Best choice for a fast prime to use on a Nikon D850? The question is how much to spend and how fast a lens. I have a 24-120mm f4 VR, and old AI Nikkors (24mm f2.8, 55mm f3.5 macro...

Trustforce Loc: Chicago, Illinois

The question is how much to spend and how fast a lens. I have a 24-120mm f4 VR, and old AI Nikkors (24mm f2.8, 55mm f3.5 macro, 135mm f2.8) primes. I think a fast f2.0 or better prime in 35mm or 50mm is probably my best bet, but I'm very interested in everyone's experience. I would consider 3rd party companies as well as Nikkors. I don't want to spend the $2000 for the 24mm f1.4 or the $1700 for the 35mm f1.4. I would like to go as cheap as possible but still get good glass and auto focus. Am I asking for too much if I don't want to pay for it?

rdubreuil Loc: Dummer, NH USA

Trustforce wrote:

The question is how much to spend and how fast a lens. I have a 24-120mm f4 VR, and old AI Nikkors (24mm f2.8, 55mm f3.5 macro, 135mm f2.8) primes. I think a fast f2.0 or better prime in 35mm or 50mm is probably my best bet, but I'm very interested in everyone's experience. I would consider 3rd party companies as well as Nikkors.

50mm 1.8

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Trustforce wrote:

The question is how much to spend and how fast a lens. I have a 24-120mm f4 VR, and old AI Nikkors (24mm f2.8, 55mm f3.5 macro, 135mm f2.8) primes. I think a fast f2.0 or better prime in 35mm or 50mm is probably my best bet, but I'm very interested in everyone's experience. I would consider 3rd party companies as well as Nikkors.

Before I answer I need to know what do you
want to photograph with a F2.0?

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

The 35mm 1.4 is my walk around prime.

sxrich

I have a d750 and shoot with 3 primes, Nikons 50 1.8, 85 1.8, 100 2.8 (Tokina). they are all good. the Nikon 85 doesn't focus as fast but if you are shooting portraits, its a moot point. I love the 50 1.8 which is very inexpensive. The Tokina is magnificent in many ways and is a macro if you care about that. I will post some pics that I took with the 50 1.8 during a shoot on a rooftop bar for a birthday party.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Trustforce wrote:

The question is how much to spend and how fast a l... (show quote)

Do NOT cheap out on glass for the D850. Why spend the money on the most innovative high resolution sensor on the market and then not use comparable quality lenses on it? That makes no sense at all.
That said, the best lens out there at your budget would be the Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 VC. Yes I use it regularly for low light indoor shots as slow as 1/6 sec shutter and it does a wonderful job on my D850. And its only $399 at the moment.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

MT Shooter wrote:

Do NOT cheap out on glass for the D850. Why spend the money on the most innovative high resolution sensor on the market and then not use comparable quality lenses on it? That makes no sense at all.
That said, the best lens out there at your budget would be the Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 VC. Yes I use it regularly for low light indoor shots as slow as 1/6 sec shutter and it does a wonderful job on my D850. And its only $399 at the moment.

That should fit the bill.

ledoux Loc: New Orleans

I love both of my Sigma Art primes I own, the 50mm and 35mm f/1.4 Art series. The detail is stunning with my D850. The 50mm Art is one of the highest rated lenses on the DxoMark site. They do not feature VR though. That might not suit your needs for low light shooting. Also, they are not weather sealed compared to similar Nikon Nikkor offerings. They are much less expensive though.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Trustforce wrote:

The question is how much to spend and how fast a l... (show quote)

The 50mm f/1.8.

uw095b

Since you’re a D850 man I have a related question.
I used a D200 for years but finally caved and bought a D810 with which I’ m very pleased. Just getting used to the D810 when I read over the top comments on the D850. i’d appreciate any comments as to the advantages of the D850 over the D810. Portraiture, low light and cars.

Trustforce Loc: Chicago, Illinois

uw095b wrote:

Since you’re a D850 man I have a related question.
I used a D200 for years but finally caved and bought a D810 with which I’ m very pleased. Just getting used to the D810 when I read over the top comments on the D850. i’d appreciate any comments as to the advantages of the D850 over the D810. Portraiture, low light and cars.

I can’t give a comparison to the D810, but I can say the D850 is absolutely incredible. My shots with the 24-120 are stunning (apparently I’ve got a really good 24/120), and the resolution at high ISO without a lot of noise is nearly unbelievable. We’re going in a Baltic Cruise this summer and I can’t wait to see the pictures I will take and be able to develop into big enlargement. That is one of the reasons I’m looking at fast and very sharp primes to take along on the trip.
I wonder how the new tokina opera series lens will be.

aflundi Loc: Albuquerque, NM

Trustforce wrote:

... I would like to go as cheap as possible but still get good glass and auto focus. Am I asking for too much if I don't want to pay for it?

Probably.

I think your best option is to use what you have and save your money until you know what you want (or need) and can afford it.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I've asked this question elsewhere and have yet to get a satisfactory response. Why the hullabaloo over f1.4 lenses, UNLESS that particular lens provides a much sharper image? For portraiture, at least, 1.4 would not be necessary and the d.o.f. provided at 1.4 would be too shallow. I am amazed at the light gathering capability of the Nikon 50mm f1.8D.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

SteveR wrote:

I've asked this question elsewhere and have yet to get a satisfactory response. Why the hullabaloo over f1.4 lenses, UNLESS that particular lens provides a much sharper image? For portraiture, at least, 1.4 would not be necessary and the d.o.f. provided at 1.4 would be too shallow. I am amazed at the light gathering capability of the Nikon 50mm f1.8D.

I own a 35mm 1.4, 50mm 1.4, 58mm 1.4, 85mm 1.4, and 105mm 1.4.
It is quite a hullabaloo--for sure.

ledoux Loc: New Orleans

Without vibration reduction built into the lens, the extra stop, (f/1.4), is quite helpful in low light shooting when hand holding. Sharpness has to do with glass quality, engineering and the quality of the build. The sigma art prime lenses excel at sharpness. My favorite lens for now though is the new Tamron 24-70mm G2. The VR is quite incredible allowing me to hand holding at 1/10 second with superb results. But no zoom beats the sharpness of a great prime lens.