Which prime lens is best for portraits on a Nikon D850?

Question

Need a portrait lens like yesterday for a wedding next Sat. Looked at the 85mm 1.4G but heard the 105mm 1.4E is sharper, though it looks way too heavy for long days. I've only got $1200.

sharp wide open

under $1200

manageable weight

Which one actually handles the D850 sensor better?

RonaldSweri · Accepted Answer

Jumping in here! You dont need to spend the full $1200 to get amazing results on that D850 sensor! I absolutely love the Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD for Nikon because it has built-in stabilization which is a total lifesaver for long wedding days.fantastic sharpness wide openway lighter than the 105mm beaststays well under budget Its a super safe, reliable choice that wont break your back! Let me know if you need anything else!

CarterNeuby · Answer

Saw this earlier but just getting back to ya. Unfortunately, those bulky high-end primes were not as good as expected and gave me issues... they just feel like bricks after a few hours. Probably not worth the weight since sharpness is barely noticeable unless you're pixel peeping. Not sure if thats true for every copy, but my back definitely regretted the heavy gear choice. Save the cash for extra batteries tbh.

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Which prime lens is best for portraits on a Nikon D850?