In fact, for many situations, it will be too long, and f/6.3 may not be bright enough. One of the newest Nikon telephoto lenses at the moment is the 600mm f/4 TC VR S. Just like the 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, this 600mm lens has a built-in 1.4x teleconverter. Canon EF 100-400mm IS II. 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. Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency (eBAND) coating and Broad-Band Anti-Reflection (BBAR) coating make the optics even more refined. The effects of camera shake are minimized by vibration reduction VRII. This fast lens features snappy autofocus, a 400mm telephoto, and top-quality lens construction by Nikon. The biggest consideration when buying a Nikon lens for bird photography is focal length. Canon felt that it would be hard to improve on the image quality of the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM so opted to extend the focal range even further with the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM. The silent wave matter is added for an extra-fast and noise-free bird photography experience. 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. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. It also features 2 FL (fluorite lens elements) to minimize weight and improve optics. lighter. The lens is meant to be used with fast Nikon DSLRs from the high-end range. Its wide range and 0.38x magnification (minimum focus distance of 75cm) make this lens well-suited to larger wildlife and pseudo-macro shots of insects. This is especially true with mammals, which like to come out during such times. As of January 2022, Nikon just released their latest addition to the Z mirrorless system lens line-up. The construction is uncompromised with the new magnesium alloy barrel and fluorite elements. longer. In fact, it is significantly lighter than the F-mount 300mm f/2.8G II lens, which is very impressive! It also has a retractable mechanism to cut down on stowage size, making it ideal for use anywhere and everywhere from local sporting events to wildlife shoots in far-flung corners of the world. Pls. However, the modest f/11 rating enables a relatively compact and lightweight build with smaller-diameter lens elements. DDSSM (Direct Drive Super Sonic Motor) autofocus is super-fast and comes complete with customizable focus-hold buttons mounted around the barrel. If you are one of those, the best combination for bird photography would be something like the Nikon D5 or D500 + one of the above-mentioned lenses + 1.4x TC ( TeleConverter ), which will give you the best performance and reach. I hope you enjoy the site . It is optimized to deliver results quickly and perfectly. For Z-mount users, the Nikon 100-400mm seems far more attractive at 1.4kg, and the 500mm f/5.6 PF is a great alternative if you are mostly at 500mm. Lens Weight: Heavier lenses are challenging to use without tripods. At F2.8, it is the fastest lens for bird photography. The autofocus is extremely fast, thanks to an internal focus element, and you can easily override the autofocus if you want manual control. Overall performance and image quality are excellent, although outright sharpness drops off a bit at the long end of the zoom range. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 is a compact and ridiculously sharp lens that is perfect for larger birds and birds in flight. In this list, we've included some of the best telephoto lenses (opens in new tab) around right now. The one thing I would not use this lens for is birding. An image stabilization system that reduces the effects of camera shake and the consequent blur that causes. In many cases, it still does. First, it is 0.63 stops faster, which although small, does make a difference in challenging wildlife conditions. With its MFT mount, it will work on Olympus mirrorless cameras, as well as compatible Panasonic Lumix models. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Give your opinion for 80-400 G ED VR on D850 and D500. Again, not much to complain about in terms of optics and features. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Then again, for maximum image quality at the longer focal lengths, the 600mm f/4 TC VR S would be the one to beat. Looking to turn pro? 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. The lens is light and compact, making it easy to carry it around when scouting for wildlife in parks and wildlife spots. and a game-changer for birders, sports and wildlife enthusiasts, travel photographers and even those aspiring to venture to the moon and beyond without leaving their backyard. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Theres also lens lightness that helps them enjoy the process and learn the art of bird photography. Buy Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens: $2,696.95 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama. A system that automatically focuses on the subject to keep it crisp and clear. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 is a compact and ridiculously sharp lens that is perfect for larger birds and birds in flight. One can also double their effective focal length using teleconverters. 