joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

You may want to consider a Sigma 24-104 f4 Art. Excellent lens, less of a beast, lower cost and more versatile.

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

ELNikkor

If you can, put the 24-85 f3.5-4.5 lens on your D850 and see if this lens "feels right" to you for a better fit for your daily user/walk-around. Having a 1 pound lens that reaches out to 85mm is my idea of the ideal lens for 90% of my photos, (and, you would be hard-pressed to see any difference in the quality of your photos from most of those done with the expensive, cumbersome 24-(only)70mm f2.8).

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

I shouldn't comment as my standard carry includes the 18-140mm lens and the two battery base but over time I've found the extra weight has paid off many, many times. The lens is not fast so not that heavy but the extra mm range has paid it's way more than extra speed would have. I consider Photoshop a camera accessory so that makes up for some of the shortcomings of the lens.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

A fast 50mm prime is a great idea. That lens is sometimes called 'natural" because it has the same angle of view as our eyes. BTW don't ever be shy about posting an image. Mistakes don't count (we all make them) but it's what you after that counts. And many of us (me especially) are far from fabulous photographers

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The 24-70 range on full frame (17-55 on APSC, 12-35 on Micro 4/3) is nearly every professional’s “go to” lens for probably half to 2/3 their work. The other two of the “holy trinity” f/2.8 zooms are the 14-24 and the 70-200.

The full frame lenses are heavy. If you need a lighter lens, a slower (f/4) version of the same or similar range may be easier to carry. Or, you could use prime lenses and “zoom with your feet.” A 24, 35, 50, and 85 would complement your macro lens quite well. Just carry one or two at a time!

guitarbts Loc: Charlotte, NC

I have the 24-70 2.8 Tamron and the 24-120 f/4 Nikon. I use the 24-120 for a walk about lens. But I do love the 24-70 for all my photo jobs such as weddings.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

Let me re post my reply, I failed to add a key word.
PLEASE DO NOT be afraid to post photos or feel intimidated. People are here for people. This is how we learn and share knowledge and experience. Welcome aboard.
Bruce.

willy6419

consider a carrying device like a cotton carrier. Spreads the weight, frees your hands as you hike and is almost instantly available if needed.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

You chose one of the best camera/lens combinations, and you should be able to handle the weight unless you have a physical reason. It just takes some getting used to. Also, if you research weights using the specifications of different models, you will find that the differences are usually not all that significant. Always consider the weight of the combination. Yes, some lenses are light enough, but consider also whether they have the characteristics that will satisfy your needs.

I started with a crop-sensor camera, and crop-sensor lenses. They worked very well, but as I progressed in photography, I began to see the benefits of full-frame gear, for my particular photographic objectives.

When I bought the D810, I also heard what a "beast" it was, but could see the weight differential was not all that much. I ignored those comments and took the leap! I had already acquired full-frame lenses in preparation, including the 24-70 f/2.8. My observation was that the full frame lenses produced excellent results on the crop-sensor camera, but better results when used with a camera that could bring out their great qualities.

A lens can only perform up to the capabilities of the camera, and in turn, a camera can only perform up to the capabilities of the lens. Not sure if I am completely accurate in an analogy that comes to mind, but here it is: As a painter, you must choose your equipment carefully. If any single tool is inferior, it holds the possibility of not permitting your work to come out the way you wish. A good painter can overcome a lot of hardships, learning to make the best of what is available, but will still feel the limitations of transforming a vision of the finished work into reality.

For taking pictures of the countryside around Taos, the 24-70 has enough of a wide-angle view to encompass a large amount of the landscape. It also has enough length to capture even distant landscapes with a good amount of detail. And the D850 has the resolution capability to allow cropping - such as when to get the scene you want, you have to capture too much of the sky and/or foreground.

If you have a good tripod, you can also do panoramas by stitching together multiple images. You did not mention what camera you were using before, but if it was not a DSLR you have a learning curve ahead! I went from a digital point-and-shoot to a DSLR, but worked hard at learning.

One thing to keep in mind when looking at other lenses, is that in general the longer the focal length range of a zoom lens, the less likely the lens will be sharp throughout its focal lengths. The longer range may be more convenient and easier to carry around, but that does not mean the quality will equal a lens with a shorter range. This characteristic has improved with better lens-manufacturing technology, but still something to keep in mind.

I am still learning! Just to illustrate what i am speaking of, I will attach an image of our local apple orchard in spring. This picture is a one-shot panorama, taken with the D810 and the 24-70mm, and I had to crop both top and bottom.

Hope this helps!
Susan

(Download)

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

On one hand you're asking for a walk- around lens, and then you say, this lens will be used to copy artwork, those two are totally different, so which will it be?

Bullfrog Bill Loc: CT

I have made the “beast” comment before. Get the non VR version. It has great optics is smaller (77 vs 82 mm) filters, shorter and lighter.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

edit: 24-105

aellman Loc: Boston MA

I am gratified that you accurately assessed me as "fabulous photographer." I heartily agree, and if anyone disputes it, they can just ask for my opinion! Seriously, if you don't usually need the light-gathering power of an f2.8 lens, a relatively inexpensive "kit" lens could be your go-to. That's what I use, and it has worked perfectly for my needs. >Alan

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

BY all means hang on to the 24-70 for there will surely be times you want the best you have for a particular shoot. There is always an "on the other hand" though.
On the other hand,if you are wanting a lens for every day casual shooting there have been several good lenses mentioned. The 24-85 and the 24-120 are relatively light weight and inexpensive. The old standby 50mm 1.8 can't be beat for an everyday, keep it on the camera lens as it will also work better than a wide angle lens for those wide angle shots by using multiple stitched images. (an easy technique to learn and use).
See: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-537583-1.html

All of our suggestions have to be filtered by how you want to use your equipment and what you will wind up photographing the most. I suspect you will want to photograph the subjects you prefer to paint. Think about which lens or lenses will fill that need.