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. If you want the ultimate versatility in a single lens, it would be hard to go wrong with the Nikon 180-400mm f/4E lens. 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. 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 The equivalent lenses in full frame would be approximately 24mm f2, 45mm f2, and 85mm f2. And you'll also find lenses for Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus cameras. One can also double their effective focal length using teleconverters. This is a very specialized tool.
The Essential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight A finely-crafted lens, the Panasonic 100-400mm is relatively large for a Micro Four Thirds format zoom and weighs almost a kilogram. Do you want a zoom lens that offers a focal range from up close to far in the distance? Its also the sharper lens at 400mm, although the 100-400mm is no slouch. 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. Download our FREE Macro Photography Quick Start Guide. The next best wildlife lens is Nikons heavyweight super telephoto bazooka, the Nikon 400mm f/2.8E VR. You can only shoot at the widest aperture possible on older Nikon bodies. 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. Theres more, however, with the construction boasting an upgraded lens construction. But lenses are an expensive purchase, so its important to really think through your decision about which Nikon lens to buy for bird photography. The Nikon Z 100-400mm is currently the only Nikon zoom for Z-mount that has some reach. 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. 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. The older model was bulky and heavy and needed a tripod for support at all times. 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. It comes at half the price of a decent 300mm prime. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. A tack-sharp AF precision allows panning shots to be perfectly sharp. The VR II provides up to 3 stops of insurance, resulting in sharper images overall. 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. Its also not quite as sharp, but it comes very close and its overall image quality is pleasing. Additionally, some good wildlife lenses simply are not available for Z-mount, such as a 300mm f/2.8 or 500mm f/4. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 is our choice as the best lens for bird photography. I have in fact met some people using this lens on a monopod. The optical path is top drawer too, featuring no less than five ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements plus a Super ED element. Two screw-on types of 95mm lens filters are available that are handy during bird photography. Would love to hear the reasons, if any. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. At 400mm, it's a powerful super-telephoto lens suited to wildlife and action photography, with or without a tripod. 17. In fact, this lens is only 775g, which is almost twice as light as the Olympus 300mm f/4 lens for micro four thirds, and this is a full-frame lens! It is a great buy that will get you to 300mm at just under $600 USD. 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: . Instead, it will automatically adjust as the light changes. 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. If you are still shooting with a DSLR, then this might be a good option, since you cannot use the new Z-mount version.
The Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF lens was a breakthrough lens for Nikon. Sold all other FX lenses to get a full set of Z lenses. A cheap APS-C macro lens is coming, for almost all mounts, Shots fired!
Best Lenses for Bird Photography of 2022 - The Adventure Junkies Coupled with the Nikon Z9 you can use the newly developed Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM), which enables fast, highly accurate, and quiet AF control. But no matter what camera system you use, we've found the best lenses for bird photography. 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. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); I have kept my Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E VR AF-P as I moved from DSLR to Nikon Z5 and Z7-II. If you like the idea of a 300mm f/2.8G II but in a zoom, this is your lens. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. This is a lens you'll want to partner with a sturdy monopod for long periods of shooting. 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. Weighing a whopping 3.8 kilos, it is about as heavy as Nikons longest 600mm f/4 lens (more on the 600mm below). They have some great F-mount lenses that have been supplemented in the past few years with some amazing new Z-mount lenses. Continuous high-speed photography is achievable through this type of AE control. 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. Nikons 300mm F2.8 is fondly called a super-telephoto lens. The lens is light and compact, making it easy to carry it around when scouting for wildlife in parks and wildlife spots. The price is quite hefty though, at close to $14,000. 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. 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. It is also quite lightweight for a lens, so you can easily take it with you into the wild. 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. When engaged, it turns the lens into an 840mm f/5.6.
The Best Lens for Bird Photography in 2023 (Updated) It is the professional photographers who strive to go that extra mile and look for perfect pictures. the best birds in flight photography lenses cost thousands of dollars, which just doesn't make sense for a beginner. Getting a gently used model could save you many thousands of dollars, which would go a long way towards other gear. The lens has 11 elements (3ED) in 8 groups. Nikon 500mm f/4 VR. 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+. 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. This lens gives you telephoto superpowers in a relatively lightweight package. 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. An accurate, high-quality focus powered by an upgraded Ultra Silent Drive (USD) motor results from fine engineering. Lenses are the second half, and in some cases, the better half. Id love to hear in the comments! It's not cheap, but less than half the price of the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S. This recent addition to Sonys E-mount line-up has the same 600mm maximum focal length as Sigma and Tamron 150-600mm zooms for Canon and Nikon SLRs. Then again, for maximum image quality at the longer focal lengths, the 600mm f/4 TC VR S would be the one to beat. Costing $6500, this lens is the cheapest way to reach this focal length. These are 600mm, 750mm and 900mm equivalent (35mm), i.e. But if youre photographing small birds that are 10-15 meters away from you or greater (30+ feet), 800mm will be ideal. A long lens to capture subjects in the distance. In fact, for many situations, it will be too long, and f/6.3 may not be bright enough. VR is Vibration Reduction that minimizes blur due to camera shake. It is capable of producing relatively good bokeh, especially on its longest end, although its sharpness performance also drops quite a bit at 300mm.
