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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. Has a 20.9MP resolution and records 4K video in ultra-high definition. Best Nikon Lenses for Bird Photography - Photography-Raw.com Without a doubt, wildlife photography is a very expensive hobby to have (unless you are so good that you can sell your pictures and make good money), especially once you add up all the gear and travel costs. 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. A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm. In fact, for many situations, it will be too long, and f/6.3 may not be bright enough. The Nikon 200-600mm lens in particular will be the generalist wildlife lens suitable for most shooters who need the versatility of a zoom. His expertise with equipment doesnt end there, though. Basically, if youre not sure which lens youll need, you definitely dont need this one. 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. Read more about Nasim here. Lenses are the second half, and in some cases, the better half. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C (opens in new tab) is more manageable for long periods of handheld shooting, without the aid of a monopod or tripod, and easier to carrier around. Buy Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens: $2,696.95 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama. The Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3s main application is birds and other small animals. Theres also lens lightness that helps them enjoy the process and learn the art of bird photography. Let us know which is your favorite lens for bird photography. A unique Sport-VR helps take sharper images even while panning and using continuous shooting mode. The optical path is top drawer too, featuring no less than five ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements plus a Super ED element. +80Photoshop Actionsfor NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS. This is the first ultra-telephoto lens made for the APS-C format. If you love birdwatching, visit our best bird feeder camera (opens in new tab) guide! It has a 22.2x zoom and an 18-400mm focal length, its ultra-telephoto range matches 620mm in the 35mm format. Going up to 500mm, while not the longest lens on this list or even in the Sony section, is pretty handy, and it's helped by the Tamron lens's real ace in the hole: it's super-fast autofocus system. 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. A Guide to Birding with Long Lenses | B&H eXplora What is the best one you would suggest for wild life (perched birds) with Z6 and FTZ adapter ? 1. Camera body with a lens without zoom for shooting portraits. Out of the many options available for you in the market, here are the bird photography cameras that are worth the purchase. With advancement, the quality has come quite close to prime. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Weighing a whopping 3.8 kilos, it is about as heavy as Nikons longest 600mm f/4 lens (more on the 600mm below). Do you want a zoom lens that offers a focal range from up close to far in the distance? Nikkor 600mm is the no-compromise lens for bird photography. Weather Resistance: Bird photography is out there in the wild. Traditionally, 400mm f/2.8 lenses were much more specialized tools, being very heavy and a bit short for smaller wildlife. Its also not quite as sharp, but it comes very close and its overall image quality is pleasing. A camera that takes high-definition images and comes with a lens for up-close shots of subjects. Sigma stops developing Micro Four Thirds lenses; APS-C "also in decline", Every issue is packed with photo tips, kit reviews and inspiration. Yet, professional bird photographers prefer prime. The 5-axis stabilization mechanism will keep shots sharper towards the far end of the zoom range, and while the f/5.6-8 is limiting in low light conditions, you can't argue with the lens's performance overall especially given its price. The 8 Best Lenses For Birds And Wildlife Photography 2023 - Avibirds.com However, its weight and size are its biggest enemy. This is a very specialized tool. Personally, I prefer to shoot landscape, nature and macro photography. 2. More so, it has a focal range of 70-300mm. No also f/1.4. 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. 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. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. Best Nikon Bird Lens Reviews & Buyers Guide in 2023 Find out more about how we test. This is the lens that will get you to 800mm at f/5.6 with a 2x teleconverter! 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. 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 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). Get the best camera deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable photography news and more! Even so, the difference isnt particularly noticeable in practical terms and the Nikon lens has the advantage of a constant-aperture design, so f/5.6 remains available throughout the zoom range, rather than dropping to f/6.3 at the long end. The Essential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight Surprisingly u didnt included Nikon 200-500 /f5.6 lens one of the best selling lens for wildlife photography. 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+. However, the modest f/11 rating enables a relatively compact and lightweight build with smaller-diameter lens elements. Sony premium: Sony 1. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. But no matter what camera system you use, we've found the best lenses for bird photography. Best Budget Lens for Bird Photography The silent wave matter is added for an extra-fast and noise-free bird photography experience. 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. The Nikkor 70-300 f4.5-5.6G VR must be on the list of bird photography lenses purely to provide an entry. 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. Sharpness is very good at or near 600mm but less impressive towards the short end of the zoom range. the best birds in flight photography lenses cost thousands of dollars, which just doesn't make sense for a beginner. Hey Im Peter. 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. Among other notable features are a lag-free switch from automatic to manual focus. Best portrait lens: CANON EF 85MM F/1.2L II USM. It's tough to do, especially when photographing moving birds. 