The Nikon 800mm f/5.6 is no doubt an astounding and absurdly expensive lens. 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. PL provides various digital photography news, reviews, articles, tips, tutorials and guides to photographers of all levels, By Nasim Mansurov 305 CommentsLast Updated On January 13, 2023. AF performance is top notch, with super fast and accurate autofocus acquisition, even in low-light situations. 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. Fujifilm XF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR, 11. Guide To Nikon Cameras For Birds. A specially shaped lens hood with a thumb and finger groove helps with this. Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency (eBAND) coating and Broad-Band Anti-Reflection (BBAR) coating make the optics even more refined. A lens that can vary between focal lengths. Both DSLR and mirrorless full-frames should be considered. Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix S5 at Adorama, Amazon, and B&H. FUJIFILM's X-T4 is the only APS-C sensor type in our round-up. 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. 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. A Nano-crystal coat and fluorine coat cut down on all reflections. 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. Overall performance and image quality are excellent, although outright sharpness drops off a bit at the long end of the zoom range. The next best wildlife lens is Nikons heavyweight super telephoto bazooka, the Nikon 400mm f/2.8E VR. Its also plausible that Nikon will eventually release a 300mm f/2.8 and 500mm f/4 to match the F-mount lenses it already makes. This makes it easier to track the erratic movement of birds in flight. Id love to hear in the comments! 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. This zoom lens offers a range from portrait to telephoto, so you can always get the shot. The construction is uncompromised with the new magnesium alloy barrel and fluorite elements. A camera that takes high-definition images and comes with a lens for up-close shots of subjects. What are the best Nikon lenses for wildlife photography? Scouting for birds in national parks and bird sanctuaries is accessible with this range. Nanocrystal provides for even better construction. First, it is 0.63 stops faster, which although small, does make a difference in challenging wildlife conditions. 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. And lastly, I present you the Cadillac of all Nikon super telephoto lenses: the Nikon 600mm f/4E VR. In this list, we've included some of the best telephoto lenses (opens in new tab) around right now. Extending the focal length gives it even more reach, though the trade-off is a pretty modest maximum aperture of f/7.1 at the long end. The Silent Wave Motor further boosts this ability, helping create stable and dramatic images in the wild. They have some great F-mount lenses that have been supplemented in the past few years with some amazing new Z-mount lenses. Theres no other difference between the two versions. 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. And you'll also find lenses for Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus cameras. 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. Handling highlights include a customizable Lens-function button, a four-stop image stabilizer that gives up to a six-stop benefit when combined with in-camera stabilization, and an autofocus range limiter that can lock out either short or long focus distances. DDSSM (Direct Drive Super Sonic Motor) autofocus is super-fast and comes complete with customizable focus-hold buttons mounted around the barrel. It is also quite lightweight for a lens, so you can easily take it with you into the wild. Birds are often tiny, very fast, and since it happens in the wild, theres no control over the light. But this aint your daddys 400mm f/2.8. 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! November 14, 2018 May 6, 2019; . The Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF lens was a breakthrough lens for Nikon. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. 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 Nikon COOLPIX P1000 features a 3000mm super telephoto lens, . 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. I have the 80-400, never use it. The optical path is top drawer too, featuring no less than five ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements plus a Super ED element. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 is a compact and ridiculously sharp lens that is perfect for larger birds and birds in flight. A prime lens that excels for bird photography, the telephoto Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm is a quality addition to your camera kit. Landscape vs Portrait Orientation in Photography. Additionally, 2 ED glass elements work towards eliminating chromatic aberration. 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. View at Amazon. 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). Sigma is not reporting equivalent focal lengths or f-numbers. 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. Pls. And if you need an 800mm equivalent lens, you could always put a 2x TC on the 400mm f/2.8. However, the modest f/11 rating enables a relatively compact and lightweight build with smaller-diameter lens elements. At 1,260g, its perfectly viable for long periods of handheld shooting, aided by a highly effective optical image stabilizer. Compared with Sigma and Tamron 150-600mm zooms for Nikon cameras, this own-brand competitor comes up slightly short in maximum reach. This is not the lens you would pack in a backpack for hiking. This lens is somewhat on the heavy side, although it still can be used handheld, and the vibration reduction reduces camera shake whether you have it on a tripod or are holding it. You are a bit mixed up. Forget about trying to hand-hold it, even if you have arms as big as Schwarzeneggers. The lens is under $600 and is among the cheapest lenses to achieve any bird photography. 