Nikon COOLPIX P1000 Super-telephoto digital camera But it will come in handy on a third camera at some point on some wildlife expedition.
The 8 Best Lenses For Birds And Wildlife Photography 2023 - Avibirds.com 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. Except that one. Give your opinion for 80-400 G ED VR on D850 and D500. Nikon 80-400mm VR.
Bird Photography Camera on a Budget - Birdseed & Binoculars Naturally, it has a fixed focal length, equivalent to 600mm in full-frame terms, and lacks the versatility of a zoom. However, the price tag is hefty at just above $12,000. 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. Surprisingly u didnt included Nikon 200-500 /f5.6 lens one of the best selling lens for wildlife photography. 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 camera makes the images. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Fortunately, your camera offers a neat solution: Auto White Balance, also known as AWB. Nikons 200-500mm f5.6E has carved a space of its own among hobbyist and semi-professional wildlife photographers. Both DSLR and mirrorless full-frames should be considered. I hope you enjoy the site . This lens is great for general wildlife, especially if you often shoot the large kind like moose and bears. For Nikon, a good choice is the Nikon 200-500mm lens for DSLR cameras. 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. Next comes getting closer to the birds. Best portrait lens: CANON EF 85MM F/1.2L II USM. Again, not much to complain about in terms of optics and features. But if you have the budget, then the Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR II is the best option for image clarity. With advancement, the quality has come quite close to prime. This lens of course belongs to the S-line, which means superior performance. Being around for much longer than the Z-mount, the F-mount currently has more lenses suitable for wildlife. 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.
A Guide to Birding with Long Lenses | B&H eXplora Hey Im Peter. 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. Zoom lenses carry the advantage of flexibility. It all works together very well, except that stabilization can be relatively ineffective for panning. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports, 13. Shell climb just about anything, from leading fun sport to projecting boulders to following multi-pitch trad (as long as its not slab). 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. View at Amazon.
The best lenses for bird photography in 2023 - digitalcameraworld At F2.8, it is the fastest lens for bird photography. An extreme telephoto lens, it can beautifully capture birds at a very long distance. Due to its massive size, this lens requires a good tripod setup. 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. 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). 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. The uprated ring-type autofocus system is faster and more accurate, and a fluorine coating is added to the front element. Its my favorite because i can get it up and shooting anytime Im in a hurry, which is often. Weather Resistance: Bird photography is out there in the wild. Landscape vs Portrait Orientation in Photography. For more of our top wildlife photography gear recommendations, check out the Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography. Its a superfast (f/2.8) 400mm lens with a built-in 1.4x teleconverter (thats what the TC, stands for in the lens name). Seeing a gorgeous bird in flight is awe-inspiring, but it can be difficult to translate that beauty into a photo. The Nikkor 70-300 f4.5-5.6G VR must be on the list of bird photography lenses purely to provide an entry. See sample zoom photography (View in a lightbox) View the COOLPIX P1000 Product Tour . It results in faster and more precise exposure control and exposure consistency. The NIKKOR 300mm is not a zoom lens with a varied focal length. But this aint your daddys 400mm f/2.8. This has seen a weight saving of some 25%, though it still tips the scales at an arm-wobbling 3,810g. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sport, 14. Theres also considerably lower quality owing to the higher number of lens elements.
7 Best Camera for Bird Photography in 2022 - BirdsDepot Theres no clear winner between the prime or telephoto debate. Best low light lens for Z-Mount - Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S (2,299) Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S. The Nikon Z 50mm f1.2 S is Nikon's premium 50mm lens for Nikon Z series cameras, giving excellent image quality, as well as beautiful bokeh. The silent wave matter is added for an extra-fast and noise-free bird photography experience. 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. A Nano-crystal coat and fluorine coat cut down on all reflections. 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. +80Photoshop Actionsfor NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS. 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. 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. 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. What is the best one you would suggest for wild life (perched birds) with Z6 and FTZ adapter ? Yet, professional bird photographers prefer prime. 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. Important command dials for wildlife and bird photography are located on the camera body itself. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2, 16. A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm. NY 10036. Nikkor 400mm f2.8E FL ED VR is the next-gen model of the 2007 Nikkor 400mm f2.6G ED VR. Focusing is very swift on Canon's two new mirrorless cameras, but could be quicker on the R and RP. And what about probably the most popular Nikon lens the 500 f5.6 PF, why would you not include this as it is actually sharper than the 200-500, 1/3 of the price and so much lighter than the f4 500mm which you would need a mono all the time. No matter the focal length of the lens, the closer you are, the bigger the subject. Quick Answer - The Best Lenses for Bird Photography. This telephoto zoom lens can capture beautiful images of birds far in the distance as well as birds who fly closer to you. View at Amazon. There are two potential downsides with this lens, and they go hand-in-hand. A prime lens may force you to, though, unless you know the exact bird locations and schedule. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary, 15. 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. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 is a compact and ridiculously sharp lens that is perfect for larger birds and birds in flight. With birding, you will likely be using the lens with its built-in teleconverter all the time. It is fairly wide on a full-frame camera at 180mm so it can also be used to capture tighter landscapes. It was originally introduced as an answer to third-party large focal length telephoto zoom lenses. 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. The biggest consideration when buying a Nikon lens for bird photography is focal length. 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. 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.