The Nikon D850 is one of Nikon’s most popular DSLR cameras with a high resolution of 46MP.
It’s also super-fast and has an excellent burst rate, which makes it a great camera for lots of different photography types.
Not to mention that it shoots stunning videos at UHD 4K!
Are you looking to step up your photography game even more? We’ve compiled a list of the best NIkon 850 lenses you might be interested in.
From standard zoom to specialty macro and telephoto lenses, this guide will covers everything you need to know.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Want to get a quick recommendation? Try the AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR.
When choosing a lens for the Nikon D850, here are the most common types of lenses you will find:
Perhaps the single most popular type of lens is the zoom lens. It’s a versatile option that comes with a variable zoom range, so you can easily change the focal length of your lens simply by twisting the lens.
For instance, a 70-200mm lens means you can zoom anywhere between the 70 to 200mm range. This is a great lens to go for if you want something that can photograph both nearby and farther subjects.
On the other hand, we have the prime lens. This is another classic lens type, but it comes with a fixed focal length that you cannot zoom in or out.
Its main benefit is that because the lens specializes in a single length, it’s usually much faster and produces better-quality photos.
Sure, any lens can technically be a portrait lens if you use it for photographing people. Yet certain features like the right focal length and aperture will help you take beautiful portraits.
The ideal portrait lens is between 70 and 135mm in focal length, while a sufficiently wide aperture can give you gorgeous bokeh.
If you enjoy taking photos of landscapes and architecture, then we recommend getting a wide-angle lens. Its wide focal field is a game changer as it lets you capture an entire scene into a single frame.
The focal length for a wide-angle lens is usually around 16 to 35mm. It’s great because each detail in your photo can stay sharp and with high contrast.
Telephoto lenses are large and powerful lenses, usually within the 100 to 600mm range or more. These lenses have incredible zoom capabilities so you can capture subjects that are far away.
Made specifically for sports and wildlife, a telephoto lens may be better suited for serious photographers and professionals. That’s because the lens can be expensive and heavy, so you might need to use a tripod.
Last but not least, a macro lens refers to a lens with 1:1 reproduction ratio or life-sized magnification. It means that you can capture subjects that are physically close up to the lens and still maintain superb sharpness and clarity.
This is a great lens to have if you want to photograph insects, flowers, and any other small subjects. We also love the macro lens for food photography!
There are several essential factors that you should be paying attention to when choosing a good lens. Let’s break them down.
Measured in milimeters, the focal length refers to the distance between the lens’ center and the focus. This tells you how much of a scene that your camera can capture in one frame.
A shorter focal length, let’s say 18 or 24mm, can show more of a scene and is used for wide-angle lenses. Whereas longer focal lengths of 200mm or more are typical of telephoto lens.
The aperture of a lens gauges the size of the opening where light can enter and is measured in f-stops. A larger number means the opening is smaller, while a smaller number denotes a wider aperture.
To illustrate, an f/2.8 aperture can take sharper and better photos in dark environments compared to f/4. Bear in mind that lenses with a wider max aperture cost more.
The Nikon D850 doesn’t come with built-in image stabilization, which means it’s always a good idea to look for lenses with stabilization.
This will ensure that you can take crisp, sharp, and blur-free photos even when not using a tripod. This can be especially helpful in low light and for shooting videos.
If you’re planning to travel with your camera, you might want to go for a lighter and more compact lens. Meanwhile, a wildlife photographer may need to sacrifice some portability for a high-quality telephoto lens.
Note that the D850 itself weighs just over 1 kg, so any lens you choose will be extra weight to carry. The size is also an important factor as it affects how easy the camera will be to pack and use handheld.
Good news! The D850 has weather-sealing so it can withstand light rain and dust, while its magnesium alloy body also means that the camera is pretty solid and resistant to shock.
With that said, we still recommend checking the build quality of your lens as it can determine how long it’ll last and how tough it is in outdoor conditions.
As a full-framed DSLR camera, the Nikon D850 is certainly not a cheap camera. The price for its lenses can also be quite expensive, which means it’s important to really think about the features and specs that you need.
