It also features 2 FL (fluorite lens elements) to minimize weight and improve optics. Give your opinion for 80-400 G ED VR on D850 and D500. Lenses are the second half, and in some cases, the better half. 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. 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. Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary. Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. Bird Photography Camera on a Budget - Birdseed & Binoculars 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. Impeccably turned out, the XF100-400mm looks and feels a high-quality item Looks arent deceiving either, as the internals include a super-fast autofocus system based on dual linear stepping motors, and a high-performance 5-stop optical stabilizer. It's an easy-to-carry, (relatively) affordable, and fast-focusing long lens, which makes it ideal for photographing birds in the field. I am a wildlife photographer, started in the 70s. 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. Bird photography is a tough job. All of these can be used on Z-mount cameras with the FTZ or FTZII adapter, and since some of these do not yet have Z counterparts, they are worth a look whether you shoot a Nikon DSLR or a Nikon Z mirrorless camera. Its also the sharper lens at 400mm, although the 100-400mm is no slouch. Seeing a gorgeous bird in flight is awe-inspiring, but it can be difficult to translate that beauty into a photo. A lens that can vary between focal lengths. The one thing I would not use this lens for is birding. The D850 is Nikon's best all-purpose DSLR, striking a great balance between capability and affordability. Best lenses for bird photography in 2023 | Popular Photography 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. 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. 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 has seen a weight saving of some 25%, though it still tips the scales at an arm-wobbling 3,810g. With its MFT mount, it will work on Olympus mirrorless cameras, as well as compatible Panasonic Lumix models. Sony budget: Sony 6400. It is capable of producing relatively good bokeh, especially on its longest end, although its sharpness performance also drops quite a bit at 300mm. 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? My super favorite lens is the AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR. 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. A VR lens helps create sharper pictures and provides three stops insurance. Is This the Best Bird Photography Lens? | Fstoppers We also have bird lenses for Nikon and Canon. The Silent Wave Motor further boosts this ability, helping create stable and dramatic images in the wild. Looking to turn pro? That is all the reach you will need. An extreme telephoto lens, it can beautifully capture birds at a very long distance. 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. Best lenses for wildlife photography in 2023 - Amateur Photographer 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. If youre looking for the longest reach without teleconverters, the Nikon 800mm f/6.3 is your lens! 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. How to Create an Online Portfolio Using Format? The lighter weight helps in more rapid framing and composition, giving the extra few milliseconds to create the masterpiece. In many cases, it still does. A full set of weather seals is incorporated, and a fluorine coating on the front element helps to repel moisture and fingerprints. 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. You can only shoot at the widest aperture possible on older Nikon bodies. It's one of the best 150-600mm lenses (opens in new tab) overall. 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. 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. An image stabilization system that reduces the effects of camera shake and the consequent blur that causes. 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. 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 With advancement, the quality has come quite close to prime. Its equivalent focal range is so large, at 190-810mm, it just may inspire wildlife photographers to switch to the compact mirrorless Nikon 1 line of cameras. 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. Its main advantage over the 600mm f/4 is its weight and its length. Although it is an F-mount lens, it is still used by many Z-mount users with an FTZ adapter. Overall performance and image quality are excellent, although outright sharpness drops off a bit at the long end of the zoom range. Forget about trying to hand-hold it, even if you have arms as big as Schwarzeneggers. The 7 Best Nikon Lenses For Wildlife Photography in 2023 The linear stepping motoris blisteringly speedy and practically silent in other words, exactly what you want for birding. Moose Peterson: The Challenge of Bird Photography | Nikon They help cut down on any reflection, including the reflection of the camera sensor. Bird photography is unimaginable without the use of a quality telephoto lens. 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. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 is our choice as the best lens for bird photography. My 350 Nikon Wildlife Photography Kit D300 300mm F4 Af 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. The Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 is about the same size and weight as Sigmas competing Contemporary lens, but adds a more comprehensive set of weather seals, similar to those of Sigmas more exotic Sports edition while splitting the difference in terms of price. The auto-focus works a charm in broad daylight. 