best lens for bird photography nikon

But lenses are an expensive purchase, so its important to really think through your decision about which Nikon lens to buy for bird photography. Although the very light 500mm f/5.6 PF has replaced it for many shooters, and the 400mm f/4.5 in an attractive alternative for Z-mount users, it is still lest costly than both (especially used), and so it is worth considering if you need quality in a very small package. When photographing wildlife, whether capturing birds in flight or photographing bears in Alaska, one of the most important factors in choosing a lens is its focal length. There are two potential downsides with this lens, and they go hand-in-hand. Hand-held shooting is possible with the newer model. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR At a glance: 95mm filter thread 2.2m minimum focus 268mm length x 108mm diameter Weighs 2300g Nikon F mount Price: 1,399 / $1396 VR is Vibration Reduction that minimizes blur due to camera shake. This makes it easier to track the erratic movement of birds in flight. Its also the sharper lens at 400mm, although the 100-400mm is no slouch. Image quality is impressive, while the size of the lens makes it excellent for handheld shooting and, overall, its a great choice for bird photography. Sony premium: Sony 1. Two screw-on types of 95mm lens filters are available that are handy during bird photography. If you love birdwatching, visit our best bird feeder camera (opens in new tab) guide! Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Although it is an F-mount lens, it is still used by many Z-mount users with an FTZ adapter. On your Nikon, the 300mm is 450mm equivalent (35mm), i.e. When engaged, it turns the lens into an 840mm f/5.6. The maximum effective focal length stretches from 600mm to around 900mm when shooting on an APS-C camera. Landscape vs Portrait Orientation in Photography. Instead, it has one telephoto length, so it is best for searching the skies and the trees, rather than capturing birds right in front of you. Generally, the longer the lens (in focal length), the better. The Nikon 500mm f/4E VR is sort of a sweet middle between the 400mm and 600mm lenses. Do you want a zoom lens that offers a focal range from up close to far in the distance? Optically it is an insanely sharp lens, I would say about the same as the Nikon 600mm f/4E below. Which Nikon Camera Is Best For Bird Photography? The opening in the lens that allows light to pass through. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Then again, for maximum image quality at the longer focal lengths, the 600mm f/4 TC VR S would be the one to beat. For full compatibility with Canon EOS R and Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras, V2 or later firmware can be applied via Tamrons optional USB-linked TAP-in Console. First, it is 0.63 stops faster, which although small, does make a difference in challenging wildlife conditions. They can also be used on DSLRs, and I would say for 90% of wildlife, a mirrorless camera will not provide any significant advantages over a DSLR and an F-mount lens. It comprises 21 elements in 13 groups, having three LD (low dispersion) lens elements. Nikkor 400mm f2.8E FL ED VR is the next-gen model of the 2007 Nikkor 400mm f2.6G ED VR. In many cases, it still does. It offers bird photographers an opportunity to capture almost anything in the wild. Getting a gently used model could save you many thousands of dollars, which would go a long way towards other gear. If youre looking for the longest reach without teleconverters, the Nikon 800mm f/6.3 is your lens! Best Lens For Wildlife Photography Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR Zoom Lens Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SP Di VC USD XLD Best Lens For Sports Photography Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 DG OS HSM Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD Best Budget Telephoto Lens For Nikon Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR Impeccably turned out, the XF100-400mm looks and feels a high-quality item Looks arent deceiving either, as the internals include a super-fast autofocus system based on dual linear stepping motors, and a high-performance 5-stop optical stabilizer. The uprated ring-type autofocus system is faster and more accurate, and a fluorine coating is added to the front element. Weighing a whopping 3.8 kilos, it is about as heavy as Nikons longest 600mm f/4 lens (more on the 600mm below). I agree with all the conclusions, my thoughts are the same, why and how. Some of the features that one needs to keep track of for bird photography lenses are: The above lenses cover a variety of focal length ranges and lens features, covering both hobbyists, semi-professionals, and professionals along the way. The 800mm focal length, while not easy to use, certainly shines when it is used properly. Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary. For the first time, it allowed shooters to reach 500mm at a fairly low cost compared to the 500mm f/4, and it is an easy lens to handhold all day at only 1.5kg. The Nikon 300mm f/4E PF is the smallest 300mm f/4 lens because of its phase-fresnel (PF) technology that has subsequently been used in the F-mount 500mm f/5.6 PF and the Z-mount 800mm f/6.3. Basically, if youre not sure which lens youll need, you definitely dont need this one. Bird photographers carrying a lot of gear find the 500mm f/4 a bit easier to travel with compared to the 600mm f/4. