best lens for bird photography nikon

7 Best Camera for Bird Photography. The biggest advantage of this lens is its maximum aperture of f/2.8. Nikons 200-500mm f5.6E has carved a space of its own among hobbyist and semi-professional wildlife photographers. Read more about Nasim here. 17. 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. 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. At 400mm, it's a powerful super-telephoto lens suited to wildlife and action photography, with or without a tripod. However, the price tag is hefty at just above $12,000. Being around for much longer than the Z-mount, the F-mount currently has more lenses suitable for wildlife. DDSSM (Direct Drive Super Sonic Motor) autofocus is super-fast and comes complete with customizable focus-hold buttons mounted around the barrel. 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. These features make this lens an even more excellent piece of treasure. 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. A useful range of handling extras ensure top-quality results time after time, with excellent consistency even in handheld shooting. I have in fact met some people using this lens on a monopod. 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. 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 optimized to deliver results quickly and perfectly. 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. 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? The NIKKOR 300mm is not a zoom lens with a varied focal length. The Nikon 200-600mm lens in particular will be the generalist wildlife lens suitable for most shooters who need the versatility of a zoom. I would say a much longer lens would be significantly harder to aim. Forget about trying to hand-hold it, even if you have arms as big as Schwarzeneggers. The older model was bulky and heavy and needed a tripod for support at all times. 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. Image quality wise: an entry level Nikon DSLR matches the image quality you can get from any other camera in Nikon's line up . 1. A tack-sharp AF precision allows panning shots to be perfectly sharp. Autofocus itself is very fast and image quality is fabulous. Power O.I.S. If you are still shooting with a DSLR, then this might be a good option, since you cannot use the new Z-mount version. 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. The lighter weight helps in more rapid framing and composition, giving the extra few milliseconds to create the masterpiece. If well-cared for, such F-mount lenses can still last many years. Canon premium: Canon EOS R3. The Sonys size and weight are fairly typical but feel a little more imposing on comparatively lightweight Sony Alpha mirrorless bodies. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. 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 This zoom lens offers a range from portrait to telephoto, so you can always get the shot. The Nikon TC-17E II nor the new Nikon TC-20E III can work but not as reliably. On your Nikon, the 300mm is 450mm equivalent (35mm), i.e. Sony: Sony a7 IV. but the lens you're using will quite obviously play an important part of the equation as well. 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. Neutral Color NC Filter and Circular Polarizing Filter II have been specially crafted for this lens. In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide. First, it is 0.63 stops faster, which although small, does make a difference in challenging wildlife conditions. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 is a compact and ridiculously sharp lens that is perfect for larger birds and birds in flight. They have some great F-mount lenses that have been supplemented in the past few years with some amazing new Z-mount lenses. If you're looking for affordable options, these are the best budget telephoto lenses (opens in new tab). You cant move much during wildlife photography, as you may disturb the surroundings. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, If you love birdwatching, visit our best bird feeder camera (opens in new tab) guide! 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. As each birder's requirements are a little different, there is no one perfect camera and lens for bird photography. 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. 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. For bird photography, the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 Contemporary is the perfect complement to the S5's light and streamlined ergonomics perfect for the hand-held photographer on the go. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Nikon budget: Nikon Z50. The Canon EF . Sony a7 III ILCE7M3/B Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera. Lenses are the second half, and in some cases, the better half. When photographing wildlife, whether capturing birds in flight or photographing bears in Alaska, one of the most important factors in choosing a lens is its focal length. One of my favorite lenses for photographing birds at my feeders is the AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED. A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm. 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. 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. Instead, you need to decide which camera is perfect for YOU. 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. 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. Nikon 80-400mm VR. I hope you enjoy the site . Weather Resistance: Bird photography is out there in the wild. They can also be used on DSLRs, and I would say for 90% of wildlife, a mirrorless camera will not provide any significant advantages over a DSLR and an F-mount lens. 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. It also makes it very easy to use teleconverters, especially the built-in 1.4x TC. Quick Answer - The Best Lenses 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__. The camera makes the images. 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. For hobbyists, a zoom lens might be a better shot. I may have got lucky because mine is very sharp. Still, it is heavy and big to carry around and takes time to set up. There are plenty of options available for everyone who has a good Nikon camera body in bird photography lenses. If you have a favorite lens of yours for wildlife photography that is not listed below, please feel free to add a comment at the bottom of the page with some information and links to pictures (if you have any that you would like to share). The Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM (and the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM (opens in new tab)) is designed for EOS R-series mirrorless cameras and offers a very different experience to a typical prime telephoto lens. DOWNLOAD THE ADVANCED AFFINITY PHOTO COURSE NOW! Additionally, 2 ED glass elements work towards eliminating chromatic aberration. Best lens for street photography: NIKON AF NIKKOR 35MM F/2D. Getting a gently used model could save you many thousands of dollars, which would go a long way towards other gear. However, its weight and size are its biggest enemy. 