Pls. The lens needs to be ready for the same. There are plenty of options available for everyone who has a good Nikon camera body in bird photography lenses. However, this lens is fairly hefty, so it will add some weight to your pack, which is something to consider if youre going on a long adventure in the backcountry. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary, 15. Find out more about how we test. Canon: Canon EOS R7. Theres more, however, with the construction boasting an upgraded lens construction. The flip side is that no optional tripod mounting ring is available, which would have enabled a better balance, especially in portrait orientation shooting. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This is not the lens you would pack in a backpack for hiking. We've tested the best lenses for bird photography to bring you options for a range of prices, from budget telephoto lenses to professional lenses. This telephoto zoom lens can capture beautiful images of birds far in the distance as well as birds who fly closer to you. This Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM super-telephoto lens for Canon EOS R-series full-frame mirrorless cameras gives phenomenal reach but is much smaller and more lightweight than competing lenses for DSLRs. The opening in the lens that allows light to pass through. VR is Vibration Reduction that minimizes blur due to camera shake. 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. It literally eliminates axial and transverse chromatic aberrations. If well-cared for, such F-mount lenses can still last many years. Its more comfortable for long periods of handheld shooting and you can also use it with the camera body mounted on a tripod or monopod. Nikon Lenses for Bird Photography Nikon 200-500 mm Telephoto. 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. My second best buy of my life. The older model was bulky and heavy and needed a tripod for support at all times. It is a great buy that will get you to 300mm at just under $600 USD. Sporting a clever retractable design, this lens collapses down to 200mm. Sharpness, contrast and other image attributes are excellent and very consistent throughout the entire zoom range. This lens is the real winner for use on any Nikon body: a 200-500 mm zoom with vibration reduction. The only possible con for the lens is the electromagnetically controlled aperture. Landscape vs Portrait Orientation in Photography. Nikkor 600mm is the no-compromise lens for bird photography. Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary. Nikon: Nikon Z9. The D850 is Nikon's best all-purpose DSLR, striking a great balance between capability and affordability. Best macro lens: TAMRON 90MM F/2.8 Di VC USD. Which Nikon Camera Is Best For Bird Photography? The equivalent lenses in full frame would be approximately 24mm f2, 45mm f2, and 85mm f2. Its built-in teleconverter means you can reach 560mm. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. 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. As we've touched on, Canon's EF 100-400mm zoom has been an incredibly popular lens for Canon DSLR shooters, so it's no surprize to see something arrive for the brand's EOS R range of full-frame mirrorless cameras. The XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR covers the focal length of 229mm 914mm in equivalent 35mm film terms and also supports Fujifilm's 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. But if youre photographing small birds that are 10-15 meters away from you or greater (30+ feet), 800mm will be ideal. It brought everyone into action with this insane zoom range of 150-600mm. Nikon budget: Nikon Z50. Theres a more effective, triple-mode image stabilizer and the Mark II also gains weather-seals and fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements. The price is quite hefty though, at close to $14,000. They are reporting the actual lens specifications, 16mm f1.4, 30mm f1.4, and 56mm f1.4, which is irrespective of the sensor size they are to be used with. Neutral Color NC Filter and Circular Polarizing Filter II have been specially crafted for this lens. The Nikon 70 300mm telephoto lens with f/4.5 -5.6 maximum aperture is best for Nikon digital SLR cameras. The modern model is almost 2 lbs. Because this lens is so new, its the only one here that our team at Photography Life hasnt used yet. Theres no other difference between the two versions. A long lens to capture subjects in the distance. The only downside of this lens is its eye-watering cost of $14000. When done well, you can get some truly magnificent photographs. The camera makes the images. It goes without saying that you need a good support system for this lensa very sturdy Gitzo Systematic series tripod with a Wimberley Gimbal head is what I would get to hold this monster. Whereas 400mm and 600mm lenses work better for general wildlife photography outings. Usually, hobbyist photographers are happy with a good bird in natural surroundings. 