autofocus is realized with a gear-free silent wave motor. SWM also zooms in quickly and silently when making HD videos.
- M/A modes offer convenience in mode selection from faraway shots to macro photography. Switch anytime to M/A and capture right away.
- Bokeh effects in portrait and wide-angle event shoots are adjusted with ED glass elements and super productive HRI lens element.
- These additional glass elements smoothen images by eliminating chromatic and spherical aberrations, coma effects, and field curvature diffractions.
- The aperture settings inside Nikkor 55-300mm range between F/4.5 to F/32 for low light and bright modes in AF modes.
- A 7-blade circular ring opens wide up to F/4.5 to capture stunning night photos without graining effects or tailed stars in milky way photography.
Pros
- Offers continuous background blur in videomaking
- High zoom ratio up to 5.5x
- 3-stop VR image stabilization
- Ultrasonic focus with SWM motor
Cons
- Needs additional space to carry around for traveling
- Sharpness and contrasts aren’t as good as prime lenses
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Conclusion
For traveling and events, nothing is better than a lightweight and minuscule prime lens. Art lenses do not have the hefty zoom and precision elements inside, making them a tad lighter than their counterpart zoom lenses.
Conversely, a zoom lens is considerably hefty with all the groups, elements, and coatings.
Apart from that, zoom lenses are highly versatile with extended zooms and perfection in design. They are multitaskers that cover everything from a macro shot to wide-angle landscapes, event photography, and portraits without needing specialized lenses for each setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
A compact prime lens is always a better choice for miniature camera bodies. For Nikon D3100, DX 35mm Nikkor prime lens offers a great photography experience, thanks to its cut-to-size viewing angle and 35mm equivalent frame structure. Also, Nikon 35mm is mountable with both the FX and DX compatible cameras.
Technically yes, all the modern Nikon lenses fit all camera bodies made by Nikon. With a few limitations with focus rings in AF-type lenses, a Nikon lens attaches flawlessly to all the cameras made by Nikon.
AF-S features an SWM motor for fast autofocusing and high-end videography. AF-P controls focus with a stepping motor. AF-S works great with its intense speed and a little bit of sound in videos while AF-P is completely noiseless when making videos, but with slower autofocus.
Nikon D3100 is not compatible with WiFi or any other wireless connectivity mode.
Nikon was first introduced in August 2010 replacing Nikon’s pioneer D3000 version DSLR cameras.