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6 Of The Best Nikon Lenses for Wedding Photography [2024 Update!]

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Best Nikon Lenses for Wedding Photography

Have you been looking for the best Nikon lenses for wedding photography? We’ve put together an essential list of 6 Nikon lenses that cover everything from all-around wedding lenses to video and so much more.

If you want to get the best of the best Nikon lenses for weddings, you can jump right to the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens. It’s good to go for everything from the wide group and venue shots to portraits and video.

Here Are The Top 6 Nikon Lenses for Wedding Photography!

Looking to answer “What is the best Nikon lens for wedding photography?” Keep reading to find the lens that you’ve been looking for!

1. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S Lens

NIKON NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f2.8 S Standard Zoom Lens for Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras
NIKON NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f2.8 S Standard Zoom Lens for Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras

The Best All Round Lens for Wedding Photography

Bottom Line:

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens is the best all-around choice for wedding photography. If you’re looking for a single lens to haggle nearly any job, this is the one for you.

Pros

  • The go-to lens for most working wedding photographers
  • Information OLED Panel, L.Fn Button, and Programmable Ring
  • Multiple Coatings
  • Several Optical Elements
  • Weather Sealed

Cons

  • A little unwieldy for video

Why We Picked It

Here’s why we picked this as the best all-round lens for wedding photography.

Being a wedding photographer is all about adapting to unique situations as they pop up during the wedding. Sometimes you need a wide-angle lens to capture a great group shot and a moment later you’ll need to get a portrait of the happy couple.

That’s why we picked this lens as our overall top choice for wedding photographers. It lets you handle just about everything in a single lens which means no switching lenses in the middle of your shoot.

This lens is also great for traveling light. A backpack full of prime lenses can wear you out over the course of an entire wedding. Especially if you’re working it from early in the morning to handle some pre-wedding portraits all the way through the reception late into the evening.

This is absolutely a professional-quality lens. It’s got multiple coatings, and several optical elements and the body is weather sealed to handle both indoor and outdoor wedding events.

Who It’s For

Our pick for the best Nikon lens for indoor wedding photography is really for everyone.

This is the ideal wedding photography lens for someone who’s just starting out with wedding photography. It lets you handle every possible shooting situation with a single lens.

This also means it’s very cost-effective. If you’re starting out working as a professional photographer, you might not have the budget for a variety of lenses. This lens is a great choice for someone who’s looking to pick up their very first photography for weddings.

This is also a great lens for professional photographers who are looking to pick up some wedding events on the side. Weddings make a lot of money for photographers, and it’s common for product photographers, landscape photographers, and even journalistic photographers to pick up a few weddings here and there.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens is also highly versatile. It’s going to let you handle weddings, but it’s also perfect for a range of other styles. This makes a great for everyone from students just starting out with photography to working professionals looking to tackle their first weddings.

2. Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S Lens

NIKON NIKKOR Z 85mm f1.8 S Portrait Fast Prime Lens for Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras
NIKON NIKKOR Z 85mm f1.8 S Portrait Fast Prime Lens for Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras

Our Pick for the Best Nikon Lens for Portraits and Wedding Photography

Bottom Line:

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens is the right choice if you plan on doing a lot of portraits during your next wedding shoot. It’s essential and purpose-built for handling portrait photography.

Pros

  • Weather-sealed Body
  • Nano Crystal and Super Integrated Coatings
  • Multi-Focus Stepping Motor AF System
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Programmable Control Ring

Cons

  • You’ll need a second lens for wide angles and video

Why We Picked It

This is easily the best Nikon lens for wedding and portrait photography.

The biggest reason why we picked this as the go-to portrait lens for wedding photographers is that 85 mm is practically designed for portraits.

Each different focal length changes how an image looks. It’s widely accepted that 85 mm focal lengths have the least distortion when it comes to the human face. This makes them the perfect choice for shooting portraits.

This lens also stands above the rest. It’s got a great overall style and design. It’s got a professional build quality that’s ready to let you use the latest features and stand up to both indoor and outdoor weddings.

Portraits are in one area where you definitely don’t want to cut any corners. This is a professional-level lens that has a professional-level price, but it’s also the best lens to take to your next wedding photography shoot.

Who It’s For

We need to talk about whom the best Nikon lens for portraits and wedding photography is for.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens is the right choice for someone who is going to specialize in taking portraits at a wedding.

This lens is an ideal option for someone whose main focus is portraiture. If you’re looking to go to a wedding to take nothing but portraits, this is the right lens to take with you. You’re definitely going to need more than just this lens if you plan on doing general photography, but this is the best of the best when it comes to portraits.

This is also a great lens for photographers who want to absolutely nail the portrait during the wedding. Portraits are some of the most important shots you take during a wedding, engagement photography, or any other photography where you want to show just how in love a happy couple is.

Now, this might not be the correct lens for someone who is just getting into wedding photography. You’ll be better off with a generalized zoom lens that can handle more situations than this specialized prime portrait lens.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens is also a great choice for photographers who aren’t working alone. If you’re going to an event with an assistant or as part of a group of photographers and videographers, it’s probably a good idea that one of you has an 85 mm prime portrait lens.

3. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S Lens

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f4 S
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f4 S

The Best Nikon Zoom Lens for Wedding Photography

Bottom Line:

There are a lot of great zoom lenses on this list. However, we picked this lens as the best choice for someone looking for a zoom lens that can handle just about everything you could possibly want to capture during a wedding.

Pros

  • Three ED, Three Aspherical Elements, and One Aspherical ED Glass Element
  • Multi-Focus Stepping Motor AF System
  • Weather-Sealed Design
  • Programmable Control Ring and L.Fn Button
  • Flexible Focal Length

Cons

  • Aperture is not very bright

Why We Picked It

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S Lens became our pick for the best Nikon zoom lens for wedding photography due to its features and utility.

We pick this lens because zoom lenses are defined by how flexible they are. The whole point of being able to zoom in and out through different focal lengths is being able to change your composition on the fly.

The 24 mm wide angle of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens is perfect for capturing the event venue, wide-angle shots of all the guests mingling, and of a variety of other images. You can then take it all the way up to the 120 mm telephoto end. There’s really a breathtaking range of images you can capture with this particular wedding photography lens.

This lens also has a professional design. The body is weather-sealed, it’s got plenty of coatings and optical elements, and it’s even got programmable buttons, so you can stay up-to-date with the latest technology.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens is going to be at home for working professionals, beginners, and wedding photography groups that are looking to capture a variety of images at different focal lengths.

Who It’s For

This is the best Nikon lens for shooting weddings for beginners and people looking to take a single-zoom lens to their next wedding event shoot.

This lens is an interesting pick. It might not be the first choice for a variety of photographers, but there are a few groups of people that are going to absolutely love this lens for wedding photography.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens should be at the top of the list for anyone who truly wants a single lens kit for their next wedding photography event. This is perfect for capturing group shots, portraits, and essentially every single type of picture that you can imagine getting during a wedding.

The telephoto high-end of the focal length is also perfect for crabbing close-up pictures when you can’t get too close to the action. This lens will let you get really unique pictures of the couple during the ceremony.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens is also ideal for photographers who aren’t worried about lighting during the wedding. If you’re going to be working outdoors, during the day, or in a new venue that’s very bright, this should be an ideal lens for you. The aperture might be a little too dim for people who predominantly work at night or in darker venues.

4. Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S Lens

NIKON NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f4 S Ultra-Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras
NIKON NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f4 S Ultra-Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras

The Best Nikon Wide Angle Lens for Wedding Photography

Bottom Line:

This is an excellent lens if you want to perfect your wide-angle photography at the next wedding that you cover.

Pros

  • Weather-Sealed Body
  • Stepping Motor AF System
  • Nano Crystal & Super Integrated Coatings
  • Versatile Wide Angle Focal Lengths
  • Retractable Design

Cons

  • You’ll need a second lens for portraits

Why We Picked It

If you want the best Nikon wide-angle lens for wedding photography, you need the Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens.

Wide-angle photography is so important for weddings. Photographers often focus a little too much on getting really tight shots when weddings are all about bringing together a group of people to celebrate a newly married couple.

Wide-angle photography lets you capture the event as it’s happening. You can get great shots of the guests hanging out, dancing, and having the time of their lives. This lens also allows you to capture shots of the venue as well as get a little creative with your photography.

Wide-angle photography opens up plenty of new potentials and this is the lens to get the job done. It’s professional-grade, so it’s got a weather-sealed body, plenty of optical elements and coatings, and all the high-tech features you’d want in a modern lens.

This lens also has an excellent selection of wide angles to choose from. The 14 mm end lets you capture ultra-wide, almost fisheye artistic shots while 30 mm is a much more normal focal length that captures wide, but even-handed images.

Who It’s For

This is the best Nikon lens for a wedding if you’re looking to become a master of wide-angle shots.

This is great for a wedding photographer who already has a main lens that they work with. If you’ve got a 24 mm to 70 mm lens, this is probably going to be the second one you pick up. This lets you handle a variety of wider angles that you wouldn’t otherwise be normally able to capture.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens is also great for wedding photographers who aren’t afraid to get a little artistic with their shooting. If you plan on offering something a little bit more bespoke for your clients, these wide-angle lenses can be used for artistic portraits and shots that most wedding photographers just can’t capture.

This lens is also great for landscape and architectural photographers who are looking to dabble in weddings on the side. You’ll be using the lens day-to-day and your landscape photography, but you can also break it out for weddings to get some extra mileage on your glass.

5. Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S Lens

NIKON NIKKOR Z 35mm f1.8 S Wide Angle Fast Prime Lens for Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras
NIKON NIKKOR Z 35mm f1.8 S Wide Angle Fast Prime Lens for Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras

Best Nikon Lens for Wedding Videography

Bottom Line:

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S lens is a prime lens that should be in every wedding photographer’s kit. This lens is a classic focal length that’s great for everything from portraits to group shots and even video.

Pros

  • Very bright aperture
  • Weather-Sealed Build
  • Stepping Motor AF System
  • Nano Crystal and Super Integrated Coatings
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Programmable Control Ring

Cons

  • You will definitely want to have more lenses in your kit to get full coverage

Why We Picked It

If you want a prime lens that is also the best Nikon lens for wedding photography, you should get the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S lens.

Prime lenses have been the go-to choice for photographers for generations. These lenses offer clear images and better low-light performance but do not have the ability to zoom. If you want to get closer to your subject, you’re going to have to walk physically closer.

We picked the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S lens because 35 mm is the classic length for prime photography. This is going to feel incredibly natural when you take these images.

The 35 mm focal length is wide enough to handle landscape and group photos, but tight enough to do clever portrait work as well. This can be the mainstay of your wedding photography as long as you’re willing to work around the lack of a zoom feature.

This is also a professional-level lens with all of the features you need. It has weather sealing, coatings, and optical elements that protect the quality of your images, and high-tech features like a programmable button.

We picked this lens because it’s got everything you need in a 35 mm package.

Who It’s For

This is the best Nikon lens for wedding videography if you want to work with prime lenses.

There are plenty of photographers who pick up a 35 mm lens and use it to get into a wide range of styles. You can do landscaping photography, street photography, and even work a few weddings with this lens.

You might need some additional coverage if you’re going to go pro with this lens, but this is great if you’re looking to pick up some work on the side as an assistant at a wedding.

This can also be a great choice for photographers who want the reliability and low-light performance of prime lenses. This is especially the case if you throw in an 85 mm prime lens to give you all of the coverage you need for just about anything a wedding throws your way.

6. Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Lens

NIKON NIKKOR Z 50mm f1.8 S Standard Fast Prime Lens for Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras
NIKON NIKKOR Z 50mm f1.8 S Standard Fast Prime Lens for Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras

Prime Lenses—The Best Nikon Lens for Wedding Photography

Bottom Line:

Professional wedding photographers have been relying on the near-magical power of a 50 mm lens for years. This is also a great focal length for video as it offers plenty of flexibility as well as great low-light performance.

Pros

  • Weather-Sealed Body
  • Bright Aperture
  • Programmable Control Ring
  • Two ED and Two Aspherical Elements
  • High-end Coatings

Cons

  • You might need more lenses to round out your coverage
  • Can be a little tight in smaller spaces

Why We Picked It

How did the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S lens become the best Nikon lens for wedding photography?

We picked this lens because, if we’re being honest, every photographer needs a reliable 50 mm lens in their kit. This particular lens has all of the features that you’re going to need to stand out in a crowded wedding photography market.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S lens is also great for shooting video on a Nikon camera. It’s got great low-light performance as well as a fast auto-focus motor that is very quiet even when working hard.

Videographers are going to love the performance of this lens, but they’re also going to love the flexibility that 50 mm focal lengths offer them. It’s a great lens for being able to shoot video without worrying about missing a shot because you’re switching lenses.

This also lets you quickly jump between video and photo, so you don’t have to miss any moments during a wedding.

Who It’s For

Since the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S lenses are the best Nikon lenses for event photography, which photographers and videographers can make the most of this prime lens?

First and foremost this lens is going to be for videographers who are looking to make the most out of a single lens. You can use a 50 mm lens for portrait-style close-up videos as well as wider angle coverage.

There are videographers that consider 50 mm to be the closest focal length to what the human eye naturally sees which means you can capture very realistic wedding videos with this lens.

This lens is also going to be a great choice for photographers who are looking to get into wedding photography. These 50 mm lenses are essential parts of any photography kit. Adding a 50 mm lens to your kit gives you affordable coverage no matter what happens.

It’s also a great idea to have a 50 mm lens in your photography bag as a backup option. Plenty of photographers keep a 50 mm lens on them just in case their main lens breaks during shooting.

Conclusion – The best Nikon lens for wedding photography

Which of our best Nikon lenses for wedding photography is the one that you’re getting first?

Are you taking the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens to your next wedding photo shoot or are you going to go for the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S lens video all-star or the Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S which is purpose-built for portraits?

Looking for something more than just the best Nikon lenses for weddings? Check out our other articles to find the right Nikon lenses for any situation!

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Hey there, my name is James and I am the creator and editor of this site. I have been photographing for the past 20 years and my mission is to simplify this misunderstood art of taking and processing photographs I love. I invite you to say “hey” on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.

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