The Nikon TC-17E II nor the new Nikon TC-20E III can work but not as reliably. Sigma is not reporting equivalent focal lengths or f-numbers. Id argue that the 400mm f/2.8 is actually more versatile, because sometimes youll really need that f/2.8 maximum aperture. Capture birds in flight or bears on the hunt without disturbing them with powerful, high-quality Nikkor wildlife photography lenses designed for the nature enthusiast. DDSSM (Direct Drive Super Sonic Motor) autofocus is super-fast and comes complete with customizable focus-hold buttons mounted around the barrel. In many cases, it still does. Do you want a zoom lens that offers a focal range from up close to far in the distance? It comes at half the price of a decent 300mm prime. Panasonic DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 Asph. 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 has fully professional-grade build quality with comprehensive weather-seals and a dust-, freeze- and splash-proof construction. Basically, if youre not sure which lens youll need, you definitely dont need this one. It brought everyone into action with this insane zoom range of 150-600mm. Hand-held shooting is possible with the newer model. Sir, Pls. 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. If youre new to wildlife photography and you have only one lens in your kit, a zoom lens is the best option since it provides you more flexibility, But if youll be switching lenses out, you can use a variety of prime lenses based on the situation and terrain you find yourself in. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2, 16. 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. 2. The NIKKOR 200-500mm also features an autofocus system that you can override by turning the manual focus ring. The Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm is a great introductory telephoto lens for bird photography at a very good price point. 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. Sony: Sony a7 IV. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. 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. Heres how it works. Scouting for birds in national parks and bird sanctuaries is accessible with this range. The camera makes the images. The maximum effective focal length stretches from 600mm to around 900mm when shooting on an APS-C camera. Lenses are the second half, and in some cases, the better half. 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. Instead, you need to decide which camera is perfect for YOU. An accurate, high-quality focus powered by an upgraded Ultra Silent Drive (USD) motor results from fine engineering. 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. However, the modest f/11 rating enables a relatively compact and lightweight build with smaller-diameter lens elements. Traditionally, 400mm f/2.8 lenses were much more specialized tools, being very heavy and a bit short for smaller wildlife. Get the best camera deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable photography news and more! It's an easy-to-carry, (relatively) affordable, and fast-focusing long lens, which makes it ideal for photographing birds in the field. Auto White Balance requires zero input from you, the photographer. 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. Even so, thats rarely a disadvantage for birding, as youre likely to use a zoom lens at its longest available focal length anyway. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. The best cameras for bird photography will help ensure that your patience pays off. NY 10036. If you are still shooting with a DSLR, then this might be a good option, since you cannot use the new Z-mount version. This is especially true for mammals that are often active during these dark periods. Its main advantage over the 600mm f/4 is its weight and its length. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. The upgraded VR II provides three stops of image stabilization. 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. His expertise with equipment doesnt end there, though. But this aint your daddys 400mm f/2.8. The only downside of this lens is its eye-watering cost of $14000. 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? The electro-mechanics diaphragm mechanism works in conjunction with the cameras shutter. The Nikon 200-600mm lens in particular will be the generalist wildlife lens suitable for most shooters who need the versatility of a zoom. 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 Lots of opinions why this and that lens is not on the list. 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. 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C for Canon, DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH Power OIS, Massive telephoto reach in a compact, affordable package, The latest premium super-telephoto zoom for EOS R mirrorless cameras, This shouldn't be ignored for bird photography, Best own-brand Nikon lens for bird photographers, Nikon's mighty 600mm prime is a beast of a lens, A monster performer, if you don't mind the modest aperture and weight, Sonys biggest and best super-telephoto zoom for birding, Tamron's affordable tele-zoom for Sony boasts fearsome autofocus, Best Fujifilm lens for bird photographers, The longest X-mount lens is also lightweight and affordable, Sony E-mount and Leica L get a Sports lens to call their own, Best lens for bird photography for Canon & Nikon DSLRs, Best budget lens for birding for Canon and Nikon DSLRs, This Tamron lens combines the attractions of both Sigma lenses, A great lightweight, budget super-telephoto zoom, Best MFT zoom lens for birding, thanks to the 2x crop factor, Best prime lens for Olympus and Panasonic MFT cameras, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. If you have a favorite lens of yours for wildlife photography that is not listed below, please feel free to add a comment at the bottom of the page with some information and links to pictures (if you have any that you would like to share). It is capable of producing relatively good bokeh, especially on its longest end, although its sharpness performance also drops quite a bit at 300mm. The Nikon 70 300mm telephoto lens with f/4.5 -5.6 maximum aperture is best for Nikon digital SLR cameras. Because this lens is so new, its the only one here that our team at Photography Life hasnt used yet. The second edition of the lens has a more typical twist-action zoom ring and a host of upgrades. 