Bird photography is a tough job for many photographers. Although photography has become easier and more accessible due to advances in digital technology, nature is always challenging for all of us. Luckily, there is the latest lens introduced for distant photography, which can also help to capture beautiful pictures of birds around you. When you’re worried about photography, you can rely on such lenses.
Contact with wildlife is a symptom of being persuaded to love and be loved by other animals. You photograph fleeting moments and particular faces and zoom in on items to depict the distant world. More advanced optical designs have made lenses lighter, while optical image stabilization technology has made it easier to obtain clear shots of birds. This makes capturing crisp, frame-filling photos of birds much easier.
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If you are on the lookout to find the best bird photography lens, then this guide contains all the best options that you have available today.
Is a 600mm lens good for bird photography?
Yes, a 600mm lens is excellent for bird/birding photography. This lens has a long focal length that allows capturing birds from a distance, reducing the likelihood of disturbing them. It is particularly suitable for capturing images of shy or elusive species.
Best Bird Photography Lens
Canon RF 100-500mm IS USM f/4.5-7.1L
The best recommendation that we can offer you is the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens from Canon. You will find it to be one of the best suitable options for Canon mirrorless cameras. When used in conjunction with the Rebel version R5 or R6’s in-body stabilization, you get a lens/camera combo that excels in wildlife photography.
This lens features great picture quality, performance, and a dazzling maximum focal length range. This is really precise and quick. The 100-500mm includes optical image stabilization for up to 5 stops of shake correction to make tracking and focusing easier. As a result, tracking fast-flying birds is simple, and there is a Dual Nano USM autofocus motor included.
When used with proper experience and care, this lens has the potential to help you capture the best bird photographs with just simple clicks.
Pros
· A tripod collar is included.
· Easy tracking and focus.
· Optical picture stabilization built-in
· L-series construction quality is superior.
Cons
· Expensive
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L
Another great piece of technology from Canon is the EF 100-400mm lens. If you want the greatest telephoto lens at an ideal price for shooting birds, then you can go with this option. When compared to other Canon lens options, this is heavier. The lens has an Air Sphere Coating, which helps to lessen the possibility of ghosting and glare in your photos.
When coupled with the right camera body, this lens provides perfect functionality for expert photographers and allows you to take higher-quality photographs. Also, whenever you are capturing moving subjects like fast birds, it also gives superior clarity. The greater benefit of this lens is that the lens’s focal length may be changed between 100mm and 400mm according to the requirement of the situation, while the aperture is also adjustable going in the range of F/4.5 to F/5.6.
Pros
· High-performance lens
· Image stabilization with three modes
· Optical components of exceptional quality
· Super telephoto zoom system
Cons
· Limits on long-range shots
Sigma 150-600mm 5-6.3
Sigma 150-600mm HSM Lens is another consideration to keep in mind for photographing birds. This lens provides a great focal length at an affordable price. The fact that this is a zoom lens adds to the ease of usage. Simply make sure you get the proper version of your camera and a suitable mount. Photographers that make use of this Sigma 150-600mm appreciate the range of zoom offered.
Another advantage of Sigma lenses is that they are compatible with a variety of manufacturers, so you can easily use this lens with other cameras that you are using to capture birds. However, serious photographers may be disappointed by the lack of crispness at extreme magnification. In general, this lens works admirably well, given its pricing.
It may not be able to match up with higher-end lenses, but it’s an excellent first lens for photographers who want to get close to the action.
Pros
· Flexible compatibility
· Long-range for zoom
· Low on price
· Best for beginners
Cons
· Photos at full zoom are not at their best
Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 OSS
The next suggestion here is Sony FE 200-600mm lens. This is a unique lens and one of the best bird photography lenses. When shooting on an APS-C rather than a full-frame body, the maximum ‘effective’ focal length spans from 600mm to about 900mm, similar to its SLR-format counterparts. The lens’ size and weight are standard, but they feel a tad heavier in comparison to the lighter Sony Alpha mirrorless bodies.
The optical image stabilizer works well on its own, but it works much better when combined with in-body stabilization, which is available on subsequent Alpha A7 and A9 camera models. The Image stabilization may be switched between static and panning photos, with the option of just applying stabilization during exposures.
This makes tracking the irregular movements of birds in flight much easier, which means that sharpness, contrast, and other picture characteristics are good and constant across the zoom range. Autofocus is super-fast with DDSSM and configurable focus-hold buttons located around the barrel, making it an ideal choice for you.
Pros
· Sensitive APS-C sensor
· High build quality
· Magnificent long-range performance
· Great stabilization
Cons
· The aperture can have issues at times.
Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
The Tamron 150-500mm lens delivers an effective focal length of 225-750mm. It’s designed for full-frame bodies but will work with APS-C. The smaller aperture range of f/5-6.7 will limit the amount of light you may use, which is something to remember. Its linear stepping motor is lightning fast and very silent, which is ideal for bird watching.
The Tamron 150-500mm is still completely usable hand-held, having less weight without the tripod collar. Its three-mode stabilization technology also helps to capture good photographs of the birds, whereas photographers will probably find Mode 3, which only applies the stabilizing effect during real exposures.
