A VR lens helps create sharper pictures and provides three stops insurance. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 The lens is meant to be used with fast Nikon DSLRs from the high-end range. Naturally, it has a fixed focal length, equivalent to 600mm in full-frame terms, and lacks the versatility of a zoom. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. This has seen a weight saving of some 25%, though it still tips the scales at an arm-wobbling 3,810g. Sony budget: Sony 6400. 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. 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 It also helps reduce weight and is ideal for outdoor shooting. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Unique VR modes like the Sports VR take the VR game a notch higher. Heres how it works. Again, not much to complain about in terms of optics and features. The 7 Best Nikon Lenses For Wildlife Photography in 2023 Similar to the Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II, it also works exceptionally well with all teleconverters, including the Nikon TC-20E III. 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. The camera is built to be used with a tripod. Let us know which is your favorite lens for bird photography. A tack-sharp AF precision allows panning shots to be perfectly sharp. Takes continuous shots at 8 frames per second. Forget about trying to hand-hold it, even if you have arms as big as Schwarzeneggers. Would love to hear the reasons, if any. Best Budget Lens for Bird Photography Having VR is a definite plus when hand-holding the lens. Very informative write up, What about 200-500 mm lens? You cant move much during wildlife photography, as you may disturb the surroundings. These features make this lens an even more excellent piece of treasure. It all works together very well, except that stabilization can be relatively ineffective for panning. The lighter weight helps in more rapid framing and composition, giving the extra few milliseconds to create the masterpiece. Instead, it will automatically adjust as the light changes. 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. If one plans to use the camera hand-held, it is better to look for lighter lenses while compromising slightly on the range. The biggest consideration when buying a Nikon lens for bird photography is focal length. 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. 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. 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. It is the professional photographers who strive to go that extra mile and look for perfect pictures. The best lenses for bird photography will help you get close to wildlife and there are great options for every camera mount. Seeing a gorgeous bird in flight is awe-inspiring, but it can be difficult to translate that beauty into a photo. Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary. Weather Resistance: Bird photography is out there in the wild. 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. For Nikon, a good choice is the Nikon 200-500mm lens for DSLR cameras. But this aint your daddys 400mm f/2.8. Find out more about how we test. 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. Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L. There are two potential downsides with this lens, and they go hand-in-hand. The construction is uncompromised with the new magnesium alloy barrel and fluorite elements. First, it is 0.63 stops faster, which although small, does make a difference in challenging wildlife conditions. The modern model is almost 2 lbs. It is also only about 2.4kg, which means it is handholdable for longer periods compared to most supertelephotos. Theres a more effective, triple-mode image stabilizer and the Mark II also gains weather-seals and fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements. 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. AF performance is top notch, with super fast and accurate autofocus acquisition, even in low-light situations. 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. Still, weighing just 1,725g without the tripod collar, the Tamron 150-500mm is perfectly useable hand-held. Ergonomically, the Nikon D500 feels just right. Best Lens For Wildlife Photography Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR Zoom Lens Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SP Di VC USD XLD Best Lens For Sports Photography Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 DG OS HSM Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD Best Budget Telephoto Lens For Nikon Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR 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 Out of the many options available for you in the market, here are the bird photography cameras that are worth the purchase. You can switch focus mode by simply turning the focus ring. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. How to Create an Online Portfolio Using Format? What are the best Nikon lenses for wildlife photography? 7 Best Lenses for Bird Photography in 2023 - FixThePhoto.com In particular, its much easier to use a 1.4x teleconverter with this lens, turning it into a very reasonable 560mm f/6.3. 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. This typically happens in wildlife after the sun goes down. It is about $550 more expensive than the 100-400mm, so why would you get this lens instead? Hey Im Peter. Among other notable features are a lag-free switch from automatic to manual focus. Guide To Nikon Cameras For Birds. Yet, professional bird photographers prefer prime. 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. +80Photoshop Actionsfor NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS. 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. I may have got lucky because mine is very sharp. If youre looking for the longest reach without teleconverters, the Nikon 800mm f/6.3 is your lens! Other features include an OLED display, plus a customisable function button. 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. 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. the best birds in flight photography lenses cost thousands of dollars, which just doesn't make sense for a beginner. Because this lens is so new, its the only one here that our team at Photography Life hasnt used yet. View at Amazon. 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. Lenses are the second half, and in some cases, the better half. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports, 13. Get the best camera deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable photography news and more! 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! With advancement, the quality has come quite close to prime. The cost difference between the two is significant. That makes it easier to capture sharp, frame-filling images of birds. It comprises 21 elements in 13 groups, having three LD (low dispersion) lens elements. Personally, I prefer to shoot landscape, nature and macro photography. Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD, 10. 17. 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. 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. Landscape vs Portrait Orientation in Photography. The main problem with prime is that it requires a photographer to observe the birds behavior and spots. Visit our corporate site (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. This is the lens that will get you to 800mm at f/5.6 with a 2x teleconverter! If any reason pls explain. Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. This fast lens features snappy autofocus, a 400mm telephoto, and top-quality lens construction by Nikon. Bird photographers carrying a lot of gear find the 500mm f/4 a bit easier to travel with compared to the 600mm f/4. 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. Sharpness, contrast and other image attributes are excellent and very consistent throughout the entire zoom range. 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. The speed of continuous shooting is not compromised with modern cameras like D4S. It literally eliminates axial and transverse chromatic aberrations. DOWNLOAD THE ADVANCED AFFINITY PHOTO COURSE NOW! Best Budget Lenses for Wildlife Photography of 2022 Coupled with the Nikon Z9 you can use the newly developed Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM), which enables fast, highly accurate, and quiet AF control. Using DO (Diffractive Optics) and a relatively narrow f/11 fixed aperture rating, it's also pretty light at 930g. 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? New York, Nikon COOLPIX P1000 Super-telephoto digital camera The older model was bulky and heavy and needed a tripod for support at all times. The Nikon 800mm f/5.6 is no doubt an astounding and absurdly expensive lens. 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. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 is a compact and ridiculously sharp lens that is perfect for larger birds and birds in flight. So, this is a great lens for bigger or closer wildlife, but its not the right choice for all wildlife photographers. This latest generation optic is significantly lighter than its predecessor thanks to the Flourite lens elements used. It is also dust and moisture resistant, and built for rough conditions, like the home of the birds. The best lenses for bird photography in 2023 - digitalcameraworld 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. Optical quality is first-rate as you'd expect for a high-end Nikon prime, while the autofocus performance doesn't disappoint either. Autofocus is fast and image quality is impressive in all respects, making this lens great value for an own-brand Nikon. DDSSM (Direct Drive Super Sonic Motor) autofocus is super-fast and comes complete with customizable focus-hold buttons mounted around the barrel. 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.