Congrats on picking up the D850! That thing is an absolute beast but yeah, it will definitely expose any flaws in your old lenses. I remember when I first made the switch and realized my old zoom just looked soft on that high-res sensor. It can be kind of a shock at first. I have been using the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for Nikon F for about three years now and honestly, I couldnt be more satisfied with it. Its a bit of a heavy lens—definitely gives your arm a workout during an eight-hour wedding day—but the results are worth the weight. The sharpness at f/1.4 is just insane. I used to worry about shooting wide open with my older gear, but with this Sigma, I have no complaints at all. It just nails the focus and the contrast is exactly what you want for those summer shots. If you are looking for that 105mm length, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED is pretty much the holy grail of portrait glass. It might push right up against that 1500 limit depending on where you buy it, but the bokeh is legendary. Tbh though, the Sigma Art is so good for the price that I usually recommend it to everyone first. It definitely gives the Nikon glass a run for its money. Both will look amazing on your D850, but the Sigma has that extra bit of pop you are looking for.

Checking in a bit late here but honestly, after shooting weddings for years, I stopped obsessing over having the absolute fastest 1.4 glass. My back just couldn't take it. I tried the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for a season and while it was sharp as hell, the weight was brutal for a 12-hour day. I eventually swapped it for the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G and honestly, most clients couldnt tell the difference in the final gallery. Quick tip: watch out for autofocus consistency with Sigma on the D850. You usually need the Sigma USB Dock for Nikon to calibrate it or you'll miss focus on half your shots. If you really want that 105mm look tho, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED is the gold standard if you can find a used deal under your budget. Stick to the 1.8 primes if you want to save cash and weight.

Reply 1 is totally right, that sensor is basically a microscope and shows every tiny mistake. Be careful tho, because at 1.4 the depth of field is paper thin. You might want to consider how much weight you can carry for a 10 hour wedding day too.

• Are you mostly doing tight headshots or full body?
• Do you need weather sealing for those outdoor summer ceremonies?

👆 this