6 Best Lenses For Nikon Z6III (…and 2 to avoid)

The Nikon Z6 III is an upgrade from it’s predecessor that boasts a brand new partially stacked sensor and the EXPEED7 processor that makes it a lot faster and also well suited to video shooting. At 24.5 megapixels, it doesn’t have the high resolution of its more expensive counterparts, but it handles like a pro camera body and is well suited for many different types of photography.

So if you own this body then you should consider investing in some high-quality lenses.

That is why my top pick is the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8.

Keep reading to find out why I didn’t pick a Nikon lens and to see more options based on the type of photography you shoot most with your Nikon Z6III.

What to join a discussion about this topic? Click Here to share your top picks.

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The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 lens is both impressive optically and comes in at an impressively affordable price. But it’s not the price alone that made it the top pick.

This is my top pick because of the combination of versatility, image quality, and relatively compact size.

Overall, this lens takes the place of the 24-70mm f/2.8 found in many professional’s bags (more on that below). It is probably the most used focal length range you’ll use which means if you’re looking for one lens to pair with your Z6III then this is a great place to start.

You can shoot anything from wide-angle landscapes to longer focal-length portraits with this lens. Plus the f/2.8 max aperture means you’ll have a lot of control over depth of field for great looking bokeh and have the ability to shoot in low light.

But let’s talk about image quality and how it stacks up to the much more expensive Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8…

In the center of the frame you’ll get almost perfect image quality and sharpness out of this lens. It’s actually really good on the edges too but the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 does a little better on the edges, especially at the widest apertures (but it’s rare you ever need edge sharpness at wide apertures unless you’re shooting something like astrophotography).

So you can rest assured you’re getting near top of the line image quality out of this lens.

In addition, the autofocus is exceptional as well. It easily handled moving subjects in my testing and is certainly fast enough to capture fast moving kids or even sports.

On top of all that, this lens comes in lighter and smaller than the 24-70mm f/2.8 from Nikon.

Upgrade Option #1: There is a Nikon branded version of this exact same lens that many believe is simply the Tamron optics in a Nikon branded shell. It comes in at a higher MSRP ($1,199.95) but gives you slightly better build quality (and you may be able to find it some places at the same price as the Tamron).

Upgrade Option #2: If you want a professional quality lens at this focal range that is almost perfect optically and are willing to spend the premium to get it, you can’t beat the Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 S lens. This is the lens for pros that aren’t concerned about budget.

This might be my personal favorite lens to carry around with me on a regular basis.

It’s small and lightweight enough that pairing it with the Z6III makes for a very small setup that is perfect for everyday shooting.

If I am taking a Nikon Z6III to a party, a family get-together, or just out with friends, this is the lens I would probably put on the camera. The 28mm focal length is wide enough that you don’t have to back up to get photos of the people around you and is also a great option for getting photos of the area around you.

But 28mm isn’t so wide that photos of people will be distorted.

In addition, the f/2.8 max aperture makes it easier to get shots in low light, especially compared to the kit lenses often found bundled with cameras that have max apertures in the f/4-6.3 range.

However, if the compact size isn’t as important to you and you want a prime lens with a wider max aperture then this next option will be perfect for you…

As a Z6III owner, you’re looking to level up your photo quality and a high-end prime can do just that. Prime lenses generally outperform zoom lenses in all aspects of image quality. The 50mm f/1.2 is one of the best in the Z mount lineup.

Sure, you could go for the old classic, 50mm f/1.8, but that’s not all that exciting. The f/1.2 aperture can give you a focal plane of only 10″ from 10 feet away. This means the ability to shoot with beautiful bokeh in any situation.

The f/1.2 aperture also means beautiful low-light photography without having to increase the ISO. So your night photos will be cleaner and sharper.

Any wide-aperture lens like this is a massive difference for anyone that’s never used one. It will allow you to experiment with shallow depth of field as well as shoot in low light much better than any kit lens.

Affordable Option: If the $2099.95 MSRP is a bit too steep for you and you don’t need the f/1.2 max aperture then Nikon’s “nifty fifty” Z 50mm f/1.8 S lens is also an excellent lens optically and is much more affordable.

If you plan to use your Z6III for everyday photography like photographing your kids or get-togethers with friends and family, you’ll be thankful to have the option to use f/1.2, especially in indoor situations.

But this lens may be a little too limiting in focal length to shoot landscapes, so if that’s what you shoot most often, then this next option may be for you…