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. The Canon EF . Bird photographers carrying a lot of gear find the 500mm f/4 a bit easier to travel with compared to the 600mm f/4. Sony: Sony a7 IV. Or do you want a high-quality prime lens with a set focal length? Next comes getting closer to the birds. Because the 300mm f/4 is so small and takes a 1.4X TC teleconverter reasonably well, it is a perfect lens for wildlife shooters who absolutely do not want to carry a huge lens. Nikon 500mm f/4 VR. 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. 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. And feeders, offering . Aperture: A faster lens like f/2.8 or f/4 allows you to use faster shutter speed, which is essential for bird photography. See my detailed Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II Review for more information on this lens. 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. 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. The construction involves 3 ED glass elements, minimizing chromatic aberration and achieving super sharpness. 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. Theres no clear winner between the prime or telephoto debate. Important command dials for wildlife and bird photography are located on the camera body itself. A stunning lens if you can justify the price - see our full Nikon 600mm f/4E FL ED VR review (opens in new tab). Buy Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens: $2,696.95 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama. Other features include an OLED display, plus a customisable function button. 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 Unique VR modes like the Sports VR take the VR game a notch higher. 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. It's tough to do, especially when photographing moving birds. Shell climb just about anything, from leading fun sport to projecting boulders to following multi-pitch trad (as long as its not slab). The silent wave matter is added for an extra-fast and noise-free bird photography experience. An image stabilization system that reduces the effects of camera shake and the consequent blur that causes. The speed of continuous shooting is not compromised with modern cameras like D4S. Quick Answer - The Best Lenses for Bird Photography. 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. Introducing the 7 Best Nikon Lenses For Wildlife Photography Nikon AF-S FX Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED - Best Overall Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR - Best for Pros Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3G ED VR - Best on a Budget Nikon AF-S Nikkor DX 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6G ED VR II - Landscape and Nature in One The 400mm f/2.8 lens is ideal for situations where even an f/4 lens would be too slow. That said, pair it with the EOS R5 or R6 and the combined image stabilisation delivers up to 6 stops compensation (5 stops on the EOS R or RP). But lenses are an expensive purchase, so its important to really think through your decision about which Nikon lens to buy for bird photography. Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. Nikon has one more wildlife lens on its roadmap: a 200-600mm zoom, which competes directly with the Sony 200-600mm lens. The main downside of this lens is its 2.3kg weight, which is not very comfortable compared to some lighter options like the 500mm f/5.6PF. A prime lens that excels for bird photography, the telephoto Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm is a quality addition to your camera kit. The first is that the maximum aperture of f/5.6 on the long end doesnt let in as much light as an f/4 or f/2.8 lens, which also makes it harder to use teleconverters. It is still just possible to handhold, and it offers a lot of versatility with its zoom and very decent image quality. Sharpness is very good at or near 600mm but less impressive towards the short end of the zoom range. So get the best lens you can afford, then learn to use . The Nikon TC-17E II nor the new Nikon TC-20E III can work but not as reliably. In particular, its much easier to use a 1.4x teleconverter with this lens, turning it into a very reasonable 560mm f/6.3. When engaged, it turns the lens into an 840mm f/5.6. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 is about the same size and weight as Sigmas competing Contemporary lens, but adds a more comprehensive set of weather seals, similar to those of Sigmas more exotic Sports edition while splitting the difference in terms of price. This has seen a weight saving of some 25%, though it still tips the scales at an arm-wobbling 3,810g. A VR lens helps create sharper pictures and provides three stops insurance. The Nikon 500mm f/4E VR is sort of a sweet middle between the 400mm and 600mm lenses. 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. If you dont have your lens with you, it cant help you capture stunning bird images, so youll want to factor in the weight of lens you choose. At 400mm, it's a powerful super-telephoto lens suited to wildlife and action photography, with or without a tripod. 1. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Heres how it works. If youre heading out into the backcountry, you might not want to lug around a heavy lens, but if youre only planning to hike short trails, that might be okay. Do you have any recommendations or questions? 