Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

66.1 Travel Score
100-400mm 40 Nikon Z IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Featuring an f/4.5-5.6 aperture across its 100-400mm zoom range, 5-stop Vibration Reduction, and optics with six Super ED and two ED elements, this lens delivers sharp handheld telephoto performance. Inner Balance technology stabilizes the center of gravity for smooth gimbal tracking, while a 0.38x maximum magnification ratio enables near-macro detail. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers who need flexible handheld reach and for landscape shooters valuing edge-to-edge sharpness.

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Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Sirui Astra Astra T1.8 1.33x AF Anamorphic 50mm

35.8 Travel Score
50-100mm 22 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

With selectable autofocus and constant T1.8 aperture across 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm focal lengths, this Sirui Astra kit is a rare full-frame anamorphic system featuring blue streak flares and a 1.33x squeeze for uncropped 2.4:1 footage. Lightweight 620g lenses and a consistent 67mm filter thread simplify rig changes, while oval bokeh and vertical stretch deliver classic anamorphic character. It suits solo videographers and small crews seeking an affordable, AF-capable anamorphic set for music videos, documentaries, or commercials.

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Laowa Aurogon FF 10-50x NA0.5 Supermicro APO 19mm

21.1 Travel Score
19mm f/10 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

The 19mm f/10 optical design with apochromatic correction delivers distortion-free 10-50x supermacro imaging at a fixed 0.79-inch working distance. An unclicked manual aperture ring and four included magnification tubes provide precise exposure and framing control in a compact 546g build. It's best for researchers and extreme macro specialists who need 50:1 reproduction on full-frame Nikon Z without optical flaws.

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Zeiss Otus ML 1.4/35

19.2 Travel Score
35mm 16 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

The 15-element, 11-group optical design and f/1.4 maximum aperture deliver sharp low-light imaging, with a 10-blade diaphragm ensuring smooth bokeh. Precise manual focus provides full creative control over critical sharpness, and the 735g build remains comfortable for extended use. This lens is best for portrait photographers who demand optical precision and prefer the deliberate pace of manual focusing.

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Zeiss Otus ML 1.4/35 lens
Price CA$3,151

Laowa 200mm f/2 AF FF Telephoto

20.1 Travel Score
200mm f/2 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

Combining a bright f/2 aperture with a 200mm focal length, this lens delivers powerful subject compression and shallow depth of field on full-frame Nikon Z cameras. Its responsive autofocus and minimized chromatic aberration make it a compelling, portable alternative to heavier f/2.8 zooms. This lens is best for portrait photographers who need extreme background separation and low-light capability without the cost of first-party exotic glass.

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