Bird photography is an interesting genre that requires specific lenses for the shoot. Some may rely on a mid-range telephoto, while others may turn to a super telephoto lens. Either way, long-range lenses remain ideal for the genre, and for that reason, we bring you three lenses that can help. Have a look.
Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 VR S
The 70-200mm has a minimum focusing distance of 3 feet and comes with a new multi-focusing system that uses two motors for faster autofocusing. The lens is large but not heavy, and you get plenty of buttons to work around. It is also weather-resistant, has multiple controls, and feels nice in your hands. The autofocus is fast, and with the latest update, the lens can focus on moving objects, with only 20 percent of shots being soft. There’s plenty of sharpness, and you get pretty great bokeh. The colors are nice, and you get a golden hue in the JPEGs. For its price, it is quite reliable.
Tamron 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 Di III RXD
Tamron is the perfect fit for many Nikon cameras. The 70-300 is no different. Costing just a quarter of the original Nikon lenses, it offers 2.6 feet minimum focusing and weather resistance. It is also incredibly lightweight. When paired with the Z9, the lens offered a really good autofocus. It was able to track birds well, and the photos will keep you happy. The image quality is nice for a bargain lens, and the bokeh is what you’ll be most happy with. The colors are a bit muted for our liking, but you can adjust the saturation in post. If you are looking for a lens under $600, this one is for you.
Nikon Z 600mm F4
The Nikon 600mm is the first lens in this range to offer an in-built converter. It is also quite expensive, which makes it the best option for ultra-professional photographers. With the teleconverter on, you get about 840mm of focal range. It is certainly a large lens, and the lens never shied away from tacking the subjects. Given its nature, it is better paired with pro models like the Z8 or the Z9. The images are just as pleasing. “The colors are great, and the depth of field fall-off is what you’d expect from a lens of this price,” we said in our review. The bokeh is nice, and there is proper subject isolation. It is also quite sharp, so you get the best of both worlds.