7 Best budget telephoto lens for Nikon: (2024 Guide & Reviews)

Last Updated on December 5, 2023 by Sharon Advik

You have come to the right place if you are a Nikon user looking to buy a budget telephoto lens.

This blog post will discuss the best telephoto lenses for Nikon cameras that won’t break your bank account.

We understand that photography and your images’ quality are about what you can capture in a single shot.

Telephoto lenses are great for getting up close to subjects from far away.

They give you much more zoom than wide-angle lenses, allowing you to fill the frame with your subject without getting too close.

A telephoto lens is a type of lens that can be used to magnify subjects from a distance.

Sharpness and clarity make the difference between a good photo and an incredible one for many photographers.

This article will discuss which telephoto lenses are best for Nikon photography and how to take stunning photos with your camera effectively.

If you’re looking for a new lens to add some “oomph” to your photos but don’t want to spend thousands on an expensive lens, then you are in the right place.

Let’s get started!

Which is the best budget telephoto lens for Nikon?

Here are my recommended top 7 best budget telephoto lens for Nikon:

Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8: (best budget telephoto lens for Nikon fx)

Photographers are always looking for the best lens.

Whether it’s a portrait lens, an all-around lens, or a telephoto zoom, there’s one thing they all have in common.

You want to get the best bang for your buck.

The Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 gives you that and more!

This is hands down one of the best budget telephoto lenses on the market today for Nikon fx cameras.

It is perfect for any photographer who wants quality at an affordable price tag.

I’ve been a photographer for over 10 years and always want to upgrade my gear.

I was recently in the market for a new telephoto lens but couldn’t afford any expensive options.

That’s when I found this fantastic lens.

After researching it extensively, I learned that not only is this one of the best lenses on the market today at its price point.

But it also has features usually only seen on higher-end models, like vibration compensation and weather sealing.

This lens will easily get you the perfect shot for your latest project.

The following blog post will review all aspects of this fantastic lens, including what it can do and some things you should know before buying one.

Taking the best of both worlds, this lens has a lightning-fast F/2.8 aperture and is still lightweight and compact – with an ultra-comfortable grip!

Most importantly, this doesn’t skimp on quality, either.

It has the 4-stop advantage for shake reduction and a silent drive to eliminate that annoying noise that prevents you from capturing the perfect moment.

This is one tough guy that’s here to save your photography outings!

The best budget telephoto lens for Nikon FX, this is a versatile tool in many professional situations.

Winding up everything, the Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 lens is the best budget telephoto lens for Nikon FX cameras.

It has an incredible focal range, with a maximum aperture of 2.8.

That makes it perfect for shooting in low light conditions or capturing fast-moving subjects like sports players and animals at play.

This versatile zoom lens also features vibration compensation to minimize camera shake when handholding your DSLR camera without a tripod.

You are making it much easier to shoot great photos indoors or outdoors, even if you don’t have access to any other lighting equipment!

If you want excellent-quality shots but can’t afford expensive camera lenses, this is for you!

Pros
  • Excellent, bright f/2.8 aperture.
  • Excellent resolution.
  • Solid build quality.
  • Image stabilization.
  • Affordable in price.
Cons
  • Weak flare resistance.
  • Dimmed corners.
  • Sharpness drops off at 200mm.
  • Toggle switches are prone to accidental changes.

Tamron 70-210mm f/4: (best affordable telephoto lens for Nikon)

I’ve been photographing sporting events my entire life with these lenses.

And if you are in the market for an affordable telephoto lens, your search may be over.

The Tamron 70-210mm f/4 is one of the best lenses on the market at this price point and is reasonably priced.

The coolest part? This versatile lens makes a great addition to any photographer’s camera bag.

If you’re looking for an affordable telephoto zoom lens that will serve all your needs, look no further than this lens!

Tamron has been a trusted name in the photography industry for decades, but this lens is no exception.

This lens is straightforward to use and offers sharp images perfect for shooting portraits, sports events, wildlife shots, or anything else you might need it for.