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. 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. Or would you prefer the 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, which is a 400mm f/2.8 and a 560mm f/4? Costing $6500, this lens is the cheapest way to reach this focal length. It's an easy-to-carry, (relatively) affordable, and fast-focusing long lens, which makes it ideal for photographing birds in the field. If you love birdwatching, visit our best bird feeder camera (opens in new tab) guide! 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. A unique Sport-VR helps take sharper images even while panning and using continuous shooting mode. The cost difference between the two is significant. The best telephoto lenses (opens in new tab) are generally getting lighter, and optical image stabilization systems make it possible to capture sharp images at the outer edge of a telephoto zoom, without having to use a tripod. It was originally introduced as an answer to third-party large focal length telephoto zoom lenses. You might be wondering, does it still make sense to get an F-mount lens now that Nikon is focusing its effort and support on Z-mount? 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. It all works together very well, except that stabilization can be relatively ineffective for panning. A specially shaped lens hood with a thumb and finger groove helps with this. Traditionally, 400mm f/2.8 lenses were much more specialized tools, being very heavy and a bit short for smaller wildlife. Sold all other FX lenses to get a full set of Z lenses. Overall performance and image quality are excellent, although outright sharpness drops off a bit at the long end of the zoom range. It comprises 21 elements in 13 groups, having three LD (low dispersion) lens elements. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. The lens is under $600 and is among the cheapest lenses to achieve any bird photography. It is also only about 2.4kg, which means it is handholdable for longer periods compared to most supertelephotos. The lighter weight helps in more rapid framing and composition, giving the extra few milliseconds to create the masterpiece. Interestingly, it is 3.25kg, which is not much heavier than the 2.9kg of the 300mm f/2.8. 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! 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. Sigma is not reporting equivalent focal lengths or f-numbers. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. There are two potential downsides with this lens, and they go hand-in-hand. This typically happens in wildlife after the sun goes down. 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. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports, 13. A 600mm f/4 is the gold standard for birding and other types of wildlife, and its a lens that still does not exist in Z-mount. 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. The NIKKOR 200-500mm also features an autofocus system that you can override by turning the manual focus ring. Read more about Nasim here. Lots of opinions why this and that lens is not on the list. I agree with all the conclusions, my thoughts are the same, why and how. Even so, the difference isnt particularly noticeable in practical terms and the Nikon lens has the advantage of a constant-aperture design, so f/5.6 remains available throughout the zoom range, rather than dropping to f/6.3 at the long end. Weather Resistance: Bird photography is out there in the wild. Add 4.5 stops of vibration reduction, and this lens qualifies as a mini beast for bird photography. Tamron 150-600mm Review and how to use it for Wildlife Photography, 24 Tips for Fantastic Flower Photography (2022), Video Courses from Friends of Photography-RAW. So, this is a great lens for bigger or closer wildlife, but its not the right choice for all wildlife photographers. The Sonys size and weight are fairly typical but feel a little more imposing on comparatively lightweight Sony Alpha mirrorless bodies. Starts with the 70-300, but ignores the 200-500 or new 100-400s also ignores all the pf lenses .. the 500pf being one of the best wildlife lenses out there. The second is that 400mm isnt always long enough for smaller or more distant birds. 