The best lenses for bird photography provide you with enough magnification to fill the frame with a feathery subject and have a fast enough autofocus to track it as it moves. They help cut down on any reflection, including the reflection of the camera sensor. His expertise with equipment doesnt end there, though. Compared with Sigma and Tamron 150-600mm zooms for Nikon cameras, this own-brand competitor comes up slightly short in maximum reach. Sir, Pls. 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. 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 Unique VR modes like the Sports VR take the VR game a notch higher. Getting a gently used model could save you many thousands of dollars, which would go a long way towards other gear. 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. 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. 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. In fact, Nikon specifically released the TC-20E III together with this lens, which makes this lens almost like a reference lens for use with teleconverters (with the TC-20E III, the lens becomes a 600mm f/5.6 lens). 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. Let us know which is your favorite lens for bird photography. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens Deputy Director of Audubon North Carolina Walker Golder uses the discontinued Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR lens on his Nikon DSLR to capture images of birds. The lens is light and compact, making it easy to carry it around when scouting for wildlife in parks and wildlife spots. But it is only half part of the story. Instead, it will automatically adjust as the light changes. 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). These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Canon EF 100-400mm IS II. These cookies do not store any personal information. Nikon 200-500mm f5.6E redraws creative boundaries with a constant-aperture telephoto zoom. 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. What is the best one you would suggest for wild life (perched birds) with Z6 and FTZ adapter ? More so, it has a focal range of 70-300mm. The next best wildlife lens is Nikons heavyweight super telephoto bazooka, the Nikon 400mm f/2.8E VR. 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. Do you have any recommendations or questions? What are the best Nikon lenses for wildlife photography? 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. Wildlife situations come and pass quickly and this lens is easy to deploy quickly, fast optics, feather weight, and has VR. So, this is a great lens for bigger or closer wildlife, but its not the right choice for all wildlife photographers. A camera that takes high-definition images and comes with a lens for up-close shots of subjects. 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. A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm. Hand-held shooting is possible with the newer model. The second edition of the lens has a more typical twist-action zoom ring and a host of upgrades. This translates to a high price tag, with the lowest end of the spectrum averaging between $500 to $1,500, and the highest-quality / best reach lenses costing as much as $10,000+. 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. First, it is 0.63 stops faster, which although small, does make a difference in challenging wildlife conditions. Among other notable features are a lag-free switch from automatic to manual focus. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM The construction involves 3 ED glass elements, minimizing chromatic aberration and achieving super sharpness. Not only does its resolving power drop with the teleconverter engaged, but it will be a 560 f/5.6 at its longest end and hence not provide an advantage over the Nikon 500mm f/5.6 lens, which is nearly four times cheaper. 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. But there are still good values to be found, and I hope that this article can point you in that direction, too, if thats what youre after. The equivalent lenses in full frame would be approximately 24mm f2, 45mm f2, and 85mm f2. 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. Then again, for maximum image quality at the longer focal lengths, the 600mm f/4 TC VR S would be the one to beat. If you can find a way to deal with the weight, this lens with a D500 would still be a very capable wildlife setup. Best macro lens: TAMRON 90MM F/2.8 Di VC USD. How to Improve your Bee Photography and Capture Amazing Photos? This lens is great for general wildlife, especially if you often shoot the large kind like moose and bears. 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. They, however, are prone to more lens aberrations and vignettes. 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. This zoom lens offers a range from portrait to telephoto, so you can always get the shot. Please keep in mind that the information I present below is a personal opinion based on my experience so far, which is subject to change. The best bird photography lenses help you grab those moments. 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. Capturing stunning images of birds is not easy, and you definitely need the right lens to be able to do it. Its also not quite as sharp, but it comes very close and its overall image quality is pleasing. This makes the lens very versatile, giving 400mm and 560mm at the flick of a switch. 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 Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 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 I have a personal sweet spot for the 200-500 mm for its versatility as well as sharpness as also for the 500 mm PF for its lightweight as well as sharpness. longer. But lenses are an expensive purchase, so its important to really think through your decision about which Nikon lens to buy for bird photography. __CONFIG_colors_palette__{active_palette:0,config:{colors:{62516:{name:Main Accent,parent:-1}},gradients:[]},palettes:[{name:Default Palette,value:{colors:{62516:{val:var(tcb-color-4) ,hsl:{h:46,s:0.87,l:0.58}}},gradients:[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, __CONFIG_colors_palette__{active_palette:0,config:{colors:{62516:{name:Main Accent,parent:-1}},gradients:[]},palettes:[{name:Default Palette,value:{colors:{62516:{val:var(tcb-color-4),hsl:{h:46,s:0.8692,l:0.01}}},gradients:[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__. 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. Even so, thats rarely a disadvantage for birding, as youre likely to use a zoom lens at its longest available focal length anyway. Personally, I prefer to shoot landscape, nature and macro photography. Out of the many options available for you in the market, here are the bird photography cameras that are worth the purchase. A prime lens that excels for bird photography, the telephoto Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm is a quality addition to your camera kit. Canon: Canon EOS R7. 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. The lighter weight helps in more rapid framing and composition, giving the extra few milliseconds to create the masterpiece. Personalized Recommendations Show All AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4E FL ED VR AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR This helps you to change the settings quickly. 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. VR is Vibration Reduction that minimizes blur due to camera shake. Optically it is an insanely sharp lens, I would say about the same as the Nikon 600mm f/4E below. The price is quite hefty though, at close to $14,000. 