A major plus point is that the aperture rating of f/4 is relatively fast, compared with most zoom lenses that drop to f/5.6 or f/6.3 at a similar focal length. Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD, 10. 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. The lens is under $600 and is among the cheapest lenses to achieve any bird photography. 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. Hey Im Peter. Im the owner and editor of Photography-RAW. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. And feeders, offering . 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. 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). A Nano-crystal coat and fluorine coat cut down on all reflections. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S is a pro-grade zoom that goes all-out for speed and performance. It is possible due to the diaphragm blade unit with a drive mechanism. A lens of a fixed focal length that cannot be zoomed. Should you use a full frame or cropped sensor camera for bird photography (opens in new tab)? If youre looking for the longest reach without teleconverters, the Nikon 800mm f/6.3 is your lens! 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 best lenses for bird photography will help you get close to wildlife and there are great options for every camera mount. Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 VR. Both DSLR and mirrorless full-frames should be considered. Diaphragm control via electric signals from the camera body provides reliable AE control. Give your opinion for 80-400 G ED VR.I believe the autofocus issue is on the D version. Its my favorite because i can get it up and shooting anytime Im in a hurry, which is often. 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. The construction is uncompromised with the new magnesium alloy barrel and fluorite elements. 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. If youre new to wildlife photography and you have only one lens in your kit, a zoom lens is the best option since it provides you more flexibility, But if youll be switching lenses out, you can use a variety of prime lenses based on the situation and terrain you find yourself in. A tack-sharp AF precision allows panning shots to be perfectly sharp. Its autofocus is pretty good in daylight and its versatile zoom range of 70-300mm is great for large animals and perched birds. My super favorite lens is the AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR. If you are still shooting with a DSLR, then this might be a good option, since you cannot use the new Z-mount version. 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 Because the 300mm f/4 is so small and takes a 1.4X TC teleconverter reasonably well, it is a perfect lens for wildlife shooters who absolutely do not want to carry a huge lens. Get the best camera deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable photography news and more! The Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm is a great introductory telephoto lens for bird photography at a very good price point. 2. It is a massive lens for a reason its large aperture of f/2.8 requires huge glass elements to transmit so much light into the camera. It has very impressive optical features and it delivers exceptionally good-looking images, especially at its maximum aperture of f/2.8. Theres also considerably lower quality owing to the higher number of lens elements. The Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF lens was a breakthrough lens for Nikon. The autofocus is extremely fast, thanks to an internal focus element, and you can easily override the autofocus if you want manual control. It renders the lens incompatible with older Nikon DSLRs. 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. 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! Instead, the Nikon 180-400 f/4E lens is for those shooters who shoot larger mammals and landscapes, and wider shots of animals in their habitat. It comprises 21 elements in 13 groups, having three LD (low dispersion) lens elements. And what about probably the most popular Nikon lens the 500 f5.6 PF, why would you not include this as it is actually sharper than the 200-500, 1/3 of the price and so much lighter than the f4 500mm which you would need a mono all the time. Even so, thats rarely a disadvantage for birding, as youre likely to use a zoom lens at its longest available focal length anyway. Seeing a gorgeous bird in flight is awe-inspiring, but it can be difficult to translate that beauty into a photo. The 400mm f/2.8 lens is ideal for situations where even an f/4 lens would be too slow. That makes it easier to capture sharp, frame-filling images of birds. This lens is the real winner for use on any Nikon body: a 200-500 mm zoom with vibration reduction. Other features include an OLED display, plus a customisable function button. A full set of weather seals is incorporated, and a fluorine coating on the front element helps to repel moisture and fingerprints. 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. If you are looking for the best lens for bird photography with extreme capabilities, then this universal model is worth considering. If one plans to use the camera hand-held, it is better to look for lighter lenses while compromising slightly on the range. These are 600mm, 750mm and 900mm equivalent (35mm), i.e. 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. Best portrait lens: CANON EF 85MM F/1.2L II USM. 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. Fancy features include a dual-mode, 4.5-stop VR (Vibration System) system and an electromagnetically controlled diaphragm for adjusting the aperture. They have some great F-mount lenses that have been supplemented in the past few years with some amazing new Z-mount lenses. This lens gives you telephoto superpowers in a relatively lightweight package. It is the lightest native 800mm lens that Nikon makes. First, it is 0.63 stops faster, which although small, does make a difference in challenging wildlife conditions. However, the modest f/11 rating enables a relatively compact and lightweight build with smaller-diameter lens elements. For Nikon, a good choice is the Nikon 200-500mm lens for DSLR cameras. 