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 It has very impressive optical features and it delivers exceptionally good-looking images, especially at its maximum aperture of f/2.8. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. This telephoto zoom lens can capture beautiful images of birds far in the distance as well as birds who fly closer to you. The equivalent lenses in full frame would be approximately 24mm f2, 45mm f2, and 85mm f2. 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 Read the full Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C review (opens in new tab). Nanocrystal provides for even better construction. 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. Sony: Sony a7 IV. The 800mm focal length, while not easy to use, certainly shines when it is used properly. The effects of camera shake are minimized by vibration reduction VRII. And you'll also find lenses for Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus cameras. 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. They help cut down on any reflection, including the reflection of the camera sensor. 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. Its main advantage over the 600mm f/4 is its weight and its length. It all depends on the budget, the shooting style, prime or telephoto choice, and brand preference. 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. It's pretty much the same weight as the Sigma and Tamron 100-400mm lenses for full-frame cameras. Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. You can switch focus mode by simply turning the focus ring. If you want to get into wildlife photography on a tight budget, the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E VR AF-P is the lens you want to get. Bought it because it can be hand held. Whereas 400mm and 600mm lenses work better for general wildlife photography outings. Tamrons 150-600mm was a gamechanger. 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. The autofocus is extremely fast, thanks to an internal focus element, and you can easily override the autofocus if you want manual control. The upgraded VR II provides three stops of image stabilization. Nikon budget: Nikon Z50. 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. A stunning lens if you can justify the price - see our full Nikon 600mm f/4E FL ED VR review (opens in new tab). Due to its slower f/4 aperture, it is a much lighter lens than the 400mm f/2.8E VR. I hope you enjoy the site . The 400mm f/2.8 lens is ideal for situations where even an f/4 lens would be too slow. This is especially true for mammals that are often active during these dark periods. Lens Weight: Heavier lenses are challenging to use without tripods. A fast aperture of a constant f/5.6 works well in low light conditions such as sunset and provides the effect of a blurred background to highlight the birds. Weather Resistance: Bird photography is out there in the wild. As each birder's requirements are a little different, there is no one perfect camera and lens for bird photography. Theres no other difference between the two versions. 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! We've tested the best lenses for bird photography to bring you options for a range of prices, from budget telephoto lenses to professional lenses. When engaged, it turns the lens into an 840mm f/5.6. 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. 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. Sigma also has two similar versions of the same focal range, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary and Sigma 150-600mm Sports. But no matter what camera system you use, we've found the best lenses for bird photography. 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. The Nikon 70 300mm telephoto lens with f/4.5 -5.6 maximum aperture is best for Nikon digital SLR cameras. This is the lens that many wildlife photographers get, especially those that photograph birds. It is a great buy that will get you to 300mm at just under $600 USD. However, the modest f/11 rating enables a relatively compact and lightweight build with smaller-diameter lens elements. Optical quality is first-rate as you'd expect for a high-end Nikon prime, while the autofocus performance doesn't disappoint either. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm is a versatile lens that lets you get up close and personal with birds, whether they are nearby or far away. 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. I would suggest that for most people, this lens is a little bit short for wildlife, especially at $9500. It offers the quality and construction of Nikon, a top-notch auto-focus, and unparalleled versatility. Not only does its resolving power drop with the teleconverter engaged, but it will be a 560 f/5.6 at its longest end and hence not provide an advantage over the Nikon 500mm f/5.6 lens, which is nearly four times cheaper. ED glasses are Extra-Low Dispersion Glass, an optical glass developed by Nikon to reduce or remove chromatic aberration. You will be able to capture all sorts of birds in the perfect frames with these cameras for sure. Due to its massive size, this lens requires a good tripod setup. The optical path is top drawer too, featuring no less than five ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements plus a Super ED element. No also f/1.4. However, neither of them seems to have impressed you. This typically happens in wildlife after the sun goes down. 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. 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 maximum effective focal length stretches from 600mm to around 900mm when shooting on an APS-C camera. For more of our top outdoor photography gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides: Kate is a climber, creator, and community builder. Among other notable features are a lag-free switch from automatic to manual focus. Both DSLR and mirrorless full-frames should be considered. Two screw-on types of 95mm lens filters are available that are handy during bird photography. 7 Best Camera for Bird Photography. 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. 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. Although it is an F-mount lens, it is still used by many Z-mount users with an FTZ adapter. If any reason pls explain. Its a superfast (f/2.8) 400mm lens with a built-in 1.4x teleconverter (thats what the TC, stands for in the lens name). 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. Auto White Balance requires zero input from you, the photographer. Sony a7 III ILCE7M3/B Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera. Performs well at broad daylight with quick auto focus. The Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is a classic example, costing more than some new cars. And feeders, offering . An extreme telephoto lens, it can beautifully capture birds at a very long distance. That makes it easier to capture sharp, frame-filling images of birds. I make sure that you get the best articles about photography. Has a 20.9MP resolution and records 4K video in ultra-high definition. 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 camera that takes high-definition images and comes with a lens for up-close shots of subjects. The Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3s main application is birds and other small animals. My super favorite lens is the AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR. but the lens you're using will quite obviously play an important part of the equation as well. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. However, its weight and size are its biggest enemy. The Vibration Compensation (VC, equivalent of VR in Nikon manufactured lenses) consists of three modes. 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. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S is a pro-grade zoom that goes all-out for speed and performance. I have been shooting with the Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR lens for the last 4-5 years and I can assure you that the Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II is overall a better lens to buy (unless you shoot large animals from a close distance, like bears in Alaska). very long. Find out more about how we test. An accurate, high-quality focus powered by an upgraded Ultra Silent Drive (USD) motor results from fine engineering. A prime lens that excels for bird photography, the telephoto Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm is a quality addition to your camera kit. Fujifilm XF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR, 11. 