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. You now know how to do the calculation: the 200-500 is the equivalent of 300 mm to a whopping 750 mm. Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary. Fortunately, your camera offers a neat solution: Auto White Balance, also known as AWB. Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD, 10. 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. The construction is uncompromised with the new magnesium alloy barrel and fluorite elements. The VC Mode II is specifically for panning, aiding the birds-in-flight photography. An image stabilization system that reduces the effects of camera shake and the consequent blur that causes. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This zoom lens offers a range from portrait to telephoto, so you can always get the shot. Weather Resistance: Bird photography is out there in the wild. The Best Lens for Bird Photography in 2023 (Updated) This is a lens you'll want to partner with a sturdy monopod for long periods of shooting. 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). It also features 2 FL (fluorite lens elements) to minimize weight and improve optics. If you love birdwatching, visit our best bird feeder camera (opens in new tab) guide! I may have got lucky because mine is very sharp. It has a tripod detection mode that helps minimize shutter release vibration, making it an intelligent VR workhorse. 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. A long lens to capture subjects in the distance. Capturing stunning images of birds is not easy, and you definitely need the right lens to be able to do it. This lens is the real winner for use on any Nikon body: a 200-500 mm zoom with vibration reduction. Seeing a gorgeous bird in flight is awe-inspiring, but it can be difficult to translate that beauty into a photo. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Sigma stops developing Micro Four Thirds lenses; APS-C "also in decline", Every issue is packed with photo tips, kit reviews and inspiration. 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. Im the owner and editor of Photography-RAW. The Nikon Z 100-400mm is currently the only Nikon zoom for Z-mount that has some reach. 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. If you're looking for affordable options, these are the best budget telephoto lenses (opens in new tab). You are a bit mixed up. A camera that takes high-definition images and comes with a lens for up-close shots of subjects. Do you want a zoom lens that offers a focal range from up close to far in the distance? By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. Compared with Sigma and Tamron 150-600mm zooms for Nikon cameras, this own-brand competitor comes up slightly short in maximum reach. 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. 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. 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. The 400mm f/2.8 lens is ideal for situations where even an f/4 lens would be too slow. You cant move much during wildlife photography, as you may disturb the surroundings. Best Budget Lens for Bird Photography For absolute beginners with a lesser budget, a non-VR version may suffice. In this list, we've included some of the best telephoto lenses (opens in new tab) around right now. I agree with all the conclusions, my thoughts are the same, why and how. Buy Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens: $2,696.95 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama. Continuous high-speed photography is achievable through this type of AE control. No matter the focal length of the lens, the closer you are, the bigger the subject. 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 But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Review of the Nikon D500 for Wildlife and Bird Photography Fujifilm XF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR, 11. This latest generation optic is significantly lighter than its predecessor thanks to the Flourite lens elements used. 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). Tamrons 150-600mm was a gamechanger. Theres no clear winner between the prime or telephoto debate. Coupled with the Nikon Z9 you can use the newly developed Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM), which enables fast, highly accurate, and quiet AF control. The lens is under $600 and is among the cheapest lenses to achieve any bird photography. Let us know which is your favorite lens for bird photography. Id love to hear in the comments! 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. It is a workhorse tool used by professionals for sports, wildlife and portrait photography. For longer reach, you can use the Nikon TC-14E III, which will give you 840mm of effective focal length to work with at f/5.6, although it certainly does not reach the insane resolving power of the native 800mm f/5.6 as we have shown in our tests on Photography Life. Its autofocus is pretty good in daylight and its versatile zoom range of 70-300mm is great for large animals and perched birds. It provides an edge-to-edge sharpness and compatibility with all Nikon teleconverters for greater reach. 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. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 is our choice as the best lens for bird photography. Other features include an OLED display, plus a customisable function button. A useful range of handling extras ensure top-quality results time after time, with excellent consistency even in handheld shooting. 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. These are 600mm, 750mm and 900mm equivalent (35mm), i.e. Best Nikon Lenses for Bird Photography - Photography-Raw.com On the other hand, if you like to shoot when the sun is almost down or even set, f/5.6 is a little slow even with todays amazing sensors. Sony: Sony a7 IV. Nikon budget: Nikon Z50. 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. A VR lens helps create sharper pictures and provides three stops insurance. 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+. It is also dust and moisture resistant, and built for rough conditions, like the home of the birds. 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. 