Best Lenses for Nikon D850 – Top 10 Picks (2023 Ultimate Guide)

This is a guide covering the best lenses for the Nikon D850.

The Nikon D850 is a great, versatile DSLR camera that appeals to numerous amateur and professional photographers.

Being a great camera, there are also a great number of lenses to choose from.

The Nikon D850 is a big deal for pro photographers and enthusiasts alike.

It has raised the standard when it comes to resolution and usability giving users a 45.7 MP sensor plus continuous shooting capability that stands out from the rest of the other professional DSLRs in the market today.

To allow you to maximize your D850, we’ve come up with some of the best Nikon D850 lenses.

Among these lenses include the best landscape and the best portrait lens for Nikon D850 among many others. If you choose a lens outside of this list, make sure it is an F-Mount Lens as that is the lens type compatible with the Nikon D850.

Also, note that the D850 is an FX camera body but I have also listed DX lenses. If using a DX lens on a full frame, divide by the crop – OR – put in DX mode or crop in. The reason some photographers like to use DX lenses on an FX camera body is for that beautiful vignette effect and sometimes cheaper prices.

In a hurry? Here’s the quick rundown:

• ⭐ Best Overall Lens for the Nikon D850
  • NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G

• 👩 Best Portrait Photography Lenses for the Nikon D850
  • NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
  • NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G
  • NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E

• 🌄 Best Landscape Photography Lenses for the Nikon D850
  • NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G
  • NIKKOR 28mm f/2.8D
  • NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED F/4.5
  • NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G

• 🚗 Best Street Photography Lenses for the Nikon D850
  • NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G
  • NIKKOR 28mm f/2.8D
  • NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G

• ⚾ Best Sports Photography Lenses for the Nikon D850
  • NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E

• 🌹 Best Macro Photography Lenses for the Nikon D850
  • NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G
  • NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G
  • NIKON 24-85mm F/3.5-4.5G

• 💸 Best Macro Photography Lenses for the Nikon D850
  • Nikon NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G

How to Choose the Best Lens for the Nikon D850?

Focal Length: Decide what type of photography you’ll be doing most and choose a lens with an appropriate focal length. If you plan to do a lot of landscape photography, a wide-angle lens would be a good choice. If you plan to do portraits or sports photography, a telephoto lens may be more appropriate.

Aperture: The D850 is a full-frame camera which means it can handle low-light situations very well. Look for a lens with a wide aperture (f/2.8 or lower) to take full advantage of this capability.

Image stabilization: If you plan to use your D850 for low-light photography, or you’re shooting at slow shutter speeds, the image stabilization feature is a must-have.

Quality of optics: The D850 is a high-resolution camera, so you’ll want a lens that can keep up with it. Look for lenses that are known for their sharpness and minimal distortion.

Weather sealing: If you plan to use your D850 in harsh weather conditions, look for lenses that have weather-sealing capabilities.

Zoom or prime: Zoom lenses are versatile and give you the freedom to change focal length without changing lenses, prime lenses are known for their sharpness and fast aperture.

Compatibility: Make sure the lens is compatible with the Nikon D850, which is a full-frame camera and it will work with full-frame compatible lenses.

10 Best Lenses for Nikon D850

1. NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G

Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Maximum aperture: F1.8
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Max Format size: APS-C / DX
• Focal length: 35mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Nikon F (DX)
• Weight: 210g (0.46 lb)
• Diameter: 70mm (2.76″)
• Length: 53mm (2.07″)
• Materials: Plastic barrel, metal mount

If you are looking for the best lenses for Nikon D850, I believe it might be a good idea to pay close attention to the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED lens.

It’s a versatile lens that comes with a wider perspective than your 50mm portrait lens.

It can work both as a wide-angle lens and a portrait camera giving you sharp and detailed images not to mention beautiful bokeh when shooting portraits.

It has a curved non-spherical surface that has reduced aberrations and provided users with a more compact design. It also has a multi-layer coating that brings out the best results in every shot.

Of all the best lenses for Nikon D850 that we’ve tested, we considered it the best overall lens for the camera because of its great performance in different scenarios including low-light situations.

It even comes with a quiet AF because of its ultrasonic AF motor.

Some users feel that using the wider aperture tends to give a softer result. Also, some consider the focusing to be a bit slow despite its AF is accurate. You get the lens to focus on the subject at 1/10th of a second.

Fortunately, it isn’t an issue most of the time because it wasn’t designed for action shots but mostly for portraits and shooting landscapes.

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2. NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G

Specifications:

• Lens type: Zoom lens
• Maximum aperture: F3.5-5.6
• Minimum aperture: F22-38
• Max Format size: APS-C / DX
• Focal length: 18–140mm
• Image stabilization: Yes
• Lens mount: Nikon F (DX)
• Weight: 490g (1.08 lb)
• Diameter: 78mm (3.07″)
• Length: 97mm (3.82″)

A lot of people don’t have the money to buy multiple lenses. Enter zoom lenses into the picture. Unfortunately, not all zoom lenses are created equal.