Moreover, it’s affordable for those on a budget who want quality optics without spending too much money.

This being said, it has many pros: it’s lightweight, versatile, easy to focus on subjects at various distances from you, and it has minimal distortion.

It also takes high-quality, sharp photos around the edges with little flare when appropriately used.

The most important thing is that this affordable telephoto lens covers helpful portrait to medium telephoto perspectives.

With its constant f/4 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range.

It lets you get sharp, high-quality images with less softening of image quality by diffraction for more brilliant pictures.

This versatile lens also offers two additional stops in speed than non-VC lenses or about four times more vibration reduction than conventional systems.

Also, the result is clearer photos with significantly reduced blur due to camera shake when shooting handheld.

They allow you better enjoyment of your subjects while providing dramatic photo opportunities without difficulty!

You may be in the market for a new lens to help you improve your photography.

Nikon’s best affordable telephoto lens is the Tamron 70-210mm f/4.

Which can give you high-quality shots at an accessible price point.

If this product sounds like something you’d love to have in your camera bag, head here and get one today!

Pros
  • Lightweight & compact.
  • 1:3 macro reproduction.
  • Excellent crisp optics.
  • Image stabilization.
  • Dust and splash-resistant.
  • Fluorine protection.
  • Teleconverter compatibility.
Cons
  • Image quality dips at maximum zoom.
  • Some distortion and vignetting.

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3: (best budget telephoto lens for wildlife photography Nikon)

I’ve been a nature photographer for over 20 years and always look for new wildlife photography gear.

Recently, I had the opportunity to test out Tamron’s SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD lens.

And it was the best decision of my life.

This exciting lens features a wide range of magnifications, from super close-ups to outstanding quality at every focal length!

This lens will allow you to capture fantastic images of animals and birds.

Without getting dangerously close or using a teleconverter, which can degrade image quality.

This is a perfect lens for photographers who want to photograph wildlife without spending too much money.

It is the best budget telephoto lens for wildlife photography and offers excellent value.

The FLX (Flexible Zoom Lock) mechanism gives users unprecedented freedom to zoom at their preference.

Either they are locked for stability or free for precise zooming along any part of the double telescoping zoom rails.

Without worrying about the resultant camera shake from unwanted movement.

The Tamron 150-600mm best suits wildlife photographs.

But it can just as easily be used to capture big events, tight portraits of your family members, or landscape photography.

Moreover, it is lightweight and easy to hold.

They are making it ideal for carrying with you on a hiking tour before capturing some shots of an animal in its natural habitat.

This telephoto zoom lens lets you easily capture everything from birds and bugs to distant landscapes.

It’s also tough to hold up against all of your natural adventures.

This lens is an excellent option for Nikon cameras without breaking the bank!

As the best budget telephoto lens for wildlife photography, this is an excellent option if you’re an amateur or beginner photographer.

It has many features that make photographing animals in their natural habitat easier and offers one of the widest focal ranges available on any zoom lens today.

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 image quality outperforms almost every comparable model in this price range.

If you want a long-lasting solution without breaking your budget, try this lens from Tamron today!

Pros
  • Extremely sharp.
  • Excellent image stabilization.
  • Fast & reliable autofocus.
  • Lockable zoom mechanism.
  • Integrated Arca-Swiss foot.
  • Weather-sealed design.
Cons
  • Weak edge performance at wide and telephoto extremes.
  • Teleconverter use limits autofocus operation.

Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E: (best budget super-telephoto lens for Nikon)

What is the best budget super-telephoto lens for Nikon?

The answer might surprise you!

A customer asked me this question, so I decided to do some research.

I found many options, but most of them are not worth it.

Nikon has released its new AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR lens.

Which is excellent for those looking for something cheap and affordable with decent-quality results.

This review will explain why this is the best option on the market and discuss its features, specifications, and pros.

As the name implies, the Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E is a lens for photographers who are on a budget and need to get closer to their subjects without spending too much money.

