One can also double their effective focal length using teleconverters. The Sports model is a superior lens for photographing birds. 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. Best portrait lens: CANON EF 85MM F/1.2L II USM. 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? Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR A good option zoom lens for bird photography and it comes at a reasonable cost. We also have bird lenses for Nikon and Canon. These features make this lens an even more excellent piece of treasure. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 2. PL provides various digital photography news, reviews, articles, tips, tutorials and guides to photographers of all levels, By Nasim Mansurov 305 CommentsLast Updated On January 13, 2023. 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. It provides an edge-to-edge sharpness and compatibility with all Nikon teleconverters for greater reach. Wildlife situations come and pass quickly and this lens is easy to deploy quickly, fast optics, feather weight, and has VR. Continuous high-speed photography is achievable through this type of AE control. It is a great buy that will get you to 300mm at just under $600 USD. Even so, the 2x crop factor of MFT cameras gives the Panasonic a maximum effective focal length of 800mm, much like using a 150-600mm lens on an APS-C format body. Due to its massive size, this lens requires a good tripod setup. 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. Compared with Sigmas 150-600mm Sports lens, the Contemporary edition is smaller and almost a whole kilogram lighter in weight. See sample zoom photography (View in a lightbox) View the COOLPIX P1000 Product Tour . The narrower aperture range of f/5-6.7 is going to restrict you a little in terms of how much light you need, which is simply something to be aware of and factor in. This is 1.4 stops faster than the Nikon 400mm f/4.5 and thus will perform much better than slower lenses, both in terms of light-gathering and autofocus. Sony budget: Sony 6400. The Sonys size and weight are fairly typical but feel a little more imposing on comparatively lightweight Sony Alpha mirrorless bodies. Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary. The construction involves 3 ED glass elements, minimizing chromatic aberration and achieving super sharpness. Instead, you need to decide which camera is perfect for YOU. Even so, the difference isnt particularly noticeable in practical terms and the Nikon lens has the advantage of a constant-aperture design, so f/5.6 remains available throughout the zoom range, rather than dropping to f/6.3 at the long end. 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. Best Budget Lens 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. Fortunately, your camera offers a neat solution: Auto White Balance, also known as AWB. In fact, for many situations, it will be too long, and f/6.3 may not be bright enough. A long lens to capture subjects in the distance. November 14, 2018 May 6, 2019; . 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. If any reason pls explain. If youre new to wildlife photography and you have only one lens in your kit, a zoom lens is the best option since it provides you more flexibility, But if youll be switching lenses out, you can use a variety of prime lenses based on the situation and terrain you find yourself in. You cant move much during wildlife photography, as you may disturb the surroundings. The Nikon 500mm f/4E VR is sort of a sweet middle between the 400mm and 600mm lenses. It does feature a Tripod Mode, to reduce camera shake from ground vibrations you might not even notice, as well as a Sport Mode that can be useful when youre following birds in flight. 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. Traditionally, 400mm f/2.8 lenses were much more specialized tools, being very heavy and a bit short for smaller wildlife. Nikons 200-500mm f5.6E has carved a space of its own among hobbyist and semi-professional wildlife photographers. Although it is an F-mount lens, it is still used by many Z-mount users with an FTZ adapter. It's pretty much the same weight as the Sigma and Tamron 100-400mm lenses for full-frame cameras. It is a workhorse tool used by professionals for sports, wildlife and portrait photography. 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. However, the price tag is hefty at just above $12,000. Combined with Canon's legendary L-series build quality and stunning optical performance, it's up there with the very best Canon zoom lenses we've tested. Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L. Do you have any recommendations or questions? The Canon EF . As we've touched on, Canon's EF 100-400mm zoom has been an incredibly popular lens for Canon DSLR shooters, so it's no surprize to see something arrive for the brand's EOS R range of full-frame mirrorless cameras. I have the 500mm f4g VR, a crazy sharp lens. 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. (Libor wrote a separate article on why thats his favorite budget combo.). A camera that takes high-definition images and comes with a lens for up-close shots of subjects. 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. Many aspiring wildlife shooters will no doubt be aware of the stratospheric prices of supertelephotos. 