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. Basically, if youre not sure which lens youll need, you definitely dont need this one. 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. Both DSLR and mirrorless full-frames should be considered. 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. Further anti-reflection technologies help create even sharper pictures with great picture quality. Nikon Lenses for Bird Photography Nikon 200-500 mm Telephoto. It is about $550 more expensive than the 100-400mm, so why would you get this lens instead? If you're looking for affordable options, these are the best budget telephoto lenses (opens in new tab). Birds are often tiny, very fast, and since it happens in the wild, theres no control over the light. 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. Since this lens offers a 1.4X TC with still excellent image quality and significant 850g weight savings over the Nikon 400mm f/2.8E, this new Z mount 400mm f/2.8 could indeed be the ultimate wildlife lens. Camera body with a lens without zoom for shooting portraits. Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR The Nikkor 70-300 f4.5-5.6G VR must be on the list of bird photography lenses purely to provide an entry. Sigma is not reporting equivalent focal lengths or f-numbers. It really depends on the types of subjects that you shoot. The biggest consideration when buying a Nikon lens for bird photography is focal length. Important command dials for wildlife and bird photography are located on the camera body itself. Going up to 500mm, while not the longest lens on this list or even in the Sony section, is pretty handy, and it's helped by the Tamron lens's real ace in the hole: it's super-fast autofocus system. The electro-mechanics diaphragm mechanism works in conjunction with the cameras shutter. very long. Give your opinion for 80-400 G ED VR.I believe the autofocus issue is on the D version. It renders the lens incompatible with older Nikon DSLRs. The fixed zoom mechanism feels smooth throughout the entire range and is near silent, which is exactly what you want if you're stalking skittish wildlife and don't want to alert it to your presence. I make sure that you get the best articles about photography. Featured key specs: Notable reviews: 5. Lenses are the second half, and in some cases, the better half. The sheer range provided by Tamrons 150-600, especially when clubbed with a crop frame, is enough to enchant the buyers. 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. This typically happens in wildlife after the sun goes down. Autofocus itself is very fast and image quality is fabulous. When engaged, it turns the lens into an 840mm f/5.6. It is easy to get carried away by the camera body. It provides an edge-to-edge sharpness and compatibility with all Nikon teleconverters for greater reach. This is especially true with mammals, which like to come out during such times. Coupled with the Nikon Z9 you can use the newly developed Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM), which enables fast, highly accurate, and quiet AF control. These are 600mm, 750mm and 900mm equivalent (35mm), i.e. If you love birdwatching, visit our best bird feeder camera (opens in new tab) guide! 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. Theres no other difference between the two versions. Should you use a full frame or cropped sensor camera for bird photography (opens in new tab)? It's heavily weatherproofed, with oil-repellent coatings on the elements, and it's got 4-stop optical stabilisation to help keep things sharp at the telephoto end. Because this lens is so new, its the only one here that our team at Photography Life hasnt used yet. The D850 is Nikon's best all-purpose DSLR, striking a great balance between capability and affordability. The 800mm focal length, while not easy to use, certainly shines when it is used properly. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. It comprises 21 elements in 13 groups, having three LD (low dispersion) lens elements. 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. Fujifilm XF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR, 11. It all works together very well, except that stabilization can be relatively ineffective for panning. The lens is under $600 and is among the cheapest lenses to achieve any bird photography. For Nikon, a good choice is the Nikon 200-500mm lens for DSLR cameras. but the lens you're using will quite obviously play an important part of the equation as well. In this list, we've included some of the best telephoto lenses (opens in new tab) around right now. Add 4.5 stops of vibration reduction, and this lens qualifies as a mini beast for bird photography. A useful range of handling extras ensure top-quality results time after time, with excellent consistency even in handheld shooting. When you need to nail the definitive moment in wildlife photography, this is a lens you can surely count on. The Nano Crystal Coat eliminates internal reflections and removes all chromatic aberration to provide the finest picture quality. Sony: Sony a7 IV. The Nikon 800mm f/5.6 is no doubt an astounding and absurdly expensive lens. Seeing a gorgeous bird in flight is awe-inspiring, but it can be difficult to translate that beauty into a photo. The Canon EF . 2. You can switch focus mode by simply turning the focus ring. B&H offers a good rundown of how to build your camera kit for birding, and a Nikon ambassador Moose Peterson shares his favorite setup to give you some ideas. For more of our top wildlife photography gear recommendations, check out the Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography. Very informative write up, What about 200-500 mm lens? 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. We also have bird lenses for Nikon and Canon. A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm. Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR A good option zoom lens for bird photography and it comes at a reasonable cost. The Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm is a great introductory telephoto lens for bird photography at a very good price point. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I would say a much longer lens would be significantly harder to aim. Bird photographers carrying a lot of gear find the 500mm f/4 a bit easier to travel with compared to the 600mm f/4. He is also an encyclopedia when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. the best birds in flight photography lenses cost thousands of dollars, which just doesn't make sense for a beginner. 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. The Best Canon Lens For Bird Photography Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L is II USM Lens, Lens Only Compact, high performance L-series super-telephoto zoom makes it ideal for sports and wildlife photography Rotation-type zoom ring allows for more precise composition and excellent balance when handholding The Nikon COOLPIX P1000 features a 3000mm super telephoto 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 one thing I would not use this lens for is birding. This lens will let you shoot birds up close, and although the zoom isn't the longest out there, it will still allow you to capture birds in the distance. Our readers often ask us about lenses for nature photography, and while I have already written about which Nikon lenses I consider to be the best for landscape photography, I have received numerous requests to write about lenses for wildlife photography as well. Forget about trying to hand-hold it, even if you have arms as big as Schwarzeneggers. That is all the reach you will need. ED glasses are Extra-Low Dispersion Glass, an optical glass developed by Nikon to reduce or remove chromatic aberration. 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.