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. The lens is meant to be used with fast Nikon DSLRs from the high-end range. 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. No matter the focal length of the lens, the closer you are, the bigger the subject. Fortunately, your camera offers a neat solution: Auto White Balance, also known as AWB. Its built-in teleconverter means you can reach 560mm. But, since you have a crop sensor camera, a lens zooming to 400mm, 500mm or even 600mm would be an option. 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. Unique VR modes like the Sports VR take the VR game a notch higher. Autofocus itself is very fast and image quality is fabulous. It literally eliminates axial and transverse chromatic aberrations. When you need to nail the definitive moment in wildlife photography, this is a lens you can surely count on. On the other hand, mirrorless doesnt necessarily mean spending more money. A finely-crafted lens, the Panasonic 100-400mm is relatively large for a Micro Four Thirds format zoom and weighs almost a kilogram. The next best wildlife lens is Nikons heavyweight super telephoto bazooka, the Nikon 400mm f/2.8E VR. VR is Vibration Reduction that minimizes blur due to camera shake. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. It goes without saying that you need a good support system for this lensa very sturdy Gitzo Systematic series tripod with a Wimberley Gimbal head is what I would get to hold this monster. 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. 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. The modern model is almost 2 lbs. At 400mm, it's a powerful super-telephoto lens suited to wildlife and action photography, with or without a tripod. The Silent Wave Motor further boosts this ability, helping create stable and dramatic images in the wild. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. 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. Even so, thats rarely a disadvantage for birding, as youre likely to use a zoom lens at its longest available focal length anyway. Generally, the longer the lens (in focal length), the better. Theres no clear winner between the prime or telephoto debate. 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 Sharpness is very good at or near 600mm but less impressive towards the short end of the zoom range. With advancement, the quality has come quite close to prime. Hand-held shooting is possible with the newer model. Power O.I.S. It offers bird photographers an opportunity to capture almost anything in the wild. Its equivalent focal range is so large, at 190-810mm, it just may inspire wildlife photographers to switch to the compact mirrorless Nikon 1 line of cameras. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary, 15. 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. If you like the idea of a 300mm f/2.8G II but in a zoom, this is your lens. 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. Bird photography is unimaginable without the use of a quality telephoto lens. It is capable of producing relatively good bokeh, especially on its longest end, although its sharpness performance also drops quite a bit at 300mm. 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). Its more comfortable for long periods of handheld shooting and you can also use it with the camera body mounted on a tripod or monopod. These large animals often need much wider focal lengths around 200mm and it would be difficult to capture them with a fixed prime in all situations. Canon: Canon EOS R7. Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD, 10. 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). 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. But lenses are an expensive purchase, so its important to really think through your decision about which Nikon lens to buy for bird photography. Because this lens is so new, its the only one here that our team at Photography Life hasnt used yet. Panasonic DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 Asph. I get 10 times more keepers with this lens than with my 500mm, and 20 times more keepers than with my 80-400. For more of our top wildlife photography gear recommendations, check out the Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography. 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 Nikon 500mm f/4G VR works well with the TC-14E III teleconverter, giving an effective focal length of 700mm at f/5.6. A unique Sport-VR helps take sharper images even while panning and using continuous shooting mode. The linear stepping motoris blisteringly speedy and practically silent in other words, exactly what you want for birding. The second edition of the lens has a more typical twist-action zoom ring and a host of upgrades. 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. The lens has 11 elements (3ED) in 8 groups. There are two potential downsides with this lens, and they go hand-in-hand. This has seen a weight saving of some 25%, though it still tips the scales at an arm-wobbling 3,810g. 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. 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. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2, 16. Usually, hobbyist photographers are happy with a good bird in natural surroundings. The Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm is a great introductory telephoto lens for bird photography at a very good price point. Wildlife situations come and pass quickly and this lens is easy to deploy quickly, fast optics, feather weight, and has VR. If you are one of those, the best combination for bird photography would be something like the Nikon D5 or D500 + one of the above-mentioned lenses + 1.4x TC ( TeleConverter ), which will give you the best performance and reach. This is the lens that will get you to 800mm at f/5.6 with a 2x teleconverter! This fast lens features snappy autofocus, a 400mm telephoto, and top-quality lens construction by Nikon. They have some great F-mount lenses that have been supplemented in the past few years with some amazing new Z-mount lenses. These enable different behaviors in the autofocus speed and stabilization effect, as well as fine-tuning for autofocus accuracy for individual camera bodies, plus the application of firmware updates. Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency (eBAND) coating and Broad-Band Anti-Reflection (BBAR) coating make the optics even more refined. First, it is 0.63 stops faster, which although small, does make a difference in challenging wildlife conditions. The Sonys size and weight are fairly typical but feel a little more imposing on comparatively lightweight Sony Alpha mirrorless bodies. A lens of a fixed focal length that cannot be zoomed. The only downside of this lens is its eye-watering cost of $14000. The camera is built to be used with a tripod. Theres a more effective, triple-mode image stabilizer and the Mark II also gains weather-seals and fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements. 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. (Libor wrote a separate article on why thats his favorite budget combo.). The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 is our choice as the best lens for bird photography. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Scouting for birds in national parks and bird sanctuaries is accessible with this range. In particular, its much easier to use a 1.4x teleconverter with this lens, turning it into a very reasonable 560mm f/6.3. 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. It is easy to get carried away by the camera body. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C (opens in new tab) is more manageable for long periods of handheld shooting, without the aid of a monopod or tripod, and easier to carrier around.