Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2, 16. On the other hand, mirrorless doesnt necessarily mean spending more money. Its autofocus is pretty good in daylight and its versatile zoom range of 70-300mm is great for large animals and perched birds. As of January 2022, Nikon just released their latest addition to the Z mirrorless system lens line-up. It provides an edge-to-edge sharpness and compatibility with all Nikon teleconverters for greater reach. 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). Sigma is not reporting equivalent focal lengths or f-numbers. Due to its slower f/4 aperture, it is a much lighter lens than the 400mm f/2.8E VR. It is good. Triple-mode image stabilization is switchable for static and panning shots, with an additional option for applying stabilization only during exposures. The lens is meant to be used with fast Nikon DSLRs from the high-end range. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 The VC Mode II is specifically for panning, aiding the birds-in-flight photography. Sharpness is very good at or near 600mm but less impressive towards the short end of the zoom range. Its built-in teleconverter means you can reach 560mm. The Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is a classic example, costing more than some new cars. If you love birdwatching, visit our best bird feeder camera (opens in new tab) guide! You can switch focus mode by simply turning the focus ring. It is still just possible to handhold, and it offers a lot of versatility with its zoom and very decent image quality. Sony premium: Sony 1. Aperture: A faster lens like f/2.8 or f/4 allows you to use faster shutter speed, which is essential for bird photography. Very informative write up, What about 200-500 mm lens? A unique Sport-VR helps take sharper images even while panning and using continuous shooting mode. 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. The Canon EF . Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sport, 14. For more of our top wildlife photography gear recommendations, check out the Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography. It took a while, but Sigma's 150-600mm Sports lens finally got a mirrorless makeover. 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. 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. View at Amazon. Seeing a gorgeous bird in flight is awe-inspiring, but it can be difficult to translate that beauty into a photo. Should you use a full frame or cropped sensor camera for bird photography (opens in new tab)? 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? Unique VR modes like the Sports VR take the VR game a notch higher. VR: Vibration Reduction is essential in unforgiving conditions. In addition, you will have to buy a good heavy duty tripod + accessories (batteries, memory cards, etc). The Vibration Compensation (VC, equivalent of VR in Nikon manufactured lenses) consists of three modes. The XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR covers the focal length of 229mm 914mm in equivalent 35mm film terms and also supports Fujifilm's 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. 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. Forget about trying to hand-hold it, even if you have arms as big as Schwarzeneggers. 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 opening in the lens that allows light to pass through. The 400mm f/2.8 lens is ideal for situations where even an f/4 lens would be too slow. The equivalent lenses in full frame would be approximately 24mm f2, 45mm f2, and 85mm f2. Best macro lens: TAMRON 90MM F/2.8 Di VC USD. The Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD is a lens designed exclusively for Sony E-mount; it's made for full-frame bodies, but will work with APS-C, delivering an effective focal length of 225-750mm (though it will produce a pretty unbalanced setup). You now know how to do the calculation: the 200-500 is the equivalent of 300 mm to a whopping 750 mm. 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 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. A specially shaped lens hood with a thumb and finger groove helps with this. Usually, hobbyist photographers are happy with a good bird in natural surroundings. When you need to nail the definitive moment in wildlife photography, this is a lens you can surely count on. Nikkor 600mm is the no-compromise lens for bird photography. This lens keeps pushing the boundaries. Autofocus is very quick and highly accurate and image quality is excellent overall, although sharpness drops off a little at the longest zoom setting. 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. 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 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. Autofocus is fast and image quality is impressive in all respects, making this lens great value for an own-brand Nikon. Theres also considerably lower quality owing to the higher number of lens elements. On the other hand, if you like to shoot when the sun is almost down or even set, f/5.6 is a little slow even with todays amazing sensors. The lens is fully weather-sealed and features a fluorine coating on its front and rear elements. The Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3s main application is birds and other small animals. It's the NIKKOR VR 70-300mm /4.5-5.6 for the Nikon 1 system. It also makes it very easy to use teleconverters, especially the built-in 1.4x TC. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 is a compact and ridiculously sharp lens that is perfect for larger birds and birds in flight. 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. Handling highlights include a customizable Lens-function button, a four-stop image stabilizer that gives up to a six-stop benefit when combined with in-camera stabilization, and an autofocus range limiter that can lock out either short or long focus distances. Please keep in mind that the information I present below is a personal opinion based on my experience so far, which is subject to change. From the basics of My 350 Nikon Wildlife Photography Kit D300 300mm F4 Af Lens to the latest trends and innovations, you'll find a wide range of articles that cover all aspects of this field. A full set of weather seals is incorporated, and a fluorine coating on the front element helps to repel moisture and fingerprints. The construction is uncompromised with the new magnesium alloy barrel and fluorite elements. These are 600mm, 750mm and 900mm equivalent (35mm), i.e. New York, I believe this article might have been written before that lens, not sure but an update to this article is coming soon. As always, this makes it a challenge to keep everything steady while shooting, but the Panasonic has excellent build quality and comes complete with a zoom lock ring, tripod mounting collar and optical image stabilizer, to help beat the shakes. Out of the many options available for you in the market, here are the bird photography cameras that are worth the purchase. The Nikon 800mm f/5.6 is no doubt an astounding and absurdly expensive lens. The second is that 400mm isnt always long enough for smaller or more distant birds. The Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM is a lens that works really well in birds and wildlife photography, a great tele-zoom of choice, and whose weight, although very unbalanced, we do not believe to be excessive even for carrying out wandering photographic hunting activities. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. Tamrons 150-600mm was a gamechanger. This typically happens in wildlife after the sun goes down. 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. 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. Its also not quite as sharp, but it comes very close and its overall image quality is pleasing. The effects of camera shake are minimized by vibration reduction VRII. Sir, Pls. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, 9. Yet, professional bird photographers prefer prime. 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. This lens is great for general wildlife, especially if you often shoot the large kind like moose and bears. Whereas 400mm and 600mm lenses work better for general wildlife photography outings. Takes continuous shots at 8 frames per second. The best lenses for bird photography will help you get close to wildlife and there are great options for every camera mount. It is about $550 more expensive than the 100-400mm, so why would you get this lens instead? Both DSLR and mirrorless full-frames should be considered. There are plenty of options available for everyone who has a good Nikon camera body in bird photography lenses. So get the best lens you can afford, then learn to use . 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! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. View at Amazon. Nikon Lenses for Bird Photography Nikon 200-500 mm Telephoto. Give your opinion for 80-400 G ED VR on D850 and D500. 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. 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. It is a workhorse tool used by professionals for sports, wildlife and portrait photography. 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. But if youre photographing small birds that are 10-15 meters away from you or greater (30+ feet), 800mm will be ideal. Find out more about how we test. 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. Getting a gently used model could save you many thousands of dollars, which would go a long way towards other gear. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. I make sure that you get the best articles about photography. The lens is light and compact, making it easy to carry it around when scouting for wildlife in parks and wildlife spots. 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. Sony budget: Sony 6400. Its tripod-compatible VR offers up to 4 stops of Vibration Reduction. These cookies do not store any personal information. At F2.8, it is the fastest lens for bird photography. Or do you want a high-quality prime lens with a set focal length? And you'll also find lenses for Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus cameras. The Nano Crystal Coat eliminates internal reflections and removes all chromatic aberration to provide the finest picture quality. Additionally, 2 ED glass elements work towards eliminating chromatic aberration. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Further anti-reflection technologies help create even sharper pictures with great picture quality. 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. The autofocus takes a little setting up, and isn't quite as fast as that of rival lenses from Sony and Tamron, but this is still an impressive lens for birding. 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! Theres also lens lightness that helps them enjoy the process and learn the art of bird photography. This is especially true with mammals, which like to come out during such times. Nikon 80-400mm VR. Do you want a zoom lens that offers a focal range from up close to far in the distance? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Or would you prefer the 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, which is a 400mm f/2.8 and a 560mm f/4? 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. Let us know which is your favorite lens for bird photography. Camera body with a lens without zoom for shooting portraits. the best birds in flight photography lenses cost thousands of dollars, which just doesn't make sense for a beginner. Its my favorite because i can get it up and shooting anytime Im in a hurry, which is often. 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. 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. I get 10 times more keepers with this lens than with my 500mm, and 20 times more keepers than with my 80-400. A prime lens that excels for bird photography, the telephoto Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm is a quality addition to your camera kit. Still, weighing just 1,725g without the tripod collar, the Tamron 150-500mm is perfectly useable hand-held. A prime lens may force you to, though, unless you know the exact bird locations and schedule. We check out the best cameras for professionals (opens in new tab). Sigma also has two similar versions of the same focal range, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary and Sigma 150-600mm Sports. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports isn't just a quick reskin of the DSLR version (below); it's actually been retooled from the ground up with mirrorless cameras in mind, and it's an impressive 760g lighter. One can also double their effective focal length using teleconverters. Naturally, it has a fixed focal length, equivalent to 600mm in full-frame terms, and lacks the versatility of a zoom. 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: . 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. 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. That makes it easier to capture sharp, frame-filling images of birds. The silent wave matter is added for an extra-fast and noise-free bird photography experience. 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? Undoubtedly, the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 is the most popular budget lens for bird shooters. 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. The best telephoto lenses (opens in new tab) are generally getting lighter, and optical image stabilization systems make it possible to capture sharp images at the outer edge of a telephoto zoom, without having to use a tripod. The electro-mechanics diaphragm mechanism works in conjunction with the cameras shutter. Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix S5 at Adorama, Amazon, and B&H. FUJIFILM's X-T4 is the only APS-C sensor type in our round-up. These features make this lens an even more excellent piece of treasure. Digital Camera World is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. For bird photography, the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 Contemporary is the perfect complement to the S5's light and streamlined ergonomics perfect for the hand-held photographer on the go. When youre ready to invest a big budget in your bird photography, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm will help you take your photos to the next level.