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. 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. I have in fact met some people using this lens on a monopod. 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. It offers bird photographers an opportunity to capture almost anything in the wild. Sony premium: Sony 1. As in the Sigma and Tamron lenses, this enables more consistency in rapid-fire exposures but, with older Nikon bodies, youll only be able to shoot at the widest aperture. The VR II provides up to 3 stops of insurance, resulting in sharper images overall. Sir, Pls. Theres also lens lightness that helps them enjoy the process and learn the art of bird photography. Its main advantage over the 600mm f/4 is its weight and its length. Again, not much to complain about in terms of optics and features. The Nano Crystal Coat eliminates internal reflections and removes all chromatic aberration to provide the finest picture quality. +80Photoshop Actionsfor NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS. The sheer range provided by Tamrons 150-600, especially when clubbed with a crop frame, is enough to enchant the buyers. Autofocus itself is very fast and image quality is fabulous. It all works together very well, except that stabilization can be relatively ineffective for panning. Simply, getting close is the best way to get a bigger subject in your viewfinder. This lens gives you telephoto superpowers in a relatively lightweight package. However, this lens is fairly hefty, so it will add some weight to your pack, which is something to consider if youre going on a long adventure in the backcountry. I am a wildlife photographer, started in the 70s. 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. If you love birdwatching, visit our best bird feeder camera (opens in new tab) guide! Zoom lenses carry the advantage of flexibility. 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. Pros 2. Its also not quite as sharp, but it comes very close and its overall image quality is pleasing. For most wildlife, the move from f/4 to f/5.6 will not impact image quality, and it is a fair trade for the increased versatility of never needing a tripod. Optical quality is first-rate as you'd expect for a high-end Nikon prime, while the autofocus performance doesn't disappoint either. This lens is great for general wildlife, especially if you often shoot the large kind like moose and bears. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports isn't just a quick reskin of the DSLR version (below); it's actually been retooled from the ground up with mirrorless cameras in mind, and it's an impressive 760g lighter. Theres also considerably lower quality owing to the higher number of lens elements. The Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm is a great introductory telephoto lens for bird photography at a very good price point. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best 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. In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide. It's tough to do, especially when photographing moving birds. When you need to nail the definitive moment in wildlife photography, this is a lens you can surely count on. It is the lightest native 800mm lens that Nikon makes. 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 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. We check out the best cameras for professionals (opens in new tab). 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. Interestingly, it is 3.25kg, which is not much heavier than the 2.9kg of the 300mm f/2.8. View at Amazon. Its also the sharper lens at 400mm, although the 100-400mm is no slouch. Coupled with the Nikon Z9 you can use the newly developed Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM), which enables fast, highly accurate, and quiet AF control. The best telephoto lenses (opens in new tab) are generally getting lighter, and optical image stabilization systems make it possible to capture sharp images at the outer edge of a telephoto zoom, without having to use a tripod. 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. The Sonys size and weight are fairly typical but feel a little more imposing on comparatively lightweight Sony Alpha mirrorless bodies. But if youre photographing small birds that are 10-15 meters away from you or greater (30+ feet), 800mm will be ideal. 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. Still, it is heavy and big to carry around and takes time to set up. 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. 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. Hand-holding, the Nikon D500, feels better. But, since you have a crop sensor camera, a lens zooming to 400mm, 500mm or even 600mm would be an option. Weather Resistance: Bird photography is out there in the wild. 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 older model was bulky and heavy and needed a tripod for support at all times. In many cases, it still does. 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. Works well with Nikon Z6 using FTZ lens adapter. 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. With its MFT mount, it will work on Olympus mirrorless cameras, as well as compatible Panasonic Lumix models. Due to its massive size, this lens requires a good tripod setup. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sport, 14. Fancy features include a dual-mode, 4.5-stop VR (Vibration System) system and an electromagnetically controlled diaphragm for adjusting the aperture. 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. longer. A cheap APS-C macro lens is coming, for almost all mounts, Shots fired! 