Best Lenses For Nikon D850 [2024 Review]

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The camera body alone is never enough to ensure a good photography experience. The body is the engine of the whole process, but the lens is the heart of photography.

Whether you want to capture landscapes or well-lit images in the nighttime, you need a good quality lens to go with your camera.

For this reason, some of the best cameras, such as the Nikon D850, also need you to invest in good lenses. Take a look at the best lenses reviewed for Nikon D850 that you can choose from. 

Review of the Best Lenses For Nikon D850 

The following are the top Nikon lenses on the market that can be used with the F-mount D850. All of our picks have been divided into categories based on their specialty and unique quality. 

Brand
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR
Nikon AF FX NIKKOR
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR
Product
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED...
Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Fixed Focal Length...
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED Vibration...
Focal Length
28-300mm
35mm
200-500mm
Aperture
f/3.5-5.6G ED
f/1.4G
f/5.6E ED
Brand
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR
Product
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED...
Focal Length
28-300mm
Aperture
f/3.5-5.6G ED
Brand
Nikon AF FX NIKKOR
Product
Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Fixed Focal Length...
Focal Length
35mm
Aperture
f/1.4G
Brand
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR
Product
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED Vibration...
Focal Length
200-500mm
Aperture
f/5.6E ED

Best Overall: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED...

PROS

  • High-quality, low-dispersion lens
  • Features a built-in image stabilizer 
  • Broad focal length ranging from 28 to 300mm 
  • Has easy manual and auto focus switch feature
  • Equipped with the renowned SWM by Nikon for silent and smooth functionality 

CONS

  • Buyers report poor sharpness

What Recent Buyers Report 

Buyers report that the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED focuses really smoothly and quickly, which made it useful on several photography occasions. Moreover, the buyers all vary from professional wedding photographers to portrait photographers, suggesting that it is fit for various purposes. Some buyers complain about their weight, but they are willing to overlook it. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

We find the lens construction of this product truly impressive. It stands out on the market with its SWM motor that ensures fast and silent focusing, along with a multi-coating lens that has aspherical elements guaranteeing distortion-free images and great color quality. All these features, along with the built-in stabilizer, make this a great product. 

Who Will Use This Most 

We would strongly recommend this lens to professional photographers. This is because it is so versatile, it can be used in numerous situations, and for several types of photography. So, professionals can invest in this one and use it anywhere and any way they like it. 

Bottom Line

To sum it up, this Nikon 28-300mm lens has a wide focal length and amazing focusing capability. It is built with high-grade material that is meant for rigorous professional use. It also has a built-in stabilizer, which further makes it a good product for travel photographers as well as for landscapes and portraits. 

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED...
  • Versatile 107x zoom lens with ED glass and VR II image stabilization
  • Optimized for edge to edge sharpness on both FX and DX-format
  • Covers a wide range of focal lengths to get the best out of every subject. Minimum Focus Distance-...

Runner-up: Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G

Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Fixed Focal Length...

PROS

  • Aspherical lens elements guarantee good quality images
  • Equipped with the advanced SWM and the RF technology
  • Wide aperture ensures good quality images in low lighting
  • Quick and smooth switch between manual and auto focusing
  • Crystal Nano lens coating ensures minimum flare and ghosting issues 

CONS

  • Noisy motor, as reported by buyers
  • Pricey product compared to other lenses

What Recent Buyers Report

A lot of buyers positively report the Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G to have a sturdy and rock-solid construction quality. This made it their top priority for various photography occasions. Buyers also find their focal length highly functional and better than other prime lenses. Moreover, buyer reports suggest that it is compact and weighs appropriately, and has a good depth of field capability too.

Why it Stands Out to Us 

This prime lens is equipped with exceptionally versatile features ranging from the SWM that ensure silent and quick focusing to Crystal Nano coating that is meant to enhance the image quality and the overall lens functionality. Moreover, it is also lightweight and compact but has a high-quality construction meant to last for a long time. 

Who Will Use This Most 

We would recommend this lens to both beginners and professionals. It has a relatively small size and lightweight, which also makes it portable and good for those wanting to travel with a lens. People who are more concerned with the background blur, bokeh, and taking detailed portraits can make great use out of this product. 

Bottom Line

In conclusion, this is a Nikon 35mm prime lens featuring a fixed focal length, making it appropriate for creating detailed depth of field and capturing sharp images. It has a wide aperture too, which means that it can be used in low light conditions as well.

Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Fixed Focal Length...
  • FX-format, ultra-fast classic wide-angle lens
  • Focal Length: 35 mm, Minimum Focus Distance - 1.0 ft
  • Nano Crystal Coat, Optimized for edge to edge sharpness on both FX and DX-format D-SLRs

Best for the Money: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED Vibration...