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 Nano Crystal Coat eliminates internal reflections and removes all chromatic aberration to provide the finest picture quality. However, neither of them seems to have impressed you. For absolute beginners with a lesser budget, a non-VR version may suffice. Upgrades over the original Tamron lens include a revamped 4.5-stop optical stabilizer with three switchable options for static, panning and exposure-only modes, the last of which leaves the viewfinder image unadulterated, and makes it easier to track erratic movement. Compatible Camera Mount: Canon EF Features Dust And Water Resistant Design Autofocus Is Both Smooth And Quiet Wide Focal Range Allows A Wide Variety Of Shots The lighter weight helps in more rapid framing and composition, giving the extra few milliseconds to create the masterpiece. So, this is a great lens for bigger or closer wildlife, but its not the right choice for all wildlife photographers. The Vibration Compensation (VC, equivalent of VR in Nikon manufactured lenses) consists of three modes. 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. 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). Auto White Balance requires zero input from you, the photographer. Shell climb just about anything, from leading fun sport to projecting boulders to following multi-pitch trad (as long as its not slab). 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. Nikon 200-500mm f5.6E redraws creative boundaries with a constant-aperture telephoto zoom. Birds are often tiny, very fast, and since it happens in the wild, theres no control over the light. Simply, getting close is the best way to get a bigger subject in your viewfinder. The optical path is top drawer too, featuring no less than five ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements plus a Super ED element. 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. Bird photography is a tough job. Instead, you need to decide which camera is perfect for YOU. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM 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. 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). A specially shaped lens hood with a thumb and finger groove helps with this. I would say a much longer lens would be significantly harder to aim. Continuous high-speed photography is achievable through this type of AE control. An image stabilization system that reduces the effects of camera shake and the consequent blur that causes. The Nikon 200-600mm lens in particular will be the generalist wildlife lens suitable for most shooters who need the versatility of a zoom. And if you need an 800mm equivalent lens, you could always put a 2x TC on the 400mm f/2.8. Nikons 300mm F2.8 is fondly called a super-telephoto lens. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II Lens Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II Lens is one of the sharpest and fastest lenses available. But lenses are an expensive purchase, so its important to really think through your decision about which Nikon lens to buy for bird photography. Nikkor 600mm is the no-compromise lens for bird photography. It's not cheap, but less than half the price of the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S. This recent addition to Sonys E-mount line-up has the same 600mm maximum focal length as Sigma and Tamron 150-600mm zooms for Canon and Nikon SLRs. It's one of the best 150-600mm lenses (opens in new tab) overall. For the first time, it allowed shooters to reach 500mm at a fairly low cost compared to the 500mm f/4, and it is an easy lens to handhold all day at only 1.5kg. Aperture: A faster lens like f/2.8 or f/4 allows you to use faster shutter speed, which is essential for bird photography. The upgraded VR II provides three stops of image stabilization. Panasonic DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 Asph. What are the best Nikon lenses for wildlife photography? 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. Although significantly less expensive to buy, it features the same range of dual-mode stabilization, dual-mode autofocus and custom setup options, as well as fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements. 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. Dont worry, this article will be updated in October! Sporting a clever retractable design, this lens collapses down to 200mm. You now know how to do the calculation: the 200-500 is the equivalent of 300 mm to a whopping 750 mm. __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__. Basically, if youre not sure which lens youll need, you definitely dont need this one. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. A prime lens that excels for bird photography, the telephoto Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm is a quality addition to your camera kit. Nikon 500mm f/4 VR. 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. As each birder's requirements are a little different, there is no one perfect camera and lens for bird photography. The D850 is Nikon's best all-purpose DSLR, striking a great balance between capability and affordability. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. A cheap APS-C macro lens is coming, for almost all mounts, Shots fired! New York, Coupled with the Nikon Z9 you can use the newly developed Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM), which enables fast, highly accurate, and quiet AF control. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2, 16. 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. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 is a compact and ridiculously sharp lens that is perfect for larger birds and birds in flight. Let us know which is your favorite lens for bird photography. Sony: Sony a7 IV. Nanocrystal provides for even better construction. Autofocus itself is very fast and image quality is fabulous. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. Bird photography is unimaginable without the use of a quality telephoto 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. At 1,260g, its perfectly viable for long periods of handheld shooting, aided by a highly effective optical image stabilizer. The Nikon TC-17E II nor the new Nikon TC-20E III can work but not as reliably. Autofocus is very quick and highly accurate and image quality is excellent overall, although sharpness drops off a little at the longest zoom setting. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Its main advantage over the 600mm f/4 is its weight and its length. A useful range of handling extras ensure top-quality results time after time, with excellent consistency even in handheld shooting. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies.