When it comes to wildlife photography with Nikon cameras, the choice of lenses is crucial for capturing stunning shots of nature and wildlife.
Wildlife photography often requires long focal lengths to capture distant subjects, whether it’s birds in flight or wildlife in their natural habitats. Unlike other photography genres where budget-friendly lenses may suffice, wildlife photography demands high-quality telephoto lenses with wide apertures. These lenses come at a premium price, with entry-level options ranging from $500 to $1,500, and top-quality, long-reach lenses commanding prices exceeding $10,000.
Undoubtedly, wildlife photography can be an expensive pursuit, especially when considering the cost of camera gear and travel expenses. However, there are still excellent lens options that provide good value for wildlife enthusiasts.
Wildlife photography is a challenging yet highly rewarding genre, requiring specialized equipment to capture the beauty of nature’s creatures. With the introduction of Nikon’s Z-series mirrorless cameras, Nikon has also released a range of high-quality lenses tailored for wildlife photography.
In this article, we will explore some of the top-rated Nikon lenses that are ideal for capturing stunning wildlife images.
5 Top-Rated Nikon Z Lenses for Wildlife Photography
1. Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is a versatile telephoto zoom lens known for its exceptional image quality, fast aperture, and optical stabilization.
It allows you to get up close to wildlife subjects while maintaining a wide aperture for creative control. The lens’s advanced optics and sharpness make it an excellent choice for capturing wildlife in various environments.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is a professional-grade telephoto zoom lens designed for Nikon’s Z mount mirrorless cameras. This lens offers a versatile focal range of 70–200mm with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture, making it suitable for various photography scenarios.
Key features of this lens include:
- Exceptional optical performance with outstanding sharpness and contrast across the entire frame.
- Smooth, fast, and silent autofocus for both photography and videography.
- Virtually eliminated focus breathing for video recording, providing consistent framing throughout scenes.
- Stable aperture control that ensures natural exposure changes during video recording.
- An OLED lens information panel that displays essential details like aperture, focus distance, exact focal length, ISO, and depth of field directly on the lens.
- An Fn (Function) button that allows you to assign up to 21 different functions, such as AF lock, metering, bracketing, and more, for quick access.
This lens is an excellent choice for professional photographers and videographers who demand top-tier image quality, reliability, and versatility in a telephoto zoom lens. It is well-suited for capturing a wide range of subjects, including wildlife, sports, portraits, and more.
2. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 300mm f/2.8 VR S is a prime telephoto lens that delivers outstanding results in wildlife photography. Its fast f/2.8 aperture, combined with advanced optical elements, produces stunning image quality and sharpness.
This lens offers remarkable subject isolation, making it perfect for capturing wildlife portraits with beautiful background bokeh.
The Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED Vibration Reduction II is a high-performance fixed zoom lens designed for Nikon DSLR cameras with the FX (full-frame) mount. This lens is engineered to deliver professional telephoto performance and is particularly well-suited for various photographic applications.
Key features of this lens include:
- The wide aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and precise control over depth of field, making it ideal for various shooting conditions.
- This lens features Nikon’s VR II technology, providing image stabilization that is optimized for this specific lens, reducing the effects of camera shake and ensuring sharp images.
- The Nano Crystal Coat is designed to minimize ghosting and internal flare, contributing to improved image clarity and contrast.
- These ED elements are integrated into the lens construction to effectively reduce chromatic aberration, resulting in superior sharpness and color accuracy.
- The lens virtually eliminates coma and other optical aberrations, which helps maintain image integrity and quality.
This lens is well-regarded for its optical performance, particularly for telephoto and super telephoto photography. Its fast aperture, image stabilization, and advanced lens coatings make it a valuable tool for professional photographers who require precision and image quality in various shooting scenarios.
3. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR
For wildlife photographers who prefer versatility, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR is an excellent all-in-one solution. This lens covers a broad focal range, allowing you to adapt to different wildlife scenarios. While not as fast as prime lenses, it offers reliable image stabilization and optical quality that ensures impressive results.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm VR is a versatile all-in-one telephoto zoom lens designed for Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras. This lens provides a wide focal length range from 24mm for wide-angle shots to 200mm for telephoto capture, making it a convenient choice for various photographic situations.
