Read more<\/strong>: How to Choose a Camera Lens That Fits Your Needs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disclosure<\/strong>: This article features affiliate links, including Amazon.com. If you decide to buy through one of these links, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra expense to you. For more details, please see my disclosure policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Below, you will find the best lenses for the Nikon D5100. There, you will find information about different types of lenses, price ranges, and where to use them. The prices are categorized as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You will find here lenses for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n > Portrait PROS<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n + Sweet bokeh with f\/1.8 CONS<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Does not have image stabilization<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n What is the best lens for portraits<\/a>? This has been a long discussion because there isn\u2019t only one answer. Usually, the options are between 35mm, 50mm, or 85mm prime lenses for portraits. This prime lens for portraits will add new dimensions and spark while shooting your models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Build and handling<\/strong>: Although it\u2019s a bit heavier than the other portrait lenses below, it\u2019s still considered lightweight. Its build is professional and covers all the necessary buttons for shooting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Performance<\/strong>: Thanks to the large aperture (f\/1.8), it will perform excellently in low-light conditions. Also, it has two focus modes: manual priority AF and manual focus. Due to fast and silent focusing (silent wave motor), it\u2019s also a real deal when shooting videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best for<\/strong>: As mentioned, portrait photography is the best you will get out of it. But a good photographer can use this Nikon D5100 lens in many ways. It would also do a great job in product, event, and wedding photography.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s one of the best lenses for this camera, as it offers so much on portrait compositions. You will have a creamy background, shallow depth of field, and excellent contrast at a low cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PROS<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n + Lightweight design CONS<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n – A bit of visual distortion<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Any lens with an aperture of f\/1.8 would be an excellent fit for portrait photography, and this lens is also super cheap. A smaller price doesn\u2019t mean that it produces bad quality. More than that, you will be surprised by this price-quality ratio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Build and handling<\/strong>: One of the greatest advantages of this lens is its lightweight and compact design. It weighs only 6.6 oz. (185 g). So that means you don\u2019t need to hit the gym to shoot hand-held, it\u2019s light enough to keep hands stable for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Performance<\/strong>: The maximum aperture is f\/1.8, which will handle well under harsh low-light conditions. Another perk to a large aperture is that it will get you a blurry background; therefore, your subject will stand out from the noise. It also has a built-in autofocus motor that results in silent focusing and sharp images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best for<\/strong>: It\u2019s meant mainly for portraits, but again, like with previous lenses, you can use it also for different reasons. You can take it for a product, event, wedding, or landscape photography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s one of the best lenses for Nikon D5100 on a budget. You wouldn’t find any cheaper option for your camera. If you don\u2019t want to spend much on a new lens but want to shoot better portraits, that would be an ideal option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PROS<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n + Wide aperture CONS<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Doesn\u2019t have in-built image stabilization<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n This portrait lens differs in focal length from previous competitors. On this occasion, you don\u2019t need to shoot long distances so that you can work in tighter spaces. It\u2019s a great lens to start with as a beginner, as it\u2019s cheap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Build and handling: <\/b>This lens is also very lightweight, like the previous lens. With a compact design and a weight of 7 oz. (200 g), it\u2019s easy to capture visuals hand-held. It’s an essential feature because it doesn’t have built-in image stabilization. So, you must hold the camera and lens as steady as possible for sharp images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Performance<\/strong>: The greatest perk of this lens is that you don\u2019t need to slow down shutter speeds to get sharp photos under low-light conditions. It has a large aperture of f\/1.8, essential for portrait photography. Also, this budget lens has a silent focusing motor, so it will be great when shooting videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best for<\/strong>: Again, like the previous ones, this is mainly meant for portraits, but you can also use it on different shootings. This has a bit of an advantage over previous choices as it has a shorter focal length. That means you can work in tight spaces, for example, event photography. This is also a better option for street photography, shooting wide landscapes, and travel if you don\u2019t have any other lenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t want to break the bank and are still a beginner, this would be a great addition to your camera gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBest lenses for Nikon D5100<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
> Wide-angle
> Zoom
> Telephoto
> Macro<\/p>\n\n\n\nportrait lenses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Nikon AF S Nikkor 85mm f\/1.8G<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Nikon](\"https:\/\/genemphotography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-85mm-f1.8G.jpg\")
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+ Super affordable for an 85mm prime lens
+ Excellent focusing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n2. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f\/1.8G<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Nikon](\"https:\/\/genemphotography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-50mm-f1.8G.jpg\")
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+ Affordable for the beginner
+ Excellent autofocus for the price<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n3. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f\/1.8G<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Nikon](\"https:\/\/genemphotography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Nikon-AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-35mm-f1.8G.jpg\")
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+ Great autofocus
+ Compact design<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nwide-angle lens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f\/3.5-4.5G ED<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Nikon](\"https:\/\/genemphotography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Nikon-AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-10-24mm-f3.5-4.5G-ED.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Sigma](\"https:\/\/genemphotography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Sigma-18-35mm-F1.8-Art-DC-HSM.jpg\")
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