Nikon Z Prime lenses, which one to buy?

Hi fpessolano,

Your suggestion makes real sense. 20-35-85 or 24-50-85. I was thinking of the 50-85 then maybe consider getting the 35 down the road if i have to.

The 105 isnt out yet but the 85 is.. if the 105 is also a macro version then maybe I’ll get that too.

Thank You douglas_robert,

I like how you laid it out for me the way you did. Ive never really been a fan of shooting ultra wide unless its taking a photo of a huge group of people in tighter spaces. In the past with my canon 5D3, Ive owned the 35, 50 and the 24-70 and 70-200.. and its the 35 and the i shoot with the most when im walking around, like you said, I can get the subject while still having a bit of a background. i use the 50 when i want a tighter shot. The 24-70 is what i use if I want to carry just one lens at an event where i can still shoot wide to medium and moving forward and backwards. I barely use the 70-200 at all.

for the S Lens, Im debating between the 35 and 50 because the 50 is higher rated, more people say its sharper. For sure I will get the 85 as I have nevee owned an 85 in the past and Ive heard good things about it being a good portrait lens. When the 70-200 2.8 S comes out, Ill be getting that too and maybe consider if i also want to get the 14-24 2.8 S to complete the trinity.

Thank You Perrrob,

youre right, buy only what I think I will be using, and that is why I'm thinking really hard about it because even though I would like to own/collect all of them, it comes at a cost and it can get expensive. I don't really use ultrawide, I've never owned a 14-24 or a 16-35. Ive owned a 24-70 so the widest if shot is 24 and i only use it for big groups of people. 35 is perfect for me as well as 50 as these are the focal lengths i shoot the most, 35 for a little more background and 50 if i want it tighter. Ive never owned an 85 in the past and thats why I want to get it and ill use it mainly for portraits this time around and see what else I could come up with it. Ideally since i shoot 35 and 50 then i would get the 35 S and 50 S but I also want the 85 S but I cant afford all 3, so I would have to choose between 35/85 or 50/85 and just use the 24-70 for the prime that i didn't choose, but for sure I'm getting the 85 and I'm excited to see how it performs.

Christian Zayco said:

for the S Lens, Im debating between the 35 and 50 because the 50 is higher rated, more people say its sharper.

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Given that you want to buy all of them eventually, and you already have the 24-70/2.8 S, I wouldn't overthink this too much and just go with what excites you most right now (I have the feeling it's the 50). This would be different if you were to say that these are the only lenses you'll buy in the next 5 years.

Hi Ellis Vener,

I already have the 24-70 2.8 S, its my only S lens at the moment and yes I am definitely eyeing the 85 S and am excited to try it out. So now im only debating myself if which among the 35 or 50 focal lengths I wont want a shallower DOF on, being that its already covered in the 24-70.

Hi BasilG,

I would eventually buy all of them If i could or if it makes sense to me, like other replies, if the lens will sit on a shelf then Its a waste. 35 50 85, I would eventually get all 3 and Yes Sir, I think the 50/85 lenses is what I would get and maybe down the road I can consider getting the 35 as well. I would also want a macro S lens but its not out yet.

Christian Zayco said:

Hi WhimsicalMike,

I shoot mostly portraits, nature, and macro. I was hoping to get the 85 S for portraits and the 50 S for everyday shooting when I want a shallower DOF and dont want to bring my 24-70 2.8 S Im thinking As for the 24 and 35, I could just use the 24-70 zoom.

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Portraits, landscapes, temples and other architecture in Asia are my usual activities these days. I have a D700 and a 105dc that i currently love for portraits but will get the 85 S, when it is included in the sales, then i can compare and see which i prefer. I don't take the D700 when i travel but the 85 will be going on regular holidays if i like it.

The 50 is so sharp and perfect for the close up details in architecture, a bit short for my tastes for portraits unless a group. I prefer the look of the DC lens but haven't given the 50 much time for that sort of thing but will do on my next trip in January unless i get the 85 by then.

I don't use wides wide open so i haven't bothered with the shorter primes when i have the 14-30 and 24-70.