Best Lens For Nikon D3500
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links in this guide are affiliate links — see our affiliate disclosure for details.
Short answer: Which lens is best for the Nikon D3500?
The guide recommends the Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G for portraits, street and low light, the AF-P DX 70-300mm for wildlife and sports, and the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 as a kit lens upgrade.
The camera itself is fantastic for beginners — lightweight, user-friendly, and capable of producing stunning images.
1. Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G — First Love
Best for: Portraits, Street Photography, Low Light
Experience:
- Bokeh: Beautiful background blur for portraits.
- Versatility: Great for street photography, food shots, and indoor photography (since it’s a 50mm equivalent on crop sensor).
- Lightweight: Perfect for everyday carry.
Drawback: Not ideal for ultra-wide shots or distant subjects.
Verdict: A must-have for every D3500 owner.
Photo by Marty O’Neill on Unsplash
2. Nikon AF-P DX 70–300mm f/4.5–6.3G ED VR — For Wildlife & Sports
Best for: Wildlife, Sports, Telephoto Shots
Experience:
- Great Zoom Range: Perfect for birds, wildlife, and sports.
- VR (Vibration Reduction): Helps with handheld shots at long focal lengths.
- Lightweight for a Telephoto: Easy to carry compared to heavier lenses.
Drawback: Slower aperture (f/6.3 at 300mm) means you need good light.
Verdict: Best budget telephoto for Nikon D3500.
Photo by Walter Lee Olivares de la Cruz on Unsplash
3. Sigma 17–50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM — The Kit Lens Upgrade
Best for: Everyday Photography, Travel, Low Light
Experience:
- Sharper than the Kit Lens: Professional-level sharpness.
- f/2.8 for Low Light: Great for indoor events and night photography.
- Versatile Focal Range: Covers wide-angle to short telephoto.
Drawback: Slightly heavier than the kit lens.
Verdict: The best upgrade from the 18–55mm.
Photo by Free Walking Tour Salzburg on Unsplash
4. Tokina 11–16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX — For Stunning Landscapes
Best for: Landscapes, Astrophotography, Architecture
Experience:
- Ultra-Wide Angle: Perfect for vast landscapes and cityscapes.
- Fast Aperture (f/2.8): Great for astrophotography.
- Solid Build: Feels durable and professional.
Drawback: Manual focus can be tricky for beginners.
Verdict: Best wide-angle lens for Nikon D3500.
Photo by Cora Leach on Unsplash
5. Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G — The Portrait Beast
Best for: Portraits, Bokeh, Low Light
Experience:
- Beautiful Bokeh: Perfect for headshots and close-up portraits.
- Sharp Even Wide Open: Excellent at f/1.8.
- Great for Low Light: Performs well in dimly lit scenes.
Drawback: On a crop sensor, it’s a 75mm equivalent, which can feel tight indoors.
Verdict: Best budget portrait lens for Nikon D3500.
Photo by Ghaly Wedinly on Unsplash
Final Thoughts — Which Lens Should You Buy?
- Beginner? Stick with the 18–55mm kit lens first, then upgrade to the 35mm f/1.8G.
- Portraits? 50mm f/1.8G or 35mm f/1.8G.
- Landscapes? Tokina 11–16mm f/2.8.
- Wildlife/Sports? Nikon 70–300mm.
- All-in-One Upgrade? Sigma 17–50mm f/2.8.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
**What’s your favorite lens for the D3500?
Happy Shooting! 📸Best Lenses for Nikon D3500
More picks
- Nikon D3500 — View on Amazon
- AF-P DX 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6G VR — View on Amazon
Written by
Marien CartelProfessional and Certified Digital Photographer born in the USA, with 22 years of experience in the field of photography.
Related Guides
Best Nikon Portrait Lenses
Best Nikon Portrait Lenses: Nikon 35mm f/1.4G and Nikon 85mm f/1.8G compared on features, price and who each one suits.
Best Nikon lens for wildlife
Best Nikon lens for wildlife: Nikon Z 180–600mm f/5.6–6.3 VR and Nikon Z 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6 VR compared on features, price and who each one suits.
Best Lenses for the Nikon Z6III
Best Lenses for the Nikon Z6III — a practical buying guide covering what matters, common mistakes and what to buy.
Best Lenses for Nikon Z8
Best Lenses for Nikon Z8: what to look for, what to skip and how to choose the right one for your budget. Updated for 2026.
Best Lenses for the Nikon D500
Best Lenses for the Nikon D500: Nikon 10–20mm f/4.5–5.6 DX VR and Tokina atx-i 11–20mm f/2.8 CF compared on features, price and who each one suits.
Best Nikon lens for sports
Best Nikon lens for sports — what the Nikon AF-S 180–400mm f/4E TC1.4 offers, where it falls short, and whether it is worth buying.