JerseyBob Loc: New Jersey

Take a look at Lens Reviews on Tom Hogan’s web site -byThom.com. His insights are always spot on and he shoots Sports also

tomcat

If you are serious about this, don't fool around with 3rd party lenses. Get the Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II version. I use this all the time for outdoor soccer. Don't worry about shooting across the field. After halftime those players will then be back on your side. On those occasions when it's my granddaughter and I have to shoot across the field that 70-200 gives me plenty of sharpness for cropping. Plus it's a 2.8 lens. When the sun is shining, I will often use my Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6 lens for the other side. It is incredibly sharp, but it's not good for twilight or darker days because it's not a 2.8.

Again, don't mess with 3rd party lenses. If you can afford the D850, then you can afford the Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II

Ruherek

Thanks

ksmmike

If the newer 70-200 2.8 is pricey for you, look for the older 80-200 F2.8 Nikon lens. The auto focus is slower than the new ones for sure but you can pick one up for less than $500 and the optics are every bit as good as the newer lenses. Its the autofocus that suffers. I used it for outdoor soccer and baseball for many years as well as indoor volleyball and basketball. If you ever do shoot more indoor, I too would suggest a fast 85mm, especially for basketball.

Mike

vpeek1947 Loc: Louisville, Ky

I shoot quite a lot of high school baseball and football - my lens of choice is the Nikon 70-200 2.8.
Great lens and plenty of reach and pretty good in low light on my D750.

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

I shoot a lot of Lacrosse. In my opinion for sports you should be more concerned with sharpness and speed of focus of the lens than reach. I have shot NCAA college lacrosse with an inexpensive Nikon 70-300 afp which I picked up for about $150. and an 85 mm 1.8. on a D7200. While neither is ideal they are both sharp. The 28- 300 and 80-400 both lack sharpness that you will want and their focus motors are a little on the slow side.
As for reach, if you want compelling sports action shots you want faces not backs. Reach is going to give you more backs.
I guess your question brings up more questions. Why are you considering upgrading the body to full frame? Are you shooting more than just outdoor sports? What is lacking in the lenses you have now? Full field coverage in my opinion is not neccesary, although nice to have, if you are shooting youth sports. This is just my opinion but a lot of beginners in sports photography obsess over catching all the action instead of just trying to capture compelling action. Knowing the game and positioning yourself to get the best shots is more important than reach. Then make sure you have good sharp glass that focuses fast. Like I said I have shot a whole college lacrosse game with just an 85 mm 1.8 prime on the same D7200 you have and gotten very good results. Good enough to have been used by the college’s sports information directors in publications.
The 28-300 is really a walk around all purpose lens not sports lens. More of a jack of all trades, master of none.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Since you have the 70-200, use it. Budget $400 for an extender (or there about) From the $2,100 you were considering for the lens you would still have 1,700. You could get a second body (an APS-C for flexibility) and a nice 16-80 2.8

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

IMO For D850
Nikon 28-300 No
Nikon 80-400 No
Nikon 70-200 YES
Nikon 300PF YES
Nikon 200-500 Maybe

Bruce121

Incredible amount of useful information and very much appreciated. You have given me much to think about and have saved me time. To have a forum with this many knowledgeable people is a huge asset to the community. I know I won't be second guessing myself after I make my purchase and that is comforting indeed. Thanks to all!

FTn

I am a working professional and shoot with a D850. The D850 is very demanding when it comes to sharp lenses. The lenses that I have currently in my "bag" are:

Nikon 14-24mm f2.8 G
Nikon 28mm f1.4 E
Nikon 50mm f1.8 E
Nikon 60mm f2.8 D micro
Nikon 70-200 f2.8 FL
Nikon 80-400 f4.5-5.6 G
Nikon 105mm f1.4 E
Nikon 1.4 tc III

I have also shot with the Nikon 105mm f2.8 E micro, the Nikon 45mm f2.8 PC, and an 85mm f 2.8 PC but don't own them because on the rare occasion that I need them I can borrow them from a friend.

You are shooting with a pro series body you need pro series lenses.

- FTn

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

You might want to consider the Nikon 200-500 as, perhaps, a better choice. If you have the funds, please consider the Nikon 200-400 F4, which you can obtain used. Whatever you buy, the Nikon 70-200/2.8E FL is a great all-around choice for sports. Depends entirely on what you wish to spend. Best of luck.

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

The two lenses you mention are not on Nikon's list of recommended lenses for the D850. Check out this article on the Photography Life website. Many of Nikon's recommended lenses don't make the cut according to their testing.

https://photographylife.com/nikon-dslr-resolution

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

I have the 80-400 lens (pics. enclosed) and I love it. I use two lenses, the 70-200 2.8 for close up shots, but it doesn't have the reach in my opinion. That is where the 80-400 comes into play. Great lens, but then again the 200-500 for even further reach. Rent, try them out make the call on which one suits your needs best. I shoot with a D4 and D500.

I hope this helps.

80-400

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70-200 2.8

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200-500

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200-500

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Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

You should be looking at the Tamron 100-400 .....if cost is any consideration at all ........
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