2. 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. It is an upgraded version of the earlier lens. Again, not much to complain about in terms of optics and features. For more of our top outdoor photography gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides: Kate is a climber, creator, and community builder. No matter the focal length of the lens, the closer you are, the bigger the subject. 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. Canon premium: Canon EOS R3. The Canon EF . NY 10036. At 1,260g, its perfectly viable for long periods of handheld shooting, aided by a highly effective optical image stabilizer. Nikons 300mm F2.8 is fondly called a super-telephoto lens. Quick Answer - The Best Lenses for Bird Photography. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sport, 14. 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. Due to its slower f/4 aperture, it is a much lighter lens than the 400mm f/2.8E VR. The autofocus is extremely fast, thanks to an internal focus element, and you can easily override the autofocus if you want manual control. The sheer range provided by Tamrons 150-600, especially when clubbed with a crop frame, is enough to enchant the buyers. ED glasses are Extra-Low Dispersion Glass, an optical glass developed by Nikon to reduce or remove chromatic aberration. Id love to hear in the comments! Similar to the Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II, it also works exceptionally well with all teleconverters, including the Nikon TC-20E III. Wildlife situations come and pass quickly and this lens is easy to deploy quickly, fast optics, feather weight, and has VR. For more of our top wildlife photography gear recommendations, check out the Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography. The Sonys size and weight are fairly typical but feel a little more imposing on comparatively lightweight Sony Alpha mirrorless bodies. A fixed f/11 aperture isn't quite as limiting as it might first appear as thanks to the Dual Pixel AF sensor-based autofocus systems of EOS R-series cameras. 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. 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. And I dont want to spend thousands more on new zooms. AF performance is top notch, with super fast and accurate autofocus acquisition, even in low-light situations. 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. As always, this makes it a challenge to keep everything steady while shooting, but the Panasonic has excellent build quality and comes complete with a zoom lock ring, tripod mounting collar and optical image stabilizer, to help beat the shakes. It also features 2 FL (fluorite lens elements) to minimize weight and improve optics. 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. But lenses are an expensive purchase, so its important to really think through your decision about which Nikon lens to buy for bird photography. Best Lenses for Bird Photography of 2022 - The Adventure Junkies Even so, thats rarely a disadvantage for birding, as youre likely to use a zoom lens at its longest available focal length anyway. 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. It is also quite lightweight for a lens, so you can easily take it with you into the wild. The Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD is a lens designed exclusively for Sony E-mount; it's made for full-frame bodies, but will work with APS-C, delivering an effective focal length of 225-750mm (though it will produce a pretty unbalanced setup). Id argue that the 400mm f/2.8 is actually more versatile, because sometimes youll really need that f/2.8 maximum aperture. When you need to nail the definitive moment in wildlife photography, this is a lens you can surely count on. Why you can trust Digital Camera World It has very impressive optical features and it delivers exceptionally good-looking images, especially at its maximum aperture of f/2.8. 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. There are plenty of options available for everyone who has a good Nikon camera body in bird photography lenses. 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. The lighter weight helps in more rapid framing and composition, giving the extra few milliseconds to create the masterpiece. It is a great buy that will get you to 300mm at just under $600 USD. Guide To Nikon Cameras For Birds. A specially shaped lens hood with a thumb and finger groove helps with this. Works well with Nikon Z6 using FTZ lens adapter. 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. 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. Autofocus itself is very fast and image quality is fabulous. The only downside of this lens is its eye-watering cost of $14000. Being around for much longer than the Z-mount, the F-mount currently has more lenses suitable for wildlife. I have the 80-400, never use it. On your Nikon, the 300mm is 450mm equivalent (35mm), i.e. __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__. In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide. View at Amazon. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The Nikon 300mm f/4E PF is the smallest 300mm f/4 lens because of its phase-fresnel (PF) technology that has subsequently been used in the F-mount 500mm f/5.6 PF and the Z-mount 800mm f/6.3. The Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm is a great introductory telephoto lens for bird photography at a very good price point. It brought everyone into action with this insane zoom range of 150-600mm. Compared with Sigmas 150-600mm Sports lens, the Contemporary edition is smaller and almost a whole kilogram lighter in weight. It offers the quality and construction of Nikon, a top-notch auto-focus, and unparalleled versatility. Sporting a clever retractable design, this lens collapses down to 200mm. But if youre photographing small birds that are 10-15 meters away from you or greater (30+ feet), 800mm will be ideal. Nikon 500mm f/4 VR. lighter. DOWNLOAD THE ADVANCED AFFINITY PHOTO COURSE NOW! First, it is 0.63 stops faster, which although small, does make a difference in challenging wildlife conditions. The auto-focus works a charm in broad daylight. The NIKKOR 200-500mm also features an autofocus system that you can override by turning the manual focus ring. Usually, hobbyist photographers are happy with a good bird in natural surroundings. 