best lens for bird photography nikon best lens for bird photography nikon

The best cameras for bird photography will help ensure that your patience pays off. In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide. A lens of a fixed focal length that cannot be zoomed. Bird photography is unimaginable without the use of a quality telephoto lens. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. A finely-crafted lens, the Panasonic 100-400mm is relatively large for a Micro Four Thirds format zoom and weighs almost a kilogram. This means that with the teleconverter switched on you have a 560mm lens. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 is our choice as the best lens for bird photography. Sigma also has two similar versions of the same focal range, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary and Sigma 150-600mm Sports. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. The price is quite hefty though, at close to $14,000. And lastly, I present you the Cadillac of all Nikon super telephoto lenses: the Nikon 600mm f/4E VR. You can only shoot at the widest aperture possible on older Nikon bodies. The main problem with prime is that it requires a photographer to observe the birds behavior and spots. Theres also considerably lower quality owing to the higher number of lens elements. Why you can trust Digital Camera World More so, it has a focal range of 70-300mm. The biggest consideration when buying a Nikon lens for bird photography is focal length. I may have got lucky because mine is very sharp. The only downside of this lens is its eye-watering cost of $14000. A specially shaped lens hood with a thumb and finger groove helps with this. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 is a compact and ridiculously sharp lens that is perfect for larger birds and birds in flight. Birds are often tiny, very fast, and since it happens in the wild, theres no control over the light. Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD, 10. 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. Autofocus is fast and image quality is impressive in all respects, making this lens great value for an own-brand Nikon. 2. Im the owner and editor of Photography-RAW. His expertise with equipment doesnt end there, though. For hobbyists, a zoom lens might be a better shot. Compared with Sigmas 150-600mm Sports lens, the Contemporary edition is smaller and almost a whole kilogram lighter in weight. 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. It is a great buy that will get you to 300mm at just under $600 USD. This zoom lens offers a range from portrait to telephoto, so you can always get the shot. 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! 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. 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! Featured key specs: Notable reviews: 5. It has very impressive optical features and it delivers exceptionally good-looking images, especially at its maximum aperture of f/2.8. Best macro lens: TAMRON 90MM F/2.8 Di VC USD. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 VR. A system that automatically focuses on the subject to keep it crisp and clear. 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. Weighing a whopping 3.8 kilos, it is about as heavy as Nikons longest 600mm f/4 lens (more on the 600mm below). 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). 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. The autofocus takes a little setting up, and isn't quite as fast as that of rival lenses from Sony and Tamron, but this is still an impressive lens for birding. Zoom lenses carry the advantage of flexibility. The Canon EF . 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. View at Amazon. 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+. 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. Its tripod-compatible VR offers up to 4 stops of Vibration Reduction. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! (Libor wrote a separate article on why thats his favorite budget combo.). The speed of continuous shooting is not compromised with modern cameras like D4S. 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. Sony budget: Sony 6400. 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 next best wildlife lens is Nikons heavyweight super telephoto bazooka, the Nikon 400mm f/2.8E VR. The Nikon 800mm f/5.6 is no doubt an astounding and absurdly expensive lens. 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. This makes the lens very versatile, giving 400mm and 560mm at the flick of a switch. Shell climb just about anything, from leading fun sport to projecting boulders to following multi-pitch trad (as long as its not slab). 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. 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. When youre ready to invest a big budget in your bird photography, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm will help you take your photos to the next level. Id argue that the 400mm f/2.8 is actually more versatile, because sometimes youll really need that f/2.8 maximum aperture. but the lens you're using will quite obviously play an important part of the equation as well. It provides an edge-to-edge sharpness and compatibility with all Nikon teleconverters for greater reach. It has a tripod detection mode that helps minimize shutter release vibration, making it an intelligent VR workhorse. A cheap APS-C macro lens is coming, for almost all mounts, Shots fired! Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. It is good. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. It is also only about 2.4kg, which means it is handholdable for longer periods compared to most supertelephotos. The Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm is a great introductory telephoto lens for bird photography at a very good price point. Its main advantage over the 600mm f/4 is its weight and its length. The addition of highly effective optical VR that works in tandem with IBIS in Z system full-frame cameras should ensure exceptionally sharp avian images. Bird photography is a tough job. Theres also lens lightness that helps them enjoy the process and learn the art of bird photography. It really depends on the types of subjects that you shoot. The auto-focus works a charm in broad daylight. It has fully professional-grade build quality with comprehensive weather-seals and a dust-, freeze- and splash-proof construction. 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). 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. Looking to turn pro? 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! 1. Fujifilm XF150-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR, 12. Auto White Balance requires zero input from you, the photographer. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, 9. Get the best camera deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable photography news and more! 