Best Nikon D810 Lenses - A Guide to Lens Compatibility and Availability
The Nikon D810 is a full-frame DSLR that offers exceptional image quality and versatility, making it a favorite among professional photographers. This camera uses Nikon F-mount lenses, which provide a wide array of options due to their extensive compatibility and availability.
- Nikon’s lenses, including both FX and DX-format lenses, are compatible with the D810. However, DX lenses will result in a cropped 1.5x field of view.
- Nikon has a vast collection of lenses to choose from, ranging from wide-angle to telephoto, prime to zoom, and standard to specialty lenses like macro or fisheye.
- Besides Nikon’s own lenses, third-party manufacturers like Sigma, Tamron, and Zeiss also offer lenses that fit the Nikon F mount.
Lens Types for Photography Genres
Different genres of photography require different lens characteristics. Here are some general recommendations:
- Portrait Photography: Prime lenses with focal lengths between 50mm and 85mm, such as the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G, offer a flattering perspective and excellent sharpness for portrait photography.
- Landscape Photography: Wide-angle lenses like the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G allow for a broad view of a scene, perfect for capturing landscapes.
- Macro Photography: Macro lenses, like the Nikon 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR, allow for extreme close-ups with high detail.
- Wildlife/Sports Photography: Telephoto lenses, such as the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR, provide the necessary reach to capture distant subjects.
Nikon D810 Lens Compatibility
When it comes to lens compatibility, the Nikon D810 uses the Nikon F-mount system which accommodates a wide range of Nikon lenses. Here’s an overview of lens types that can be used with the Nikon D810:
- FX Lenses: These lenses are designed for full-frame cameras like the Nikon D810. They offer the best image quality and performance.
- DX Lenses: While DX lenses can be used on the D810, they’re designed for Nikon’s APS-C sensor cameras. When used on a full-frame camera like the D810, these lenses will produce images with a 1.5x crop factor.
- Third-Party Lenses: Many third-party manufacturers produce F-mount lenses, providing an alternative to Nikon’s own lens lineup.
Lens Basics for Beginners
When selecting a lens, there are several factors a beginner photographer should understand:
- Focal Length: This determines the lens’s field of view. Lower numbers (e.g., 24mm) indicate a wide field of view, while higher numbers (e.g., 200mm) indicate a narrow field of view.
- Aperture: This is the size of the opening in the lens. It’s denoted by the f-number (e.g., f/1.8). A smaller f-number means a larger aperture, allowing more light in and creating a shallower depth of field.
- Prime vs. Zoom: Prime lenses have a fixed focal length and typically offer superior image quality, while zoom lenses offer more flexibility by covering a range of focal lengths.
Types of Lenses for the Nikon D810
Here are the main types of lenses you can get for the Nikon D810:
- Wide-Angle Lenses: Great for landscapes, architecture, and interior photography.
- Standard Lenses: These offer a field of view similar to the
human eye and are versatile for various types of photography.
- Telephoto Lenses: Ideal for wildlife, sports, and any situation where you can’t get close to the subject.
- Macro Lenses: Perfect for capturing close-up shots with high detail.
- Specialty Lenses: These include tilt-shift lenses for perspective control and fisheye lenses for extremely wide fields of view.
Affiliate Links
Outside the Shot is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase. I also participate in affiliate advertising programs with KEH and Adorama. More can be found on the Affiliate Discolsure page.
I have purchased gear from all of these companies and I expect them all to receive repeat business from me.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR
This versatile zoom lens is often considered a workhorse for many professional photographers. Its 24-70mm focal length makes it ideal for a wide variety of photography types, from landscapes and travel to portraits and events.
With its fast f/2.8 constant aperture, this lens performs admirably in low light and enables a shallow depth of field for that smooth bokeh effect. The lens also features Nikon’s Vibration Reduction technology, which helps to minimize camera shake for sharper images.
See current price and more information on:
Pros:
- Versatile zoom range suitable for various photography types
- Fast f/2.8 constant aperture beneficial in low light and for creating bokeh
- VR technology for minimizing camera shake
- Robust build and professional-grade image quality
Cons:
- Heavier and larger than some comparable lenses
- Relatively expensive
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR
This lens is another staple in the camera bag of many professional photographers. It covers the 70-200mm focal length, a range that’s particularly useful for portraiture, event photography, and sports.
Like the 24-70mm, it also features a fast f/2.8 constant aperture and vibration reduction. Additionally, it has a fast, silent autofocus system and weather sealing to protect against dust and moisture.
See current price and more information on:
Pros:
- Great for portraits, events, and sports photography
- Fast f/2.8 constant aperture and VR for superior low light performance
- Fast, silent autofocus
- Weather-sealed for dust and moisture resistance
Cons:
- Heavier and larger, which may be challenging for handheld shooting over long periods
- High price tag
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED | 14-24mm
This lens is part of Nikon’s “holy trinity” of professional zoom lenses, along with the 24-70mm and 70-200mm. Its ultra-wide angle view makes it particularly suited for landscape, architectural, and interior photography.
Like its siblings, it offers a constant f/2.8 aperture for consistent performance across its zoom range. It’s also renowned for its exceptional sharpness and minimal distortion, even at the widest end.
See current price and more information on:
Pros:
- Ultra-wide view great for landscape, architectural and interior photography
- Fast f/2.8 constant aperture
- Exceptional sharpness and minimal distortion
Cons:
- Large and heavy
- No filter thread for screw-on filters
- Higher cost relative to other wide-angle lenses
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
This compact prime lens is perfect for everyday photography, portraits, and street scenes. Its fast f/1.8 aperture delivers a beautiful bokeh, while allowing for excellent low-light performance.