1,725g (1,880g with tripod mounting ring), Amazing shot of angry birds wins Nature in Action Photo Competition, Sony releases first pictures of Earth from its Star Sphere space satellite, Hipster camera alert: A full-frame Nikon Z fc could be on the way, Should you use a full frame or cropped sensor camera for bird photography, 2. Featured key specs: Notable reviews: 5. The Nikon 600mm f/4E FL ED VR is one of the company's longest focal length lenses available, and with a price tag that's nudging five figures, it's squarely aimed at the professional sports and wildlife photographer. A camera that takes high-definition images and comes with a lens for up-close shots of subjects. Our Top Picks Best Price: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR Best Choice: Nikon 300mm f/4E PF VR AF-S ED-IF Telephoto Nikkor Lens Best Overall: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 80-400mm f.4.5-5.6G ED Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens Most Durable: Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S Nikkor Zoom Lens It provides an edge-to-edge sharpness and compatibility with all Nikon teleconverters for greater reach. A mixture of zooms and primes, these are the lenses that bring distant subjects closer, filling the frame with birds and animals and making the most of your camera's sensor to capture them in all their gorgeous detail. As of January 2022, Nikon just released their latest addition to the Z mirrorless system lens line-up. It is easy to get carried away by the camera body. Its equivalent focal range is so large, at 190-810mm, it just may inspire wildlife photographers to switch to the compact mirrorless Nikon 1 line of cameras. 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! What are the best Nikon lenses for wildlife photography? When looking at lenses, consider how they'll interact with your camera sensor. As in the Sigma and Tamron lenses, this enables more consistency in rapid-fire exposures but, with older Nikon bodies, youll only be able to shoot at the widest aperture. Both DSLR and mirrorless full-frames should be considered. But if you have the budget, then the Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR II is the best option for image clarity. For Nikon, a good choice is the Nikon 200-500mm lens for DSLR cameras. This means that with the teleconverter switched on you have a 560mm lens. Being around for much longer than the Z-mount, the F-mount currently has more lenses suitable for wildlife. 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. 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. The Nikon Z 100-400mm is currently the only Nikon zoom for Z-mount that has some reach. After falling head over heel hooks for climbing in a gym in Boston, she moved to Golden, Colorado because the mountains were calling. Now Kate spends as much time as possible exploring the crags of the Front Range and beyond, usually with her camera in hand. The Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3s main application is birds and other small animals. Extending the focal length gives it even more reach, though the trade-off is a pretty modest maximum aperture of f/7.1 at the long end. It comes at half the price of a decent 300mm prime. This large lens, when coupled with the DX-format sensor, gives him the optical equivalent of an 18x binocular. Bought it because it can be hand held. but the lens you're using will quite obviously play an important part of the equation as well. New York, 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. Hand-holding, the Nikon D500, feels better. If you always find yourself at the long end of your zoom, it definitely makes sense to get this lens instead of the 100-400mm. If you want the ultimate versatility in a single lens, it would be hard to go wrong with the Nikon 180-400mm f/4E lens. Give your opinion for 80-400 G ED VR.I believe the autofocus issue is on the D version. A cheap APS-C macro lens is coming, for almost all mounts, Shots fired! See sample zoom photography (View in a lightbox) View the COOLPIX P1000 Product Tour . 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. Im the owner and editor of Photography-RAW. November 14, 2018 May 6, 2019; . Best Canon: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens Best Canon premium: Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM Lens Best Nikon: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED Best Nikon premium: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED No also f/1.4. It is about $550 more expensive than the 100-400mm, so why would you get this lens instead? It does feature a Tripod Mode, to reduce camera shake from ground vibrations you might not even notice, as well as a Sport Mode that can be useful when youre following birds in flight. The optical path is top drawer too, featuring no less than five ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements plus a Super ED element. Tamrons 150-600mm was a gamechanger. This is the first ultra-telephoto lens made for the APS-C format. But no matter what camera system you use, we've found the best lenses for bird photography. 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 It is a massive lens for a reason its large aperture of f/2.8 requires huge glass elements to transmit so much light into the camera. AF performance is top notch, with super fast and accurate autofocus acquisition, even in low-light situations. An extreme telephoto lens, it can beautifully capture birds at a very long distance. A useful range of handling extras ensure top-quality results time after time, with excellent consistency even in handheld shooting. This is especially true with mammals, which like to come out during such times. Thus, if you are still using a Nikon 200-500 on an F-mount camera and are looking to transition to Z-mount, I would wait for this lens to come out, instead of buying one of the other Nikon Z lenses above.