Top Nikon Lenses for Bird Photography: 2024 Guide
This guide will show you the best Nikon bird lenses currently available on the market.
Bird photographers require specific lenses to bring them closer to the subject and also make it easier to capture their rapid movement.
What lenses are they? What length should they be? What other requirements do they have?
Find answers to these and other questions below.
Let’s get started.
Nikon’s NIKKOR ED 200-500mm F/5.6E VR is an ultra-portable telephoto zoom lens that was designed to capture wildlife and birds.
After trying out the options from third parties, many bird photography users of Nikon choose this lens. It’s considered to be the best in class.
It’s not the fastest zoom lens but it has a constant f/stop throughout the entire zoom range.
This is helpful because it means that the lens will maintain consistent exposure settings. It makes it easy to adjust in varying lighting situations.
Vibration Reduction, Nikon’s term for image stabilization, is built in. This helps to get sharper pictures by reducing camera shake.
Images should be high-quality. This glass provides true-to life colors, with minimal chromatic distortion and good contrast.
Autofocus works well. Silent Wave Motors are quiet and fast, making them ideal for capturing birds that can be easily spooked.
The design is robust and durable, and it’s weather-sealed.
You should support the lens properly when it’s not in use, and use correct technique when you shoot handheld.
It has a detachable collar that allows you to attach it easily to a monopod or tripod when you need to support it. This is useful to prevent fatigue or to shoot for longer periods.
You can get it refurbished at a lower price if you are on a tight budget.