larryepage Loc: North Texas area

There is absolutely no point in generating 46mp files for what the OP says he wants to do on the occasion that he uses this proposed lens. No need for a lens from somewhere up in the Heaviside Layer (yes.. watch Cats again), and no reason not to use his D850, which he says is his only camera, in DX format with a DX lens. He is looking for a serviceable lens that will allow him to have some dexterity with his camera on these occasions. My biggest caution to him would be not to overthink the decision too much.

I've tried my old 18-200G zoom on my 850 just for fun. That is, comparatively speaking, a really "crummy" lens with some really quirky behaviors. But for what I was doing, it did just fine. Not necessarily any candidates for contest photographs, but lots of very useful images. Not as good as the 24-120 would have done, but I didn't have it at the time.

The notion that the D850 has to use only the best top-line lenses is the stupidest line of marketing drivel ever published and then endlessly repeated. Any lens will do better on the D850 than it will on any other camera.

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Kinda funny that you would ask that.

No doubt they will say whatever their training by persistent repetition has taught them to say. It’s a species trait.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Steve, the OP does present somewhat of anomaly. He has a D850--big camera, top quality. He has the 24-70 2.8 that would work just fine for the 'family' and not events. But he has made it clear that it is too big/heavy to use in this case. So, what can you pair that is significantly lighter with the D850 and meet his requirements? It seems pretty clear that a prime lens or lenses will do the trick.

dugeeeeeee

24-120 f4 was the “kit” lens that came with my d810. On my camera most of the time

JohnBoy5562 Loc: Alabama

If your looking for something cheap that works good. I would trying the AF NIKKOR 28-80mm 1:3.3-5.6 G.
I bought a old film camera N65 and it was the lens that was on the camera turns out it is a great lens. Lite Weight perfect for outdoor and indoors with a flash.

I haven’t tried the AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED or check the price of it, but it would give you more focal range. But the AF NIKKOR 28-80mm 1:3.3-5.6 G you can find cheap.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The older Tamron 28-200 IF XR is very compact and light weight - and a very GOOD full frame lens - that is what I use for family and travel with Sony A99. - but no VR .....
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Interesting that the smaller formats offer collapsing pancake kit zooms of modest specifications which fulfill the mission of compactness that attracts buyers to small formats, and yet Nikon has not added an FX pancake to their huge lens stable that ranges from ultra low budget on up to the most stratospheric exotica.

Nikon is best positioned to offer one cuz they use the same mount with almost no restrictions of what lens fits what body. While a collapsible pancake might not attract D850 users, the “entry level” FF users could embrace it if the price were attractive. And acoarst it fits on the 850 for any users with a need for it.

My 1978 AiS pancake “E” series 50 looks right at home on my D750 and 610. It’s truly the “body cap that takes pictures”. No zoom, no AF, but a tiny f/1.8 for $40 (used) is irresistible.

Kudos to Canon for their terrific, tiny, full frame EF 40/2.8 body cap lens. Just the right FL to avoid need of a zoom.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Which has been suggested, as well as getting a smaller camera like the D7500. I also wonder if he's asking for himself or for his wife's use. Waiting for the OP to respond.

RonM12 Loc: Washington State

I started out with a 24-120 lens for my D850. Good lens, I wouldn’t call it great, but in reviewing my metadata, most of my shots were taken under 100mm. I replaced it with the non-VR 24-70 f/2.8 and haven’t looked back. Noticeable improvement in image quality.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Keep in mind the pixel density of the 850 will be showing ANY lens faults so, adjust your expectations accordingly....
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photoman43

I also add another vote for the Nikon 24-85mm.

Nicholas J DeSciose

This is very good advice for 24 to 120 mm is a terrific lines

Nicholas J DeSciose

The 24 to 120 is not heavy

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

If you use mainly for the web and only print 4 X 6 for family shots, why not just use the camera in your smartphone? They’re amazing for the web and small/medium size prints.
Do a test next time you’re at a family gathering with your D850 and smartphone. You’ll be surprised.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

May I suggest thinking about the 24-85 3.5-4.5 lens. I have had one for years that I bought with my D800 at the suggestion of a friend who had the 24-70 f2.8 and is a fanatic about sharpness. He tested the 24-85 and found it a tiny bit sharper. If you need the 2.8 aperture then up the ISO. The lens has VR, is small and compact and I can verify the sharpness is superb when I do my part. I only own two lenses for my D800, the 24-85 and the 105 f2.8 Micro lens. For a few years now they are the only lenses I have needed for general all around photography.

Dennis