We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. There are two versions of this lens: VR and non-VR. Theres also considerably lower quality owing to the higher number of lens elements. It is about $550 more expensive than the 100-400mm, so why would you get this lens instead? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The Nikon 500mm f/4E VR is sort of a sweet middle between the 400mm and 600mm lenses. How to Create an Online Portfolio Using Format? Optical quality is first-rate as you'd expect for a high-end Nikon prime, while the autofocus performance doesn't disappoint either. It's pretty much the same weight as the Sigma and Tamron 100-400mm lenses for full-frame cameras. The linear stepping motoris blisteringly speedy and practically silent in other words, exactly what you want for birding. If one plans to use the camera hand-held, it is better to look for lighter lenses while compromising slightly on the range. Power O.I.S. It's tough to do, especially when photographing moving birds. Id love to hear in the comments! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This lens still has no equal in Z mount (or any other mount) and thus I have seen quite a few people adapting it to their Z50 cameras for a very lightweight and capable setup. Why you can trust Digital Camera World Is This the Best Bird Photography Lens? | Fstoppers 3 Best Nikon DSLR Cameras - Mar. 2023 - BestReviews 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. A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm. NY 10036. 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. This latest generation optic is significantly lighter than its predecessor thanks to the Flourite lens elements used. If youre looking for the longest reach without teleconverters, the Nikon 800mm f/6.3 is your lens! If you want the ultimate versatility in a single lens, it would be hard to go wrong with the Nikon 180-400mm f/4E lens. 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. The uprated ring-type autofocus system is faster and more accurate, and a fluorine coating is added to the front element. Pls. My super favorite lens is the AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR. 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. I have the 500mm f4g VR, a crazy sharp lens. Best Nikon Lenses for Wildlife Photography in 2023 A long lens to capture subjects in the distance. Weather Resistance: Bird photography is out there in the wild. Lens Weight: Heavier lenses are challenging to use without tripods. 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. In fact, it is significantly lighter than the F-mount 300mm f/2.8G II lens, which is very impressive! For example, the best 100-400mm lenses (opens in new tab) on a full-frame sensor will cover 150-600mm on APS-C and 200-800mm on Micro Four Thirds! If you are passionate about bird photography, but want to keep your costs under $10,000, the Z-mount 800mm f/6.3 offers an insane amount of reach at a lower cost than the traditional f/4 primes. Sigma is not reporting equivalent focal lengths or f-numbers. The equivalent lenses in full frame would be approximately 24mm f2, 45mm f2, and 85mm f2. The camera makes the images. Or do you want a high-quality prime lens with a set focal length? Sigma also has two similar versions of the same focal range, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary and Sigma 150-600mm Sports. 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. 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. Instead, it will automatically adjust as the light changes. This has seen a weight saving of some 25%, though it still tips the scales at an arm-wobbling 3,810g. 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. Nikon: Nikon Z9. This is the lens that many wildlife photographers get, especially those that photograph birds. This is especially true for mammals that are often active during these dark periods. Autofocus itself is very fast and image quality is fabulous. Best Nikon Lenses for Wildlife Photography (2023) As of January 2022, Nikon just released their latest addition to the Z mirrorless system lens line-up. 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. The best lenses for bird photography will help you get close to wildlife and there are great options for every camera mount Included in this guide: 1 Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM Check Price 2 Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Check Price 3 Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Check Price 4 Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM Check Price 5 Nikon 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+. They have some great F-mount lenses that have been supplemented in the past few years with some amazing new Z-mount lenses. Starts with the 70-300, but ignores the 200-500 or new 100-400s also ignores all the pf lenses .. the 500pf being one of the best wildlife lenses out there. It brought everyone into action with this insane zoom range of 150-600mm. It is also dust and moisture resistant, and built for rough conditions, like the home of the birds. This grouping covers just about every bird-photography situation, from birds at rest to the most challenging erratically flying raptors. Optically it is an insanely sharp lens, I would say about the same as the Nikon 600mm f/4E below. Both DSLR and mirrorless full-frames should be considered. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2, 16. 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. The Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3s main application is birds and other small animals. When engaged, it turns the lens into an 840mm f/5.6. A finely-crafted lens, the Panasonic 100-400mm is relatively large for a Micro Four Thirds format zoom and weighs almost a kilogram. The biggest consideration when buying a Nikon lens for bird photography is focal length. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports, 13. 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 Nikon budget: Nikon Z50. 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. 2. Canon: Canon EOS R7. 7 Best Lenses for Bird Photography in 2023 - FixThePhoto.com 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. 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 The best mirrorless cameras for bird photography - BirdWatching 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. Our readers often ask us about lenses for nature photography, and while I have already written about which Nikon lenses I consider to be the best for landscape photography, I have received numerous requests to write about lenses for wildlife photography as well. 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. Best portrait lens: CANON EF 85MM F/1.2L II USM. 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. In addition, you will have to buy a good heavy duty tripod + accessories (batteries, memory cards, etc). 