oconnortf

To the one reply early on who touts himself as an expert of some sort, but will not answer your questions... Why comment at all unless they are a complete tool?

As to your questions I recent bought a 200-500 Nikon and I love it, It's a bit pricey (for me at least) but a definite step up from my previous 70-300mm. It really depends on your what your preferred subjects are - I was also considering a Sigma 150-600 contemporary - They are a bit heavy but the captures are awesome.

I only have a 50mm prime but it works very well. again depending on your subject matter may alter your preferred choices - realize that if you buy lenses for crop sensor lenses most will work on your 850 but your in camera cropping or zooming to has to change to get the results you want

I do recommend connecting with other local photographers (who would be willing to shoot with you so you can try out some of their lenses) or connecting with a business that rents lenses.
nothing will sell you more on a lens then getting to try it out on your camera body

nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

Of my ff lenses, I would choose my 85mm f1.8 lens for use in that application with my D850. Good luck.

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

1. 70-200 f 2.8, FL.
2. 105G f 2.8
3. 105G f 2.8

Traveller_Jeff

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All your suggestions are helpful. I especially like the last one. I'm sure there's a photographers' meetup group in my area. I do have both a 35 and a 50 prime DX format. I also have an older 18-200mm zoom which is in fine shape (also DX) and the famous Tamron 150-600 G2. I'll use those in crop format until I begin to expand into the FX lenses that Hoggers have suggested here.

I'm not sure just how often I'd shoot in full format since each shot does use a lot more memory than might be necessary for most of my needs. Even with that limitation, I know the D850 will give me higher overall picture quality than the D500 I've been using for years. I love that camera, but as the old song says: I feel that I've got to travel on.

Lucius Loc: Denver, Colorado

I have an 850 and my main lens is the 24 - 70 2.8. My main prime lens is the 105 2.8. Is is a good macro and portrait lens. I have the 105 rather than the 85, because with the 105 I do not have to be close for macro stuff.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

An excellent camera like the D850 will make the best of many lenses. However, it takes the very best lenses to make the most of the D850.

Traveller_Jeff

That’s a super concise way of phrasing it. That is all part of the plan. Putting it all together piece by piece.

User ID

You really believe your camera corrects distortion with a 1970 lens ?!?! And you use a heavily vignetting lens for a copy lens ?!?!?!? And you recommend this to others ?!? Thaz very UHH of you. Thank you for upholding our sacred traditions.

Clients can be very uncritical, oftimes clueless. I guess we do agree on that.

Traveller_Jeff

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Why do you continuously find it necessary to be so sarcastic and abrasive? I don’t believe that’s ugly hedgehog behavior; it’s just ugly.

User ID

So instead I should just say polite things more like, “Excuse me brother Hog, but may I gently inform you that you should not be advising other members cuz you have no clue what your talking about.” ??

Seems to me better to just ask them if they actually believe the incredible advice they post and to thank them, rather than just tell them outright that their advice is really BS. If that comes off as sarcastic, then it does.

Archboo3 Loc: Central Florida

My main everyday walking around lens is: Nikon 24-120 f4
My goto zoom lens is the same: whether I am shooting a: social event, family, are just walking around the range works well. I do have a 70-200, but the 24-70 is my goto. the weight and the range and with my D850 or D810 and there Hi iso capabilities seldom need a lower aperture. If I do I have a lens for that.
As for my prime lens, I only have 2: a 50mm f1.8 and a 105 2.8

RailfanOH Loc: Ohio

This was not helpful reply to his question. Why did you bother except out of mean spirit?

Traveller_Jeff

He's the local UHH curmudgeon. Rarely, if ever, has anything useful to contribute.

pocotoo

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

Lens favorites are usually determined by ones subject matter.
I often fly with a formation flying team. In the air I use a 24-120mm.
On the ground I usually use my 200-500mm.
For my beach/sunset photography I use the same configuration. I have 2 D850 body’s so both lenses are at the ready .