Sigma lenses for Nikon DSLRs have been popular for a long time and if you ask a seasoned photographer about reliable third-party lenses, it’s more than likely that they would recommend a Sigma. Lenses produced by this front-of-the-line brand are a top choice for newbies and professionals alike due to their high-quality and versatility.
Currently, three different types of Sigma lenses for Nikon DSLRS – Contemporary, Sport, and Art. Sigma’s Contemporary lenses combine optical performance with portability, Sport lenses are meant for shooting action scenes, while Art lenses deliver excellent optical performance.
If you are looking for the best Sigma lenses for Nikon DSLRs, Sigma has also released several top-of-the-line options. We have organized the best ones in our list below.
1. Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art (Best Sigma Lens for Nikon DSLRs)
The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens for Nikon DSLR cameras can be used for any photographic needs but it’s a perfect lens for portrait photography. Making use of a large f/1.4 aperture, this lens allows you to capture images with a shallow depth of field and attractive bokeh effect.
Its optical design includes an exclusive low-dispersion glass element, one aspherical element, and two Special Low Dispersion elements that minimize chromatic aberration effects in images. Additionally, a super multi-layer coating reduces ghosting and flare.
A Hyper-Sonic Autofocus motor has been employed for quick and precise focusing and a large focus ring gives you more control over manual focus.
For the construction of the lens, Sigma has used a Thermally-stable composite material that offers increased resistance against temperature changes and makes the lens more durable.
Moreover, the SIGMA Optimization Pro software allows you to perform various types of customization and adjustment.
2. Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art
With a maximum aperture of f/1.8, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art is a wide-angle to standard zoom lens, designed for Nikon DSLR cameras with APS-C format sensors. It features an approximate field of view range equivalent to a 27mm-52.5mm on a 35mm camera.
The optical design of the lens has 17 elements in 12 groups, with one Special Low Dispersion element and one aspherical element that produce crystal clear images with vibrant colors. A special multi-layer coating is also applied to minimize ghosting and flares.
Thanks to its electronic Hyper Sonic Motor, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 focuses smoothly and silently and takes about a second to acquire focus.
With a nine-blade rounded diaphragm, you get a beautiful bokeh effect. This lens comes with a non-rotating front ring, meaning you can effectively use circular polarizing filters in challenging lighting conditions.
The build quality is excellent. With the Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material, the weight of the lens has been decreased and increasing its durability. This material also helps protect it against temperature variations.
3. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary
Featuring a variable aperture, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary is a hyper-telephoto zoom lens. It employes an Optical Stabilizer with an accelerometer that combines with the lens’ hyper-telephoto zoom characteristics to deliver improved vertical and horizontal panning.
This Sigma lens for Nikon DSLR cameras features a zoom lock switch and Manual Override (MO) switch, which makes it much easier for you to control the focus of the camera. Additionally, you can access Sigma’s USB dock for firmware updates and adjust the focus position and other parameters.
The Hyper Sonic Motor ensures super-fast and silent AF mechanism. The lens has been constructed with 20 elements in 14 groups, and its rounded nine-blade diaphragm helps produce an attractive bokeh effect.
A water and oil-repellent coating is applied to the foremost lens elements, keeping water away and preventing oil from smudging up the glass, even when shooting in a harsh environment. This is, by and far, one of our favorite Sigma lenses for Nikon DSLRs.
4. Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports
If you shoot sporting events and are a Nikon user, then the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports is the ideal lens for you. Although it belongs to Sigma’s official Sports lineup, this powerful lens also proves to be an ideal choice for wildlife and bird photography, where you need an extensive zoom to capture those beautiful creatures in action.
You can use shutter speeds approximately four stops slower than normal due to a superior optical stabilization (OS), meaning it provides perfect control over handheld shooting while covering sports events.
In its optical design, the lens features two fluorite-equivalent FLD glass elements and one SLD glass element which minimize chromatic aberration and improve image quality.
Other key features include a firmware update for customization options, solid construction, an HSM-driven high-speed, and extremely quiet autofocus.
5. Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art (Budget Winner Sigma Lenses for Nikon DSLRs)
This great lens from Sigma’s Art line delivers superb performance overall and can be used for a number of photography purposes such as architectural, landscape, and underwater photography.
The optical design of the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art effectively eliminates color aberrations and produces wonderful colors in photos, thanks to the “F” low dispersion (FLD) elements, Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements, and specialized super multi-layer lens coating. Also, you get amazing corner-to-corner sharpness.
With an aperture rating of f/1.4, this Sigma lens for Nikon DSLRs enables you to capture stunning wide-angle images without any dullness and distortion. Its rounded diaphragm produces an eye-catching bokeh effect at large-aperture settings.
An advanced autofocus mechanism of this lens is powered by a Hyper Sonic Motor which not only is fast but also virtually noise-free. The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is easy to use and its brass mount combines high precision with rugged construction, meaning it can withstand years of use and abuse.
Final Thoughts on the Best Sigma Lenses for Nikon DSLRs
As mentioned, Sigma has categorized its lenses into three product lines and all three of them include a variety of options for Nikon DSLR owners.
It can be overwhelming to choose the most suitable lens from a massive list of different models, so to help you make the best decision, we have selected some of Sigma’s best lenses from the company’s three product lines that offer great value for the money and can help take your photography experience to the next level.