Key features of this lens include:
- The lens incorporates advanced Nikon technologies, including Aspherical Lens Elements, Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Glass Elements, ARNEO Coat, and Fluorine Coat, to ensure high optical performance and image quality.
- The lens is equipped with Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization, which helps reduce the effects of camera shake, allowing for sharper handheld shots, especially at longer focal lengths.
- The lens features a control ring that allows photographers to make quick and quiet adjustments to essential camera settings. This control ring offers flexibility and customization.
- The lens provides an optical zoom range of 8.3x, enabling users to frame their subjects effectively, whether it’s a wide-angle landscape or a distant subject.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm VR is a compact and practical choice for Z series mirrorless camera users who desire a single, versatile lens for a wide range of photography, from landscapes to telephoto subjects. Its combination of advanced optics and image stabilization makes it a well-rounded option for various shooting scenarios.
4. Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is a lightweight and compact telephoto zoom lens, making it a great choice for wildlife photographers on the move. Its excellent optical performance, including built-in optical vibration reduction (VR), provides sharp images even at long focal lengths. The lens’s range is well-suited for capturing wildlife at a distance.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm VR S is a premium telephoto zoom lens designed for Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras. This versatile lens offers exceptional performance and is compatible with teleconverters, extending its reach without compromising image quality.
Key features of this lens include:
- The lens is compatible with both FX and DX format Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras. On an FX format camera, it provides a focal range of 100mm to 400mm, while on a DX format camera, it extends from 150mm to 600mm.
- The lens is equipped with Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, providing up to 5.5 stops of compensation. The VR function achieves 5-axis stabilization on full-frame Z cameras like Z 5, Z 6, Z 6II, Z 7, or Z 7II, and 2-axis optical VR on DX-format cameras like Z 50 or Z fc. This feature helps reduce the effects of camera shake and allows for sharper images, especially at longer focal lengths.
- The lens features two high-speed STM (Stepping Motor) focusing motors that work silently and efficiently, ensuring close focusing, edge-to-edge sharpness, and minimal color bleeding or focus breathing.
- The NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is compatible with Nikon’s 1.4x and 2x Z series teleconverters. This compatibility allows photographers to extend the lens’s reach to 560mm or 800mm with remarkable resolution, no loss of focus points, and minimal additional weight or length.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm VR S is an excellent choice for photographers who require a versatile telephoto zoom lens with image stabilization. Its compatibility with teleconverters further enhances its range, making it suitable for various shooting scenarios, from wildlife photography to sports and more.
5. Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S
While not a typical wildlife lens, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S offers a unique perspective for wildlife photography. Its wide aperture and beautiful bokeh make it an excellent choice for capturing wildlife portraits and details. The lens’s exceptional sharpness ensures that your subjects are the center of attention.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S is a premium portrait prime lens designed for Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras. This lens is known for its wide aperture and exceptional optical performance, making it an excellent choice for portrait photography.
Key features of this lens include:
- The lens offers an 85mm focal length and a wide maximum aperture of f/1.8. This wide aperture allows for excellent background blur (bokeh) and is ideal for achieving a shallow depth of field, which is desirable in portrait photography.
- The lens features two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements that help minimize chromatic aberrations and improve overall image quality. It also includes a Nano Crystal coating, which reduces lens flare and ghosting, resulting in lifelike and accurate images.
- The lens is designed to be durable and resilient. It is dust and drip-resistant and features extensive sealing to protect against dust and moisture. This makes it suitable for outdoor shooting in various conditions.
- The lens has a customizable control ring that allows you to adjust various camera settings quickly and easily, adding to the lens’s versatility.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S is an excellent choice for portrait photographers who value high-quality optics and the creative possibilities offered by a wide aperture. Its construction and optical features make it a reliable and versatile tool for capturing stunning portraits with beautiful background blur.
Conclusion
Nikon lenses for wildlife photography offer a wide range of options to suit your specific needs. Whether you prefer prime or zoom lenses, fast apertures for low-light conditions, or versatility in focal lengths, Nikon has you covered. These top-rated Nikon Z lenses will help you capture breathtaking wildlife images and elevate your skills as a wildlife photographer.
