mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Owning a D850, it would be best to use Nikon lenses. Although, there are great lenses among third party manufacturers. None IMO, can beat Nikon's best 24-70mm in f2.8. If you are wanting to focus mostly on macro. You can choose among Nikon's micro lenses with a 1:1 magnification. Or save some money and go either Tamron or Sigma macro. Which are very good too. I have borrowed the Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro lens from a friend, to use on a Nikon crop sensor. Not for macro. The owner is into macro. He graduated from extension tubes. I liked it.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

I use a Macro for the purposes you have described. Ultra sharp and distortion-proof are Macro's typical strong points. If it is too sharp for portraits of older subjects it is very easy to be selective with softening techniques in post. If you want accuracy it is a strong option. Believe it or not, it also can work well with some street photography applications where there is a need for separation between camera and subject. Built-in stabilization makes all the difference with up close and personal photography for me.

Cheers!

Bullfrog Bill Loc: CT

Agree- 24-70 but not the VR version. It is a beast

abner

You guys are hilarious!

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

Best lens for sure, only I would be putting it on a Z6 instead of an 850!

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

CO

It was the Nikon AF-S Micro 105 mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR lens. The only other Nikon 105mm lens they tested is the Nikon AF-S 105 mm f/1.4E ED.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

It may be best if you consider eventually owning more than one lens! I used to do close ups and it worked very well, although I now own a true macro lens. My lens of choice then was my 70-300mm because it would focus on the subject and the background would be blurry [nice "bokeh"].

However, for one good all-around lens to start with, the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 is the one that will be able to do everything you mentioned. Coupled with the D850, you will get remarkable resolution and image quality. Here is why:
For close ups, you can get the image and crop without significant loss of quality.
For the paintings, you will have sufficient wide-angle view to capture them from a relatively close position.
For your students, whether you are doing portraits or images of them at work during lessons, the lens can capture what you need.

In addition, if you want to use it for other types of photography, such as landscapes, it is excellent. The only thing lacking is longer focal lengths, but that is where a longer lens will come in handy!

Note: When answering a post, it will let us know to whom you are responding if you hit "quote reply" to get the screen for answering. It will contain the other person's post!

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

I have the non-VR version, and it works fine hand-held as long as I can get sufficient light for a faster shutter speed. As for the VR version being a "beast", I have heard this a lot especially when referring to pro-level cameras and lenses. But unless weight is an issue for someone, the differences in weight are really not so much. If the OP wants to make a decision between the two versions, best to find somewhere to hold each of them. Hands-on is more definitive than any description!

BebuLamar

The 105mm f/2.8 micro would be good for close up. For copying the painting I would use a 50mm f/1.8 (f/1.8 because it's cheap and the faster version has no advantage for this task). The reason wide angle lenses are not good for copying flat art. Longer than 50mm may require too much distance from your painting and camera.

Bill_de Loc: US

Thank You!

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abner

Thanks Susan for the "quote reply" info plus the lens info....really appreciate it.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Other Dragonflies!!!!! It is a great shot!

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Sorry but we don't know who you are replying to in your comments. If you click on, Quote Reply, before answering it will tell exactly who you are replying to.

Welcome aboard,

Dennis

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I agree with the suggestion of the 105, 85 or 60.

However, I was experimenting with photo stacking on my D850 last night using my 70-200 and came up with this. It is not practical for macro or portraits but it did work for stacking.

I have the 105 and it is an excellent glass.

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