See current price and more information on:
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight, ideal for travel
- Excellent image quality
- Wide aperture good for low light and creating bokeh
- Affordable price
Cons:
- No vibration reduction
- Autofocus can be slower compared to more advanced lenses
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
This lens is highly regarded for its sharpness and impressive aperture. At 35mm, it is an excellent choice for a wide variety of photography styles, including street, landscape, and event photography.
See current price and more information on:
Pros:
- Outstanding image quality
- Wide f/1.4 aperture for excellent low light performance and shallow depth of field
- Versatile for various types of photography
Cons:
- Larger and heavier compared to other prime lenses
- More expensive than comparable lenses
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED
Known for its stunning bokeh and sharpness, this lens is an excellent choice for portrait and studio photography. Its f/1.4 aperture provides superb low light performance.
See current price and more information on:
Pros:
- Incredible image quality with high sharpness
- Wide f/1.4 aperture for excellent low light performance and bokeh
- Premium build quality
Cons:
- Heavy and large
- High cost
Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC G2 for Nikon FX
The Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC G2 is a versatile telephoto lens that is a prized choice for photographers due to its excellent image quality, high performance, and wide focal range. The lens is part of Tamron’s Super Performance (SP) line, indicating its premium design and capabilities.
At its heart, the lens offers a wide focal range from 70-200mm. This makes it an ideal option for a multitude of scenarios, such as shooting distant subjects like wildlife or athletes on a field. Whether you’re capturing the graceful stride of a gazelle on a safari or the decisive moment in a football match, this lens allows you to frame the action perfectly without disturbing the scene.
The lens boasts a constant f/2.8 aperture, which is impressive for a zoom lens and particularly beneficial for low-light photography. The wide aperture allows more light into the lens, meaning you can shoot at faster shutter speeds and lower ISOs, resulting in cleaner and sharper images. Furthermore, the f/2.8 aperture contributes to the ability to create a shallow depth of field, perfect for isolating your subject against a beautifully blurred background - a trait loved by portrait photographers.
Tamron’s Vibration Compensation (VC) technology also enhances the lens’s performance by reducing the effect of camera shake. This image stabilization system is crucial for handheld shooting, ensuring you get crisp, blur-free shots even at slower shutter speeds or longer focal lengths.
In terms of build quality, the lens is sturdy and well-constructed, designed to endure the demands of professional use. It also includes weather sealing to protect against dust and moisture, a crucial feature for photographers who often shoot outdoors.
See current price and more information on:
Pros:
- Versatility: The 70-200mm range covers a wide variety of shooting scenarios from portraits to wildlife photography.
- Aperture: Constant f/2.8 aperture allows for great low-light performance and depth of field control.
- Image Stabilization: The Vibration Compensation (VC) feature provides excellent stability, reducing camera shake for sharper images.
- Price: This lens provides similar performance to Nikon’s own 70-200mm lens but at a significantly lower price point.
Cons:
- Weight: At over 3 pounds, it’s heavier than many comparable lenses, which can make it challenging for handheld shooting over extended periods.
- Focus Speed: Although its autofocus is generally reliable, it can be slower than some competitors under certain conditions.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Another excellent option for wildlife and sports photographers, this lens offers a remarkable zoom range along with a constant f/5.6 aperture. Nikon’s vibration reduction is included to aid in capturing sharper images.
See current price and more information on:
Pros:
- Great zoom range ideal for wildlife and sports
- Constant f/5.6 aperture
- Includes vibration reduction
Cons:
- Bulky and heavy
- Lower light performance compared to lenses with larger apertures
Nikon AF-S Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR
This lens is an outstanding option for macro photography. It allows for 1:1 magnification for true close-ups and has a fast aperture for creating a beautiful bokeh.
See current price and more information on:
Pros:
- Outstanding for macro photography with 1:1 magnification
- Fast f/2.8 aperture
- Includes vibration reduction
Cons:
- More expensive than other macro lenses
- Some may find it heavy for prolonged handheld use
Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 ZF.2 for Nikon
The Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 ZF.2 is a remarkable lens that holds a prestigious position in the world of photography, largely thanks to its exceptional sharpness and superior image quality. It’s a standard prime lens, which means it has a fixed focal length of 55mm, slightly longer than the classic 50mm “nifty fifty” standard, offering a slightly tighter view.
This makes the lens incredibly versatile, allowing it to excel in a wide variety of photographic scenarios, from portrait work to street photography. Its wide aperture of f/1.4 further enhances its flexibility, allowing photographers to capture high-quality images even under challenging lighting conditions.
Renowned for its unmatched sharpness, the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 ZF.2 delivers outstanding image clarity that is hard to surpass. This precision extends across the whole image frame, from the center to the corners, and is maintained even when shooting at the maximum aperture. This level of sharpness means that every tiny detail is captured, making it an ideal choice for high-resolution cameras. Furthermore, this lens showcases exemplary color reproduction and contrast, contributing to its ability to produce images with a certain “pop” that Zeiss lenses are famous for.
See current price and more information on:
Pros:
- Image Quality: It delivers outstanding sharpness, contrast, and color fidelity, even at its maximum aperture.
- Aperture: A fast f/1.4 maximum aperture offers excellent performance in low light and provides a shallow depth of field.
- Build Quality: Its solid metal construction and focus ring offer a high-end, durable feel.
Cons:
- Price: As a high-end lens, the Zeiss Otus is significantly more expensive than many comparable lenses.
- No Autofocus: This lens is manual focus only, which might not be ideal for all users or situations.
- Size and Weight: Its high-quality construction makes it quite large and heavy, which could be an issue for some users.