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. Nikon has one more wildlife lens on its roadmap: a 200-600mm zoom, which competes directly with the Sony 200-600mm lens. I believe this article might have been written before that lens, not sure but an update to this article is coming soon. The optical image stabilizer is effective on its own and even better when coupled with in-body stabilization, featured in later Sony Alpha A7 and A9 mirrorless cameras. Is This the Best Bird Photography Lens? | Fstoppers Canons original EF 100-400mm zoom was something of a classic, but wasnt to everybodys taste, especially in regard to its trombone-style push-pull zoom mechanism. The best cameras for bird photography will help ensure that your patience pays off. 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). Diaphragm control via electric signals from the camera body provides reliable AE control. The electro-mechanics diaphragm mechanism works in conjunction with the cameras shutter. Usually, hobbyist photographers are happy with a good bird in natural surroundings. The one thing I would not use this lens for is birding. The Best Lens for Bird Photography in 2023 (Updated) 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. longer. On the other hand, mirrorless doesnt necessarily mean spending more money. The VC Mode II is specifically for panning, aiding the birds-in-flight photography. A specially shaped lens hood with a thumb and finger groove helps with this. For more of our top wildlife photography gear recommendations, check out the Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography. It also makes it very easy to use teleconverters, especially the built-in 1.4x TC. My 350 Nikon Wildlife Photography Kit D300 300mm F4 Af Lens This is the lens that will get you to 800mm at f/5.6 with a 2x teleconverter! It is still just possible to handhold, and it offers a lot of versatility with its zoom and very decent image quality. Naturally, it has a fixed focal length, equivalent to 600mm in full-frame terms, and lacks the versatility of a zoom. Neutral Color NC Filter and Circular Polarizing Filter II have been specially crafted for this lens. I would suggest that for most people, this lens is a little bit short for wildlife, especially at $9500. Personally, I prefer to shoot landscape, nature and macro photography. It's tough to do, especially when photographing moving birds. In addition to using the twist-action control ring, you can alter the zoom setting in a push-pull fashion. 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. My second best buy of my life. Digital Camera World is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Id argue that the 400mm f/2.8 is actually more versatile, because sometimes youll really need that f/2.8 maximum aperture. In fact, Nikon specifically released the TC-20E III together with this lens, which makes this lens almost like a reference lens for use with teleconverters (with the TC-20E III, the lens becomes a 600mm f/5.6 lens). 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. The Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm is a great introductory telephoto lens for bird photography at a very good price point. The Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is a classic example, costing more than some new cars. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary, 15. 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. 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: . 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. A full set of weather seals is incorporated, and a fluorine coating on the front element helps to repel moisture and fingerprints. It has a super-fast ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system, a highly effective optical stabilizer with switchable static and panning modes, dual switchable autofocus modes giving priority to either automatic focusing or manual override, and switchable custom modes that you can set up via Sigmas optional USB Dock. 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. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); I have kept my Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E VR AF-P as I moved from DSLR to Nikon Z5 and Z7-II. 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. 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. You can switch focus mode by simply turning the focus ring. Best Lenses for Bird Photography of 2022 - The Adventure Junkies The NIKKOR 300mm is not a zoom lens with a varied focal length. A tack-sharp AF precision allows panning shots to be perfectly sharp. The Nikon 800mm f/5.6 is no doubt an astounding and absurdly expensive lens. ED glasses are Extra-Low Dispersion Glass, an optical glass developed by Nikon to reduce or remove chromatic aberration. The sheer range provided by Tamrons 150-600, especially when clubbed with a crop frame, is enough to enchant the buyers. Yet, professional bird photographers prefer prime. I hope you enjoy the site . Fancy features include a dual-mode, 4.5-stop VR (Vibration System) system and an electromagnetically controlled diaphragm for adjusting the aperture. Bird photography is unimaginable without the use of a quality telephoto lens. A stunning lens if you can justify the price - see our full Nikon 600mm f/4E FL ED VR review (opens in new tab). Find out more about how we test. The linear stepping motoris blisteringly speedy and practically silent in other words, exactly what you want for birding. Weighing a whopping 3.8 kilos, it is about as heavy as Nikons longest 600mm f/4 lens (more on the 600mm below). It is easy to get carried away by the camera body. Nikkor 600mm is the no-compromise lens for bird photography. Canon: Canon EOS R7. 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. Bought it because it can be hand held. 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. 