PROS

  • Has both auto and manual focusing capability
  • More affordable than other pricier Nikon lenses
  • Great for wildlife and sports events photography
  • Highly recommended for shooting in low lighting
  • Vibration reduction feature guarantees good quality images

CONS

  • Weighs more than most models on the market 

What Recent Buyers Report

A lot of the reports and feedback that this Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm lens got were from professional photographers. The reports tell us that it is meant for professional purposes like wildlife photography and spots even coverage. It is also reported to have a fast focusing capability, along with its image quality being of high-quality with minimum vignette and distortion. The buyer reports also tell us that it has an efficient design that has a well-balanced tripod bracket beneath. 

Why it Stands Out to Us 

Other than the impressive amount of positive and satisfactory customer feedback, it is all about price, performance, and durability. It has versatile features that range from exceptional zoom power of 500mm and image stabilizing features such as the VR to ensure high-quality images. 

Who Will Use This Most  

The lens is bulky, so it might not be the best choice for those wanting to travel or carry it in hand. However, people who need to capture fast-moving subjects and take quick shots can make great use out of it since it has a quick focus capability. Moreover, it also has a wide zoom range, making it good for distant photography. 

Bottom Line

To wrap it up, this budget-friendly yet well-designed lens is an outstanding product on the market. It is packed with unique features, with an exceptional zoom range of 500mm. Suitable for distant photography, the lens is the perfect choice for professional-level photography. 

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED Vibration...
  • Compact super telephoto zoom lens for birding, wildlife, motorsports, events and more
  • 500 millimeter of zoom power on fx format DSLR; 750 millimeter equivalent on dx format DSLRs,...
  • Fast f/5.6 constant aperture for beautiful out of focus backgrounds and low light performance

Best Prime Lens for Nikon D850: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G Lens for Nikon...

PROS

  • Has both auto and manual focus feature
  • Has a really smooth auto focus capability
  • Great for experimenting and creating bokeh
  • Lightweight construction, portability at its best
  • Highly recommended for long-distance landscapes 

CONS

  • No zoom capability
  • More expensive than many other prime lenses

What Recent Buyers Report

Buyers report that the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G has a good image quality, even in low or bad lighting. Other reports tell us that it is great for experimenting and creating high-quality bokeh along with its fast and reliable focus. People also used it for portraits, making it a versatile product overall.

Why it Stands Out to Us 

A lens is meant to add a touch of professionalism to your pictures, but it is also necessary to offer you convenience and ease of use. For this reason, this 58mm lens is meant for professionals and beginner photographers since it weighs only about 0.85 pounds, which is lighter than most alternatives on the market. 

Who Will Use This Most 

We think that the lens will work great for people who need to shoot in nighttime or indoors since it creates equally good images in good or bad lighting both. Moreover, it is also good for travel photographers since it is very lightweight and compact in size. 

Bottom Line

To sum it up, this is one of the most casual, simple, yet versatile products by Nikon. It has simple functionality but works great for professional uses too. It is lightweight and is meant for creating high-quality background blurs and bokeh as well. It is overall a great package offering a good price to performance ratio. 

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G Lens for Nikon...
  • Excels in low-light and nighttime applications
  • Maximum reproduction ratio: 0. 13x. Exceptionally sharp, evenly lit, high-contrast shots Focus Mode...
  • 9 rounded-blade aperture for excellent bike control

Best Landscape Lens for Nikon D850: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

PROS

  • Features a built-in lens hood
  • Dust and moisture-resistant build
  • High-speed auto focusing with the SWM 
  • Nano-crystal coating guarantees high-quality images
  • Aspherical lens element ensures minimum distortion in pictures

CONS

  • Slightly heavier than other models 
  • Chromatic aberration reported by some users 
  • Somewhat overpriced, cheaper alternatives are on the market

What Recent Buyers Report

The outstanding feedback this lens got revolved hugely around its capability to capture exceptionally well-lit pictures of the night sky. The 14-24mm lens was used by people to create some of the best quality night sky pictures, along with other reports suggesting that the auto focus is rather “silent” and exceptionally smooth. 

Why it Stands Out to Us 

The most distinctive feature of this Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED is its build quality. It is equipped with a dust and moisture resistant construction that will last you a long time guaranteeing value for your money. Moreover, it also has versatile lens elements that minimize distortion, such as the Nano-crystal coating and the aspherical element. 

Who Will Use This Most 

We would strongly recommend this lens to professionals. It is a high-end product and is, therefore, more appropriate for professionals rather than for beginner use. It is also great for night sky photography, and for landscape photography as well with its wide aperture.

Bottom Line

To sum it up, the fabulous night sky images shared by the buyers are very impressive. Thus, it is suitable for professional-level photography. It has a top-notch construction quality meant to last long for professionals who want to use the product rigorously. 