For example, it can be worth getting an all-rounder like a zoom lens for general photography. You can also save a few hundred dollars by choosing a F/3.5 over F/1.8 aperture, especially if you’re not planning to shoot in extremely low-light conditions.
Lastly, don’t overlook the type of lens itself, which we’ve talked about in the previous section. Knowing what you want to use the camera for will make it much easier to choose the right lens for your D850.
For instance, a casual hobbyist would find that a standard zoom lens can cover all their needs. But professional photographers may want to find a specific lens for their purpose, like a portrait or macro lens.
Minimum focus distance: 0.5 m
Focal length: 28-300 mm
Max aperture: f/3.5
Filter diameter: 77 mm
Weight: 800 g
Size (diameter x length): 83 x 114.5 mm
Our favorite thing about the AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is its incredible versatility and sharpness throughout the range. From wide-angle to telephoto, your photos will come out super sharp.
The lens comes with VR image stabilization to ensure blur-free shooting even when handheld. This is also great if you want to capture stable and shake-free videos without the help of expensive DSLR gimbals.
In terms of its zoom range, this lens excels in multiple purposes: travel, landscape, portraits, and faraway subjects. You name it!
Featuring advanced lens technologies and NIKKOR quality glass, there’s no reason to doubt its performance.
It includes 2 Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Elements and 3 Aspherical Lens Elements.
Overall, we really think that this Nikon lens is a top-notch choice if you’re looking for an all-rounder.
It is admittedly not the most lightweight design, but 800g is pretty solid for a DSLR lens!
Minimum focus distance: 0.28 m
Focal length: 24-35 mm
Max aperture: f/2
Filter diameter: 82 mm
Weight: 940 g
Size (diameter x length): 87.6 x 122.7 mm
Speaking of lenses, you may notice that the previous Nikon lens doesn’t have the widest of apertures. This is where the Sigma 24-35mm F2 DG HSM Art comes in.
It’s one of the first large-aperture full-frame wide-angle zoom lenses in the market, which is great if you want a game-changing lens for low light conditions.
This ability to capture so much light is just spectacular.
What’s also amazing is that this zoom lens offers the photo quality of a prime lens.
Plus, it comes with an exception lens hood, a useful AF/MF switch, and HSM (hypersonic motor) for a speedy but quiet autofocus.
Its build quality is impressive too: brass mount with a rugged construction and TSC parts deliver an outstanding durability.
Minimum focus distance: 0.8 m
Focal length: 85 mm
Max aperture: f/1.8
Filter diameter: 67 mm
Weight: 350 g
Size (diameter x length): 83 x 73 mm
The best prime lens for this camera is certainly the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G.
Combining the best of Nikon’s lens technologies, it has superb features such as Super Integrated Coating, IF Lens, and Silent Wave Motor.
It’s a pretty affordable prime lens with a versatile focal length, as 85mm is perfect for portraits and general street photography alike.
From a fast aperture to exceptional HD videos, some might even consider this a medium telephoto lens. That means you can use it to capture moments in a wedding or concert with no problem.
We also love the fact that it’s extremely lightweight and compact, especially for a DSLR like the D850.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with any optical stabilization and has a plastic focus ring, which may make the build quality feel less solid.
Minimum focus distance: 0.85 m
Focal length: 85 mm
Max aperture: f/1.4
Filter diameter: 77 mm
Weight: 595 g
Size (diameter x length): 86.2 x 84 mm
A similar lens to the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 that we’ve just mentioned is actually its f/1.4 counterpart.
This is a slight upgrade that gives you the ultimate performance for portraiture, as well as impressive performance in low light.
Most importantly in portraits, though, is the gorgeous bokeh that you can achieve, thanks to the rounded 9-bade diaphragm that ensures extraordinary depth-of-field control.
Meanwhile, it also comes with Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor and Nano Crystal Coat, while the Super Integrated Coating (SIC) also contributes for minimal ghosting and flare.
In terms of weight and size, this lens is quite compact and lightweight, making it easily portable and perfect for shooting portraits.
If you’re ever visiting a diverse country like India, this is the lens to take with you!
All in all, we think that this is the lens to choose for any serious portrait photographer who owns the Nikon D850.
There is some visible vignetting at f/1.4, but it’s very much natural vignetting and won’t affect your photograph much.