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Let us know which is your favorite lens for bird photography. Its built-in teleconverter means you can reach 560mm. An extreme telephoto lens, it can beautifully capture birds at a very long distance. Auto White Balance requires zero input from you, the photographer. A system that automatically focuses on the subject to keep it crisp and clear. You now know how to do the calculation: the 200-500 is the equivalent of 300 mm to a whopping 750 mm. Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. As of January 2022, Nikon just released their latest addition to the Z mirrorless system lens line-up. The cost difference between the two is significant. Bird photography is unimaginable without the use of a quality telephoto lens. As always, this makes it a challenge to keep everything steady while shooting, but the Panasonic has excellent build quality and comes complete with a zoom lock ring, tripod mounting collar and optical image stabilizer, to help beat the shakes. The D850 is Nikon's best all-purpose DSLR, striking a great balance between capability and affordability. See my detailed Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II Review for more information on this lens. In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide. So get the best lens you can afford, then learn to use . NY 10036. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 This helps you to change the settings quickly. A stunning lens if you can justify the price - see our full Nikon 600mm f/4E FL ED VR review (opens in new tab). 2. Theres also considerably lower quality owing to the higher number of lens elements. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II Lens Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II Lens is one of the sharpest and fastest lenses available. Dont worry, this article will be updated in October! Sigma also has two similar versions of the same focal range, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary and Sigma 150-600mm Sports. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Today's clever optical designs like the CanonRF 800mm F11 IS STM (opens in new tab) offer massive telephoto reach in a refreshingly compact and affordable package. If you are in situations where you only shoot larger animals at dusk or dawn, and you really need the shorter focal lengths, then I can see a case for this lens. This is the lens that many wildlife photographers get, especially those that photograph birds. Although significantly less expensive to buy, it features the same range of dual-mode stabilization, dual-mode autofocus and custom setup options, as well as fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements. The Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 is also an insanely sharp lens, so it still looks good at 560mm and thus is suitable for many varieties of wildlife. A special Phase Fresnel element (the glass is cut in concentric circles instead of a solid piece) in the lens significantly reduces the size and weight of this lens, so you can take it with you wherever you go to search for birds. It comes at half the price of a decent 300mm prime. In addition to using the twist-action control ring, you can alter the zoom setting in a push-pull fashion. Sony a7 III ILCE7M3/B Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera. If you have a favorite lens of yours for wildlife photography that is not listed below, please feel free to add a comment at the bottom of the page with some information and links to pictures (if you have any that you would like to share). A Nano-crystal coat and fluorine coat cut down on all reflections. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Want to learn more about a technical term? A specially shaped lens hood with a thumb and finger groove helps with this. The only downsides of the mirrorless version are that the Z 800mm f/6.3 is a PF lens, it is very slightly slower, and so may show slightly worse bokeh in some rare instances. The Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM is a lens that works really well in birds and wildlife photography, a great tele-zoom of choice, and whose weight, although very unbalanced, we do not believe to be excessive even for carrying out wandering photographic hunting activities. Combined with Canon's legendary L-series build quality and stunning optical performance, it's up there with the very best Canon zoom lenses we've tested. Wildlife situations come and pass quickly and this lens is easy to deploy quickly, fast optics, feather weight, and has VR. The modern model is almost 2 lbs. For absolute beginners with a lesser budget, a non-VR version may suffice. The best lenses for bird photography will help you get close to wildlife and there are great options for every camera mount. It also features 2 FL (fluorite lens elements) to minimize weight and improve optics. Performs well at broad daylight with quick auto focus. 