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 Further anti-reflection technologies help create even sharper pictures with great picture quality. 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. With advancement, the quality has come quite close to prime. Its tripod-compatible VR offers up to 4 stops of Vibration Reduction. It has a 22.2x zoom and an 18-400mm focal length, its ultra-telephoto range matches 620mm in the 35mm format. 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. It is capable of producing relatively good bokeh, especially on its longest end, although its sharpness performance also drops quite a bit at 300mm. You will be able to capture all sorts of birds in the perfect frames with these cameras for sure. Looking to turn pro? This is a very specialized tool. Compared with Sigmas 150-600mm Sports lens, the Contemporary edition is smaller and almost a whole kilogram lighter in weight. Yet, professional bird photographers prefer prime. 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. 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. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary, 15. It is also only about 2.4kg, which means it is handholdable for longer periods compared to most supertelephotos. This is a lens you'll want to partner with a sturdy monopod for long periods of shooting. 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. 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. 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. What is the best one you would suggest for wild life (perched birds) with Z6 and FTZ adapter ? The only possible con for the lens is the electromagnetically controlled aperture. 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. Would love to hear the reasons, if any. These are 600mm, 750mm and 900mm equivalent (35mm), i.e. Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. 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. I get 10 times more keepers with this lens than with my 500mm, and 20 times more keepers than with my 80-400. Get the best camera deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable photography news and more! Give your opinion for 80-400 G ED VR.I believe the autofocus issue is on the D version. This lens is great for general wildlife, especially if you often shoot the large kind like moose and bears. Even so, thats rarely a disadvantage for birding, as youre likely to use a zoom lens at its longest available focal length anyway. Want to learn more about a technical term? 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. 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 Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 is also an insanely sharp lens, so it still looks good at 560mm and thus is suitable for many varieties of wildlife. In addition, you will have to buy a good heavy duty tripod + accessories (batteries, memory cards, etc). It has a super-fast ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system, a highly effective optical stabilizer with switchable static and panning modes, dual switchable autofocus modes giving priority to either automatic focusing or manual override, and switchable custom modes that you can set up via Sigmas optional USB Dock. 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. 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. It has a tripod detection mode that helps minimize shutter release vibration, making it an intelligent VR workhorse. It has fully professional-grade build quality with comprehensive weather-seals and a dust-, freeze- and splash-proof construction. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. 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. The 800mm focal length, while not easy to use, certainly shines when it is used properly. The linear stepping motoris blisteringly speedy and practically silent in other words, exactly what you want for birding. Bird photographers carrying a lot of gear find the 500mm f/4 a bit easier to travel with compared to the 600mm f/4. Weighing a whopping 3.8 kilos, it is about as heavy as Nikons longest 600mm f/4 lens (more on the 600mm below). Triple-mode image stabilization is switchable for static and panning shots, with an additional option for applying stabilization only during exposures. The equivalent lenses in full frame would be approximately 24mm f2, 45mm f2, and 85mm f2. The Nano Crystal Coat eliminates internal reflections and removes all chromatic aberration to provide the finest picture quality. 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 Undoubtedly, the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 is the most popular budget lens for bird shooters. I make sure that you get the best articles about photography. Capturing stunning images of birds is not easy, and you definitely need the right lens to be able to do it. This is especially true for mammals that are often active during these dark periods. The effects of camera shake are minimized by vibration reduction VRII. Let us know which is your favorite lens for bird photography. Even so, the 2x crop factor of MFT cameras gives the Panasonic a maximum effective focal length of 800mm, much like using a 150-600mm lens on an APS-C format body. An accurate, high-quality focus powered by an upgraded Ultra Silent Drive (USD) motor results from fine engineering. I would suggest that for most people, this lens is a little bit short for wildlife, especially at $9500. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 is our choice as the best lens 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 This has seen a weight saving of some 25%, though it still tips the scales at an arm-wobbling 3,810g. A prime lens may force you to, though, unless you know the exact bird locations and schedule. The Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm is a great introductory telephoto lens for bird photography at a very good price point. Two screw-on types of 95mm lens filters are available that are handy during bird photography. 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. View at Amazon. I am a wildlife photographer, started in the 70s. 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