We consider the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED as the best budget lens because it comes with a wide range from 18mm to 140mm.

You get a wide-angle lens, a portrait lens, and a macro lens all in one package.

It is also one of the best lenses for the Nikon D850, especially for those who don’t want to switch lenses when they are using their camera. In terms of performance, it has extra-low dispersion glass that gives great contrast in your shots.

It is also equipped with a silent wave motor that performs well if you are going to use it to take action shots.

The downside to this lens is that it doesn’t do well in low-light scenarios.

It works perfectly during the daytime but indoors, it is quite a struggle to use.

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3. NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G

Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Maximum aperture: F1.8
• Minimum aperture: F16
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 50mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
• Weight: 185g (0.41 lb)
• Diameter: 72mm (2.83″)
• Length: 53mm (2.07″)
• Sealing: No

If you want a good lens that is pocket friendly, then you might want to consider the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f1.8G Lens. It’s a versatile lens in 90% of situations.

It comes in handy whether you are taking photos of cities or you are looking to shoot photographs of people.

It’s one of the best lenses for the Nikon D850 for many reasons.

First, you will notice unbelievable sharpness in its shots. Regardless if you are using a wide or the smallest aperture, you get great results throughout.

You also get a silent wave motor that gives you the ability to focus discreetly. And for those who want to shoot in manual focus, it comes with a switch by the side to turn off the motor.

When you use the wide aperture, it can give you superb bokeh not to mention great performance in low-light scenarios.

The downside to this lens is the absence of a good stabilization feature.

If you don’t have a tripod, there are instances when you will get shaky results.

Check out a full list of the best Nikon lenses for portraits.

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4. NIKKOR 28mm f/2.8D

Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Maximum aperture: F2.8
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 28mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
• Weight: 20 g (0.45 lb)
• Diameter: 65mm (2.56″)
• Length: 45mm (1.75″)
• Materials: Plastic barrel, metal mount
• Sealing: No

If you wish to have the best landscape lens for Nikon D850, we suggest that you consider the Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 28mm f/2.8D Lens.

Compared to a 35mm wide-angle lens, it produces wider results. It also performs well when it comes to shooting in low-light conditions.

Though it is considered one of the best lenses for the Nikon D850 and is arguably the best landscape lens for Nikon D850, you have to also note that it comes with a few cons.

Some photographers noted that the result is a bit soft for their taste. And considering that you are shooting landscapes that require sharpness, this can be quite disappointing if you use a wider aperture.

So might as well go for the small aperture from 5.6 and up.

However, using the lens is easy. You get fast and accurate autofocus. You also get the vibrant colors expected from Nikon lenses.

If used outdoors, it can even be the best portrait lens for Nikon D850.

It allows users to include more of the background when shooting portraits and even lets you include the person’s feet.

Also, check out the best Nikon lenses for landscape photography.

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5. NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G

Specifications:

• Lens type: Zoom lens
• Maximum aperture: F3.5-5.6
• Minimum aperture: F22-36
• Max Format size: APS-C / DX
• Focal length: 18–105mm
• Image stabilization: Yes
• Lens mount: Nikon F (DX)
• Weight: 420g (0.93 lb)
• Diameter: 76mm (2.99″)
• Length: 89mm (3.5″)
• Materials: Plastic barrel, plastic mount

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens is a great option for individuals who don’t want to waste their time switching lenses whenever they are shooting.

With an 18mm to 105mm focal point, this lens functions well whether you are shooting landscapes or you want to shoot portraits.

It comes with a vibration reduction feature that minimizes the shakes leading to more usable shots. What it does is enable you to enjoy handheld shooting.

No need to rely on a tripod to get the best results.

But what makes this stand out as one of the best lenses for the Nikon D850 is its ability to produce consistent color, reduced flair, and sharp images.

It is a highly versatile lens because you can use it in a lot of scenarios including taking closeup photos of small subjects and shooting sports (check out the best Nikon lenses for sports photography).

Though it is definitely one of the best Nikon D850 lenses, it comes with some flaws.

The biggest flaw has to be its build. It is mostly made of plastic making it feel flimsy.

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6. NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G

Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Maximum aperture: F1.4
• Minimum aperture: F16
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 50mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
• Weight: 290g (0.64 lb)
• Diameter: 74mm (2.89″)
• Length: 54mm (2.13″)
• Materials: Plastic barrel, metal mount
• Sealing: No

Though we have featured some of the best Nikon D850 lenses that perform well indoors and in low-light scenarios, the Nikon AF-S FX Nikkor 50mm F1.4G lens is a favorite if you don’t have access to a sunny setup.

As a 50mm lens, it gives you the versatility that you need whenever you are shooting portraits, landscapes, or even macro photography (check out the best Nikon macro lenses).

It also comes with an ultrasonic motor that gives a quiet and accurate focusing capability.

It comes in handy whether you are shooting in a studio setting, outdoors, or inside a building with limited light available for you.

It is a great choice for pros because the F1.4 aperture gives the user the versatility needed to bring great results regardless of the situation.

