A Guide to the Best Nikon D810 Lenses

The Nikon D810 is compatible will almost all Nikon F-mount lenses.

Manual focus “non-Ai” lenses from the 1970s are the only lenses that aren’t compatible. They can damage the camera mount if used on the D810.

While the D810 can record 1080p60 video, lens recommendations will be focus on photography.

Nikon D810 Memory Card Requirements

Nikon D810 Lens Compatibility

The D810 has a built-in focus motor. AF and AF-D lenses will have the ability to autofocus.

AF and AF-D lenses are from the 1980s and 1990s. They were made for 35mm film SLRs.

All newer autofocuses lenses will work. FX lenses are designed for full frame sensors.

DX lenses can be used, but the D810 will go into crop mode. That greatly reduces the resolution of the image.

The manual focus ring will not work with AF-P lenses when in AF mode.

“Non-Ai” lenses don’t have an “aperture indexing” cut out in the aperture ring. Instead, they use two prongs that look like bunny ears.

See the Nikon F-mount lens and compatibility page for a more detailed explanation.

Lens Abbreviations

• AF: The first auto focus lenses that were powered by a motor in a camera body.
• AF-S: Lens has a Silent Wave Motor that’s fast and quiet.
• AF-D: Distance Information. These lenses transmit distance information to the camera for exposure metering.
• E: Electromagnetic Diaphragm. These lenses use an electromagnetic mechanism in the lens barrel to provide highly accurate aperture blade control.
• ED: Extra-low Dispersion. This glass corrects chromatic aberrations for superior sharpness and color correction.
• G: These lenses do not have an aperture ring.
• IF: Internal Focusing. The lens doesn’t change size during focusing.
• VR: Vibration Reduction. This feature reduces the effect of camera shake.
• DX: These lenses are designed for Nikon’s APS-C sensor DSLR cameras.
• FX: Lenses designed for full frame sensors.
• Micro: Nikon’s name for macro lenses.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.