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). Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. Lenses For Wildlife Photography - Outdoor Photographer 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 opening in the lens that allows light to pass through. 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. They, however, are prone to more lens aberrations and vignettes. Lens Weight: Heavier lenses are challenging to use without tripods. A stunning lens if you can justify the price - see our full Nikon 600mm f/4E FL ED VR review (opens in new tab). In addition to using the twist-action control ring, you can alter the zoom setting in a push-pull fashion. 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 500mm f/4 VR. 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. 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. I have the 80-400, never use it. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Lots of opinions why this and that lens is not on the list. So you conclude with what you have- The article is intended for ALL.. judging and justifying availability with a Brand? 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. Nikon COOLPIX P1000 Super-telephoto digital camera 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. 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. Best Budget Lenses for Wildlife Photography of 2022 Nikons 200-500mm f5.6E has carved a space of its own among hobbyist and semi-professional wildlife photographers. Out of the many options available for you in the market, here are the bird photography cameras that are worth the purchase. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Image quality is fabulous throughout the entire zoom range. 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. 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. Nikon 80-400mm VR. So, this is a great lens for bigger or closer wildlife, but its not the right choice for all wildlife photographers. Camera body with a lens without zoom for shooting portraits. If you are looking for the best lens for bird photography with extreme capabilities, then this universal model is worth considering. Additionally, 2 ED glass elements work towards eliminating chromatic aberration. +80Photoshop Actionsfor NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS. 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. In many cases, it still does. 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. It is more compact than the flagship gripped cameras like the Z9 and D6, and yet it still is very capable in the autofocus department. Finally, the Nikon Z 400mm is also 190 g lighter than the 100-400mm, which makes a difference if you are carrying the lens and other equipment all day. I would suggest that for most people, this lens is a little bit short for wildlife, especially at $9500. Its a superfast (f/2.8) 400mm lens with a built-in 1.4x teleconverter (thats what the TC, stands for in the lens name). The lens is designed for Canon and Nikon DSLRs but is also an option for Canon RF and Nikon Z mirrorless cameras using a mount adapter. The only possible con for the lens is the electromagnetically controlled aperture. A cheap APS-C macro lens is coming, for almost all mounts, Shots fired! You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. A unique Sport-VR helps take sharper images even while panning and using continuous shooting mode. This makes it easier to track the erratic movement of birds in flight. 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. As of January 2022, Nikon just released their latest addition to the Z mirrorless system lens line-up. Costing $6500, this lens is the cheapest way to reach this focal length. 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 just want one lens that can do it all for bird photography, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm is an excellent option. This large lens, when coupled with the DX-format sensor, gives him the optical equivalent of an 18x binocular. 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. However, the price tag is hefty at just above $12,000. The best cameras for bird photography will help ensure that your patience pays off. A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm. 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. A Guide to Birding with Long Lenses | B&H eXplora We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. It is easy to get carried away by the camera body. Nanocrystal provides for even better construction. No also f/1.4. VR: Vibration Reduction is essential in unforgiving conditions. 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. 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. 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. 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! An accurate, high-quality focus powered by an upgraded Ultra Silent Drive (USD) motor results from fine engineering. But this aint your daddys 400mm f/2.8. 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! Best lenses for wildlife photography in 2023 - Amateur Photographer One can also double their effective focal length using teleconverters. The best lenses for bird photography will help you get close to wildlife and there are great options for every camera mount. 11 Best Lenses for Macro Photography (2023) Sigma Announces Three Lenses for Nikon Z-Mount Cameras 10 Best Travel Tripods You Can Buy (in 2023) Upcoming E-Mount Lenses: . 5 Best Nikon Mirrorless Camera Lens For Bird Photography The auto-focus works a charm in broad daylight. In fact, for many situations, it will be too long, and f/6.3 may not be bright enough. It also helps reduce weight and is ideal for outdoor shooting. Autofocus is fast and image quality is impressive in all respects, making this lens great value for an own-brand Nikon. 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. Unique VR modes like the Sports VR take the VR game a notch higher. These include a refined optical path with fluorite and Super UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) elements and high-tech Air Sphere coating. The VR II provides up to 3 stops of insurance, resulting in sharper images overall. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Bird photography is now much more accessible than it used to be, and that's because long telephoto lenses that were once almost impossible to use and carry around have been developed in much smaller designs. 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. 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. The silent wave matter is added for an extra-fast and noise-free bird photography experience. 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. Best Nikon Lenses for Wildlife Photography in 2023 Its main advantage over the 600mm f/4 is its weight and its length. My 350 Nikon Wildlife Photography Kit D300 300mm F4 Af Lens Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Personally, I prefer to shoot landscape, nature and macro photography. 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 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. 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. Very informative write up, What about 200-500 mm lens? And I dont want to spend thousands more on new zooms. Best lenses for bird photography in 2023 | Popular Photography The modern model is almost 2 lbs. Best lenses for low light, from just 129 - Amateur Photographer Having VR is a definite plus when hand-holding the lens. The Nikon TC-17E II nor the new Nikon TC-20E III can work but not as reliably. 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 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? VR is Vibration Reduction that minimizes blur due to camera shake. A finely-crafted lens, the Panasonic 100-400mm is relatively large for a Micro Four Thirds format zoom and weighs almost a kilogram. The best lenses for bird photography in 2023 - digitalcameraworld This is a very specialized tool. Sharpness, contrast and other image attributes are excellent and very consistent throughout the entire zoom range. It really depends on the types of subjects that you shoot. If any reason pls explain. I added this lens to the list because it is so good, but it is also questionable whether it is still worth its price, given that you can get a Nikon Z9 and a Z 800mm f/6.3 and still have over $4000 to spare. longer. Image quality wise: an entry level Nikon DSLR matches the image quality you can get from any other camera in Nikon's line up . Find out more about how we test. How to Photograph Birds Its a very good lens but rather expensive for a 100-400mm, and lacks the outright telephoto reach of more recent 150-600mm independent designs. 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 The Best Nikon Cameras for Wildlife Photography (2023) For more of our top outdoor photography gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides: Kate is a climber, creator, and community builder. But if youre photographing small birds that are 10-15 meters away from you or greater (30+ feet), 800mm will be ideal. The Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF lens was a breakthrough lens for Nikon. It is the lightest native 800mm lens that Nikon makes. but the lens you're using will quite obviously play an important part of the equation as well. Similar to the Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II, it also works exceptionally well with all teleconverters, including the Nikon TC-20E III. Id argue that the 400mm f/2.8 is actually more versatile, because sometimes youll really need that f/2.8 maximum aperture. View at Amazon. Give your opinion for 80-400 G ED VR on D850 and D500. 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. 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. With birding, you will likely be using the lens with its built-in teleconverter all the time. The Best Lens for Bird Photography: What To Look For When Shopping for Want to learn more about a technical term? 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. The Vibration Compensation (VC, equivalent of VR in Nikon manufactured lenses) consists of three modes. If you can find a way to deal with the weight, this lens with a D500 would still be a very capable wildlife setup. Dont worry, this article will be updated in October! His expertise with equipment doesnt end there, though. 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. Nikkor 600mm is the no-compromise lens for bird photography. If you like the idea of a 300mm f/2.8G II but in a zoom, this is your lens. Best macro lens: TAMRON 90MM F/2.8 Di VC USD. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. More so, it has a focal range of 70-300mm. Built from the ground up as an APS-C format lens, it only needs to produce a relatively small image circle, compared with a full-frame compatible lens, but is still pretty weighty for a 100-400mm zoom. Bought it because it can be hand held. View at Amazon. 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. Sony budget: Sony 6400. 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. See sample zoom photography (View in a lightbox) View the COOLPIX P1000 Product Tour . The NIKKOR 70-300mm lens functions very well in daylight, but performance notably suffers in low light conditions, so youll want to invest in another lens if you plan to shoot often at nightfall. 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. 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. There are plenty of options available for everyone who has a good Nikon camera body in bird photography lenses. Best lens for street photography: NIKON AF NIKKOR 35MM F/2D. Its also not quite as sharp, but it comes very close and its overall image quality is pleasing. 1. A system that automatically focuses on the subject to keep it crisp and clear. That's why, in my opinion, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR is the best bird photography lens for the money at a touch over $2000 (or significantly cheaper pre-owned). The Best Lens for Bird Photography - Birda In addition, you will have to buy a good heavy duty tripod + accessories (batteries, memory cards, etc). If youre looking for the longest reach without teleconverters, the Nikon 800mm f/6.3 is your lens! See my detailed Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II Review for more information on this lens. A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm.