5 Essential Lenses for the Nikon D850

Impressive Lenses for an Impressive Camera

Designed for dedicated professionals and experienced hobbyists, the Nikon D850 boasts an impressive range of features and capabilities.

This camera features a 45.7MP FX-Format BSI CMOS sensor coupled with an EXPEED 5 image processor, that allows the user to capture stunning, high-resolution images and 4K HD video. And, despite this impressively high resolution, the Nikon D580 maintains a relatively high capture rate, making it a favorite for professionals and connoisseurs alike. 

However, even with all of this, a camera is only as good as the lens you’re shooting with. It’s a good idea to start off with a basic collection of lenses and build, based on your personal needs, from there. Here are five essential lenses for the Nikon D850 designed for every need, ranging from macro and portraiture to wide-angle and action shots, to help you make the most of this impressive camera. 

Nikon 14–24mm f/2.8

Best Landscape Lens for the Nikon D850

Although this lens is on the more expensive, it is the definition of, “you get what you pay for.” In fact, this lens is so good, it’s well known for being mounted to non-Nikon bodies.

This lens will provide a crystal clear picture, at almost any f-stop and is surprisingly great in low light. And, although the lens wasn’t designed with any vibration reduction, the vibration reduction on the camera body should be more than enough to get the job done. 

One of the most distinct things about this popular lens is its strong bokeh effect, generated by nine different aperture blades. Perfect for landscape photography, this lens is weather-sealed to keep out moisture and dust with an anti-scratch coating on the front, making it ideal for less than ideal conditions. 

Like the majority of Nikon lenses, you can expect this to lens to product a beautiful final product with stunning resolution and perfect contrast. Perfect for landscape photography, real estate images, architecture, even general travel pictures, this lens is essential for the Nikon D850. 

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 ART

Best Portrait Lens for the Nikon D850

This is a professional portrait lens that delivers nothing less than outstanding quality and resolutions. It provides a subtle yet attractive booked effect and is well-known for its impressive portrait utility and extraordinary compression. 

This lens was designed specifically for portrait style photography, and while it excels on those fronts, it doesn’t offer much in the way of weather-proofing or light-weight travel capabilities. However, it does have an impressive auto-focus feature that is both accurate and sharp. So although it might not be the most versatile lens, it is definitely an essential for any Nikon D850 owner.  

Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Macro

Best Macro Lens for the Nikon D850

If you’ve been searching for the perfect macro lens to add to your kit, look no further. The Tamron SP 90mm is a favorite among professional photographers, and it’s available at an affordable price point. 

As any macro photographer knows, two of the things you’re most concerned about are movement and sound. Even the slightest movement will distort the photo, and if you’re capturing a live subject, an unexpected noise can disturb it. Well, Tamron has thought of everything. This lens has built-in vibration reduction and an autofocus that is not only fast but completely silent. 

And, as a result of additional coatings, including fluorine on the front element and eBAND & BBAR, this lens actively cuts out on flares, ghosting, and reflections, as well as adding a waterproofing element. 

The biggest complaint with this lens is that it tends to, very slightly, underexpose images. However, this can be easily fixed by adjusting your shutter speed and aperture. All in all, this lens will make a great addition to your kit.  

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART

Best Travel Lens for the Nikon D850

This lens is absolutely indispensable. It produces extraordinarily sharp images with a natural, clean bokeh, and has an entirely metal barrel, making it perfect for anyone who’s on the go. The standard filter size means that you won’t have to worry about additional accessories to make it work with your Nikon D850. 

The Sigma 50mm isn’t weather-sealed, but the entire ART line is well known for its impressive performance and minimal focus distance, which we think makes it more than worth it.  This lens also features Sigma’s signature hyper-sonic autofocus motor (HSM). The HSM allows the lens to focus, with extreme accuracy, at an astounding speed. And, thanks to the unique aperture, it works just as well in low light conditions.

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

Best Action Lens for the Nikon D850

Every camera should have a high-quality, reliable lens for action shots, and whether that be sports photography or wildlife photography, you need a lens that’s ready to shoot the second you need it. 

This Nikon 200-500mm is lightweight, relatively compact (for a telephoto lens), affordable, and it produces razor-sharp images. Advanced vibration reduction allows the photographer to use it without a tripod at any focal length, and a special Sport VR mode gives the lens the ability to track unpredictable subjects surprisingly well. And, the Silent Wave Motor helps the lens autofocus quickly and silently, making it ideal for wildlife photography. 

SEE ALSO – Top Portrait Photography Lenses for Nikon DSLRs

Keep Reading: