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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. Sir, Pls. I would suggest that for most people, this lens is a little bit short for wildlife, especially at $9500. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary, 15. Heres how it works. 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. 1,725g (1,880g with tripod mounting ring), Amazing shot of angry birds wins Nature in Action Photo Competition, Sony releases first pictures of Earth from its Star Sphere space satellite, Hipster camera alert: A full-frame Nikon Z fc could be on the way, Should you use a full frame or cropped sensor camera for bird photography, 2. A Nano-crystal coat and fluorine coat cut down on all reflections. The effects of camera shake are minimized by vibration reduction VRII. the best birds in flight photography lenses cost thousands of dollars, which just doesn't make sense for a beginner. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. A specially shaped lens hood with a thumb and finger groove helps with this. It is also dust and moisture resistant, and built for rough conditions, like the home of the birds. 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. View at Amazon. Sold all other FX lenses to get a full set of Z lenses. It has a 22.2x zoom and an 18-400mm focal length, its ultra-telephoto range matches 620mm in the 35mm format. 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). Quick Answer - The Best Lenses for Bird Photography. Nikons Silent Wave Motor AF system allows for super fast autofocusing, but with just a turn of the manual focus ring, you can take control yourself. Additionally, 2 ED glass elements work towards eliminating chromatic aberration. The equivalent lenses in full frame would be approximately 24mm f2, 45mm f2, and 85mm f2. Even so, the difference isnt particularly noticeable in practical terms and the Nikon lens has the advantage of a constant-aperture design, so f/5.6 remains available throughout the zoom range, rather than dropping to f/6.3 at the long end. The NIKKOR 300mm is not a zoom lens with a varied focal length. On the other hand, mirrorless doesnt necessarily mean spending more money. 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. Bird photography is a tough job. 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. Corner-to-corner sharpness and vivid colors are essential for bird photography. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 is our choice as the best lens for bird photography. Upgrades over the original Tamron lens include a revamped 4.5-stop optical stabilizer with three switchable options for static, panning and exposure-only modes, the last of which leaves the viewfinder image unadulterated, and makes it easier to track erratic movement. ED glasses are Extra-Low Dispersion Glass, an optical glass developed by Nikon to reduce or remove chromatic aberration. Canon premium: Canon EOS R3. Instead, the Nikon 180-400 f/4E lens is for those shooters who shoot larger mammals and landscapes, and wider shots of animals in their habitat. As we've touched on, Canon's EF 100-400mm zoom has been an incredibly popular lens for Canon DSLR shooters, so it's no surprize to see something arrive for the brand's EOS R range of full-frame mirrorless cameras. Power O.I.S. Give your opinion for 80-400 G ED VR on D850 and D500. Then again, for maximum image quality at the longer focal lengths, the 600mm f/4 TC VR S would be the one to beat. 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. The cost difference between the two is significant. Pros Because this lens is so new, its the only one here that our team at Photography Life hasnt used yet. Camera body with a lens without zoom for shooting portraits. 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. Wildlife situations come and pass quickly and this lens is easy to deploy quickly, fast optics, feather weight, and has VR. The autofocus is extremely fast, thanks to an internal focus element, and you can easily override the autofocus if you want manual control. Guide To Nikon Cameras For Birds. Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency (eBAND) coating and Broad-Band Anti-Reflection (BBAR) coating make the optics even more refined. These include a refined optical path with fluorite and Super UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) elements and high-tech Air Sphere coating. It is also quite lightweight for a lens, so you can easily take it with you into the wild. Nikon 200-500mm f5.6E redraws creative boundaries with a constant-aperture telephoto zoom. Next comes getting closer to the birds. Your prices on the three lenses are off by over $2000.! Whereas 400mm and 600mm lenses work better for general wildlife photography outings. 2. The sheer range provided by Tamrons 150-600, especially when clubbed with a crop frame, is enough to enchant the buyers. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. We check out the best cameras for professionals (opens in new tab). Getting a gently used model could save you many thousands of dollars, which would go a long way towards other gear. New York, But lenses are an expensive purchase, so its important to really think through your decision about which Nikon lens to buy for bird photography. Forget about trying to hand-hold it, even if you have arms as big as Schwarzeneggers. After falling head over heel hooks for climbing in a gym in Boston, she moved to Golden, Colorado because the mountains were calling. Now Kate spends as much time as possible exploring the crags of the Front Range and beyond, usually with her camera in hand. The lighter weight helps in more rapid framing and composition, giving the extra few milliseconds to create the masterpiece. 11 Best Lenses for Macro Photography (2023) Sigma Announces Three Lenses for Nikon Z-Mount Cameras 10 Best Travel Tripods You Can Buy (in 2023) Upcoming E-Mount Lenses: . 7 Best Camera for Bird Photography. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! Instead, you need to decide which camera is perfect for YOU. This lens is the real winner for use on any Nikon body: a 200-500 mm zoom with vibration reduction. Optically it is an insanely sharp lens, I would say about the same as the Nikon 600mm f/4E below. The only downside of this lens is its eye-watering cost of $14000. I added this lens to the list because it is so good, but it is also questionable whether it is still worth its price, given that you can get a Nikon Z9 and a Z 800mm f/6.3 and still have over $4000 to spare. The lens needs to be ready for the same. At 400mm, it's a powerful super-telephoto lens suited to wildlife and action photography, with or without a tripod. The 400mm f/2.8 lens is ideal for situations where even an f/4 lens would be too slow. Id love to hear in the comments! The Sports model is a superior lens for photographing birds. Would love to hear the reasons, if any. Naturally, it has a fixed focal length, equivalent to 600mm in full-frame terms, and lacks the versatility of a zoom. There are two versions of this lens: VR and non-VR. Sporting a clever retractable design, this lens collapses down to 200mm. Compatible Camera Mount: Canon EF Features Dust And Water Resistant Design Autofocus Is Both Smooth And Quiet Wide Focal Range Allows A Wide Variety Of Shots If you have a favorite lens of yours for wildlife photography that is not listed below, please feel free to add a comment at the bottom of the page with some information and links to pictures (if you have any that you would like to share). What is the best one you would suggest for wild life (perched birds) with Z6 and FTZ adapter ? This makes the lens very versatile, giving 400mm and 560mm at the flick of a switch. 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. VR: Vibration Reduction is essential in unforgiving conditions. It also helps reduce weight and is ideal for outdoor shooting. Nikons 300mm F2.8 is fondly called a super-telephoto lens. The silent wave matter is added for an extra-fast and noise-free bird photography experience. A unique Sport-VR helps take sharper images even while panning and using continuous shooting mode. A useful range of handling extras ensure top-quality results time after time, with excellent consistency even in handheld shooting. 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. You can switch focus mode by simply turning the focus ring. A cheap APS-C macro lens is coming, for almost all mounts, Shots fired! Birds are tricky subjects for even the most experienced wildlife photographers; they move quickly, don't stay still for long, and they generally won't let you get very close without flying off. Let us know which is your favorite lens for bird photography. Nikon D7500 with Tamron 100-400 Lens Zoomed Out (with Hood) Picking the best camera for bird photography on a budget means balancing competing requirements. Its a superfast (f/2.8) 400mm lens with a built-in 1.4x teleconverter (thats what the TC, stands for in the lens name). You cant move much during wildlife photography, as you may disturb the surroundings. Still, it is heavy and big to carry around and takes time to set up. It brought everyone into action with this insane zoom range of 150-600mm. The Nikon 70 300mm telephoto lens with f/4.5 -5.6 maximum aperture is best for Nikon digital SLR cameras. The VR II provides up to 3 stops of insurance, resulting in sharper images overall. My super favorite lens is the AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR. Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. You can only shoot at the widest aperture possible on older Nikon bodies. One of the newest Nikon telephoto lenses at the moment is the 600mm f/4 TC VR S. Just like the 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, this 600mm lens has a built-in 1.4x teleconverter. Because the 300mm f/4 is so small and takes a 1.4X TC teleconverter reasonably well, it is a perfect lens for wildlife shooters who absolutely do not want to carry a huge lens. But there are still good values to be found, and I hope that this article can point you in that direction, too, if thats what youre after. It has very impressive optical features and it delivers exceptionally good-looking images, especially at its maximum aperture of f/2.8. Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. You might be wondering, does it still make sense to get an F-mount lens now that Nikon is focusing its effort and support on Z-mount? Read more about Nasim here. Sigma stops developing Micro Four Thirds lenses; APS-C "also in decline", Every issue is packed with photo tips, kit reviews and inspiration. The Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD is a lens designed exclusively for Sony E-mount; it's made for full-frame bodies, but will work with APS-C, delivering an effective focal length of 225-750mm (though it will produce a pretty unbalanced setup). 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. Personally, I prefer to shoot landscape, nature and macro photography. The uprated ring-type autofocus system is faster and more accurate, and a fluorine coating is added to the front element. It is about $550 more expensive than the 100-400mm, so why would you get this lens instead? Seeing a gorgeous bird in flight is awe-inspiring, but it can be difficult to translate that beauty into a photo. Its also not quite as sharp, but it comes very close and its overall image quality is pleasing. Similar to the Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II, it also works exceptionally well with all teleconverters, including the Nikon TC-20E III. Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR A good option zoom lens for bird photography and it comes at a reasonable cost. It all depends on the budget, the shooting style, prime or telephoto choice, and brand preference. Bird photography is now much more accessible than it used to be, and that's because long telephoto lenses that were once almost impossible to use and carry around have been developed in much smaller designs. I hope youll excuse the lack of sample photos, but by all indications, this lens is just as sharp and versatile as the 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S. Would you find more use with this lens, which is a 600mm f/4 and an 840mm f/5.6? Its also plausible that Nikon will eventually release a 300mm f/2.8 and 500mm f/4 to match the F-mount lenses it already makes. 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+. The electro-mechanics diaphragm mechanism works in conjunction with the cameras shutter. However, this lens is fairly hefty, so it will add some weight to your pack, which is something to consider if youre going on a long adventure in the backcountry. The D850 is Nikon's best all-purpose DSLR, striking a great balance between capability and affordability. Bought it because it can be hand held. Add 4.5 stops of vibration reduction, and this lens qualifies as a mini beast for bird photography. The older model was bulky and heavy and needed a tripod for support at all times. And if you need an 800mm equivalent lens, you could always put a 2x TC on the 400mm f/2.8. Sony premium: Sony 1. Sony a7 III ILCE7M3/B Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera. The Nikon 500mm f/4E VR is sort of a sweet middle between the 400mm and 600mm lenses. Due to its massive size, this lens requires a good tripod setup. When engaged, it turns the lens into an 840mm f/5.6. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S is a pro-grade zoom that goes all-out for speed and performance. Compared with Sigma and Tamron 150-600mm zooms for Nikon cameras, this own-brand competitor comes up slightly short in maximum reach. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. But this aint your daddys 400mm f/2.8. (Libor wrote a separate article on why thats his favorite budget combo.). Sharpness is very good at or near 600mm but less impressive towards the short end of the zoom range. The 800mm focal length, while not easy to use, certainly shines when it is used properly. 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. I have the 500mm f4g VR, a crazy sharp lens. It goes without saying that you need a good support system for this lensa very sturdy Gitzo Systematic series tripod with a Wimberley Gimbal head is what I would get to hold this monster. It comprises 21 elements in 13 groups, having three LD (low dispersion) lens elements. If you're looking for affordable options, these are the best budget telephoto lenses (opens in new tab). Sharpness is really impressive throughout the zoom range, so you can push it to 600mm with confidence that you're still going to get some great images. Get the best camera deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable photography news and more! One can also double their effective focal length using teleconverters. 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 NIKKOR 200-500mm also features an autofocus system that you can override by turning the manual focus ring. The construction is uncompromised with the new magnesium alloy barrel and fluorite elements. 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. It took a while, but Sigma's 150-600mm Sports lens finally got a mirrorless makeover. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. Theres no clear winner between the prime or telephoto debate. Canon felt that it would be hard to improve on the image quality of the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM so opted to extend the focal range even further with the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. This lens gives you telephoto superpowers in a relatively lightweight package. 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. Weighing a whopping 3.8 kilos, it is about as heavy as Nikons longest 600mm f/4 lens (more on the 600mm below). For more of our top outdoor photography gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides: Kate is a climber, creator, and community builder. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. 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. This is the first ultra-telephoto lens made for the APS-C format. The one thing I would not use this lens for is birding. 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. It offers the quality and construction of Nikon, a top-notch auto-focus, and unparalleled versatility. The Vibration Compensation (VC, equivalent of VR in Nikon manufactured lenses) consists of three modes. At 1,260g, its perfectly viable for long periods of handheld shooting, aided by a highly effective optical image stabilizer. Its also the sharper lens at 400mm, although the 100-400mm is no slouch. As of January 2022, Nikon just released their latest addition to the Z mirrorless system lens line-up. If you love birdwatching, visit our best bird feeder camera (opens in new tab) guide! Two screw-on types of 95mm lens filters are available that are handy during bird photography. Theres also lens lightness that helps them enjoy the process and learn the art of bird photography. The Nikon COOLPIX P1000 features a 3000mm super telephoto lens, . 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 Nikon 800mm f/5.6 is no doubt an astounding and absurdly expensive lens. The Nikon 200-600mm lens in particular will be the generalist wildlife lens suitable for most shooters who need the versatility of a zoom. This lens of course belongs to the S-line, which means superior performance. Want to learn more about a technical term? longer. This makes it easier to track the erratic movement of birds in flight. The Canon EF . The second edition of the lens has a more typical twist-action zoom ring and a host of upgrades. In this list, we've included some of the best telephoto lenses (opens in new tab) around right now. I am a wildlife photographer, started in the 70s. Download our FREE Macro Photography Quick Start Guide. In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide. This has seen a weight saving of some 25%, though it still tips the scales at an arm-wobbling 3,810g. I may have got lucky because mine is very sharp. DDSSM (Direct Drive Super Sonic Motor) autofocus is super-fast and comes complete with customizable focus-hold buttons mounted around the barrel. It is optimized to deliver results quickly and perfectly. 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. If you want to get into wildlife photography on a tight budget, the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E VR AF-P is the lens you want to get. Instead, it will automatically adjust as the light changes. It has a tripod detection mode that helps minimize shutter release vibration, making it an intelligent VR workhorse. 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. 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. They improve the all-weather shield for shooting in the most severe conditions. 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. 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 The lens is meant to be used with fast Nikon DSLRs from the high-end range. It is an upgraded version of the earlier lens. In addition to using the twist-action control ring, you can alter the zoom setting in a push-pull fashion. These features make this lens an even more excellent piece of treasure. I make sure that you get the best articles about photography. It's tough to do, especially when photographing moving birds. 2. 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. You will be able to capture all sorts of birds in the perfect frames with these cameras for sure. The first is that the maximum aperture of f/5.6 on the long end doesnt let in as much light as an f/4 or f/2.8 lens, which also makes it harder to use teleconverters. Continuous high-speed photography is achievable through this type of AE control. So get the best lens you can afford, then learn to use . but the lens you're using will quite obviously play an important part of the equation as well. The best lenses for bird photography will help you get close to wildlife and there are great options for every camera mount. 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. Costing $6500, this lens is the cheapest way to reach this focal length. See my detailed Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II Review for more information on this lens. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports, 13. It is about $550 more expensive than the 100-400mm, so why would you get this lens instead? 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 best cameras for bird photography will help ensure that your patience pays off. Nikon has always been a great choice for wildlife shooters. 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. Bird photography is unimaginable without the use of a quality telephoto lens. 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. Read the full Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C review (opens in new tab). Best wide-angle lens for landscapes: NIKON Z 14-24MM f/2.8 S. Best super telephoto lens for wildlife photography: SIGMA 60-600MM F/4.5-6.3. Finally, the Nikon Z 400mm is also 190 g lighter than the 100-400mm, which makes a difference if you are carrying the lens and other equipment all day. A camera that takes high-definition images and comes with a lens for up-close shots of subjects. Sigma is not reporting equivalent focal lengths or f-numbers. The Nikon TC-17E II nor the new Nikon TC-20E III can work but not as reliably. A mixture of zooms and primes, these are the lenses that bring distant subjects closer, filling the frame with birds and animals and making the most of your camera's sensor to capture them in all their gorgeous detail. Neutral Color NC Filter and Circular Polarizing Filter II have been specially crafted for this lens. Nikons 200-500mm f5.6E has carved a space of its own among hobbyist and semi-professional wildlife photographers. You now know how to do the calculation: the 200-500 is the equivalent of 300 mm to a whopping 750 mm. Autofocus is very quick and highly accurate and image quality is excellent overall, although sharpness drops off a little at the longest zoom setting. Nikon budget: Nikon Z50. The main downside of this lens is its 2.3kg weight, which is not very comfortable compared to some lighter options like the 500mm f/5.6PF. Traditionally, 400mm f/2.8 lenses were much more specialized tools, being very heavy and a bit short for smaller wildlife. An eliminated ghosting and flare while shooting backlit or semi-back-lit subjects results from this improved optics capability. Hey Im Peter. Even so, thats rarely a disadvantage for birding, as youre likely to use a zoom lens at its longest available focal length anyway. Nikon has one more wildlife lens on its roadmap: a 200-600mm zoom, which competes directly with the Sony 200-600mm lens. The construction involves 3 ED glass elements, minimizing chromatic aberration and achieving super sharpness. This grouping covers just about every bird-photography situation, from birds at rest to the most challenging erratically flying raptors. But, since you have a crop sensor camera, a lens zooming to 400mm, 500mm or even 600mm would be an option. I have in fact met some people using this lens on a monopod. The autofocus takes a little setting up, and isn't quite as fast as that of rival lenses from Sony and Tamron, but this is still an impressive lens for birding. Has a 20.9MP resolution and records 4K video in ultra-high definition. Do you have any recommendations or questions? The Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary is half the weight of the larger 150-600mm Contemporary lens and just a third of the weight of the Sports edition. The NIKKOR 70-300mm lens functions very well in daylight, but performance notably suffers in low light conditions, so youll want to invest in another lens if you plan to shoot often at nightfall. This lens is great for general wildlife, especially if you often shoot the large kind like moose and bears. This lens is somewhat on the heavy side, although it still can be used handheld, and the vibration reduction reduces camera shake whether you have it on a tripod or are holding it.