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. If you like our content, you can subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly email updates using the link below: Getting F-mount Lenses in a Z-mount World, Best Nikon Lenses for Landscape Photography, Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Review, Best Nikon Lenses for Wedding Photography. Wildlife situations come and pass quickly and this lens is easy to deploy quickly, fast optics, feather weight, and has VR. Camera body with a lens without zoom for shooting portraits. One caveat is the video recording button is located a bit oddly. Nikons 300mm F2.8 is fondly called a super-telephoto lens. Canon premium: Canon EOS R3. The 400mm f/2.8 lens is ideal for situations where even an f/4 lens would be too slow. This is not the lens you would pack in a backpack for hiking. It brought everyone into action with this insane zoom range of 150-600mm. If you are looking for the best lens for bird photography with extreme capabilities, then this universal model is worth considering. Theres also considerably lower quality owing to the higher number of lens elements. It is still just possible to handhold, and it offers a lot of versatility with its zoom and very decent image quality. Best wide-angle lens for landscapes: NIKON Z 14-24MM f/2.8 S. Best super telephoto lens for wildlife photography: SIGMA 60-600MM F/4.5-6.3. Nikon: Nikon Z9. More so, it has a focal range of 70-300mm. Canon: Canon EOS R7. The equivalent lenses in full frame would be approximately 24mm f2, 45mm f2, and 85mm f2. If youre looking for the longest reach without teleconverters, the Nikon 800mm f/6.3 is your lens! 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. The Nikon Z 100-400mm is currently the only Nikon zoom for Z-mount that has some reach. 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. Fujifilm XF150-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR, 12. Hand-holding, the Nikon D500, feels better. But, since you have a crop sensor camera, a lens zooming to 400mm, 500mm or even 600mm would be an option. 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. 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 lens has 11 elements (3ED) in 8 groups. Nikons Silent Wave Motor AF system allows for super fast autofocusing, but with just a turn of the manual focus ring, you can take control yourself. Would love to hear the reasons, if any. What are the best Nikon lenses for wildlife photography? If you like birds, you might also like to see the best camera for wildlife (opens in new tab), as well as the best bird feeder cameras. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In addition to using the twist-action control ring, you can alter the zoom setting in a push-pull fashion. This means that with the teleconverter switched on you have a 560mm lens. No matter the focal length of the lens, the closer you are, the bigger the subject. 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. And lastly, I present you the Cadillac of all Nikon super telephoto lenses: the Nikon 600mm f/4E VR. The Sports model is a superior lens for photographing birds. The Nikon 500mm f/4E VR is sort of a sweet middle between the 400mm and 600mm lenses. So, this is a great lens for bigger or closer wildlife, but its not the right choice for all wildlife photographers. 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. It is a workhorse tool used by professionals for sports, wildlife and portrait photography. Neutral Color NC Filter and Circular Polarizing Filter II have been specially crafted for this lens. It is easy to get carried away by the camera body. Still, it is heavy and big to carry around and takes time to set up. 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. The best lenses for bird photography will help you get close to wildlife and there are great options for every camera mount. So you conclude with what you have- The article is intended for ALL.. judging and justifying availability with a Brand? As each birder's requirements are a little different, there is no one perfect camera and lens for bird photography. In addition, you will have to buy a good heavy duty tripod + accessories (batteries, memory cards, etc). Surprisingly u didnt included Nikon 200-500 /f5.6 lens one of the best selling lens for wildlife photography. Continuous high-speed photography is achievable through this type of AE control. 2. Traditionally, 400mm f/2.8 lenses were much more specialized tools, being very heavy and a bit short for smaller wildlife. 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 Reviews - The Best Wildlife Photography Budget Lens Sigma 60 - 600mm f/4.5 - 6.3 Specs Type: Zoom Aperture: f/4.5 - 6.3 Dimensions: 4.7 x 12.7 x 10.6 in Focal Length: 60 - 600mm Weight: 4 lbs. 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. Unlike landscape and portrait photography, where you could get away with a cheap lens and still get great results, wildlife photography pretty much requires high-quality, fast-aperture telephoto optics. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Theres no clear winner between the prime or telephoto debate. Canons original EF 100-400mm zoom was something of a classic, but wasnt to everybodys taste, especially in regard to its trombone-style push-pull zoom mechanism. Optically it is an insanely sharp lens, I would say about the same as the Nikon 600mm f/4E below. 