It also comes with sharp results when needed and a beautiful bokeh when you need to accentuate your subject’s face.

However, it is also worth mentioning that the 50mm F1.8 prime still takes sharper images than this lens.

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7. NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED F/4.5

Specifications:

• Lens type: Zoom lens
• Maximum aperture: F3.5-29
• Minimum aperture: F4.5-29
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 8–15mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
• Weight: 485g (1.07 lb)
• Diameter: 78mm (3.07″)
• Length: 83mm (3.27″)
• Materials: Magnesium alloy
• Sealing: No

The Nikon AF-S Fisheye Nikkor 8-15mm f3.5-4.5E ED lens is a great option if you wish to take ultra-wide shots or experiment with fisheye shots.

It gives you a 180-degree perspective of things, which is something that is not usually present in most Nikon lenses. This alone makes it stand out on our list of best lenses for the Nikon D8850.

By design, the Nikon AF-S Fisheye Nikkor 8-15mm f3.5-4.5E ED lens is weather-sealed making it suited even for rainy conditions.

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of instances wherein this lens becomes practical. And if you are budget conscious, this lens can easily turn you off.

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8. NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G

Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Maximum aperture: F1.4
• Minimum aperture: F16
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 24mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
• Weight: 620g (1.37 lb)
• Diameter: 83mm (3.27″)
• Length: 89mm (3.48″)
• Materials: Magnesium alloy barrel, metal mount
• Sealing: Yes

Wide-angle lenses are popular with outdoor enthusiasts and those who love to shoot street photography.

The Nikon AF-S FX Nikkor 24mm f1.4G ED lens is a great option for those who are looking not only to shoot beautiful sceneries but also cityscapes.

With its wide aperture, it is still useful even when you are dealing with a low-light situation.

However, it can also be used for taking portraits and group photos. And the practical application of this lens is when you want to blur the background of your subject or subjects.

The quality of shots that you get from this lens is top-notch. It has a nanocrystal coat that helps reduce ghosting and internal flare.

It was also made with aspherical lens elements that reduce aberrations across the different apertures.

You will have to invest more in this lens considering that it has a wide aperture that can go not only at F1.8 but F1.4. Is it worth it if you are only shooting landscapes? No.

However, if you choose to use this as your portrait lens, then this can be a good pick.

It can give you the versatility you need when shooting indoors especially if you want to have a wider perspective on your shots.

Also if interested, be sure to check out the full list of best Nikon wide-angle lenses.

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9. NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E

Specifications:

• Lens type: Zoom lens
• Maximum aperture: F2.8
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 70–200mm
• Image stabilization: Yes
• Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
• Weight: 1430g (3.15 lb)
• Diameter: 89mm (3.48″)
• Length: 203mm (7.97″)
• Materials: Magnesium alloy
• Sealing: Yes

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8FL ED VR lens is a great match for photographers dealing with a great distance from their subject.

Compared with the other zoom lenses in our list of best lenses for Nikon D850, this lens offers a wider aperture making it a great pick for those who want to shoot indoors.

It is a favorite choice among professional photographers because of the quality of shots that it can produce. But aside from the quality of the photo, focusing is among its strongest features.

It stands out from the rest of the other best lenses for the Nikon D850 because it locates the subject with ease.

Its silent wave motor is not only fast but also quiet at the same time.

It even comes with focus buttons around the lens barrel allowing you to shoot effortlessly with minimal misses.

Throughout the zoom range, you will also notice sharp and smooth images.

You can also enjoy this lens even outdoors thanks to its weather-sealed design.

The front lens has even been coated with a nonstick fluorine coat that resists smudges and scratches.

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10. NIKON 24-85mm F/3.5-4.5G

Specifications:

• Lens type: Zoom lens
• Maximum aperture: F3.5-4.6
• Minimum aperture: F22-29
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 24–85mm
• Image stabilization: Yes
• Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
• Weight: 485g (1.07 lb)
• Diameter: 78mm (3.07″)
• Length: 82mm (3.23″)
• Sealing: No

The Nikon 24-85mm F3.5-4.5G ED VR AF-S Nikkor Lens is the preferred lens for travel, weddings, and even for shooting cityscapes and landscapes.

It lets users shoot portraits, landscapes, and even macro photography given the range that it offers.

This lens also comes with superb vibration reduction that helps stabilize all your shots giving you the freedom to shoot with or without a tripod.

On top of that, it even focuses accurately and quietly thanks to the silent wave motor.

As far as the quality of the shots is concerned, you get sharp images and great contrast from this lens.

The biggest downside is that it doesn’t do well in low-light situations once you step around 50mm.

You also get to notice some edge softness if you go with 85mm.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Concluding Remarks

Hope you enjoyed this buyer’s guide on the best lenses for the Nikon D850.

There are a variety of options if you take a closer look at the best lenses for Nikon D850.

It comes in both zoom and fixed lenses that can help you in different scenarios.

Before picking one, be sure to check your budget and your requirements.

Also, check out the full list of the best Nikon lenses.

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