Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L. the best birds in flight photography lenses cost thousands of dollars, which just doesn't make sense for a beginner. (Libor wrote a separate article on why thats his favorite budget combo.). Wildlife situations come and pass quickly and this lens is easy to deploy quickly, fast optics, feather weight, and has VR. This helps you to change the settings quickly. This is the lens that will get you to 800mm at f/5.6 with a 2x teleconverter! Looking to turn pro? You will be able to capture all sorts of birds in the perfect frames with these cameras for sure. It is easy to get carried away by the camera body. Generally, the longer the lens (in focal length), the better. 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. 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. In fact, it is significantly lighter than the F-mount 300mm f/2.8G II lens, which is very impressive! The auto-focus works a charm in broad daylight. A unique Sport-VR helps take sharper images even while panning and using continuous shooting mode. Which Nikon Camera Is Best For Bird Photography? 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! 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. B&H offers a good rundown of. 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). No also f/1.4. Small and light for such a long zoom, the lens retails for about $1,000. Hand-holding, the Nikon D500, feels better. 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. Performs well at broad daylight with quick auto focus. Naturally, it has a fixed focal length, equivalent to 600mm in full-frame terms, and lacks the versatility of a zoom. I have a personal sweet spot for the 200-500 mm for its versatility as well as sharpness as also for the 500 mm PF for its lightweight as well as sharpness. The Nikon Z 100-400mm is currently the only Nikon zoom for Z-mount that has some reach. 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. One of the newest Nikon telephoto lenses at the moment is the 600mm f/4 TC VR S. Just like the 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, this 600mm lens has a built-in 1.4x teleconverter. What are the best Nikon lenses for wildlife photography? Buy Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens: $2,696.95 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama. 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. 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. If you like our content, you can subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly email updates using the link below: Getting F-mount Lenses in a Z-mount World, Best Nikon Lenses for Landscape Photography, Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Review, Best Nikon Lenses for Wedding Photography. View at Amazon. DDSSM (Direct Drive Super Sonic Motor) autofocus is super-fast and comes complete with customizable focus-hold buttons mounted around the barrel. Best portrait lens: CANON EF 85MM F/1.2L II USM. It is a massive lens for a reason its large aperture of f/2.8 requires huge glass elements to transmit so much light into the camera. 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 I hope you enjoy the site . Sold all other FX lenses to get a full set of Z lenses. 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. Next comes getting closer to the birds. The autofocus is extremely fast, thanks to an internal focus element, and you can easily override the autofocus if you want manual control. 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. It also makes it very easy to use teleconverters, especially the built-in 1.4x TC. It's one of the best 150-600mm lenses (opens in new tab) overall. This is the lens that many wildlife photographers get, especially those that photograph birds. 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. Additionally, some good wildlife lenses simply are not available for Z-mount, such as a 300mm f/2.8 or 500mm f/4. Two screw-on types of 95mm lens filters are available that are handy during bird photography. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Continuous high-speed photography is achievable through this type of AE control. Panasonic DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 Asph. The biggest advantage of this lens is its maximum aperture of f/2.8. Because this lens is so new, its the only one here that our team at Photography Life hasnt used yet. I have the 500mm f4g VR, a crazy sharp lens. Landscape vs Portrait Orientation in Photography. Download our FREE Macro Photography Quick Start Guide. Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary. But, since you have a crop sensor camera, a lens zooming to 400mm, 500mm or even 600mm would be an option. First, it is 0.63 stops faster, which although small, does make a difference in challenging wildlife conditions. The Silent Wave Motor further boosts this ability, helping create stable and dramatic images in the wild. Autofocus is very quick and highly accurate and image quality is excellent overall, although sharpness drops off a little at the longest zoom setting. The lens is under $600 and is among the cheapest lenses to achieve any bird photography. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. This lens has a fixed aperture of f/11, and many birders might consider that rather too narrow, while others might be unimpressed that you cant alter the aperture. 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. The Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3s main application is birds and other small animals. You can switch focus mode by simply turning the focus ring. The sheer range provided by Tamrons 150-600, especially when clubbed with a crop frame, is enough to enchant the buyers. It is possible due to the diaphragm blade unit with a drive mechanism. This is especially true with mammals, which like to come out during such times. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. Forget about trying to hand-hold it, even if you have arms as big as Schwarzeneggers. When photographing wildlife, whether capturing birds in flight or photographing bears in Alaska, one of the most important factors in choosing a lens is its focal length. A lens of a fixed focal length that cannot be zoomed. 