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. Fortunately, your camera offers a neat solution: Auto White Balance, also known as AWB. 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. For hobbyists, a zoom lens might be a better shot. Nanocrystal provides for even better construction. 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. On the other hand, mirrorless doesnt necessarily mean spending more money. It has a tripod detection mode that helps minimize shutter release vibration, making it an intelligent VR workhorse. Nikons 200-500mm f5.6E has carved a space of its own among hobbyist and semi-professional wildlife photographers. Should you use a full frame or cropped sensor camera for bird photography (opens in new tab)? Among other notable features are a lag-free switch from automatic to manual focus. The price is quite hefty though, at close to $14,000. I would suggest that for most people, this lens is a little bit short for wildlife, especially at $9500. Without a doubt, wildlife photography is a very expensive hobby to have (unless you are so good that you can sell your pictures and make good money), especially once you add up all the gear and travel costs. 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. His expertise with equipment doesnt end there, though. This lens will let you shoot birds up close, and although the zoom isnt the longest out there, it will still allow you to capture birds in the distance. Panasonic DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 Asph. 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. I am a wildlife photographer, started in the 70s. If you want to get into wildlife photography on a tight budget, the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E VR AF-P is the lens you want to get. The best bird photography lenses help you grab those moments. I have been shooting with the Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR lens for the last 4-5 years and I can assure you that the Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II is overall a better lens to buy (unless you shoot large animals from a close distance, like bears in Alaska). Dont worry, this article will be updated in October! A stunning lens if you can justify the price - see our full Nikon 600mm f/4E FL ED VR review (opens in new tab). 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. 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. At 1,260g, its perfectly viable for long periods of handheld shooting, aided by a highly effective optical image stabilizer. 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. Landscape vs Portrait Orientation in Photography. Further anti-reflection technologies help create even sharper pictures with great picture quality. 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. 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. Autofocus is very quick and highly accurate and image quality is excellent overall, although sharpness drops off a little at the longest zoom setting. Image quality wise: an entry level Nikon DSLR matches the image quality you can get from any other camera in Nikon's line up . (Libor wrote a separate article on why thats his favorite budget combo.). 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C for Canon, DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH Power OIS, Massive telephoto reach in a compact, affordable package, The latest premium super-telephoto zoom for EOS R mirrorless cameras, This shouldn't be ignored for bird photography, Best own-brand Nikon lens for bird photographers, Nikon's mighty 600mm prime is a beast of a lens, A monster performer, if you don't mind the modest aperture and weight, Sonys biggest and best super-telephoto zoom for birding, Tamron's affordable tele-zoom for Sony boasts fearsome autofocus, Best Fujifilm lens for bird photographers, The longest X-mount lens is also lightweight and affordable, Sony E-mount and Leica L get a Sports lens to call their own, Best lens for bird photography for Canon & Nikon DSLRs, Best budget lens for birding for Canon and Nikon DSLRs, This Tamron lens combines the attractions of both Sigma lenses, A great lightweight, budget super-telephoto zoom, Best MFT zoom lens for birding, thanks to the 2x crop factor, Best prime lens for Olympus and Panasonic MFT cameras, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. A Nano-crystal coat and fluorine coat cut down on all reflections. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. But if youre photographing small birds that are 10-15 meters away from you or greater (30+ feet), 800mm will be ideal. A cheap APS-C macro lens is coming, for almost all mounts, Shots fired! The upgraded VR II provides three stops of image stabilization. Heres how it works. It took a while, but Sigma's 150-600mm Sports lens finally got a mirrorless makeover. Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. Sony budget: Sony 6400. We also have bird lenses for Nikon and Canon. A prime lens may force you to, though, unless you know the exact bird locations and schedule. In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide. At 400mm, it's a powerful super-telephoto lens suited to wildlife and action photography, with or without a tripod.
best lens for bird photography nikon