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. The one thing I would not use this lens for is birding. Next comes getting closer to the birds. Traditionally, 400mm f/2.8 lenses were much more specialized tools, being very heavy and a bit short for smaller wildlife. 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. ED glasses are Extra-Low Dispersion Glass, an optical glass developed by Nikon to reduce or remove chromatic aberration. Due to its massive size, this lens requires a good tripod setup. The biggest advantage of this lens is its maximum aperture of f/2.8. Image quality wise: an entry level Nikon DSLR matches the image quality you can get from any other camera in Nikon's line up . Autofocus is fast and image quality is impressive in all respects, making this lens great value for an own-brand Nikon. 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. The effects of camera shake are minimized by vibration reduction VRII. Nikon budget: Nikon Z50. You are a bit mixed up. Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. 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. Nanocrystal provides for even better construction. Its main advantage over the 600mm f/4 is its weight and its length. 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. It has very impressive optical features and it delivers exceptionally good-looking images, especially at its maximum aperture of f/2.8. Or do you want a high-quality prime lens with a set focal length? 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. Still, it is heavy and big to carry around and takes time to set up. Corner-to-corner sharpness and vivid colors are essential for bird photography. 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. But if youre photographing small birds that are 10-15 meters away from you or greater (30+ feet), 800mm will be ideal. Extending the focal length gives it even more reach, though the trade-off is a pretty modest maximum aperture of f/7.1 at the long end. Nikon Lenses for Bird Photography Nikon 200-500 mm Telephoto. The Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 is also an insanely sharp lens, so it still looks good at 560mm and thus is suitable for many varieties of wildlife. But, since you have a crop sensor camera, a lens zooming to 400mm, 500mm or even 600mm would be an option. The modern model is almost 2 lbs. longer. And you'll also find lenses for Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus cameras. This is the lens that will get you to 800mm at f/5.6 with a 2x teleconverter! 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. We check out the best cameras for professionals (opens in new tab). Why you can trust Digital Camera World Similar to the Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II, it also works exceptionally well with all teleconverters, including the Nikon TC-20E III. View at Amazon. Should you use a full frame or cropped sensor camera for bird photography (opens in new tab)? Nikons 200-500mm f5.6E has carved a space of its own among hobbyist and semi-professional wildlife photographers. Further anti-reflection technologies help create even sharper pictures with great picture quality. Pros Nikon 200-500mm f5.6E redraws creative boundaries with a constant-aperture telephoto zoom. Instead, it has one telephoto length, so it is best for searching the skies and the trees, rather than capturing birds right in front of you. 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. Some of the features that one needs to keep track of for bird photography lenses are: The above lenses cover a variety of focal length ranges and lens features, covering both hobbyists, semi-professionals, and professionals along the way. 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. Best lens for street photography: NIKON AF NIKKOR 35MM F/2D. 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. I get 10 times more keepers with this lens than with my 500mm, and 20 times more keepers than with my 80-400. Therefore, it makes a lot of sense to look at some lightly used F-mount lenses, the E-versions of which are still optically outstanding. This lens of course belongs to the S-line, which means superior performance. This lens will let you shoot birds up close, and although the zoom isn't the longest out there, it will still allow you to capture birds in the distance. New York, These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Panasonic DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 Asph. The 5-axis stabilization mechanism will keep shots sharper towards the far end of the zoom range, and while the f/5.6-8 is limiting in low light conditions, you can't argue with the lens's performance overall especially given its price. Aperture: A faster lens like f/2.8 or f/4 allows you to use faster shutter speed, which is essential for bird photography. We also have bird lenses for Nikon and Canon. This is the first ultra-telephoto lens made for the APS-C format. November 14, 2018 May 6, 2019; . I hope you enjoy the site . View at Amazon. Camera body with a lens without zoom for shooting portraits. 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. The upgraded VR II provides three stops of image stabilization. A specially shaped lens hood with a thumb and finger groove helps with this. Basically, if youre not sure which lens youll need, you definitely dont need this one. 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 There are two versions of this lens: VR and non-VR. He is also an encyclopedia when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. This is the lens that many wildlife photographers get, especially those that photograph birds. For more of our top outdoor photography gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides: Kate is a climber, creator, and community builder. 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. 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? Optically it is an insanely sharp lens, I would say about the same as the Nikon 600mm f/4E below. The best bird photography lenses help you grab those moments. 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. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. Naturally, it has a fixed focal length, equivalent to 600mm in full-frame terms, and lacks the versatility of a zoom. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 VR. Although it is an F-mount lens, it is still used by many Z-mount users with an FTZ adapter. 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. If you love birdwatching, visit our best bird feeder camera (opens in new tab) guide! 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. This lens will let you shoot birds up close, and although the zoom isnt the longest out there, it will still allow you to capture birds in the distance. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Again, not much to complain about in terms of optics and features. This translates to a high price tag, with the lowest end of the spectrum averaging between $500 to $1,500, and the highest-quality / best reach lenses costing as much as $10,000+. The older model was bulky and heavy and needed a tripod for support at all times. The speed of continuous shooting is not compromised with modern cameras like D4S. Sigma also has two similar versions of the same focal range, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary and Sigma 150-600mm Sports. It is about $550 more expensive than the 100-400mm, so why would you get this lens instead? Triple-mode image stabilization is switchable for static and panning shots, with an additional option for applying stabilization only during exposures. Then again, for maximum image quality at the longer focal lengths, the 600mm f/4 TC VR S would be the one to beat. 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. 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. Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. One can also double their effective focal length using teleconverters. Image quality is fabulous throughout the entire zoom range. Still, weighing just 1,725g without the tripod collar, the Tamron 150-500mm is perfectly useable hand-held. More so, it has a focal range of 70-300mm. 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. What are the best Nikon lenses for wildlife photography? A unique Sport-VR helps take sharper images even while panning and using continuous shooting mode. Guide To Nikon Cameras For Birds. It is a workhorse tool used by professionals for sports, wildlife and portrait photography. 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 is a great buy that will get you to 300mm at just under $600 USD. 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. Tamrons 150-600mm was a gamechanger. The Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary is half the weight of the larger 150-600mm Contemporary lens and just a third of the weight of the Sports edition. The best cameras for bird photography will help ensure that your patience pays off. They, however, are prone to more lens aberrations and vignettes. The Nikon 70 300mm telephoto lens with f/4.5 -5.6 maximum aperture is best for Nikon digital SLR cameras. This lens is the real winner for use on any Nikon body: a 200-500 mm zoom with vibration reduction. Power O.I.S. 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. However, neither of them seems to have impressed you. 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. Nikkor 400mm f2.8E FL ED VR is the next-gen model of the 2007 Nikkor 400mm f2.6G ED VR. The lens is meant to be used with fast Nikon DSLRs from the high-end range. Landscape vs Portrait Orientation in Photography. It all works together very well, except that stabilization can be relatively ineffective for panning. See my detailed Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II Review for more information on this lens. Takes continuous shots at 8 frames per second. 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. Thus, if you are still using a Nikon 200-500 on an F-mount camera and are looking to transition to Z-mount, I would wait for this lens to come out, instead of buying one of the other Nikon Z lenses above. The lens has 11 elements (3ED) in 8 groups. An extreme telephoto lens, it can beautifully capture birds at a very long distance. How to Create an Online Portfolio Using Format? If youre looking for the longest reach without teleconverters, the Nikon 800mm f/6.3 is your lens! The Silent Wave Motor further boosts this ability, helping create stable and dramatic images in the wild. Out of the many options available for you in the market, here are the bird photography cameras that are worth the purchase. 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. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sport, 14. 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. 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. Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency (eBAND) coating and Broad-Band Anti-Reflection (BBAR) coating make the optics even more refined. 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). Sony budget: Sony 6400. This makes the lens very versatile, giving 400mm and 560mm at the flick of a switch. When looking at lenses, consider how they'll interact with your camera sensor. Using DO (Diffractive Optics) and a relatively narrow f/11 fixed aperture rating, it's also pretty light at 930g. Wildlife situations come and pass quickly and this lens is easy to deploy quickly, fast optics, feather weight, and has VR. Do you have any recommendations or questions? In fact, for many situations, it will be too long, and f/6.3 may not be bright enough. 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. An accurate, high-quality focus powered by an upgraded Ultra Silent Drive (USD) motor results from fine engineering. Overall performance and image quality are excellent, although outright sharpness drops off a bit at the long end of the zoom range. It's not cheap, but less than half the price of the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S. This recent addition to Sonys E-mount line-up has the same 600mm maximum focal length as Sigma and Tamron 150-600mm zooms for Canon and Nikon SLRs.