They, however, are prone to more lens aberrations and vignettes. I get 10 times more keepers with this lens than with my 500mm, and 20 times more keepers than with my 80-400. This lens gives you telephoto superpowers in a relatively lightweight package. This lens of course belongs to the S-line, which means superior performance. The NIKKOR 200-500mm also features an autofocus system that you can override by turning the manual focus ring. A Guide to Birding with Long Lenses | B&H eXplora 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. They help cut down on any reflection, including the reflection of the camera sensor. For more of our top outdoor photography gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides: Kate is a climber, creator, and community builder. Nikon D7500 with Tamron 100-400 Lens Zoomed Out (with Hood) Picking the best camera for bird photography on a budget means balancing competing requirements. One of my favorite lenses for photographing birds at my feeders is the AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, 9. If you can find a way to deal with the weight, this lens with a D500 would still be a very capable wildlife setup. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. 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. It is also only about 2.4kg, which means it is handholdable for longer periods compared to most supertelephotos. But this aint your daddys 400mm f/2.8. The only downside of this lens is its eye-watering cost of $14000. View at Amazon. You cant move much during wildlife photography, as you may disturb the surroundings. It also features 2 FL (fluorite lens elements) to minimize weight and improve optics. Dont worry, this article will be updated in October! Theres more, however, with the construction boasting an upgraded lens construction. You now know how to do the calculation: the 200-500 is the equivalent of 300 mm to a whopping 750 mm. All of these can be used on Z-mount cameras with the FTZ or FTZII adapter, and since some of these do not yet have Z counterparts, they are worth a look whether you shoot a Nikon DSLR or a Nikon Z mirrorless camera. My second best buy of my life. Hand-holding, the Nikon D500, feels better. The best bird photography lenses help you grab those moments. Its built-in teleconverter means you can reach 560mm. 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. Its main advantage over the 600mm f/4 is its weight and its length. Lenses are the second half, and in some cases, the better half. I have the 500mm f4g VR, a crazy sharp lens. Although it is an F-mount lens, it is still used by many Z-mount users with an FTZ adapter. This is a lens you'll want to partner with a sturdy monopod for long periods of shooting. A Nano-crystal coat and fluorine coat cut down on all reflections. The Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm is a great introductory telephoto lens for bird photography at a very good price point. Sophisticated controls include switchable dual-mode autofocus options with priority given to autofocus or manual override, static/panning stabilization modes and dual custom setups. It also helps reduce weight and is ideal for outdoor shooting. 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. An image stabilization system that reduces the effects of camera shake and the consequent blur that causes. 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. ED glasses are Extra-Low Dispersion Glass, an optical glass developed by Nikon to reduce or remove chromatic aberration. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The Essential Guide to Photographing Birds in Flight B&H offers a good rundown of. They are reporting the actual lens specifications, 16mm f1.4, 30mm f1.4, and 56mm f1.4, which is irrespective of the sensor size they are to be used with. View at Amazon. 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. 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. Usually, hobbyist photographers are happy with a good bird in natural surroundings. Best cameras for bird photography - BirdWatching That makes it easier to capture sharp, frame-filling images of birds. Bird photography is a tough job. 5 Best Nikon Mirrorless Camera Lens For Bird Photography Ergonomically, the Nikon D500 feels just right. 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. It is fairly wide on a full-frame camera at 180mm so it can also be used to capture tighter landscapes. The best cameras for bird photography in 2023 Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 VR. 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). Whereas 400mm and 600mm lenses work better for general wildlife photography outings. Theres no clear winner between the prime or telephoto debate. It is an upgraded version of the earlier lens. It offers bird photographers an opportunity to capture almost anything in the wild. And if you need an 800mm equivalent lens, you could always put a 2x TC on the 400mm f/2.8. More so, it has a focal range of 70-300mm. The lens has 11 elements (3ED) in 8 groups. The Silent Wave Motor further boosts this ability, helping create stable and dramatic images in the wild. This lens keeps pushing the boundaries. 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. Bought it because it can be hand held. You can switch focus mode by simply turning the focus ring. The Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 is about the same size and weight as Sigmas competing Contemporary lens, but adds a more comprehensive set of weather seals, similar to those of Sigmas more exotic Sports edition while splitting the difference in terms of price. 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. Upgrades over the original Tamron lens include a revamped 4.5-stop optical stabilizer with three switchable options for static, panning and exposure-only modes, the last of which leaves the viewfinder image unadulterated, and makes it easier to track erratic movement. Traditionally, 400mm f/2.8 lenses were much more specialized tools, being very heavy and a bit short for smaller wildlife. With its MFT mount, it will work on Olympus mirrorless cameras, as well as compatible Panasonic Lumix models. It is still just possible to handhold, and it offers a lot of versatility with its zoom and very decent image quality. Nikon ambassador Moose Peterson shares his favorite setup, If youre heading out into the backcountry, Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography of 2022, Best Tripods for Wildlife Photography of 2022, Best Point and Shoot Cameras for Wildlife Photography of 2022, Aperture Allows for Good Low Light Performance, Super Integrated Coating Reduces Lens Flare, Or Glare From The Lens That Can Show Up On A Photo, Electromagnetic Aperture Gives Good Exposure Control So The Lighting Level Doesnt Get Too Dark Or Too Light, Internal Focus Allows For Speed In Focusing, Provides Shallow Depth Of Field For Selective Focus, Tripod Mode Reduces Shake From Ground Vibration, Vr Image Stabilization Compensates For Camera Shake, Coating On Front Of Lens Protects From Water & Dirt. My super favorite lens is the AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR. It is the lightest native 800mm lens that Nikon makes. A full set of weather seals is incorporated, and a fluorine coating on the front element helps to repel moisture and fingerprints. 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 Next comes getting closer to the birds. VR is Vibration Reduction that minimizes blur due to camera shake. One can also double their effective focal length using teleconverters. A mixture of zooms and primes, these are the lenses that bring distant subjects closer, filling the frame with birds and animals and making the most of your camera's sensor to capture them in all their gorgeous detail. When done well, you can get some truly magnificent photographs. However, this lens is fairly hefty, so it will add some weight to your pack, which is something to consider if youre going on a long adventure in the backcountry. The Nikon 500mm f/4E VR is sort of a sweet middle between the 400mm and 600mm lenses. See my detailed Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II Review for more information on this lens. When you need to nail the definitive moment in wildlife photography, this is a lens you can surely count on. 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.