Raybo Loc: George Town, Grand Cayman

Tired of my cell phone taking better photos than a "budget" oriented ASP-C camera I bought last fall does. Took photos on vacation in NE last fall that were really good, pretty much properly exposed, but just lousy resolution...

So, about to pull the trigger on a D850. Looking for feedback on the lens selection I'm looking at to get started with to put together a starter kit.

Interests are as follows:

1. Landscape...sunrise, sunset, mountains (valleys) when on vacation I live on an island (very small and flat), so SR/SS with and without clouds is a primary source of opportunity.

2. Low light night, moon, lightning.

3. Macro....but none of the lenses below apply. For a later discussion.

4. Wildlife

5. All the rest...really have somewhere between little, and no, interest in people being in my images. (Wife of 37 years and 32 year old daughter excepted)

Have little to no loyalty to "name brand" lenses...if it works, and is more economical, all the better.

I'm not a "professional", but I am, by nature, critical, so want something in >85% range on quality

These are what I'm looking at to get started with on the D850:.

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

Tamron 24-70mm F/2.8 G2 Di VC USD G2

Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2

Any and all comments and constructive criticism welcome

Cheers

Bill_de Loc: US

I don't know the Tamron lenses, but I'd say your focal length selection is sound. I'm also a fan of F/2.8 constant maximum aperture.

Although I chose Nikon, I do have the 24-70 and 70-200 with the D850. Eventually I'll replace my 17- 35 with the 14-24.

Happy shooting!

--

NikonZSeriesMike Loc: Naples, FL

Congratulations on your D850. It’s in my future plans. Presently I have a D750 and the Tamron 24-70 G2 and the Tamron 70-200 G2. I have had great success with both. The build quality is excellent and the price point is tough to beat.

Naturally the Nikon versions are excellent in their own right. My budget wouldn’t allow it. I have no issues with the Tamron lenses and glad I bought them.

Good luck with your research!

Mike

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

For landscapes, take a look at either the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 or Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 Art. I have the Sigma and it does not disappoint. They will work fine for astrophotography as well. I decided on the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 G2 and you will find it is an excellent lens for general stuff as it covers the "normal" primes and will do portraits at the long end. I also have the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 G2 and it is a great lens for portraits. For wildlife, go with the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6. Alternatives are the Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 G2 or Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Sport. Look at the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 or the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 for a macro lens.

ahudina Loc: Browns Point, WA

I too shoot with the d 850. I would substitute the sigma 14-24 2.8 Art for the Nikon version. Read the reviews and use the savings for the Nikon 70 - 200, which warrants the stellar reviews. I am also very happy with my Nikon 24-70. Best of luck.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

When you want to do a bit of research concerning a true macro lens, drop by the True Macro-Photography Forum at https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html
I personally shoot with a Nikon D800e.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Are you talking about the current edition of these lenses? Is the VR edition of the 24-70 really necessary? He might save some money by going with the previous version there. However, the current version of the 70-200 would probably be his best bet there.

The 24-70 stays on my D800 most of the time.

Wilhan

The lenses most used on my D850 are, Tamron f2.8 24-70mm G2, Nikon f4 16-35mm (this lens has a threaded filter mount so I can use my Nisi filter system without having to buy an expensive filter mount), Nikon f4 300mm PF lens and a Nikon 1.4III 1.4 teleconverter which combined gives a focal length of 420mm (the 300mm PF is about the same size as the 24-70mm but weighs less) and a Nikon f4 70-200mm (I had the f2.8 70-200mm and it was a great lens except for the size and weight and because of this was a pain to carry so mostly stayed at home not being used.

The D850 is a fabulous camera but it's not light so it will be worth factoring in the combined weight of the camera and any potential lens.