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. Digital Camera World is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Although it is an F-mount lens, it is still used by many Z-mount users with an FTZ adapter. How to Improve your Bee Photography and Capture Amazing Photos? A tack-sharp AF precision allows panning shots to be perfectly sharp. A camera that takes high-definition images and comes with a lens for up-close shots of subjects. NY 10036. Continuous high-speed photography is achievable through this type of AE control. If you're looking for affordable options, these are the best budget telephoto lenses (opens in new tab). This makes it easier to track the erratic movement of birds in flight. And if you need an 800mm equivalent lens, you could always put a 2x TC on the 400mm f/2.8. Focusing is very swift on Canon's two new mirrorless cameras, but could be quicker on the R and RP. I make sure that you get the best articles about photography. AF performance is top notch, with super fast and accurate autofocus acquisition, even in low-light situations. Autofocus is very quick and highly accurate and image quality is excellent overall, although sharpness drops off a little at the longest zoom setting. The one thing I would not use this lens for is birding. Sony: Sony a7 IV. Fortunately, your camera offers a neat solution: Auto White Balance, also known as AWB. 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. VR: Vibration Reduction is essential in unforgiving conditions. 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. There are two versions of this lens: VR and non-VR. I am a wildlife photographer, started in the 70s. The VR II provides up to 3 stops of insurance, resulting in sharper images overall. But lenses are an expensive purchase, so its important to really think through your decision about which Nikon lens to buy for bird photography. But if you have the budget, then the Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR II is the best option for image clarity. 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 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. 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. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, The cost difference between the two is significant. Read the full Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C review (opens in new tab). 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. This helps you to change the settings quickly. Ergonomically, the Nikon D500 feels just right. Nikon 200-500mm f5.6E redraws creative boundaries with a constant-aperture telephoto zoom. Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary. If you are still shooting with a DSLR, then this might be a good option, since you cannot use the new Z-mount version. Sold all other FX lenses to get a full set of Z lenses. So get the best lens you can afford, then learn to use . 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). 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. 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. 7 Best Camera for Bird Photography. 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. Heres how it works. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 is a compact and ridiculously sharp lens that is perfect for larger birds and birds in flight. And feeders, offering . Costing $6500, this lens is the cheapest way to reach this focal length. Pls. The Nikon 70 300mm telephoto lens with f/4.5 -5.6 maximum aperture is best for Nikon digital SLR cameras. 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 sheer range provided by Tamrons 150-600, especially when clubbed with a crop frame, is enough to enchant the buyers. Small and light for such a long zoom, the lens retails for about $1,000. The opening in the lens that allows light to pass through. How to Create an Online Portfolio Using Format? Basically, if youre not sure which lens youll need, you definitely dont need this one. They, however, are prone to more lens aberrations and vignettes. If you love birdwatching, visit our best bird feeder camera (opens in new tab) guide! Nikon has one more wildlife lens on its roadmap: a 200-600mm zoom, which competes directly with the Sony 200-600mm lens. 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). The best lenses for bird photography will help you get close to wildlife and there are great options for every camera mount Included in this guide: 1 Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM Check Price 2 Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Check Price 3 Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Check Price 4 Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM Check Price 5 Nikon Except that one. A decent lens is an essential piece of camera equipment for capturing beautiful bird photos. New York, Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sport, 14. Many aspiring wildlife shooters will no doubt be aware of the stratospheric prices of supertelephotos. The 400mm f/2.8 lens is ideal for situations where even an f/4 lens would be too slow. Because this lens is so new, its the only one here that our team at Photography Life hasnt used yet. There are plenty of options available for everyone who has a good Nikon camera body in bird photography lenses. 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. 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. And I dont want to spend thousands more on new zooms. Nikons 200-500mm f5.6E has carved a space of its own among hobbyist and semi-professional wildlife photographers. Or do you want a high-quality prime lens with a set focal length? Again, not much to complain about in terms of optics and features. It brought everyone into action with this insane zoom range of 150-600mm. But it is only half part of the story. Hand-held shooting is possible with the newer model. Even so, thats rarely a disadvantage for birding, as youre likely to use a zoom lens at its longest available focal length anyway. Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency (eBAND) coating and Broad-Band Anti-Reflection (BBAR) coating make the optics even more refined. The Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is a classic example, costing more than some new cars. The 800mm focal length, while not easy to use, certainly shines when it is used properly. In addition to using the twist-action control ring, you can alter the zoom setting in a push-pull fashion. The lens has 11 elements (3ED) in 8 groups. 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. Nikon ambassador Moose Peterson shares his favorite setup, If youre heading out into the backcountry, Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography of 2022, Best Tripods for Wildlife Photography of 2022, Best Point and Shoot Cameras for Wildlife Photography of 2022, Aperture Allows for Good Low Light Performance, Super Integrated Coating Reduces Lens Flare, Or Glare From The Lens That Can Show Up On A Photo, Electromagnetic Aperture Gives Good Exposure Control So The Lighting Level Doesnt Get Too Dark Or Too Light, Internal Focus Allows For Speed In Focusing, Provides Shallow Depth Of Field For Selective Focus, Tripod Mode Reduces Shake From Ground Vibration, Vr Image Stabilization Compensates For Camera Shake, Coating On Front Of Lens Protects From Water & Dirt. Canon premium: Canon EOS R3. 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. You now know how to do the calculation: the 200-500 is the equivalent of 300 mm to a whopping 750 mm. 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. At 400mm, it's a powerful super-telephoto lens suited to wildlife and action photography, with or without a tripod. 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. 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. Its autofocus is pretty good in daylight and its versatile zoom range of 70-300mm is great for large animals and perched birds. Best portrait lens: CANON EF 85MM F/1.2L II USM. When looking at lenses, consider how they'll interact with your camera sensor. Sir, Pls. We check out the best cameras for professionals (opens in new tab). 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.