When it comes to photography, a good lens is hard to beat. They add extra dimensions to every shot and provide you with a range of new options. Even so, picking one out of today’s crowded market is never easy. This guide will make that search much easier.
The following sections analyze and break down the best lens options for the Nikon D810. While there’s no doubt the camera is great on its own, the following devices take it to the next level by giving you key features you can’t get any other way.
Contents
Quick Summary
- If you need a versatile lens, look no further than the Nikon 24-70mm. This sturdy model has something for everyone. It has vibration reduction, a solid aperture range, and works wonderfully in low light.
- The Nikon 50mm is a great lens for portrait photographers. This compact shell delivers exceptional focus and works in low-light conditions. It has a good bokeh as well.
- The Tamron 15-30mm is the lens for photographers who need a wide-angle option. This offers excellent value for its price thanks to the stellar image quality and fast autofocus.
Best Lens for Nikon D810: What to Consider?
Durability
Cameras are subject to a lot of abuse. As such, their lenses are too. When picking out something for your D810 you need to ensure it’s tough enough to take on the elements. Well-constructed models that won’t break in case of a drop or fall are important as well, as are options that naturally lock out dirt. It’s also critical to get lenses that have weatherproofing in case you get caught out during a storm or surprise shower.
Lens Style
Before you get a lens, you must first know what style you want. Always get something that fits your photography. Wide-angle models are great for landscape shots, telephoto lenses offer excellent zoom and aperture, while macro lenses get you up close and personal. There are also normal (standard) lenses for those who want to shoot regularly with minimal distortion, as well as options that offer exceptional background blur. It’s all about what you need.
Lighting
Though we all wish every shot came with perfect lighting, that’s almost never the case. Rather, most of the time you find yourself shooting in bright or low-light conditions. It helps to find a lens that can handle both extremes, but you especially want to put preference on models that do well in dim environments. That will ensure you don’t have to stop shooting when things get dark, which in turn gives you more ways to photograph.
Best Lens for Nikon D810: Our Picks
1. Nikon 24-70mm
The Nikon 24-70mm is a do-it-all-lens that every photographer will be able to appreciate. This model can do a little bit of everything, ranging from landscape to portrait shots, thanks to its excellent aperture range and top-shelf optical quality. Every shot looks good throughout the zoom range and images come out sharp every single time. The focus is also fast and accurate, meaning you can shoot your images without a hitch.
This lens is particularly useful for photographers on the go because it is incredibly strong and well-built. While that does come with extra weight, something you’ll find with most sturdy lenses, it means you can easily throw it into your bag or take it outside with little worry. Add on the nonstick glass for easy clean up as well as the excellent vibration reduction and you have a multi-faceted lens that gets you ready for anything.
What We Like:
- Great in low-light
- Versatile
- f/2.8 constant aperture
- Excellent image quality
- Vibration reduction
- Nonstick glass
- Flare reduction
- Sturdy and well-built
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
- On the heavy side
2. Nikon 50mm
If you want a smaller lens that gives great results and is easy to handle, the Nikon 50mm is the way to go. This compact model comes with a wide range of features that makes it particularly useful for portrait shots. It has an F1.4 maximum aperture, an ultrasonic-type AF motor, as well as full-time manual focusing. The lens is also incredibly sharp to ensure you get crisp images no matter what you want to shoot.
The biggest draw of the 50mm is how well it works in low-light situations. You never know when the light might shift while you’re shooting outdoors, and being able to readily adapt to such situations is incredibly important. In addition, this lens also has a great bokeh and enables you to get a strong background blur. That creates a nice depth of field that makes your subjects pop. The aspherical lens is simply icing on the cake.
What We Like:
- Great portrait lens
- Strong bokeh
- F.14 maximum aperture
- Ultrasonic AF motor
- Strong in low-light conditions
- Smooth autofocus
- Reasonable price
What We Don’t Like:
- Barrel distortion
- Could be more durable
3. Tamron 15-30mm
Few wide angle D810 lenses can compete with the Tamron 15-30mm. This model is one of the most durable around, being able to take a range of bumps and scrapes without slowing down. To add to that, this model has a special fluorine coating on the front element to naturally repel any water or dirt. The sharpness is also excellent, the image stabilization works in every situation, and all photographers will love the fast autofocus.
If you enjoy different shots, this lens also enables great blur to create more unique pictures in a range of different situations. There are several awesome bokeh effects that everyone can take advantage of when trying to take their images to the next level. The full-time manual focus is another solid bonus. This is one of the heaviest lenses on the list, but if you don’t mind a bit of extra weight there’s no better way to get a wide-angle for your Nikon D810.
What We Like:
- Image stabilization
- Quick and reliable
- Great bokeh
- 9-blade round aperture
- Vibration compensation
- Exceptional image quality
- Low dispersion glass elements
- Strong throughout zoom range
- Ultrasonic silent drive
- Affordable price tag
What We Don’t Like:
- Heavy
- Distortion at the wide end
Useful Tips and Information
Owning a lens is the first step towards better photos, but it doesn’t do much if you don’t know how to properly use it. Take your time to get to know your camera and follow tips like the ones covered here to get the most from your setup.
Your lens is important, but it can’t fully operate if it doesn’t have a camera to attach to. You need to take care of your device and do everything you can to ensure your D810 lasts for years. This video gives you tips on how to make that happen.
Final Words
The Nikon D810 is a great camera, but that doesn’t mean it can’t get better. If you want to advance your shots or videos, the lenses covered in this article are the way to go. Each has distinct characteristics you won’t get with other models. Do your research and pick the one that matches your specific shooting style.
What lenses do you use with your Nikon D810? Which ones are your favorite and why? Let us know in the comments below.