Now, let us look into the features so that you can know how fantastic this lens is.

Firstly, the focal range of this lens spans from 70mm up to 300mm.

So you can easily capture anything in your frame – whether it’s wildlife in Africa or children playing at home!

With low-end lenses, there often comes some compromise in quality, but not here!

This Nikon lens produces sharp images that will make your photos stand out.

Because of its high-quality glass elements.

Focusing on its best features, you can get incredible detail shots almost 238 feet away.

It can still shoot close-ups with minimum distortion and sharp focus and is optimized for DX cameras.

Moreover, the maximum reproduction ratio gives you lots of flexibility without any observable difference in quality.

They are allowing it for industrial, journalism, or even sports photography!

Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E is the best budget super-telephoto lens for Nikon DSLR cameras.

In short, it’s better than any other camera equipment in its price range, with features like an autofocus mechanism that works on still and moving objects.

A compatible camera mount size of 67mm, lightweight construction weighing only 1 pound, and compatibility with all Nikkor lenses made since 1977.

Best of all? This product has no more expensive replacements.

This means you won’t have to upgrade your gear anytime soon!

Pros
  • Lightweight & compact.
  • Extremely sharp.
  • Superzoom range.
  • It is optically stabilized.
  • Quiet & reliable autofocus.
Cons
  • Dim corners at wider apertures.
  • Soft edges at 70mm.

Sigma 150-600mm 5-6.3: (best cheap telephoto lens for Nikon)

The Sigma 150-600mm 5-6.3 lens is a workhorse of the telephoto world, and for a good reason.

It’s reasonably priced, lightweight, and offers sharp images at all focal lengths with little to no chromatic aberration or distortion issues.

I have been a photographer for over twenty years and always look for new gear to add to my kit.

I had a great time with this lens, and it is an excellent option if you are looking for something that will last and perform well.

It handled everything from wildlife photos in Yellowstone National Park to shooting concerts without any problem whatsoever.

Anyone who is looking for a cheap telephoto lens should consider this one!

Why? This lens can also be used on any camera system so that it won’t matter your camera.

It is vital for professional photographers and those with hobbyist interests in photography; it was made for those who need to go long distances.

Moreover, it is compatible with Nikon cameras and can be used for wildlife, concerts, sports games, and many other situations where you must shoot from a distance.

This lens offers high-quality zoom and incredible details at affordable prices due to its lightweight and compact design.

The front glass has a water-repellent coating, so cleaning isn’t difficult!

The filter size is even bigger than most other lenses, making it economical.

The minimum focusing distance allows you to take incredibly close-up shots without being too far from the subject.

It’s even great for wildlife photography!

Despite its features, significant internal changes have been made, such as a water- and oil-repellant coating on the front glass element, which makes maintenance easier.

For photographers on a budget, this is the best product you can find for your camera.

It’s affordable, lightweight, and compact enough to travel with on your next vacation or family outing without adding too much weight or bulk to your bag.

The best part? This cheap telephoto lens is high quality–its specs are comparable to Nikon’s more expensive models.

If you’re looking for a telephoto lens that won’t break the bank, we recommend the Sigma 150-600mm 5-6.3.

Pros
  • Excellent telephoto reach.
  • Extremely sharp.
  • Quick autofocus
  • Image stabilization.
  • Affordable in price.
Cons
  • Some chromatic aberration.
  • Some pincushion distortion.
  • Heavy.
  • No dust- and splash-proof.

Tamron 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3: (best budget telephoto zoom lens for Nikon)

Have you ever wanted to take your photography game to the next level but never had the money for expensive equipment?

Well, I did just that, and it’s been great.

One of my favorite lenses is this Tamron 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 lens, which I use on my Nikon camera.

Tamron is a staple in the photography community.

And this invention has been one of the most popular lenses for Nikon cameras for years.

This lens is superb because it offers incredible quality at an affordable price to almost anyone!

It’s not only affordable but also very high quality!

