Best Nikon Lenses for Bird Photography
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Loading... - Alexander Klassen
- 02 Feb 2022
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It is easy to get carried away by the camera body. The camera makes the images. But it is only half part of the story. Lenses are the second half, and in some cases, the better half. Bird photography is unimaginable without the use of a quality telephoto lens. Birds are often tiny, very fast, and since it happens in the wild, there’s no control over the light. There are plenty of options available for everyone who has a good Nikon camera body in bird photography lenses. It all depends on the budget, the shooting style, prime or telephoto choice, and brand preference.
Prime or Zoom Lens: Pros and Cons
There’s no clear winner between the prime or telephoto debate. Zoom lenses carry the advantage of flexibility. They, however, are prone to more lens aberrations and vignettes. There’s also considerably lower quality owing to the higher number of lens elements. With advancement, the quality has come quite close to prime. Yet, professional bird photographers prefer prime. The main problem with prime is that it requires a photographer to observe the bird’s behavior and spots. You can’t move much during wildlife photography, as you may disturb the surroundings. A prime lens may force you to, though, unless you know the exact bird locations and schedule. For hobbyists, a zoom lens might be a better shot.
Features to Look for in Nikon Lenses for Bird Photoraphy: ED and VR
ED glasses are Extra-Low Dispersion Glass, an optical glass developed by Nikon to reduce or remove chromatic aberration. VR is Vibration Reduction that minimizes blur due to camera shake.
Top Candidates for Nikon Users’ Best Bird Photography Lenses
Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S for Z system Mirrorless cameras
As of January 2022, Nikon just released their latest addition to the Z mirrorless system lens line-up. It’s a superfast (f/2.8) 400mm lens with a built-in 1.4x teleconverter (that’s what the TC, stands for in the lens name). This means that with the teleconverter switched on you have a 560mm lens.
It has a vibration reduction of up to 5.5 stops. Coupled with the Nikon Z9 you can use the newly developed Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM), which enables fast, highly accurate, and quiet AF control.
This lens of course belongs to the S-line, which means superior performance. The price is quite hefty though, at close to $14,000.
Nikkor 200-500mm f5.6E VR
Nikon 200-500mm f5.6E redraws creative boundaries with a constant-aperture telephoto zoom. It offers the quality and construction of Nikon, a top-notch auto-focus, and unparalleled versatility. It was originally introduced as an answer to third-party large focal length telephoto zoom lenses. Nikon’s 200-500mm f5.6E has carved a space of its own among hobbyist and semi-professional wildlife photographers.
The construction involves 3 ED glass elements, minimizing chromatic aberration and achieving super sharpness. Diaphragm control via electric signals from the camera body provides reliable AE control. It is possible due to the diaphragm blade unit with a drive mechanism. Continuous high-speed photography is achievable through this type of AE control. Add 4.5 stops of vibration reduction, and this lens qualifies as a mini beast for bird photography. Two screw-on types of 95mm lens filters are available that are handy during bird photography. Neutral Color NC Filter and Circular Polarizing Filter II have been specially crafted for this lens.
The only possible con for the lens is the electromagnetically controlled aperture. It renders the lens incompatible with older Nikon DSLRs. You can only shoot at the widest aperture possible on older Nikon bodies.
AF-S Nikkor 300mm F2.8G ED VR II
Nikon’s 300mm F2.8 is fondly called a super-telephoto lens. It is an upgraded version of the earlier lens. The upgraded VR II provides three stops of image stabilization. At F2.8, it is the fastest lens for bird photography. It provides an edge-to-edge sharpness and compatibility with all Nikon teleconverters for greater reach. The lens has 11 elements (3ED) in 8 groups. The Nano Crystal Coat eliminates internal reflections and removes all chromatic aberration to provide the finest picture quality.
Among other notable features are a lag-free switch from automatic to manual focus. You can switch focus mode by simply turning the focus ring. The silent wave matter is added for an extra-fast and noise-free bird photography experience.
Nikkor 400mm f2.8E FL ED VR
Nikkor 400mm f2.8E FL ED VR is the next-gen model of the 2007 Nikkor 400mm f2.6G ED VR. The older model was bulky and heavy and needed a tripod for support at all times. The modern model is almost 2 lbs. lighter. It is also dust and moisture resistant, and built for rough conditions, like the home of the birds. Hand-held shooting is possible with the newer model. This fast lens features snappy autofocus, a 400mm telephoto, and top-quality lens construction by Nikon. It also features 2 FL (fluorite lens elements) to minimize weight and improve optics. Additionally, 2 ED glass elements work towards eliminating chromatic aberration. Nanocrystal provides for even better construction. If you are still shooting with a DSLR, then this might be a good option, since you cannot use the new Z-mount version.
Nikkor 500mm F4G ED R
There will barely be anything you can’t catch that you can’t 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. It also helps reduce weight and is ideal for outdoor shooting. The VR II provides up to 3 stops of insurance, resulting in sharper images overall. It has a tripod detection mode that helps minimize shutter release vibration, making it an intelligent VR workhorse. The Silent Wave Motor further boosts this ability, helping create stable and dramatic images in the wild. Corner-to-corner sharpness and vivid colors are essential for bird photography. These features make this lens an even more excellent piece of treasure. One can also double their effective focal length using teleconverters. It offers bird photographers an opportunity to capture almost anything in the wild. Read More…