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. The VR II provides up to 3 stops of insurance, resulting in sharper images overall. The best lenses for bird photography will help you get close to wildlife and there are great options for every camera mount. The next best wildlife lens is Nikons heavyweight super telephoto bazooka, the Nikon 400mm f/2.8E VR. See my detailed Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II Review for more information on this lens. Best lenses for low light, from just 129 - Amateur Photographer Fujifilm XF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR, 11. How to Create an Online Portfolio Using Format? Heres how it works. But if youre photographing small birds that are 10-15 meters away from you or greater (30+ feet), 800mm will be ideal. View at Amazon. Additionally, 2 ED glass elements work towards eliminating chromatic aberration. Our Top Picks Best Price: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR Best Choice: Nikon 300mm f/4E PF VR AF-S ED-IF Telephoto Nikkor Lens Best Overall: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 80-400mm f.4.5-5.6G ED Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens Most Durable: Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S Nikkor Zoom Lens 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. Give your opinion for 80-400 G ED VR on D850 and D500. The optical path is top drawer too, featuring no less than five ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements plus a Super ED element. 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. Scouting for birds in national parks and bird sanctuaries is accessible with this range. 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 Sony a7 III ILCE7M3/B Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera. The uprated ring-type autofocus system is faster and more accurate, and a fluorine coating is added to the front element. It has a vibration reduction of up to 5.5 stops. 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. 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. The Silent Wave Motor further boosts this ability, helping create stable and dramatic images in the wild. 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. The older model was bulky and heavy and needed a tripod for support at all times. 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. At F2.8, it is the fastest lens for bird photography. This grouping covers just about every bird-photography situation, from birds at rest to the most challenging erratically flying raptors. It's the NIKKOR VR 70-300mm /4.5-5.6 for the Nikon 1 system. The speed of continuous shooting is not compromised with modern cameras like D4S. Power O.I.S. If you are in situations where you only shoot larger animals at dusk or dawn, and you really need the shorter focal lengths, then I can see a case for this lens. This lens of course belongs to the S-line, which means superior performance. B&H offers a good rundown of. If you're looking for affordable options, these are the best budget telephoto lenses (opens in new tab). 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. Would love to hear the reasons, if any. Weather Resistance: Bird photography is out there in the wild. Since this lens offers a 1.4X TC with still excellent image quality and significant 850g weight savings over the Nikon 400mm f/2.8E, this new Z mount 400mm f/2.8 could indeed be the ultimate wildlife lens. The upgraded VR II provides three stops of image stabilization. If you always find yourself at the long end of your zoom, it definitely makes sense to get this lens instead of the 100-400mm. The lens is under $600 and is among the cheapest lenses to achieve any bird photography. Let us know which is your favorite lens for bird photography. Shell climb just about anything, from leading fun sport to projecting boulders to following multi-pitch trad (as long as its not slab). Quick Answer - The Best Lenses for Bird Photography. It has a 22.2x zoom and an 18-400mm focal length, its ultra-telephoto range matches 620mm in the 35mm format. At 400mm, it's a powerful super-telephoto lens suited to wildlife and action photography, with or without a tripod. 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. As of January 2022, Nikon just released their latest addition to the Z mirrorless system lens line-up. First, it is 0.63 stops faster, which although small, does make a difference in challenging wildlife conditions. __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__. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sport, 14. The second is that 400mm isnt always long enough for smaller or more distant birds. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. It is fairly wide on a full-frame camera at 180mm so it can also be used to capture tighter landscapes. You now know how to do the calculation: the 200-500 is the equivalent of 300 mm to a whopping 750 mm. The fixed zoom mechanism feels smooth throughout the entire range and is near silent, which is exactly what you want if you're stalking skittish wildlife and don't want to alert it to your presence. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. 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. Theres no other difference between the two versions. It's one of the best 150-600mm lenses (opens in new tab) overall. No also f/1.4. 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. The best lenses for bird photography let you get closer to birds and capture incredibly sharp, beautiful images. The main problem with prime is that it requires a photographer to observe the birds behavior and 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 Nikon 200-500mm f5.6E redraws creative boundaries with a constant-aperture telephoto zoom. Auto White Balance requires zero input from you, the photographer. 