How to Create an Online Portfolio Using Format? 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. But if you have the budget, then the Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR II is the best option for image clarity. DOWNLOAD THE ADVANCED AFFINITY PHOTO COURSE NOW! The auto-focus works a charm in broad daylight. Built from the ground up as an APS-C format lens, it only needs to produce a relatively small image circle, compared with a full-frame compatible lens, but is still pretty weighty for a 100-400mm zoom. 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. It comprises 21 elements in 13 groups, having three LD (low dispersion) lens elements. 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. 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. At 1,260g, its perfectly viable for long periods of handheld shooting, aided by a highly effective optical image stabilizer. Sigma is not reporting equivalent focal lengths or f-numbers. Nikon 80-400mm VR. Still, it is heavy and big to carry around and takes time to set up. Id love to hear in the comments! 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 an upgraded version of the earlier lens. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Heres how it works. 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. Nanocrystal provides for even better construction. 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. Want to learn more about a technical term? They improve the all-weather shield for shooting in the most severe conditions. Its my favorite because i can get it up and shooting anytime Im in a hurry, which is often. Performs well at broad daylight with quick auto focus. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The sheer range provided by Tamrons 150-600, especially when clubbed with a crop frame, is enough to enchant the buyers. Again, not much to complain about in terms of optics and features. Lenses are the second half, and in some cases, the better half. 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. As in the Sigma and Tamron lenses, this enables more consistency in rapid-fire exposures but, with older Nikon bodies, youll only be able to shoot at the widest aperture. Bird photography is a tough job. Further anti-reflection technologies help create even sharper pictures with great picture quality. 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). 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. It has a tripod detection mode that helps minimize shutter release vibration, making it an intelligent VR workhorse. Best Lens For Wildlife Photography Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR Zoom Lens Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SP Di VC USD XLD Best Lens For Sports Photography Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 DG OS HSM Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD Best Budget Telephoto Lens For Nikon Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR You cant move much during wildlife photography, as you may disturb the surroundings. I would suggest that for most people, this lens is a little bit short for wildlife, especially at $9500. In addition to using the twist-action control ring, you can alter the zoom setting in a push-pull fashion. Do you have any recommendations or questions? Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Why you can trust Digital Camera World Pls. Add 4.5 stops of vibration reduction, and this lens qualifies as a mini beast for bird photography. 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 are looking for the best lens for bird photography with extreme capabilities, then this universal model is worth considering. It is capable of producing relatively good bokeh, especially on its longest end, although its sharpness performance also drops quite a bit at 300mm. It is easy to get carried away by the camera body. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. On the other hand, mirrorless doesnt necessarily mean spending more money. Usually, hobbyist photographers are happy with a good bird in natural surroundings. 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. In particular, its much easier to use a 1.4x teleconverter with this lens, turning it into a very reasonable 560mm f/6.3. However, the price tag is hefty at just above $12,000. It all depends on the budget, the shooting style, prime or telephoto choice, and brand preference. The silent wave matter is added for an extra-fast and noise-free bird photography experience. The lens needs to be ready for the same. Optically it is an insanely sharp lens, I would say about the same as the Nikon 600mm f/4E below. The Sports model is a superior lens for photographing birds. You are a bit mixed up. 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. Compared with Sigmas 150-600mm Sports lens, the Contemporary edition is smaller and almost a whole kilogram lighter in weight. Among other notable features are a lag-free switch from automatic to manual focus. 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. This telephoto zoom lens can capture beautiful images of birds far in the distance as well as birds who fly closer to you. The best lenses for bird photography will help you get close to wildlife and there are great options for every camera mount. But lenses are an expensive purchase, so its important to really think through your decision about which Nikon lens to buy for bird photography. If you're looking for affordable options, these are the best budget telephoto lenses (opens in new tab). Astrophotography in March 2023: what to shoot in the night sky this month, "Thats the beauty of photography, it is a democratic medium", AI portraits are hard work, says deceitful Instagrammer with 28K followers, The Lumix S5 II is a serious tool for content creators here's why, GuruShots: Winning photos from the Beautiful Nights competition, Sony's new camera is a "baby A7S III for vloggers", Motorola's mini $99 widget turns any phone into a satellite communicator, Good news! Bird photographers carrying a lot of gear find the 500mm f/4 a bit easier to travel with compared to the 600mm f/4. 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. The lens is light and compact, making it easy to carry it around when scouting for wildlife in parks and wildlife spots. 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 Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. The 800mm focal length, while not easy to use, certainly shines when it is used properly. This fast lens features snappy autofocus, a 400mm telephoto, and top-quality lens construction by Nikon. When engaged, it turns the lens into an 840mm f/5.6. And if you need an 800mm equivalent lens, you could always put a 2x TC on the 400mm f/2.8. This is especially true for mammals that are often active during these dark periods. 