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
  • Focal Length Range: 14 -24 millimeter
  • Minimum focus distance 0.9 feet. (0.28 meter), minimum f/stop 22
  • Lens construction 14/11 (2 ED glass elements, 3 aspherical lenses and 1 Nano Crystal Coat)

Comparison of the Best Lenses For Nikon D850

Perks of Getting a New Lens For Your Nikon D850 

Many people think that good photography has to do with the camera body. This is true to a certain extent, but investing in good quality lenses is more important and advantageous. Take a look at the advantages of a new lens for Nikon D850. 

Cheaper Than Upgrading the Whole Camera

Cameras are more costly than lenses alone. Therefore, investing in a camera body regularly can be impractical and cost consuming. Lenses are more affordable yet efficient upgrades you can make to keep making improvements and upgrades to your photography set up. 

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED

Versatile Options 

Camera types on the market are limited. However, the variety of lenses on the market is truly diverse and versatile. There are different kinds of lenses for different types of photography purposes and occasions. Ultra-wide lenses are used for landscape photography, for example. And smaller lenses like the 50mm are used for portraits

Last Longer 

Lenses do not go obsolete as quick as the cameras. Every day, cameras are advancing, with features like wireless connectivity, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth and touch LCD screens. Lenses, on the other hand, are not that dynamic, and therefore last a really long time remaining fully functional. 

What Makes a Great Lens?

The lenses on our list are equipped with some special, extraordinary features that make them stand out on the market. The following are the important features that make a lens great. 

Good Construction Quality

The best lenses come with exceptionally reliable and strong construction quality. The lenses on our list feature dust-resistant, water-resistant, and sometimes even weather-resistant bodies. High-grade plastic or metal construction materials are the best. 

Manual and Auto focus Capability

A good lens is meant to have both manual and auto focus capability. This allows for versatility of use and also make it functional on various occasions and purposes. The switch between manual and auto focus should also be easy and swift. 

Lens Hood

Lens hoods ensure higher contrast and better color quality in the images by blocking extra light from hitting the lens and creating an imbalance in the exposure. Therefore, the best lenses come with built-in lens hoods and guarantee exceptional image quality. 

Built-in Stabilizer

Image stabilizers are important for capturing steady and stable images. Some Nikon lenses come with their well-known Vibration Reduction feature or the VR feature that acts as a built-in stabilizer. 

Aspects to Consider Before Buying

Before you can go ahead and purchase a lens for your camera, make sure to go through the following aspects and factors to ensure a safe investment. 

Warranty

Lenses can be cheaper than camera bodies themselves but still cost a good sum of money. It is important to make sure that your investment is safe by inquiring about the warranty it comes with. Warranties can get technical, and therefore you should understand the specifics fully so you can cover your costs. 

Customer Feedback

Customer feedback will help you in determining whether the product is right for you. Real customers sharing their experience can be of great value as you can also gather some tips and guide on how to use that particular lens. 

Focal Length

The focal length is crucial. It will determine the application and usage of your lens. Therefore, to make sure that the lens is fit for purpose, always check the focal length. 

Zoom Capability

The zooming capability of the lens will also determine the kind of shots you can take. Plus, you should also look for the quality of the zooming ring because they need to be smooth and precise so you can capture images efficiently. 

Auto focus Durability 

Many lenses that feature auto-focus are not reliable enough. The auto focus stops functioning after some time of use, which can be a total waste of money. Therefore, make sure that you check the durability and quality of the auto focus feature. 

People Also Ask

If you have decided to invest in a good quality lens rather than in a new camera, then this section will be really important for you. The following are some important queries and questions buyers have when purchasing new lenses. 

Is the Nikon D850 an F Mount?

All camera bodies have certain mount types that are compatible with specific lenses. The Nikon D850 is a Nikon F-mount camera. The Nikon F-mount type was launched first by the brand in 1959 and has been used in all advanced camera bodies ever since. 

Is Nikon D850 Full Frame?

A full-frame camera has the same format as that of a 35mm film. The Nikon D850 is also a full-frame camera. The other type of camera sensors is crop sensors, where the sensor sizes are anything smaller than a 35mm standard film. 

When Did the Nikon D850 Come Out?

The Nikon D850 is one of the latest market-leading cameras by Nikon that was launched in 2017. The camera has a full-frame sensor and has an F-mount type. The camera is a digital single-lens reflex or a DSLR.

Conclusion

To invest in a good quality lens is an important step for all photographers. Not only is upgrading camera lenses cheaper than upgrading the camera body, but the lenses also are a lot more long-lasting as they don’t go obsolete really quickly. Different lenses are suitable for different photography purposes and occasions. Wide angled, prime, zoom and fisheye lenses are just examples of how versatile and diverse products are on the market.