While not the longest lens, it is rather useful, and it’s aided by the Tamron lens’s actual super-fast focusing technology.
Pros
· Great responsive sensor
· Excellent and quick autofocus
· Greater focal length
· Stabilization in many modes
Cons
· Only for full-frame cameras
Nikkor Vibration Reduction Lens 200-500mm f/5.6E
The Nikkor 200-500mm is the ideal telephoto zoom lens for capturing birds and fast-moving subjects at a distance. It boasts a 500mm focal length and an improved autofocus technology that allows for more precise focus. The glass is significantly crisper, and the VR is far more effective than the Nikkor 80-400mm.
The 200-500mm focal length is a fairly priced and well-performing telephoto lens for all animals, and not just birds. When used with a good full-frame camera, this lens can provide stunning bird images in a variety of settings. This lens has three ED glass components to provide vivid and crisp pictures. This lens basically provides excellent value for the money.
Pros
· Excellent vibration reduction
· Surprisingly great quality at high zoom
· Mid-range price
· Sharp images
Cons
· It is heavy to carry.
SP 150-600mm Lens F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 by Tamron
The Tamron SP 150-600mm is one of the most comprehensive focal lengths ranges in its class. The lens has some weight to it. This is especially crucial to consider when the camera body is already weighty. The lens allows you to easily adjust the focal length from 150mm to 600mm. As a consequence, your photographic session will have a lot more adaptability.
An Arca-Swiss release plate is included. There are three distinct VC modes to select from as well. Indeed, some may consider it the finest lens ever for bird photography because of its range. The lens has an aperture that may be adjusted. The aperture may be changed between F/5 and F/6.3.
It allows you to adjust the aperture based on the surroundings in which you’re shooting. This allows for faster and easier lens changes in the field.
Pros
· Greater zoom range
· Comprehensive adaptability
· 4.5 stops are provided by the VC system.
· Various modes.
Cons
· Weighty lens.
Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens
The 100-400mm lens from Sigma has switchable multi-mode autofocus choices with priority given to static/panning stabilization modes, autofocus or manual override, and two custom settings among the advanced controls. This lens has less telephoto reach than competitive 150-600mm lenses, yet it is still reasonably small.
It also weighs half as much as the bigger 150-600mm Contemporary lens and a third as much as the Sports model. As a result, it’s far more comfortable for long periods of handheld photography, and it can also be used with the camera body placed on a tripod or monopod. In addition to the control ring with twist action, you may change the zoom setting by pushing and pulling.
This is made easier with a lens hood with a thumb and finger groove. There is no extra tripod mounting ring, which would have improved balance, especially in portrait orientation photography.
Pros
· Lens hood for protection.
· Lightweight and small in comparison.
· Full-frame support.
· Good stabilization mode.
Cons
· There is no tripod mount ring available.
· The telephoto range is limited.
Buying Guide: What to Look For When Purchasing The Best Lens
You should look for the following qualities when you are getting the best bird photography lens.
Sensor
Remember that Sensor quality is directly proportional to sensor size: the larger the sensor, the better the images. The depth, resolution, and overall picture quality of a camera are all determined by the image sensor. You must use a lens that can adjust well with your camera sensor. Find a camera with a full-frame sensor for bird photographers that value image quality.
This is because a big sensor has a greater surface area for capturing light, resulting in clearer and more vivid photographs.
Durability
It’s critical to get a lens for shooting birds that is sturdy, stabilized, and resistant to the many environmental conditions. Bird photographers visit a variety of locations, including wet, humid, dusty, sandy, and other conditions. For this, durability really plays an important role.
Zoom
Zoom is very important in capturing birds. It is because birds don’t let anyone get close to them, and they fly away. To capture their perfect shot, a 300mm zoom lens would be suitable to capture birds without disturbing their space. So, if you plan to do a lot of photography around landscapes or lakes, a zoom of 500mm or bigger would be a suitable choice.
Autofocus
It’s critical to read reviews to determine the finest camera and lens combinations for great focusing. A speedy and intelligent autofocus system will assist you in swiftly focusing on the topic in the viewfinder. Great autofocus works at several levels, including the camera sensor, lens mechanics, and internal computation. It’s tough to pin down the source of excellent autofocus.
Shutter rate
To get amazing bird photographs, you’ll need a camera that can constantly shoot at maximum resolution. Look for cameras with a fast shutter speed and a reasonable frame-per-second rate which will enable you to get very high-quality still images in your frame. Birds in flight require a shutter speed of at least 1/1,000 and a continuous shooting rate of at least 6 frames per second.
These days, cameras are lightning-quick devices. Bird photographers, on the other hand, would want to ensure their cameras are capable of catching the birds’ active motions.
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FAQ’s
Which lens size is ideal for birds photography?
To photograph birds, you’ll need a lens with a focal length of 200mm-300mm or greater. The longer focal length will allow you to get even closer to the birds you’re hoping to photograph.
Is a 300mm lens sufficient for photographing birds?
For bird photography, it will be sufficient. Even when concentrating on little things like sparrows, a lens with this focal length will allow you to capture detail from a distance.