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. My second best buy of my life. 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. An image stabilization system that reduces the effects of camera shake and the consequent blur that causes. Yet, professional bird photographers prefer prime. I have the 80-400, never use it. For Z-mount users, the Nikon 100-400mm seems far more attractive at 1.4kg, and the 500mm f/5.6 PF is a great alternative if you are mostly at 500mm. __CONFIG_colors_palette__{active_palette:0,config:{colors:{62516:{name:Main Accent,parent:-1}},gradients:[]},palettes:[{name:Default Palette,value:{colors:{62516:{val:var(tcb-color-4) ,hsl:{h:46,s:0.87,l:0.58}}},gradients:[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, __CONFIG_colors_palette__{active_palette:0,config:{colors:{62516:{name:Main Accent,parent:-1}},gradients:[]},palettes:[{name:Default Palette,value:{colors:{62516:{val:var(tcb-color-4),hsl:{h:46,s:0.8692,l:0.01}}},gradients:[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__. Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L. A Nano-crystal coat and fluorine coat cut down on all reflections. DDSSM (Direct Drive Super Sonic Motor) autofocus is super-fast and comes complete with customizable focus-hold buttons mounted around the barrel. 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). I have in fact met some people using this lens on a monopod. Would love to hear the reasons, if any. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. See my detailed Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II Review for more information on this lens. Weighing a whopping 3.8 kilos, it is about as heavy as Nikons longest 600mm f/4 lens (more on the 600mm below). Get the best camera deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable photography news and more! The Nano Crystal Coat eliminates internal reflections and removes all chromatic aberration to provide the finest picture quality. Sharpness is really impressive throughout the zoom range, so you can push it to 600mm with confidence that you're still going to get some great images. There are two versions of this lens: VR and non-VR. View at Amazon. Optical quality is first-rate as you'd expect for a high-end Nikon prime, while the autofocus performance doesn't disappoint either. Camera body with a lens without zoom for shooting portraits. Read the full Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C review (opens in new tab). Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM 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. 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. 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. 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. However, its weight and size are its biggest enemy. Or do you want a high-quality prime lens with a set focal length? Nikon 200-500mm f5.6E redraws creative boundaries with a constant-aperture telephoto zoom. 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. Out of the many options available for you in the market, here are the bird photography cameras that are worth the purchase. 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. Sigma also has two similar versions of the same focal range, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary and Sigma 150-600mm Sports. If well-cared for, such F-mount lenses can still last many years. When done well, you can get some truly magnificent photographs. 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. VR is Vibration Reduction that minimizes blur due to camera shake. 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. The second is that 400mm isnt always long enough for smaller or more distant birds. Theres also lens lightness that helps them enjoy the process and learn the art of bird photography. lighter. Very informative write up, What about 200-500 mm lens? An extreme telephoto lens, it can beautifully capture birds at a very long distance. This zoom lens offers a range from portrait to telephoto, so you can always get the shot. Then again, for maximum image quality at the longer focal lengths, the 600mm f/4 TC VR S would be the one to beat. Auto White Balance requires zero input from you, the photographer. Here at The Adventure Junkies, we have sorted through a variety of Nikon lenses to give you the lowdown on your options and help you choose the best Nikon lens for bird photography to keep in your camera kit. Nikon: Nikon Z9. In fact, for many situations, it will be too long, and f/6.3 may not be bright enough. 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. Looking to turn pro? 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. 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. It is possible due to the diaphragm blade unit with a drive mechanism. A lens of a fixed focal length that cannot be zoomed. Give your opinion for 80-400 G ED VR.I believe the autofocus issue is on the D version. 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. Having VR is a definite plus when hand-holding the lens. One can also double their effective focal length using teleconverters. The main problem with prime is that it requires a photographer to observe the birds behavior and spots. The VC Mode II is specifically for panning, aiding the birds-in-flight photography. They can also be used on DSLRs, and I would say for 90% of wildlife, a mirrorless camera will not provide any significant advantages over a DSLR and an F-mount lens. It is also quite lightweight for a lens, so you can easily take it with you into the wild. Bird photography is unimaginable without the use of a quality telephoto lens. A tack-sharp AF precision allows panning shots to be perfectly sharp. A finely-crafted lens, the Panasonic 100-400mm is relatively large for a Micro Four Thirds format zoom and weighs almost a kilogram. 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. Best macro lens: TAMRON 90MM F/2.8 Di VC USD. There are plenty of options available for everyone who has a good Nikon camera body in bird photography lenses. But it is only half part of the story. Its also the sharper lens at 400mm, although the 100-400mm is no slouch. One caveat is the video recording button is located a bit oddly. 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. Focusing is very swift on Canon's two new mirrorless cameras, but could be quicker on the R and RP. Theres also considerably lower quality owing to the higher number of lens elements. Sony a7 III ILCE7M3/B Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera. Canon: Canon EOS R7. 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.