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 auto-focus works a charm in broad daylight. The lens is meant to be used with fast Nikon DSLRs from the high-end range. This lens is the real winner for use on any Nikon body: a 200-500 mm zoom with vibration reduction. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. 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 has fully professional-grade build quality with comprehensive weather-seals and a dust-, freeze- and splash-proof construction. It also helps reduce weight and is ideal for outdoor shooting. The Vibration Compensation (VC, equivalent of VR in Nikon manufactured lenses) consists of three modes. Whatever kind of wildlife you like to photograph, whether it be large mammals or small birds, you are sure to find the right Nikon lens. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The upgraded VR II provides three stops of image stabilization. It is possible due to the diaphragm blade unit with a drive mechanism. Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD, 10. What is the best one you would suggest for wild life (perched birds) with Z6 and FTZ adapter ? 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 best lenses for bird photography provide you with enough magnification to fill the frame with a feathery subject and have a fast enough autofocus to track it as it moves. This latest generation optic is significantly lighter than its predecessor thanks to the Flourite lens elements used. 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. Quick Answer - The Best Lenses for Bird Photography. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Nikons 300mm F2.8 is fondly called a super-telephoto lens. As of January 2022, Nikon just released their latest addition to the Z mirrorless system lens line-up. Weighing a whopping 3.8 kilos, it is about as heavy as Nikons longest 600mm f/4 lens (more on the 600mm below). 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. This is the first ultra-telephoto lens made for the APS-C format. His expertise with equipment doesnt end there, though. This large lens, when coupled with the DX-format sensor, gives him the optical equivalent of an 18x binocular. The lens is light and compact, making it easy to carry it around when scouting for wildlife in parks and wildlife spots. 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. They improve the all-weather shield for shooting in the most severe conditions. 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. It is optimized to deliver results quickly and perfectly. Unique VR modes like the Sports VR take the VR game a notch higher. I have the 500mm f4g VR, a crazy sharp lens. Theres more, however, with the construction boasting an upgraded lens construction. Two screw-on types of 95mm lens filters are available that are handy during bird photography. 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. 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. 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. The one thing I would not use this lens for is birding. The lens has 11 elements (3ED) in 8 groups. No matter the focal length of the lens, the closer you are, the bigger the subject. If you're looking for affordable options, these are the best budget telephoto lenses (opens in new tab). The camera makes the images. There are two potential downsides with this lens, and they go hand-in-hand. Having VR is a definite plus when hand-holding the lens. It is still just possible to handhold, and it offers a lot of versatility with its zoom and very decent image quality. The optical image stabilizer is effective on its own and even better when coupled with in-body stabilization, featured in later Sony Alpha A7 and A9 mirrorless cameras. We've tested the best lenses for bird photography to bring you options for a range of prices, from budget telephoto lenses to professional lenses. It has a tripod detection mode that helps minimize shutter release vibration, making it an intelligent VR workhorse. Wildlife situations come and pass quickly and this lens is easy to deploy quickly, fast optics, feather weight, and has VR. Undoubtedly, the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 is the most popular budget lens for bird shooters. But lenses are an expensive purchase, so its important to really think through your decision about which Nikon lens to buy for bird photography. Should you use a full frame or cropped sensor camera for bird photography (opens in new tab)? 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. Instead, you need to decide which camera is perfect for YOU. Using DO (Diffractive Optics) and a relatively narrow f/11 fixed aperture rating, it's also pretty light at 930g. Sony budget: Sony 6400. A lens of a fixed focal length that cannot be zoomed. For more of our top outdoor photography gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides: Kate is a climber, creator, and community builder. 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. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports, 13. Because this lens is so new, its the only one here that our team at Photography Life hasnt used yet. Neutral Color NC Filter and Circular Polarizing Filter II have been specially crafted for this lens. 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. 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. Sporting a clever retractable design, this lens collapses down to 200mm. Sophisticated controls include switchable dual-mode autofocus options with priority given to autofocus or manual override, static/panning stabilization modes and dual custom setups. The maximum effective focal length stretches from 600mm to around 900mm when shooting on an APS-C camera.
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