1. However, the price tag is hefty at just above $12,000. Birds are tricky subjects for even the most experienced wildlife photographers; they move quickly, don't stay still for long, and they generally won't let you get very close without flying off. The narrower aperture range of f/5-6.7 is going to restrict you a little in terms of how much light you need, which is simply something to be aware of and factor in. If you like the idea of a 300mm f/2.8G II but in a zoom, this is your lens. This lens is somewhat on the heavy side, although it still can be used handheld, and the vibration reduction reduces camera shake whether you have it on a tripod or are holding it. If you are passionate about bird photography, but want to keep your costs under $10,000, the Z-mount 800mm f/6.3 offers an insane amount of reach at a lower cost than the traditional f/4 primes. Sony budget: Sony 6400. There will barely be anything you cant catch that you cant see with the iconic Nikkor 500mm F4G ED R. It is rugged, having a magnesium die-cast barrel which makes it highly resistant to dust and moisture. They, however, are prone to more lens aberrations and vignettes. For example, the best 100-400mm lenses (opens in new tab) on a full-frame sensor will cover 150-600mm on APS-C and 200-800mm on Micro Four Thirds! And what about probably the most popular Nikon lens the 500 f5.6 PF, why would you not include this as it is actually sharper than the 200-500, 1/3 of the price and so much lighter than the f4 500mm which you would need a mono all the time. Other features include an OLED display, plus a customisable function button. I used the Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II for several months and I was very impressed by its performance, especially when coupled with teleconverters. Coupled with the Nikon Z9 you can use the newly developed Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM), which enables fast, highly accurate, and quiet AF control. It boasts 2 focus modes with fast auto, silent focusing with a minimum focus range of 4.9 feet. Nikon has one more wildlife lens on its roadmap: a 200-600mm zoom, which competes directly with the Sony 200-600mm lens. Therefore, it makes a lot of sense to look at some lightly used F-mount lenses, the E-versions of which are still optically outstanding. A major plus point is that the aperture rating of f/4 is relatively fast, compared with most zoom lenses that drop to f/5.6 or f/6.3 at a similar focal length. These features make this lens an even more excellent piece of treasure. This is the first ultra-telephoto lens made for the APS-C format. For most wildlife, the move from f/4 to f/5.6 will not impact image quality, and it is a fair trade for the increased versatility of never needing a tripod. 2. The next best wildlife lens is Nikons heavyweight super telephoto bazooka, the Nikon 400mm f/2.8E VR. Heres how it works. With birding, you will likely be using the lens with its built-in teleconverter all the time. It's one of the best 150-600mm lenses (opens in new tab) overall. Due to its massive size, this lens requires a good tripod setup. Get the best camera deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable photography news and more! But if you have the budget, then the Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR II is the best option for image clarity. This is a very specialized tool. Or would you prefer the 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, which is a 400mm f/2.8 and a 560mm f/4? The flip side is that no optional tripod mounting ring is available, which would have enabled a better balance, especially in portrait orientation shooting. The Canon EF . There are plenty of options available for everyone who has a good Nikon camera body in bird photography lenses. At 1,260g, its perfectly viable for long periods of handheld shooting, aided by a highly effective optical image stabilizer. The best lenses for bird photography let you get closer to birds and capture incredibly sharp, beautiful images. Compatible Camera Mount: Canon EF Features Dust And Water Resistant Design Autofocus Is Both Smooth And Quiet Wide Focal Range Allows A Wide Variety Of Shots Nikon: Nikon Z9. The NIKKOR 200-500mm also features an autofocus system that you can override by turning the manual focus ring. It is the professional photographers who strive to go that extra mile and look for perfect pictures. It is possible due to the diaphragm blade unit with a drive mechanism. Hand-holding, the Nikon D500, feels better. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 is a compact and ridiculously sharp lens that is perfect for larger birds and birds in flight. I hope youll excuse the lack of sample photos, but by all indications, this lens is just as sharp and versatile as the 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S. Would you find more use with this lens, which is a 600mm f/4 and an 840mm f/5.6? No also f/1.4. A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm. His expertise with equipment doesnt end there, though. It is fairly wide on a full-frame camera at 180mm so it can also be used to capture tighter landscapes. Add 4.5 stops of vibration reduction, and this lens qualifies as a mini beast for bird photography. Bird photography is a tough job. It's an easy-to-carry, (relatively) affordable, and fast-focusing long lens, which makes it ideal for photographing birds in the field. So, this is a great lens for bigger or closer wildlife, but its not the right choice for all wildlife photographers. Canon: Canon EOS R7. Compared with Sigmas 150-600mm Sports lens, the Contemporary edition is smaller and almost a whole kilogram lighter in weight. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The speed of continuous shooting is not compromised with modern cameras like D4S. The silent wave matter is added for an extra-fast and noise-free bird photography experience. It also has a dust- and moisture-resistant rubber gasket on the mounting plate, although it lacks the additional weather seals of the Sports lens. Birds are often tiny, very fast, and since it happens in the wild, theres no control over the light. This lens still has no equal in Z mount (or any other mount) and thus I have seen quite a few people adapting it to their Z50 cameras for a very lightweight and capable setup. Autofocus itself is very fast and image quality is fabulous. Further anti-reflection technologies help create even sharper pictures with great picture quality. Both DSLR and mirrorless full-frames should be considered. The second is that 400mm isnt always long enough for smaller or more distant birds. Theres no other difference between the two versions. This lens has a fixed aperture of f/11, and many birders might consider that rather too narrow, while others might be unimpressed that you cant alter the aperture. The electro-mechanics diaphragm mechanism works in conjunction with the cameras shutter. The Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is a classic example, costing more than some new cars. The lens is light and compact, making it easy to carry it around when scouting for wildlife in parks and wildlife spots. View at Amazon. This fast lens features snappy autofocus, a 400mm telephoto, and top-quality lens construction by Nikon. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm is a versatile lens that lets you get up close and personal with birds, whether they are nearby or far away. Sigma stops developing Micro Four Thirds lenses; APS-C "also in decline", Every issue is packed with photo tips, kit reviews and inspiration. But it is only half part of the story. Nikons 300mm F2.8 is fondly called a super-telephoto lens. Personally, I prefer to shoot landscape, nature and macro photography. If youre new to wildlife photography and you have only one lens in your kit, a zoom lens is the best option since it provides you more flexibility, But if youll be switching lenses out, you can use a variety of prime lenses based on the situation and terrain you find yourself in. All of these can be used on Z-mount cameras with the FTZ or FTZII adapter, and since some of these do not yet have Z counterparts, they are worth a look whether you shoot a Nikon DSLR or a Nikon Z mirrorless camera. From the basics of My 350 Nikon Wildlife Photography Kit D300 300mm F4 Af Lens to the latest trends and innovations, you'll find a wide range of articles that cover all aspects of this field. Canon EF 100-400mm IS II. I hope you enjoy the site . Image quality is fabulous throughout the entire zoom range. But this aint your daddys 400mm f/2.8. Nikon 80-400mm VR. I would suggest that for most people, this lens is a little bit short for wildlife, especially at $9500. View at Amazon. PL provides various digital photography news, reviews, articles, tips, tutorials and guides to photographers of all levels, By Nasim Mansurov 305 CommentsLast Updated On January 13, 2023. And you'll also find lenses for Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus cameras. Id love to hear in the comments! The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports isn't just a quick reskin of the DSLR version (below); it's actually been retooled from the ground up with mirrorless cameras in mind, and it's an impressive 760g lighter. Seeing a gorgeous bird in flight is awe-inspiring, but it can be difficult to translate that beauty into a photo. I would say a much longer lens would be significantly harder to aim. You need a pretty good reason to trade up from Panasonics 100-400mm zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras and it might just be this Olympus prime. In addition, you will have to buy a good heavy duty tripod + accessories (batteries, memory cards, etc). Nikon bird photography lenses Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Rating: 8/10 Mount: Nikon F Autofocus: Ultrasonic (ring type) Stabilised: Yes (although it's labelled as "vibration reduction") Filter size: 95mm Minimum focus distance: 2.2m Weight: 2.3kg Cost: ~1250-1500 Pros: Great zoom range If you just want one lens that can do it all for bird photography, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm is an excellent option. Its also plausible that Nikon will eventually release a 300mm f/2.8 and 500mm f/4 to match the F-mount lenses it already makes. These large animals often need much wider focal lengths around 200mm and it would be difficult to capture them with a fixed prime in all situations. Best macro lens: TAMRON 90MM F/2.8 Di VC USD. Theres more, however, with the construction boasting an upgraded lens construction. The Nikon 500mm f/4G VR works well with the TC-14E III teleconverter, giving an effective focal length of 700mm at f/5.6. This is 1.4 stops faster than the Nikon 400mm f/4.5 and thus will perform much better than slower lenses, both in terms of light-gathering and autofocus. It brought everyone into action with this insane zoom range of 150-600mm. This is especially true with mammals, which like to come out during such times. The camera makes the images. The next big jump (in terms of size, weight and cost) gets us to the Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II a phenomenal lens. Diaphragm control via electric signals from the camera body provides reliable AE control. So, join me on this journey of discovery, and let's explore the many wonders of My 350 Nikon Wildlife Photography Kit D300 300mm F4 Af Lens together! In daylight conditions the Nikon 70-300mm VR can overall produce great results, but