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! I have in fact met some people using this lens on a monopod. Next comes getting closer to the birds. Nikons 200-500mm f5.6E has carved a space of its own among hobbyist and semi-professional wildlife photographers. Get the best camera deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable photography news and more! 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. A major plus point is that the aperture rating of f/4 is relatively fast, compared with most zoom lenses that drop to f/5.6 or f/6.3 at a similar focal length. The opening in the lens that allows light to pass through. So get the best lens you can afford, then learn to use . Best Nikon Lenses for Bird Photography of 2022 This Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM super-telephoto lens for Canon EOS R-series full-frame mirrorless cameras gives phenomenal reach but is much smaller and more lightweight than competing lenses for DSLRs. A full set of weather seals is incorporated, and a fluorine coating on the front element helps to repel moisture and fingerprints. You will be able to capture all sorts of birds in the perfect frames with these cameras for sure. It took a while, but Sigma's 150-600mm Sports lens finally got a mirrorless makeover. And I dont want to spend thousands more on new zooms. Quick Answer - The Best Lenses for Bird Photography. It's one of the best 150-600mm lenses (opens in new tab) overall. Sony budget: Sony 6400. The effects of camera shake are minimized by vibration reduction VRII. Autofocus is fast and image quality is impressive in all respects, making this lens great value for an own-brand Nikon. Taking inspiration from the Nikon 180-400mm F-mount lens, the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 was Nikons first Z-mount lens to feature a built-in 1.4X teleconverter. This typically happens in wildlife after the sun goes down. Its autofocus is pretty good in daylight and its versatile zoom range of 70-300mm is great for large animals and perched birds. It has very impressive optical features and it delivers exceptionally good-looking images, especially at its maximum aperture of f/2.8. The Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 is about the same size and weight as Sigmas competing Contemporary lens, but adds a more comprehensive set of weather seals, similar to those of Sigmas more exotic Sports edition while splitting the difference in terms of price. A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm. The Vibration Compensation (VC, equivalent of VR in Nikon manufactured lenses) consists of three modes. Find out more about how we test. How to Improve your Bee Photography and Capture Amazing Photos? For bird photography, the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 Contemporary is the perfect complement to the S5's light and streamlined ergonomics perfect for the hand-held photographer on the go. It is easy to get carried away by the camera body. 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. When done well, you can get some truly magnificent photographs. It has a vibration reduction of up to 5.5 stops. It also has a dust- and moisture-resistant rubber gasket on the mounting plate, although it lacks the additional weather seals of the Sports lens. the best birds in flight photography lenses cost thousands of dollars, which just doesn't make sense for a beginner. In fact, this lens is only 775g, which is almost twice as light as the Olympus 300mm f/4 lens for micro four thirds, and this is a full-frame lens! The best lenses for bird photography in 2023 - digitalcameraworld It literally eliminates axial and transverse chromatic aberrations. It also features 2 FL (fluorite lens elements) to minimize weight and improve optics. The speed of continuous shooting is not compromised with modern cameras like D4S. An eliminated ghosting and flare while shooting backlit or semi-back-lit subjects results from this improved optics capability. Impeccably turned out, the XF100-400mm looks and feels a high-quality item Looks arent deceiving either, as the internals include a super-fast autofocus system based on dual linear stepping motors, and a high-performance 5-stop optical stabilizer. He is recognized as one of the leading educators in the photography industry, conducting workshops, producing educational videos and frequently writing content for Photography Life. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. 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. Generally, the longer the lens (in focal length), the better. These features make this lens an even more excellent piece of treasure. Its also the sharper lens at 400mm, although the 100-400mm is no slouch. Sold all other FX lenses to get a full set of Z lenses. B&H offers a good rundown of. The NIKKOR 300mm is not a zoom lens with a varied focal length. A VR lens helps create sharper pictures and provides three stops insurance. They help cut down on any reflection, including the reflection of the camera sensor. It is the professional photographers who strive to go that extra mile and look for perfect pictures. 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. 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. Surprisingly u didnt included Nikon 200-500 /f5.6 lens one of the best selling lens for wildlife photography. Zoom lenses carry the advantage of flexibility. Let us know which is your favorite lens for bird photography. 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. 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. 1. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Its my favorite because i can get it up and shooting anytime Im in a hurry, which is often. If you like the idea of a 300mm f/2.8G II but in a zoom, this is your lens. Although it is an F-mount lens, it is still used by many Z-mount users with an FTZ adapter. It is capable of producing relatively good bokeh, especially on its longest end, although its sharpness performance also drops quite a bit at 300mm. 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. Auto White Balance requires zero input from you, the photographer. The Ultimate Nikon Telephoto Lens Guide - Schubert Photography Personalized Recommendations Show All AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4E FL ED VR AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR 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. 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). 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. Nikons 300mm F2.8 is fondly called a super-telephoto lens. 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. In this list, we've included some of the best telephoto lenses (opens in new tab) around right now. Featured key specs: Notable reviews: 5. Birds are often tiny, very fast, and since it happens in the wild, theres no control over the light. The best lenses for bird photography will help you get close to wildlife and there are great options for every camera mount. Then again, for maximum image quality at the longer focal lengths, the 600mm f/4 TC VR S would be the one to beat. The Nikon 70 300mm telephoto lens with f/4.5 -5.6 maximum aperture is best for Nikon digital SLR cameras. Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. It was originally introduced as an answer to third-party large focal length telephoto zoom lenses. 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. There are plenty of options available for everyone who has a good Nikon camera body in bird photography lenses. 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. Many aspiring wildlife shooters will no doubt be aware of the stratospheric prices of supertelephotos. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II Lens Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II Lens is one of the sharpest and fastest lenses available. Its wide range and 0.38x magnification (minimum focus distance of 75cm) make this lens well-suited to larger wildlife and pseudo-macro shots of insects. Its tripod-compatible VR offers up to 4 stops of Vibration Reduction. Works well with Nikon Z6 using FTZ lens adapter. Aperture: A faster lens like f/2.8 or f/4 allows you to use faster shutter speed, which is essential for bird photography. I have the 80-400, never use it. A tack-sharp AF precision allows panning shots to be perfectly sharp. Tamrons 150-600mm was a gamechanger. 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. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). 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. 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. 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. 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. First, it is 0.63 stops faster, which although small, does make a difference in challenging wildlife conditions. Bought it because it can be hand held. The flip side is that no optional tripod mounting ring is available, which would have enabled a better balance, especially in portrait orientation shooting. It is also only about 2.4kg, which means it is handholdable for longer periods compared to most supertelephotos. This lens of course belongs to the S-line, which means superior performance. 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. The only possible con for the lens is the electromagnetically controlled aperture. The D850 is Nikon's best all-purpose DSLR, striking a great balance between capability and affordability. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. The Nano Crystal Coat eliminates internal reflections and removes all chromatic aberration to provide the finest picture quality. 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. My second best buy of my life. That is all the reach you will need. However, neither of them seems to have impressed you. Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 VR. Again, not much to complain about in terms of optics and features. 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. 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. Hand-holding, the Nikon D500, feels better. 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. 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. Read the full Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C review (opens in new tab). 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 one thing I would not use this lens for is birding. 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. 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. Undoubtedly, the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 is the most popular budget lens for bird shooters. But if you have the budget, then the Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR II is the best option for image clarity. The lens is fully weather-sealed and features a fluorine coating on its front and rear elements. 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. 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. A Guide to Birding with Long Lenses | B&H eXplora Sophisticated controls include switchable dual-mode autofocus options with priority given to autofocus or manual override, static/panning stabilization modes and dual custom setups. A prime lens that excels for bird photography, the telephoto Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm is a quality addition to your camera kit. 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. The modern model is almost 2 lbs. You can switch focus mode by simply turning the focus ring. 7 Best Camera for Bird Photography. If you're looking for affordable options, these are the best budget telephoto lenses (opens in new tab). 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. A prime lens may force you to, though, unless you know the exact bird locations and schedule. Theres no other difference between the two versions. Still, it is heavy and big to carry around and takes time to set up. Among other notable features are a lag-free switch from automatic to manual focus. Sir, Pls. Neutral Color NC Filter and Circular Polarizing Filter II have been specially crafted for this lens. 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. Interestingly, it is 3.25kg, which is not much heavier than the 2.9kg of the 300mm f/2.8. This means that with the teleconverter switched on you have a 560mm lens. It has a tripod detection mode that helps minimize shutter release vibration, making it an intelligent VR workhorse. The Best Lens for Bird Photography - Birda This lens is great for general wildlife, especially if you often shoot the large kind like moose and bears. More so, it has a focal range of 70-300mm. Im the owner and editor of Photography-RAW. 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. Costing $6500, this lens is the cheapest way to reach this focal length. We check out the best cameras for professionals (opens in new tab). 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. 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. The Nikon 200-600mm lens in particular will be the generalist wildlife lens suitable for most shooters who need the versatility of a zoom. 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. Read more about Nasim here. A 600mm f/4 is the gold standard for birding and other types of wildlife, and its a lens that still does not exist in Z-mount. ED glasses are Extra-Low Dispersion Glass, an optical glass developed by Nikon to reduce or remove chromatic aberration. Using DO (Diffractive Optics) and a relatively narrow f/11 fixed aperture rating, it's also pretty light at 930g. I would suggest that for most people, this lens is a little bit short for wildlife, especially at $9500. Heres how it works. 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. View at Amazon. +80Photoshop Actionsfor NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 is a compact and ridiculously sharp lens that is perfect for larger birds and 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. Its built-in teleconverter means you can reach 560mm. and a game-changer for birders, sports and wildlife enthusiasts, travel photographers and even those aspiring to venture to the moon and beyond without leaving their backyard.