The Best Nikon D3500 Lenses Available on the Used Market

The article "A Guide to The Best Nikon D3500 Lenses for All Styles of Photography and Videography" on Outside the Shot provides a comprehensive guide on the best lenses for the Nikon D3500 camera. It covers lenses suitable for various types of photography, including general, landscape, portrait, wildlife, sports, and macro photography. The lenses discussed include the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G, Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR, Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G, and Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM. Each lens is evaluated based on its pros and cons. 

The article also provides a basic understanding of lenses, their types, and their specific purposes. It discusses the compatibility of different lenses with the Nikon D3500 and provides information on memory card compatibility. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding one's specific needs and preferences as a photographer to choose the right lens. It encourages readers to experiment with different lenses and explore diverse styles.

Exploring Lens Options for the Nikon D3500

The Nikon D3500, a popular entry-level DSLR camera, offers photographers a versatile platform for capturing stunning images. With its interchangeable lens system, the D3500 provides the flexibility to choose from a wide range of lenses to suit different shooting scenarios. In this article, we will explore some lens options for the Nikon D3500, highlighting their key features and benefits.

Here are some lenses that are compatible with the Nikon D3500:

• Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR: This kit lens is a popular choice for beginners, offering a versatile focal length range suitable for everyday photography. The Vibration Reduction (VR) feature helps to minimize camera shake, allowing for sharper handheld shots.
• Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G: This prime lens is a favorite among photographers for its wide aperture of f/1.8, which allows for excellent low-light performance and creates a shallow depth of field. It is ideal for portraits, street photography, and indoor shooting.
• Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II: This telephoto zoom lens provides an extended reach, making it great for capturing sports, wildlife, and distant subjects. The Vibration Reduction (VR) feature helps to stabilize images when shooting handheld at longer focal lengths.
• Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED: This ultra-wide-angle lens is perfect for landscape, architecture, and interior photography. It offers a broad field of view, allowing you to capture expansive scenes and emphasize perspective.
• Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G: This macro lens is designed for close-up photography, enabling you to capture intricate details with excellent sharpness. It is well-suited for subjects like flowers, insects, and small objects.
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G: This versatile prime lens is known for its sharpness and natural perspective, making it suitable for a wide range of photography genres including portraits, street photography, and low-light conditions.
• Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR: This telephoto zoom lens offers an extended focal length range, making it useful for capturing sports, wildlife, and distant subjects. The Vibration Reduction (VR) feature helps to minimize camera shake when shooting handheld at longer focal lengths.
• Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR: This all-in-one zoom lens provides a versatile focal length range, covering wide-angle to telephoto perspectives. It is suitable for various photography situations, including travel, events, and everyday shooting.
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G: This portrait lens offers a medium telephoto focal length, ideal for capturing flattering portraits with beautiful background blur. It is also suitable for low-light conditions, making it a versatile choice for portraiture and indoor shooting.
• Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR: This high-performance zoom lens offers a flexible focal length range combined with a constant aperture of f/2.8-4. It provides excellent image quality and versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of photography genres.

Nikon D3500 Lens Compatibility with Nikon F-mount Lenses

The Nikon D3500 utilizes the Nikon F-mount, which is a lens mount system introduced by Nikon in 1959. The F-mount has been a standard for Nikon SLR and DSLR cameras for many years, offering compatibility with a wide range of lenses. The use of the F-mount on the D3500 allows photographers to access a vast selection of lenses, both from Nikon and third-party manufacturers, providing versatility and flexibility in their shooting experience.

One important aspect to consider when using lenses with the Nikon D3500 is the distinction between FX and DX lenses. FX lenses are designed for Nikon's full-frame DSLR cameras, while DX lenses are specifically designed for cameras with APS-C-sized sensors, such as the D3500. The D3500 features a DX-format sensor, so DX lenses are fully compatible and optimized for use with this camera.

The primary difference between FX and DX lenses lies in their image circle. FX lenses have a larger image circle that covers the full frame sensor, while DX lenses have a smaller image circle that matches the size of the DX sensor. This difference in image circle affects the effective focal length when using DX lenses on the D3500. Due to the crop factor (typically around 1.5x for Nikon DX cameras), the effective focal length of a DX lens on the D3500 will be multiplied by the crop factor. For example, a 50mm DX lens used on the D3500 will have an effective focal length of approximately 75mm.

It is worth noting that while the Nikon F-mount provides compatibility with a wide range of lenses, some older F-mount lenses may have compatibility issues or limited functionality on the D3500. These compatibility problems may arise due to changes in technology, communication protocols, or autofocus motor requirements. It is recommended to check the compatibility of older lenses with the D3500 before using them to ensure proper functionality and compatibility.

To summarize, the Nikon D3500 utilizes the Nikon F-mount, allowing photographers to access a wide range of lenses. The camera's DX-format sensor makes it fully compatible with DX lenses, providing optimized performance and focal length adjustments due to the crop factor. However, it is important to be aware of potential compatibility issues with older F-mount lenses, as changes in technology and communication protocols may limit their functionality on the D3500. It is always advisable to check lens compatibility and functionality before using older lenses with the D3500.