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 The best lenses for bird photography will help you get close to wildlife and there are great options for every camera mount. If one plans to use the camera hand-held, it is better to look for lighter lenses while compromising slightly on the range. Further anti-reflection technologies help create even sharper pictures with great picture quality. 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. The Nikon TC-17E II nor the new Nikon TC-20E III can work but not as reliably. Even so, thats rarely a disadvantage for birding, as youre likely to use a zoom lens at its longest available focal length anyway. 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. It offers the quality and construction of Nikon, a top-notch auto-focus, and unparalleled versatility. Add 4.5 stops of vibration reduction, and this lens qualifies as a mini beast for bird photography. The Nikon COOLPIX P1000 features a 3000mm super telephoto lens, . But this aint your daddys 400mm f/2.8. Unique VR modes like the Sports VR take the VR game a notch higher. A lens that can vary between focal lengths. 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 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. 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. Sharpness, contrast and other image attributes are excellent and very consistent throughout the entire zoom range. The only downside of this lens is its eye-watering cost of $14000. If well-cared for, such F-mount lenses can still last many years. 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. Im the owner and editor of Photography-RAW. This means that with the teleconverter switched on you have a 560mm lens. 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 A long lens to capture subjects in the distance. The second is that 400mm isnt always long enough for smaller or more distant birds. 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 lens is light and compact, making it easy to carry it around when scouting for wildlife in parks and wildlife spots. 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. 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. In particular, its much easier to use a 1.4x teleconverter with this lens, turning it into a very reasonable 560mm f/6.3. 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. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. It is good. Best lens for street photography: NIKON AF NIKKOR 35MM F/2D. It also features 2 FL (fluorite lens elements) to minimize weight and improve optics. You are a bit mixed up. With advancement, the quality has come quite close to prime. If you are passionate about bird photography, but want to keep your costs under $10,000, the Z-mount 800mm f/6.3 offers an insane amount of reach at a lower cost than the traditional f/4 primes. The lens is meant to be used with fast Nikon DSLRs from the high-end range. It's tough to do, especially when photographing moving birds. 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 uprated ring-type autofocus system is faster and more accurate, and a fluorine coating is added to the front element. Nikon budget: Nikon Z50. VR: Vibration Reduction is essential in unforgiving conditions. B&H offers a good rundown of how to build your camera kit for birding, and a Nikon ambassador Moose Peterson shares his favorite setup to give you some ideas. 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. A prime lens that excels for bird photography, the telephoto Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm is a quality addition to your camera kit. Still, its hard to beat the price of this lens at $1400. Undoubtedly, the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 is the most popular budget lens for bird shooters. 1,725g (1,880g with tripod mounting ring), Amazing shot of angry birds wins Nature in Action Photo Competition, Sony releases first pictures of Earth from its Star Sphere space satellite, Hipster camera alert: A full-frame Nikon Z fc could be on the way, Should you use a full frame or cropped sensor camera for bird photography, 2. These cookies do not store any personal information. Sporting a clever retractable design, this lens collapses down to 200mm. Theres no other difference between the two versions. Compatible Camera Mount: Canon EF Features Dust And Water Resistant Design Autofocus Is Both Smooth And Quiet Wide Focal Range Allows A Wide Variety Of Shots It is about $550 more expensive than the 100-400mm, so why would you get this lens instead? 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. 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 silent wave matter is added for an extra-fast and noise-free bird photography experience. With its MFT mount, it will work on Olympus mirrorless cameras, as well as compatible Panasonic Lumix models. Still, it is heavy and big to carry around and takes time to set up. This makes it easier to track the erratic movement of birds in flight. 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. 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. An extreme telephoto lens, it can beautifully capture birds at a very long distance. For Nikon, a good choice is the Nikon 200-500mm lens for DSLR cameras. The upgraded VR II provides three stops of image stabilization. Works well with Nikon Z6 using FTZ lens adapter. This is a lens you'll want to partner with a sturdy monopod for long periods of shooting. It is the professional photographers who strive to go that extra mile and look for perfect pictures. 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. Instead, it will automatically adjust as the light changes. 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. Do you want a zoom lens that offers a focal range from up close to far in the distance? A prime lens may force you to, though, unless you know the exact bird locations and schedule. 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. The Sports model is a superior lens for photographing birds. Additionally, 2 ED glass elements work towards eliminating chromatic aberration. At 1,260g, its perfectly viable for long periods of handheld shooting, aided by a highly effective optical image stabilizer. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. But it is only half part of the story. 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.