It’s best for photographers who want to capture wildlife, sports, or other distant subjects with a long focal length.

Also, the autofocus motor is fast and quiet while remaining accurate.

This makes it great for capturing photos of moving subjects like animals on safari or children playing sports games in your backyard!

Did I mention that this great little bipod comes with a warranty?

This product has a six-year warranty and an exclusive coating on it, which reduces flare and ghosting.

That means you’ll never have to worry about getting a replacement for this mighty beast if anything happens to it!

It has excellent image quality with supreme sharpness from one end to another.

Along with magnification, up to 600mm full-frame equivalent telephoto reach on an APS-C-sized sensor!

It is one of the best budget telephoto zoom lenses for Nikon cameras.

It’s a lens that will never disappoint you when shooting wildlife, sports, or portraits from a distance.

This versatile lens can shoot anything from your average landscape photos to sporting events on other continents!

It has an ultra-wide aperture range allows photographers to take pictures in low-light conditions without using flash.

They create shallow depth-of-field shots with blurred backgrounds so their subject stands out more than they would otherwise do using a standard 50 mm lens.

If you want excellent-quality images, this powerful yet affordable optic should be one of your choices.

Tamron’s 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 lens is the best budget telephoto zoom for Nikon cameras today.

And it can be yours at a price that will leave you with extra money to buy other gear or save up for future photography adventures!

So what are you waiting for? Buy this lens to have the best pictures for your portfolio!

Pros
  • Lightweight & compact.
  • Excellent long telephoto reach.
  • Optical stabilization.
  • Fluorine lens coat.
  • Dust and moisture protection.
  • Optional tripod collar available.
  • Affordable in price.
Cons
  • Soft edge performance at 100mm and 400mm.
  • Some vignettes at maximum aperture.
  • Some pincushion distortion.

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6: (best budget telephoto Dslr lens for Nikon)

A wide variety of lenses are out there for different needs.

That said, finding one that works well for telephoto shots and offers an affordable price tag is hard.

Well, hey, guess what?

This lens does just that! Get quality in your Pentax collection with this super sweet Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6.

Tamron has long been a trusted name in the photography industry.

In fact, for those who have Nikon cameras, Tamron is one of your best options for affordable telephoto lenses.

I struggled with perfect pictures, and then I came across this lens.

All credits for my photography go to this lens.

This review will give you all the information you need to decide whether this is a suitable investment for your needs as a photographer.

This is the perfect equipment to take your photography up a notch!

It has so many features, so let’s get started.

The SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 lens is compact and lightweight with its fast focus and sharp photos.

It offers a versatile focal range and the best price point for an all-inclusive telephoto lens and pairs well with your Nikon DSLR camera.

This lens features superb optics and builds quality.

With its high-grade glass elements, smooth autofocus capabilities, and outstanding balance in weight distribution.

It is a perfect blend of affordability and features for the budding photographer who needs a telephoto zoom lens but doesn’t have much money to spend on one.

With the same build quality as lenses much more expensive than this one, this is an excellent choice for your next purchase.

The Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 is a budget-friendly telephoto lens with excellent quality and versatility for Nikon camera owners.

Who wants to expand their collection of lenses without breaking the bank?

Given this, it’s no wonder many photographers have been using this affordable lens with high satisfaction rates.

Not only does the price tag make you happy, but its beautiful images do, too!

This lens should be your priority to have perfect pictures cheaply.

Pros
  • Very affordable in price
  • Lighter & compact
  • Solid build quality
  • Moisture-resistant sealing.
Cons
  • It relies on in-body stabilization
  • Disappointing off-centered resolution
  • Narrow aperture limits low-light use

CONCLUSION:

Alright, guys, that concludes all the lenses we will discuss today in this article.

Do you guys have any experience with these lenses? What are your thoughts on them?

Which is your best budget telephoto lens for Nikon?

Is there a lens I didn’t mention in this article that you love using for telephoto photography?

Would you please leave your thoughts and comments below?

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