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. Sigma is not reporting equivalent focal lengths or f-numbers. Sony: Sony a7 IV. It comes at half the price of a decent 300mm prime. Ergonomically, the Nikon D500 feels just right. If you are looking for the best lens for bird photography with extreme capabilities, then this universal model is worth considering. 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. Overall performance and image quality are excellent, although outright sharpness drops off a bit at the long end of the zoom range. Or would you prefer the 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, which is a 400mm f/2.8 and a 560mm f/4? 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). VR is Vibration Reduction that minimizes blur due to camera shake. 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: . So get the best lens you can afford, then learn to use . 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. The flip side is that no optional tripod mounting ring is available, which would have enabled a better balance, especially in portrait orientation shooting. It is the professional photographers who strive to go that extra mile and look for perfect pictures. 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 offers bird photographers an opportunity to capture almost anything in the wild. The downsized build has been achieved by a modest f/6.3 aperture rating and a Phase Fresnel optical element, a technology thats commonly used to focus the beam in a lighthouse. 3 Best Nikon DSLR Cameras - Mar. 2023 - BestReviews 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. Theres no clear winner between the prime or telephoto debate. This makes the lens very versatile, giving 400mm and 560mm at the flick of a switch. Theres also considerably lower quality owing to the higher number of lens elements. 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! Your prices on the three lenses are off by over $2000.! This is especially true with mammals, which like to come out during such times. In this article, I will not only talk about which Nikon lenses I believe are the best for wildlife and nature photography but also when I use a particular lens, along with plenty of image samples from each lens. Featured key specs: Notable reviews: 5. 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 helps you to change the settings quickly. New York, It is also only about 2.4kg, which means it is handholdable for longer periods compared to most supertelephotos. Best Nikon Lenses for Bird Photography of 2022 By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. There will barely be anything you cant catch that you cant see with the iconic Nikkor 500mm F4G ED R. It is rugged, having a magnesium die-cast barrel which makes it highly resistant to dust and moisture. 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. It really depends on the types of subjects that you shoot. 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. The Best Lens for Bird Photography: What To Look For When Shopping for Add 4.5 stops of vibration reduction, and this lens qualifies as a mini beast for bird photography. 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 Bird photography is unimaginable without the use of a quality telephoto lens. It is about $550 more expensive than the 100-400mm, so why would you get this lens instead? An eliminated ghosting and flare while shooting backlit or semi-back-lit subjects results from this improved optics capability. This telephoto zoom lens can capture beautiful images of birds far in the distance as well as birds who fly closer to you. The best lenses for bird photography let you get closer to birds and capture incredibly sharp, beautiful images. 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 linear stepping motoris blisteringly speedy and practically silent in other words, exactly what you want for birding. Small and light for such a long zoom, the lens retails for about $1,000. 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. My super favorite lens is the AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR. The cost difference between the two is significant. A full set of weather seals is incorporated, and a fluorine coating on the front element helps to repel moisture and fingerprints. Performs well at broad daylight with quick auto focus. Want to learn more about a technical term? The equivalent lenses in full frame would be approximately 24mm f2, 45mm f2, and 85mm f2. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The 400mm f/2.8 lens is ideal for situations where even an f/4 lens would be too slow. A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm. A fast aperture of a constant f/5.6 works well in low light conditions such as sunset and provides the effect of a blurred background to highlight the birds. It is about $550 more expensive than the 100-400mm, so why would you get this lens instead? I would suggest that for most people, this lens is a little bit short for wildlife, especially at $9500. I may have got lucky because mine is very sharp. 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. 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. Its main advantage over the 600mm f/4 is its weight and its length. I would say a much longer lens would be significantly harder to aim. 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 D7500 with Tamron 100-400 Lens Zoomed Out (with Hood) Picking the best camera for bird photography on a budget means balancing competing requirements. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. For Nikon, a good choice is the Nikon 200-500mm lens for DSLR cameras. 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? 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. Capture birds in flight or bears on the hunt without disturbing them with powerful, high-quality Nikkor wildlife photography lenses designed for the nature enthusiast. Im the owner and editor of Photography-RAW. The second edition of the lens has a more typical twist-action zoom ring and a host of upgrades. I have in fact met some people using this lens on a monopod. The modern model is almost 2 lbs. Autofocus is very quick and highly accurate and image quality is excellent overall, although sharpness drops off a little at the longest zoom setting.