its performance does suffer in low-light situations something to be expected from a slow variable aperture zoom lens. For sensors smaller than full-frame, there is a trade-off in terms of image quality but you'll get the advantage of a crop factor that amplifies the telephoto reach of the lens. But if youre photographing small birds that are 10-15 meters away from you or greater (30+ feet), 800mm will be ideal. My super favorite lens is the AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR. November 14, 2018 May 6, 2019; . It is easy to get carried away by the camera body. Here at The Adventure Junkies, we have sorted through a variety of Nikon lenses to give you the lowdown on your options and help you choose the best Nikon lens for bird photography to keep in your camera kit. It also lets you play with selective focus to highlight the birds in your shot, due to the aperture opening and the amount of light it lets in. Pls. Weather Resistance: Bird photography is out there in the wild. If you're shooting on the Nikon Z-mount system, then the newly released 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 is a good choice. Image quality wise: an entry level Nikon DSLR matches the image quality you can get from any other camera in Nikon's line up . Sharpness is really impressive throughout the zoom range, so you can push it to 600mm with confidence that you're still going to get some great images. Read more about Nasim here. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM These enable different behaviors in the autofocus speed and stabilization effect, as well as fine-tuning for autofocus accuracy for individual camera bodies, plus the application of firmware updates. In fact, this lens is only 775g, which is almost twice as light as the Olympus 300mm f/4 lens for micro four thirds, and this is a full-frame lens! The optical image stabilizer is effective on its own and even better when coupled with in-body stabilization, featured in later Sony Alpha A7 and A9 mirrorless cameras. Nikon has made several innovations to make this lens lighter, but it is still quite a large lens, so you will benefit from a sturdy tripod setup to hold it steady. Best portrait lens: CANON EF 85MM F/1.2L II USM. If you are looking for the best lens for bird photography with extreme capabilities, then this universal model is worth considering. Nikon D7500 with Tamron 100-400 Lens Zoomed Out (with Hood) Picking the best camera for bird photography on a budget means balancing competing requirements. A long lens to capture subjects in the distance. The NIKKOR 300mm is not a zoom lens with a varied focal length. DOWNLOAD THE ADVANCED AFFINITY PHOTO COURSE NOW! They help cut down on any reflection, including the reflection of the camera sensor. Using DO (Diffractive Optics) and a relatively narrow f/11 fixed aperture rating, it's also pretty light at 930g. Taking inspiration from the Nikon 180-400mm F-mount lens, the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 was Nikons first Z-mount lens to feature a built-in 1.4X teleconverter. In this article, I will not only talk about which Nikon lenses I believe are the best for wildlife and nature photography but also when I use a particular lens, along with plenty of image samples from each lens. The optical path is top drawer too, featuring no less than five ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements plus a Super ED element. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports, 13. Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD, 10. Im the owner and editor of Photography-RAW. Additionally, 2 ED glass elements work towards eliminating chromatic aberration. Neutral Color NC Filter and Circular Polarizing Filter II have been specially crafted for this lens. What is the best one you would suggest for wild life (perched birds) with Z6 and FTZ adapter ? Very informative write up, What about 200-500 mm lens? document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); I have kept my Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E VR AF-P as I moved from DSLR to Nikon Z5 and Z7-II. In this list, we've included some of the best telephoto lenses (opens in new tab) around right now. Do you have any recommendations or questions? You are a bit mixed up. The equivalent lenses in full frame would be approximately 24mm f2, 45mm f2, and 85mm f2. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. Because this lens is so new, its the only one here that our team at Photography Life hasnt used yet. But lenses are an expensive purchase, so its important to really think through your decision about which Nikon lens to buy for bird photography. The lens is fully weather-sealed and features a fluorine coating on its front and rear elements. Astrophotography in March 2023: what to shoot in the night sky this month, "Thats the beauty of photography, it is a democratic medium", AI portraits are hard work, says deceitful Instagrammer with 28K followers, The Lumix S5 II is a serious tool for content creators here's why, GuruShots: Winning photos from the Beautiful Nights competition, Sony's new camera is a "baby A7S III for vloggers", Motorola's mini $99 widget turns any phone into a satellite communicator, Good news! The Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM (and the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM (opens in new tab)) is designed for EOS R-series mirrorless cameras and offers a very different experience to a typical prime telephoto lens.