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 NIKKOR 200-500mm also features an autofocus system that you can override by turning the manual focus ring. It is an upgraded version of the earlier lens. 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. Should you use a full frame or cropped sensor camera for bird photography (opens in new tab)? Works well with Nikon Z6 using FTZ lens adapter. Best Budget Lenses for Wildlife Photography of 2022 For more of our top outdoor photography gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides: Kate is a climber, creator, and community builder. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The Best Lens for Bird Photography in 2023 (Updated) A unique Sport-VR helps take sharper images even while panning and using continuous shooting mode. The VC Mode II is specifically for panning, aiding the birds-in-flight photography. Featured key specs: Notable reviews: 5. It really depends on the types of subjects that you shoot. 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. 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. 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 XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR covers the focal length of 229mm 914mm in equivalent 35mm film terms and also supports Fujifilm's 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. 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. Interestingly, it is 3.25kg, which is not much heavier than the 2.9kg of the 300mm f/2.8. 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. Sony: Sony a7 IV. Nikon Lenses for Bird Photography Nikon 200-500 mm Telephoto. It has a 22.2x zoom and an 18-400mm focal length, its ultra-telephoto range matches 620mm in the 35mm format. The second edition of the lens has a more typical twist-action zoom ring and a host of upgrades. Additionally, some good wildlife lenses simply are not available for Z-mount, such as a 300mm f/2.8 or 500mm f/4. 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. 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. It is easy to get carried away by the camera body. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. As of January 2022, Nikon just released their latest addition to the Z mirrorless system lens line-up. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Sigma is not reporting equivalent focal lengths or f-numbers. Unique VR modes like the Sports VR take the VR game a notch higher. There are two versions of this lens: VR and non-VR. And I dont want to spend thousands more on new zooms. The Sonys size and weight are fairly typical but feel a little more imposing on comparatively lightweight Sony Alpha mirrorless bodies. Check out our, For more of our top wildlife photography gear recommendations, check out the, For the best experience turn your device horizontally, BEST FOR: BUDGET-CONSCIOUS BIRD PHOTOGRAPHERS, BEST FOR: TAKING YOUR PHOTOS TO THE PRO LEVEL, THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING NIKON LENSES FOR BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY, A decent lens is an essential piece of camera equipment for capturing beautiful bird photos. It has fully professional-grade build quality with comprehensive weather-seals and a dust-, freeze- and splash-proof construction. Capturing stunning images of birds is not easy, and you definitely need the right lens to be able to do it. If you like the idea of a 300mm f/2.8G II but in a zoom, this is your lens. It is possible due to the diaphragm blade unit with a drive mechanism. On the other hand, mirrorless doesnt necessarily mean spending more money. A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm. Takes continuous shots at 8 frames per second. Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. Astrophotography in March 2023: what to shoot in the night sky this month, "Thats the beauty of photography, it is a democratic medium", AI portraits are hard work, says deceitful Instagrammer with 28K followers, The Lumix S5 II is a serious tool for content creators here's why, GuruShots: Winning photos from the Beautiful Nights competition, Sony's new camera is a "baby A7S III for vloggers", Motorola's mini $99 widget turns any phone into a satellite communicator, Good news! Best Nikon Lenses for Wildlife Photography in 2023 Even so, thats rarely a disadvantage for birding, as youre likely to use a zoom lens at its longest available focal length anyway. but the lens you're using will quite obviously play an important part of the equation as well. The cost difference between the two is significant. Simply, getting close is the best way to get a bigger subject in your viewfinder. 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 Tamrons 150-600mm was a gamechanger. And if you need an 800mm equivalent lens, you could always put a 2x TC on the 400mm f/2.8. Id argue that the 400mm f/2.8 is actually more versatile, because sometimes youll really need that f/2.8 maximum aperture. The only possible con for the lens is the electromagnetically controlled aperture. 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. You cant move much during wildlife photography, as you may disturb the surroundings. 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. The Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF lens was a breakthrough lens for Nikon. He is recognized as one of the leading educators in the photography industry, conducting workshops, producing educational videos and frequently writing content for Photography Life. Nikon: Nikon Z9. (Libor wrote a separate article on why thats his favorite budget combo.). The only downside of this lens is its eye-watering cost of $14000. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. 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. A useful range of handling extras ensure top-quality results time after time, with excellent consistency even in handheld shooting. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 is a compact and ridiculously sharp lens that is perfect for larger birds and birds in flight. 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 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. The autofocus is extremely fast, thanks to an internal focus element, and you can easily override the autofocus if you want manual control. Autofocus itself is very fast and image quality is fabulous. Re: And the penny drops: Sigma is making Z mount lenses: Nikon Z You are a bit mixed up. 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 plenty of options available for everyone who has a good Nikon camera body in bird photography lenses. 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. Read more about Nasim here. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sport, 14. The next best wildlife lens is Nikons heavyweight super telephoto bazooka, the Nikon 400mm f/2.8E VR. The Best Nikon Cameras for Wildlife Photography (2023) It's tough to do, especially when photographing moving birds. The VR II provides up to 3 stops of insurance, resulting in sharper images overall. Sony a7 III ILCE7M3/B Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera. The biggest advantage of this lens is its maximum aperture of f/2.8. In fact, it is significantly lighter than the F-mount 300mm f/2.8G II lens, which is very impressive! Zoom lenses carry the advantage of flexibility. For sensors smaller than full-frame, there is a trade-off in terms of image quality but you'll get the advantage of a crop factor that amplifies the telephoto reach of the lens. It also helps reduce weight and is ideal for outdoor shooting. The Nikon 200-600mm lens in particular will be the generalist wildlife lens suitable for most shooters who need the versatility of a zoom. 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 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. The Vibration Compensation (VC, equivalent of VR in Nikon manufactured lenses) consists of three modes. Do you want a zoom lens that offers a focal range from up close to far in the distance? +80Photoshop Actionsfor NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS. 2. 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. Image quality is fabulous throughout the entire zoom range. It is good. 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. Let us know which is your favorite lens for bird photography. We check out the best cameras for professionals (opens in new tab). This typically happens in wildlife after the sun goes down. For Nikon, a good choice is the Nikon 200-500mm lens for DSLR cameras. 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 Nikon 70 300mm telephoto lens with f/4.5 -5.6 maximum aperture is best for Nikon digital SLR cameras. Theres also lens lightness that helps them enjoy the process and learn the art of bird photography. Best camera lenses of 2023 | Popular Photography A tack-sharp AF precision allows panning shots to be perfectly sharp. I agree with all the conclusions, my thoughts are the same, why and how. But it will come in handy on a third camera at some point on some wildlife expedition. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 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. 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. In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide. No matter the focal length of the lens, the closer you are, the bigger the subject. There are two potential downsides with this lens, and they go hand-in-hand. Fujifilm XF150-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR, 12. 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). The Ultimate Nikon Telephoto Lens Guide - Schubert Photography And you'll also find lenses for Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus cameras. Sharpness, contrast and other image attributes are excellent and very consistent throughout the entire zoom range. This fast lens features snappy autofocus, a 400mm telephoto, and top-quality lens construction by Nikon. Generally, the longer the lens (in focal length), the better. Then again, for maximum image quality at the longer focal lengths, the 600mm f/4 TC VR S would be the one to beat. It also has a retractable mechanism to cut down on stowage size, making it ideal for use anywhere and everywhere from local sporting events to wildlife shoots in far-flung corners of the world. This lens gives you telephoto superpowers in a relatively lightweight package. Triple-mode image stabilization is switchable for static and panning shots, with an additional option for applying stabilization only during exposures. 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. Corner-to-corner sharpness and vivid colors are essential for bird photography. Quick Answer - The Best Lenses for Bird Photography. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. It offers bird photographers an opportunity to capture almost anything in the wild. I would suggest that for most people, this lens is a little bit short for wildlife, especially at $9500. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Getting a gently used model could save you many thousands of dollars, which would go a long way towards other gear. Theres more, however, with the construction boasting an upgraded lens construction.