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. Best wide-angle lens for landscapes: NIKON Z 14-24MM f/2.8 S. Best super telephoto lens for wildlife photography: SIGMA 60-600MM F/4.5-6.3. Optically it is an insanely sharp lens, I would say about the same as the Nikon 600mm f/4E below. Pls. Unlike landscape and portrait photography, where you could get away with a cheap lens and still get great results, wildlife photography pretty much requires high-quality, fast-aperture telephoto optics. Your prices on the three lenses are off by over $2000.! A unique Sport-VR helps take sharper images even while panning and using continuous shooting mode. Its also not quite as sharp, but it comes very close and its overall image quality is pleasing. 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. AF performance is top notch, with super fast and accurate autofocus acquisition, even in low-light situations. Best macro lens: TAMRON 90MM F/2.8 Di VC USD. This makes it easier to track the erratic movement of birds in flight. Review of the Nikon D500 for Wildlife and Bird Photography A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm. The Best Canon Lens For Bird Photography Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L is II USM Lens, Lens Only Compact, high performance L-series super-telephoto zoom makes it ideal for sports and wildlife photography Rotation-type zoom ring allows for more precise composition and excellent balance when handholding You can only shoot at the widest aperture possible on older Nikon bodies. 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. Bird photographers carrying a lot of gear find the 500mm f/4 a bit easier to travel with compared to the 600mm f/4. Nikons 300mm F2.8 is fondly called a super-telephoto lens. So you conclude with what you have- The article is intended for ALL.. judging and justifying availability with a Brand? It took a while, but Sigma's 150-600mm Sports lens finally got a mirrorless makeover. This has seen a weight saving of some 25%, though it still tips the scales at an arm-wobbling 3,810g. 1,725g (1,880g with tripod mounting ring), Amazing shot of angry birds wins Nature in Action Photo Competition, Sony releases first pictures of Earth from its Star Sphere space satellite, Hipster camera alert: A full-frame Nikon Z fc could be on the way, Should you use a full frame or cropped sensor camera for bird photography, 2. Both DSLR and mirrorless full-frames should be considered. If you love birdwatching, visit our best bird feeder camera (opens in new tab) guide! 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. Best Budget Lenses for Wildlife Photography of 2022 This large lens, when coupled with the DX-format sensor, gives him the optical equivalent of an 18x binocular. The best cameras for bird photography in 2023 This lens keeps pushing the boundaries. The lens has 11 elements (3ED) in 8 groups. 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. Still, weighing just 1,725g without the tripod collar, the Tamron 150-500mm is perfectly useable hand-held. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 is a compact and ridiculously sharp lens that is perfect for larger birds and birds in flight. It is capable of producing relatively good bokeh, especially on its longest end, although its sharpness performance also drops quite a bit at 300mm. Download our FREE Macro Photography Quick Start Guide. 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. Important command dials for wildlife and bird photography are located on the camera body itself. Its also the sharper lens at 400mm, although the 100-400mm is no slouch. Next comes getting closer to the birds. Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency (eBAND) coating and Broad-Band Anti-Reflection (BBAR) coating make the optics even more refined. For Nikon, a good choice is the Nikon 200-500mm lens for DSLR cameras. Read more about Nasim here. If you just want one lens that can do it all for bird photography, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm is an excellent option. An image stabilization system that reduces the effects of camera shake and the consequent blur that causes. Nikon Lenses for Bird Photography Nikon 200-500 mm Telephoto. 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. Overall performance and image quality are excellent, although outright sharpness drops off a bit at the long end of the zoom range. This is the first ultra-telephoto lens made for the APS-C format. 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. Buy Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens: $2,696.95 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama. 1. Lenses For Wildlife Photography - Outdoor Photographer And I dont want to spend thousands more on new zooms. 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. the best birds in flight photography lenses cost thousands of dollars, which just doesn't make sense for a beginner. So get the best lens you can afford, then learn to use . Two screw-on types of 95mm lens filters are available that are handy during bird photography. Capturing stunning images of birds is not easy, and you definitely need the right lens to be able to do it. Bird Photography Camera on a Budget - Birdseed & Binoculars 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. Best lenses for bird photography in 2023 | Popular Photography