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. 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. Nikkor 400mm f2.8E FL ED VR is the next-gen model of the 2007 Nikkor 400mm f2.6G ED VR. It offers bird photographers an opportunity to capture almost anything in the wild. Has a 20.9MP resolution and records 4K video in ultra-high definition. A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports, 13. Would love to hear the reasons, if any. 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. Its built-in teleconverter means you can reach 560mm. AF performance is top notch, with super fast and accurate autofocus acquisition, even in low-light situations. Autofocus is very quick and highly accurate and image quality is excellent overall, although sharpness drops off a little at the longest zoom setting. It also features 2 FL (fluorite lens elements) to minimize weight and improve optics. 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. Additionally, some good wildlife lenses simply are not available for Z-mount, such as a 300mm f/2.8 or 500mm f/4. Theres more, however, with the construction boasting an upgraded lens construction. The biggest consideration when buying a Nikon lens for bird photography is focal length. A fixed f/11 aperture isn't quite as limiting as it might first appear as thanks to the Dual Pixel AF sensor-based autofocus systems of EOS R-series cameras. 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. A prime lens may force you to, though, unless you know the exact bird locations and schedule. View at Amazon. 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. If you're shooting on the Nikon Z-mount system, then the newly released 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 is a good choice. Compared with Sigma and Tamron 150-600mm zooms for Nikon cameras, this own-brand competitor comes up slightly short in maximum reach. Very informative write up, What about 200-500 mm lens? Sony premium: Sony 1. If youre looking for the longest reach without teleconverters, the Nikon 800mm f/6.3 is your lens! Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. This has seen a weight saving of some 25%, though it still tips the scales at an arm-wobbling 3,810g. Again, not much to complain about in terms of optics and features. 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 Nikon: Nikon Z9. A finely-crafted lens, the Panasonic 100-400mm is relatively large for a Micro Four Thirds format zoom and weighs almost a kilogram. It is about $550 more expensive than the 100-400mm, so why would you get this lens instead? 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. Other features include an OLED display, plus a customisable function button. The addition of highly effective optical VR that works in tandem with IBIS in Z system full-frame cameras should ensure exceptionally sharp avian images. 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. 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. 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. Landscape vs Portrait Orientation in Photography. Due to its slower f/4 aperture, it is a much lighter lens than the 400mm f/2.8E VR. The lens is light and compact, making it easy to carry it around when scouting for wildlife in parks and wildlife spots. 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. Which Nikon Camera Is Best For Bird Photography? 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. Its three-mode stabilisation system helps out here too birders will probably get the most use out of Mode 3, which only applies the stabilisation effect during actual exposures, making it easier to track erratically moving subjects. You cant move much during wildlife photography, as you may disturb the surroundings. First, it is 0.63 stops faster, which although small, does make a difference in challenging wildlife conditions. The NIKKOR 300mm is not a zoom lens with a varied focal length. As each birder's requirements are a little different, there is no one perfect camera and lens for bird photography. For full compatibility with Canon EOS R and Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras, V2 or later firmware can be applied via Tamrons optional USB-linked TAP-in Console. Triple-mode image stabilization is switchable for static and panning shots, with an additional option for applying stabilization only during exposures. It has a vibration reduction of up to 5.5 stops. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The Best Canon Lens For Bird Photography Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L is II USM Lens, Lens Only Compact, high performance L-series super-telephoto zoom makes it ideal for sports and wildlife photography Rotation-type zoom ring allows for more precise composition and excellent balance when handholding 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. 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. 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 Dont worry, this article will be updated in October! That said, pair it with the EOS R5 or R6 and the combined image stabilisation delivers up to 6 stops compensation (5 stops on the EOS R or RP). A lens of a fixed focal length that cannot be zoomed. 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. You might be wondering, does it still make sense to get an F-mount lens now that Nikon is focusing its effort and support on Z-mount? the best birds in flight photography lenses cost thousands of dollars, which just doesn't make sense for a beginner. If you like birds, you might also like to see the best camera for wildlife (opens in new tab), as well as the best bird feeder cameras. The lens has 11 elements (3ED) in 8 groups. With birding, you will likely be using the lens with its built-in teleconverter all the time. You can only shoot at the widest aperture possible on older Nikon bodies. Takes continuous shots at 8 frames per second. very long. 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. Zoom lenses carry the advantage of flexibility. Its a very good lens but rather expensive for a 100-400mm, and lacks the outright telephoto reach of more recent 150-600mm independent designs. It's tough to do, especially when photographing moving birds. For more of our top wildlife photography gear recommendations, check out the Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography.
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