Naturally, it has a fixed focal length, equivalent to 600mm in full-frame terms, and lacks the versatility of a zoom. Instead, it will automatically adjust as the light changes. If you are looking for the best lens for bird photography with extreme capabilities, then this universal model is worth considering. 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. 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 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. 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. Having VR is a definite plus when hand-holding the lens. Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. 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. 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. Due to its slower f/4 aperture, it is a much lighter lens than the 400mm f/2.8E VR. 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! The Nikkor 70-300 f4.5-5.6G VR must be on the list of bird photography lenses purely to provide an entry. The 800mm focal length, while not easy to use, certainly shines when it is used properly. 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. 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. The lens is light and compact, making it easy to carry it around when scouting for wildlife in parks and wildlife spots. The biggest advantage of this lens is its maximum aperture of f/2.8. Quick Answer - The Best Lenses for Bird Photography. The cost difference between the two is significant. Do you want a zoom lens that offers a focal range from up close to far in the distance? This lens of course belongs to the S-line, which means superior performance. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, 9. Then there's the full frame pro or serious enthusiast DSLR body with a Canon or Nikon 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, or even an 800mm prime lens. Fancy features include a dual-mode, 4.5-stop VR (Vibration System) system and an electromagnetically controlled diaphragm for adjusting the aperture. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. When done well, you can get some truly magnificent photographs. Lots of opinions why this and that lens is not on the list. What are the best Nikon lenses for wildlife photography? With its MFT mount, it will work on Olympus mirrorless cameras, as well as compatible Panasonic Lumix models. You now know how to do the calculation: the 200-500 is the equivalent of 300 mm to a whopping 750 mm. 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 But no matter what camera system you use, we've found the best lenses for bird photography. I hope you enjoy the site . The Nano Crystal Coat eliminates internal reflections and removes all chromatic aberration to provide the finest picture quality. 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. Id argue that the 400mm f/2.8 is actually more versatile, because sometimes youll really need that f/2.8 maximum aperture. The Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3s main application is birds and other small animals. 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 Weighing a whopping 3.8 kilos, it is about as heavy as Nikons longest 600mm f/4 lens (more on the 600mm below). The camera is built to be used with a tripod. They improve the all-weather shield for shooting in the most severe conditions. Theres no clear winner between the prime or telephoto debate. Out of the many options available for you in the market, here are the bird photography cameras that are worth the purchase. 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. But lenses are an expensive purchase, so its important to really think through your decision about which Nikon lens to buy for bird photography. A unique Sport-VR helps take sharper images even while panning and using continuous shooting mode. Add 4.5 stops of vibration reduction, and this lens qualifies as a mini beast for bird photography. If you are still shooting with a DSLR, then this might be a good option, since you cannot use the new Z-mount version. B&H offers a good rundown of. It boasts 2 focus modes with fast auto, silent focusing with a minimum focus range of 4.9 feet. I agree with all the conclusions, my thoughts are the same, why and how. Would love to hear the reasons, if any. the best birds in flight photography lenses cost thousands of dollars, which just doesn't make sense for a beginner. A decent lens is an essential piece of camera equipment for capturing beautiful bird photos. 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 Nikon TC-17E II nor the new Nikon TC-20E III can work but not as reliably. Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. But, since you have a crop sensor camera, a lens zooming to 400mm, 500mm or even 600mm would be an option. The effects of camera shake are minimized by vibration reduction VRII. View at Amazon. The narrower aperture range of f/5-6.7 is going to restrict you a little in terms of how much light you need, which is simply something to be aware of and factor in. DOWNLOAD THE ADVANCED AFFINITY PHOTO COURSE NOW! I am a wildlife photographer, started in the 70s. It comes at half the price of a decent 300mm prime. Important command dials for wildlife and bird photography are located on the camera body itself. It is a workhorse tool used by professionals for sports, wildlife and portrait photography. One caveat is the video recording button is located a bit oddly. Hand-held shooting is possible with the newer model. Im the owner and editor of Photography-RAW. The VR II provides up to 3 stops of insurance, resulting in sharper images overall. You are a bit mixed up. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 is our choice as the best lens for bird photography. And if you need an 800mm equivalent lens, you could always put a 2x TC on the 400mm f/2.8. Although the very light 500mm f/5.6 PF has replaced it for many shooters, and the 400mm f/4.5 in an attractive alternative for Z-mount users, it is still lest costly than both (especially used), and so it is worth considering if you need quality in a very small package. If any reason pls explain. No also f/1.4. Nikon 80-400mm VR. Ergonomically, the Nikon D500 feels just right. Still, weighing just 1,725g without the tripod collar, the Tamron 150-500mm is perfectly useable hand-held. A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm. Its tripod-compatible VR offers up to 4 stops of Vibration Reduction. Canon premium: Canon EOS R3. Usually, hobbyist photographers are happy with a good bird in natural surroundings. 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. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. It has very impressive optical features and it delivers exceptionally good-looking images, especially at its maximum aperture of f/2.8. In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide. We check out the best cameras for professionals (opens in new tab). This is the lens that many wildlife photographers get, especially those that photograph birds. 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 also has a dust- and moisture-resistant rubber gasket on the mounting plate, although it lacks the additional weather seals of the Sports lens. 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. 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. A VR lens helps create sharper pictures and provides three stops insurance. Its also the sharper lens at 400mm, although the 100-400mm is no slouch. Hand-holding, the Nikon D500, feels better. This is the lens that will get you to 800mm at f/5.6 with a 2x teleconverter! Nikons 300mm F2.8 is fondly called a super-telephoto lens. The Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is a classic example, costing more than some new cars. The Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM is a lens that works really well in birds and wildlife photography, a great tele-zoom of choice, and whose weight, although very unbalanced, we do not believe to be excessive even for carrying out wandering photographic hunting activities. Scouting for birds in national parks and bird sanctuaries is accessible with this range. It was originally introduced as an answer to third-party large focal length telephoto zoom lenses. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. So, this is a great lens for bigger or closer wildlife, but its not the right choice for all wildlife photographers. 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. His expertise with equipment doesnt end there, though. And lastly, I present you the Cadillac of all Nikon super telephoto lenses: the Nikon 600mm f/4E VR. 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 will let you shoot birds up close, and although the zoom isnt the longest out there, it will still allow you to capture birds in the distance. Or do you want a high-quality prime lens with a set focal length? The only downside of this lens is its eye-watering cost of $14000. 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 You cant move much during wildlife photography, as you may disturb the surroundings. The speed of continuous shooting is not compromised with modern cameras like D4S. The electro-mechanics diaphragm mechanism works in conjunction with the cameras shutter. They, however, are prone to more lens aberrations and vignettes. This has seen a weight saving of some 25%, though it still tips the scales at an arm-wobbling 3,810g. 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. 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. __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__. 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. There are two versions of this lens: VR and non-VR. Whereas 400mm and 600mm lenses work better for general wildlife photography outings. Surprisingly u didnt included Nikon 200-500 /f5.6 lens one of the best selling lens for wildlife photography. Finally, the Nikon Z 400mm is also 190 g lighter than the 100-400mm, which makes a difference if you are carrying the lens and other equipment all day. 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 biggest consideration when buying a Nikon lens for bird photography is focal length. 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. Sir, Pls. 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. I may have got lucky because mine is very sharp. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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.