Minimum focus distance: 0.314 m
Focal length: 105 mm
Max aperture: f/2.8
Filter diameter: 62 mm
Weight: 720 g
Size (diameter x length): 83 x 116 mm
Are you interested in macro photography? The Nikon 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR Micro is hands-down one of the best out there for the Nikon D850.
This lens is specifically great for close-up shooting as it offers a stunning image quality and quite fast f/2.8 aperture.
Of course, it also comes with trademark Nikon features including the Silent Wave Motor and VR image stabilization. It’s great to capture small and skittish insects as the AF noise won’t scare them away!
Oh, the image stabilization also supports 3.0 stops of blur free shooting.
While this Nikon lens is optimized for macro photography, we think it’s still perfectly decent to use for other situations too.
Minimum focus distance: 0.3 m
Focal length: 17-70 mm
Max aperture: f/2.8
Filter diameter: 5 mm
Weight: 515 g
Size (diameter x length): 73 x 95 mm
Fort those just starting out and unsure if they want to invest too much for a macro lens, the Tokina atx-i 100mm f/2.8 FF Macro can be an excellent alternative for you.
This compact medium tele macro lens offers a fast aperture, low distortion, as well beautiful and smooth bokeh.
As such, you can also use this lens for other purposes other than macro. From portraits and landscapes, to commercial shots alike!
And at just 515g, it’s even more lightweight than the Nikon 105mm f/2.8G.
Another feature that we love is the focus range limiter switch. This allows you to lock the focus in or out of the macro range, so that the lens won’t be constantly adjusting the autofocus.
The direction of the manual focusing ring matches the proprietary direction of Nikon and Canon lenses.
Not to mention the manual apertured ring that also means you can use this Tokina lens with other cameras you might have!
Minimum focus distance: 0.28 m
Focal length: 14-24 mm
Max aperture: f/2.8
Filter diameter: -
Weight: 1000 g
Size (diameter x length): 98 x 131.5 mm
The Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G is our top choice for wide-angle lenses. From landscape and nature to architecture and interior photography, it’s got them all covered.
With a fixed f/2.8 maximum aperture, this lens excels in low light and combining that with its ultra-wide-angle capability, you can achieve some truly amazing shots.
We love the edge-to-edge sharpness and high contrast that you get in all the photos.
In addition to Nikon’s signature Nano Crystal and Super Integrated Coating, there are also two ED elements and 3 aspherical lenses. All of these work to reduce ghosting, flare, and chromatic aberrations.
Plus, the Internal Focus (IF) technology ensures precise, silent, but fast autofocusing.
In other words, the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G is a fantastic and reliable lens for anyone who is a serious wide-angle photographer.
The one downside is probably its heavy weight and higher price, which may make it less ideal for beginners and casual photographers.
Minimum focus distance: 0.26 m
Focal length: 28 mm
Max aperture: f/2.8
Filter diameter: 52 mm
Weight: 205 g
Size (diameter x length): 66 x 45.72 mm
However versatile a wide-angle zoom lens may be, sometimes a prime lens can be much suited for what you need.
For instance, the AF NIKKOR 28mm f/2.8D is a compact powerhouse with manual aperture control at a reasonable price. This can be a great, more budget-friendly option for landscape and nature enthusiasts.
It’s overall the best lens if you want a wide angle in an incredibly compact and portable design.
In fact, it’s among one of the lightest lenses for the Nikon D850! We’d highly recommend it for trips to picturesque destinations like Thailand.
You can be as close as 26cm from your subject and maintain a wide-angle perspective that is flattering. So you can use it for portraits and sprawling sceneries alike.
Moreover, the built-in aperture control ring ensures smooth adjustment when you use Live View shooting.
And don’t think that its affordable price means that the optics and performance aren’t impressive!
Minimum focus distance: 1.4 m
Focal length: 70-200 mm
Max aperture: f/2.8
Filter diameter: 77 mm
Weight: 1540 g
Size (diameter x length): 87 x 205.5 mm
When it comes to the best overall telephoto lens, nothing comes close to the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G.
This is the lens to go for if you want to shoot wildlife, portraits, sports, or fashion. Its fast f/2.8 aperture ensures excellent performance in low light.