Pistnbroke Loc: UK

You don't say what your last camera was but did you up the sharpness to +9 ?? If not the pics will be soft.
When you get your D850 don't forget to set the fine focus adjust or in essence you pictures will be just off.
Not possible with D3000/5000 series. D7100 up have FFA
For me and I used it a lot Get the Nikon 28-300, ( why carry a bag full of lenses/) for interiors the Samyang 14mm F2.8 and for birds the Nikon 200-500 . ( if weight is a problem the Tamron 100-400 is excellent the 400mm end is good for macro at 1.5m )
The Nikon 24-85 the VR version is fantastic value and very sharp.

Flyhigh Loc: Seattle, Palm Desert

I just gave my D800e to my son and bought the 850. It's a remarkable camera. It will be at least a 3-5 year learning experience and I can't wait to get started. I have a camera rolling case with enough lenses to start a lens store. With your new camera, I would suggest taking small steps in adding lenses as needed. Right now I have a Nikon 24-70 2.8 attached to the camera and that has been on the camera since the camera was new. I do have a 70-200 2.8 and a 200-500 5.6 in my bag. But I will share with you that the trips I have taken with the 850 to Italy, Greece, Croatia, Hong Kong and Singapore have been with the 850/24-70 combination only. The 24-70 is the "go to" lens of the pros, and I can understand why. After a couple of trips to the same island, if you feeel that you need a longer lens like the 70-200, rent one to see if it satisfied your preceived requirement. If so buy one. The same goes for a lens wider than the 24-70.Rent a 17-35. My advise boils down to "buy what you relly need in lenses". And please come back and tell us how you are doing. And in the meantime ask more questions. Tell us what leses made the grade with you and why. The why will be very important to the group. We wish you the best.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

If you get Nikkor lenses, the list in this article gives you a pretty good idea of what to get.

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-d850/3

However, I would make a couple of substitutions.

The Nikkor 14-24 is a good lens, but I have found the Sigma version to be better overall. I would swap my NIkkor for the Sigma, but it is probably my least used lens.

The Following lenses I feel are barely up to the task and the bar set by the D850

The 80-400 is also a decent lens, the Sigma 50-600 is better

The 70-200 VR (70-200 FL-E is way better)

The 24-120 is a uniquely useful lens, but just ok in optical performance.

The following are oustandingly good:

19mm PC-E
24mm F1.4G
35mm F1.8G
70-200mm FL ED
85mm F1.4G
105mm F1.4E
200mm F2
200-400 F4
And all primes 300mm and over.

Pistnbroke Loc: UK

the 24-120 is optical junk ..had two sold two don't go there

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

You buying one of the best, if not the best, camera on the market today. Do yourself a favor, get this lens first, the Nikon 50mm 1.8, it is under $200.00 and just as sharp if not sharper than any Tamron lens you might get.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=nikon%20AF-S%2050%20mm%201.8%20G&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Most folks who buy the 14-24 end up putting it in their bags and not using it much.
Please consider the Nikkor 24-120 f4 lens, this lens is very sharp and Nikon used it as a kit lens for the Nikon D850. You should be able to get an excellent price for Mint in the box off ebay.
Please stay away from Tamron. Those lenses will not serve you well over the years to come.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I would be super exciting getting a kit like that. Enjoy!

Some lens info -
https://www.dpreview.com/news/5585760175/nikon-releases-official-d850-lens-recommendation-list
http://www.dslrbodies.com/cameras/the-d850-blog/the-best-lenses-for-the.html
http://cameratimes.org/best-lenses-nikon-d850/

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Where to start? 14-24mm is a sweet lens but very pricey. My 16-35mm Nikkor is hundreds cheaper and has served me very well for travel scenics.
For low-light landscapes. I use either my 20mm f2.8 or my 35mm f2.0. Lots of cropping available with a D850.
For Micro I have the 60mm f2.8 and a 105mm f2.8. Super sharp both.
For wildlife - go long or go home. Although I have done well with a wide-tele-zoom (28-200 and 28-300), for "serious wildlife shots" I'm thinking a 300mm f2.8 ($$$) or a 400mm f5.6 are good places to start.
Best of luck and share the resulting images.