Peter Braun Loc: Los Angeles, California

You people are a boat load of information. I want to thank each one of you for your informative answer.
I will keep on testing and see if I come to a conclusion if not I will narrow the question again.
Thanks a million

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I agree that for best results, premium lenses should be used on the D850. That is also true, though, for the D500 and other high-end DX format cameras as well. It is also true that these cameras will get the best possible results from whatever lens you put on them.

The truth is that there are a lot of times that best results are not necessary. In those cases, "handy" lenses can work just fine on your D850. I have personally used my 18-200mm VR DX lens on both my D850 and D500 with completely satisfactory results in situations where there were no reasonable alternatives. Color and sharpness were very acceptable in both cases, and certainly preferable to getting no images at all.

An alternative that most here will refuse to mention to you is to set your D850 to capture 24x24mm 1:1 images when using DX lenses. These square images will be somewhere around 28 or 29 MP and can be cropped to 8x10 or 16x20 format while retaining 23 MP or even a bit more. In this format, there will be no vignetting.

Like others here have said, the best choice would be to use FX lenses on your D850. But there is a significant cost difference between the two lenses you are considering. If you have a camera store nearby, I'd suggest that you take your camera in and try it with each of the lenses. See the difference for yourself.

Peter Braun Loc: Los Angeles, California

Thank you so much for your valuable answer very much appreciated

Keen

Go for FX every time. I got some DX lenses when I first got my DX format D3300 camera. I used them for awhile, and then started buying just FX lenses. I figured I would ultimately get an FX camera, so I may as well have FX lenses for it when I do get an FX camera. I could use FX lenses on my DX camera until I got the FX camera. My next camera was another DX model...a D7200. I continued buying FX lenses. Finally, I did get an FX camera....a D750. I use the D750 as a primary camera, for portraits, landscapes, street photos, etc. I still use the D7200 as a backup, and for wildlife / birding images. I never use my DX lenses any more. I loan them, and the D3300, to friends, and relatives, who want to see what using a DSLR is like. DX lenses are for snapshooters on a budget. More serious photographers are better served by full frame FX lenses.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

FX

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

The FX lens will give you better images on your D850. Do not short change yourself by using a DX lens on your camera. And, you can also use the FX lens on a DX body, if you have or purchase one.
I personally sold mine because of the weight of that lens. Although I thought the lens was sharp I use longer lenses for my wildlife photography.
If I want an all around lens on my D850 for family stuff I use my 24-120 f4.
But, the FX lens will give you a nice range and that lens will deliver on the D850, which, seems to make all of my Nikon lenses better.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Over time I have graduated from DX format cameras to FX. All experts, especially the technical gurus, will tell you that, IF YOU HAVE A CHOICE, FX lenses should be used with FX cameras. They are designed to optimize the capabilities of the FX camera. (Of course there are better FX lenses, but this is not your issue-I have the 28-300). You have a choice and purchasing a DX lens for your camera is a mistake. And, if you do buy the DX lens; and you upgrade your DSLR in the future to a D850 or.......; you will be compounding your mistake. Many times issues of choice are 'grey'. IMO, this is not one of those areas.

Haydon

You will get many opinions and endorsements of how other people spent their money on glass which at best is subjective.

Gene mentioned going to the source and looking at the recommended list that NIKON suggests. That's truly the best information instead of user opinions patronizing how they spent their money.

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

Well, I have tried three different copies - two on loan from NPS, and a friend's copy. I cannot vouch for other people's standards, but that lens certainly didn't/doesn't meet my standards for image quality on an FX camera. Past 150mm the image is junk except for the center portion, but it does get a little better at shorter focal lengths. You can believe what you want to believe - I have experienced three copies, and none were acceptable. Oh, and there is a severe breathing issue at 300mm, where it provides magnification only equivalent to a 135mm lens. So no, I cannot recommend this lens unless you are going to use it on a DX camera.

But don't take my word for it - remember, Nikon never included it on their list of recommended lenses for their high density FX bodies - D800, D800E, D810, D850. There is a reason for this.

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-28-300mm-vr
https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Nikon/AF-S-NIKKOR-28-300mm-f-3.5-5.6-ED-VR
https://www.opticallimits.com/nikon_ff/578-nikkorafs28300vrff

There are other trusted sources that give this lens a lukewarm review. It certainly is not a great lens, and it certainly isn't a cheap lens.

I was a fan of my 18-200 F4-5.6 on my crop sensor cameras - I overlooked it's softness at 200mm wide open, but otherwise it was a good compromise. I cannot overlook the optical flaws on the 28-300 when used with high MP bodies.

I do agree, the 70-300 AF-P is a very good lens - I would not call it "outstanding", but I would still use it, but not for client work. I would reserve that adjective for the Nikkor 300mm F2.8 AF-S VRII - I have used that lens and can tell you it is truly outstanding.

Remember everything is relative. If all you have used so far has been consumer and enthusiast-grade cameras and lenses, the 28-300 may seem pretty impressive. I have used most of Nikon's current line of pro lenses - and no, it is incredibly mediocre and underwhelming, compared to the good stuff.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Try a lens simulator and read reviews of both lenses (if you haven't already). I use the 28-300mm on my D750, and I like it. If you multiply 18mm by the Nikon 1.5 crop factor, you get 27mm, so the lens will be no wider that the 28-300mm. On the other hand, you will get the equivalent of 450mm on the long end.

https://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/focal-length-simulator/
http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/simulator/
https://hisgallery.com/blog/collection-of-online-camera-simulators-lens-simulators
http://canonfeatures.ca/comparison-tool
https://www.diyphotography.net/use-nikons-lens-simulator-to-pick-your-next-lens-non-nikon-shooters-too/

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

"If you have any other suggestions" The D850 is not best used for snapshots, grab shots, all around shots. Spend your money on a bridge camera or a long reach P+S for your everyday shots. Get a prime for your D850. Here is the one I would start with https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1360684-REG/voigtlander_ba229i_ultron_40mm_f_2_sl.html

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I'm curious why you would say this? I have an 850 and find it completely competent for any of the very wide range of different uses that I put it to.

The D500 has been characterized for several years as a sports and wildlife camera only. I have one of those also, and will tell you that is just about the dumbest thing ever said about any camera. It almost certainly came from people who have never even used a D500, which also is one of the most broadly competent cameras available.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

You don't want a DX lens for your FF cmaera. You won't be happy. Stay with FX, the D850 will (I think) "auto crop" or reduce the image size, negating the value of FF.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

You bought a 46MP full frame camera... don't turn it into a 20MP crop sensor camera by using a DX lens on it!

One of the considerations when deciding between buying an FX or DX camera is that lenses for full frame are necessarily bigger, heavier and typically more expensive.

Plus, since a DX camera can use both FX and DX lenses equally well, there is greater selection of lenses for crop sensor cameras.

If weight is a major concern, don't buy a full frame camera!

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

DX lenses can be used on FX cameras to make 24x24mm 1:1 images with no vignetting. These square images are about 30 mp, and will crop to a 5:4 aspect ratio image with about 24 mp. That's plenty for doing a lot of things, and is perfectly serviceable for anyone, including those who may still be working through their FX lens strategy. Come on guys.. give a person the courtesy of having time to think and plan while still taking photos.