It’s a surprisingly versatile lens with a useful focal range, as the 70mm end is close enough for nearby shots.
We also love that it features Nikon’s super steady Vibration Reduction. This ensures 3.5 stops of blur-free shooting, which means it’s still possible to capture sharp photos handheld.
Although admittedly, its heavy and bulky design might make extensive handheld shooting more challenging.
A lot of pros have claimed that this lens’ autofocus is super fast and responsive.
Not to mention precise and beautiful colors, contrast, and awesome bokeh.
Minimum focus distance: 1.89 m
Focal length: 200 mm
Max aperture: f/2
Filter diameter: 52 mm
Weight: 2900 g
Size (diameter x length): 124 x 203 mm
The AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II has been the go-to telephoto lens for many professional photographers.
This powerful prime lens is what you need to capture fleeting moments in fast-paced, action-packed situations. Including sports, concerts, or even wildlife.
It comes with the updated second generation Vibration Reduction (VR II) for the best image stabilization and a tripod detection mode.
There’s also Nano Crystal Coat (N) to reduce flare and ghosting, as well as a fast f/2 aperture for beautiful bokeh and shallow depth-of-field.
All in all, this Nikon lens can give you razor-sharp photos even in the most demanding environments.
Minimum focus distance: 0.4 m
Focal length: 50 mm
Max aperture: f/1.4
Filter diameter: 77 mm
Weight: 815 g
Size (diameter x length): 85.4 × 99.9 mm
If you want to capture lots of videos with your D850, we recommend checking out the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art.
This prime lens has a wide f/1.4 aperture and is equipped with advanced lens elements with amazing optics.
The Hyper Sonic AF Motor is amazing as it’s quiet and quick, so you can enjoy a smooth video even whe adjusting the focus. There’s also a manual focusing control ring that you can use to override anytime.
Additionally, this lens works well for most photography types, namely portraits, landscapes, and still life.
Minimum focus distance: 0.3 m
Focal length: 35 mm
Max aperture: f/1.4
Filter diameter: 67 mm
Weight: 665 g
Size (diameter x length): 77 × 94 mm
For travel bloggers or photographers who are looking for a compact lens with uncompromising quality and performance, look no further than the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM.
It’s basically a fantastic prime wide-angle lens with an accurate and fast inner focusing system and Hyper Sonic Motor.
From stunning landscapes and historical architecture, to beautiful night skies and bustling streets, there is nothing you can’t shoot with this lens.
It also features a pretty solid build, although the lack of weather-sealing may be a concern for some.
Plus, we love the wide f/1.4 aperture, which means you can easily capture sharp and blur-free images even in poorly lit environments.
This is especially useful when travelling, because you never know what kind of lighting you’ll face in the most interesting places.
Oh, and its decent size and weight makes it convenient to pack into any of your camera backpack!
There’s no one answer as the best lens for you depends on your photography needs. For an all-rounder, try the AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, a great zoom lens that’s super versatile.
You can use most F-mount lenses on your Nikon D850 as it has an F mount. There are roughly 316 native lenses to choose from, which simply means lenses that are directly compatible and don’t need any adaptor to use.
Yes! The Nikon D850 is a great camera for blogging and street photography. We recommend looking at the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM.
With 7 fps burst rate, impressive focus, and excellent cropping power, the D850 is a fantastic camera to use for wildlife photography.
Check out the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G for the ultimate telephoto lens that can help you capture faraway animals in the wilderness.
The Nikon D850 was launched back on 24 August 2017. It was the first Nikon DSLR camera to feature a back-illuminated image sensor for the best noise improvement yet.
In 2022, the D850 remains a very relevant camera and one of the best especially for its price point.
The D850 offers 45.7 megapixels. This is quite high and suitable even for various professional purposes.
At the end of the day, which lens to get depends on your own needs and preferences.
The Nikon D850 is no doubt one of the best travel cameras you can find, especially for serious photographers who want the professional-level quality of a DSLR.
We do hope this guide has made the buying process easier as it narrows down your options.
Don’t forget to consider the different factors we’ve talked about!
What do you think? Did we miss out any other good lenses for the D850?
Which of these lenses are you getting?
Drop us a comment below!
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