Wildlife Photography: Nikon Lenses on a Budget
Being a wildlife photographer is expensive.
In the last year, Nikon has announced several new mirrorless lenses for wildlife photography, such as the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S, Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, all of which cost a minimum of $2699.95.
With so many new expensive Nikon lenses for wildlife photography, it can be overwhelming for wildlife photographers on a lower budget.
In this blog post, I will share 5 lenses for wildlife photographers on a budget. Most importantly, with these lenses, you can still capture beautiful wildlife photos without breaking the bank!
Egyptian goose | Nikon D500 + 200-500 f/5.6 | ISO 2500, 1/250, f/5.6 @ 500mm
Nikon 200-500mm Specifications
Weight: 2300 g/5 lb 1.2 oz
Focal length: 200-500mm
Maximum aperture: f/5.6
Minimum focus distance: 2.2 m/7.22 ft
Image stabilization: Yes
Brand new price: $1,399.95
Used price: $850-1300
At a price of $1,399.95 brand new, the Nikon 200-500 is one of the best deals to get a huge focal range at a relatively affordable price. Compared to its more expensive counterparts of comparable focal length, like the 500 PF or 500 f/4, it is much lighter, making it easier to travel with and use without a tripod.
While there is a trade-off regarding a slower aperture, if you are trying to save money while still getting high-quality photos at 500mm (or 750mm equivalent on a crop sensor), the Nikon 200-500mm makes a lot of sense. That's one of the main reasons I purchased it a few years ago, and it helped me create several of my favourite images, especially of great blue herons.
Sanderling | Nikon D500 + 300 PF + 1.4x TC | ISO 800, 1/4000, f/6.3 @ 420mm
Nikon 300 PF Specifications
Weight: 755 g/1.7 lb
Focal length: 300mm
Maximum aperture: f/4
Minimum focus distance: 1.4 m/4.60 ft
Image stabilization: Yes
Brand new price: $1,999.95
Used price: $1000-1900
As I mentioned in my full review, the Nikon 300 PF is the best portable lens for wildlife photography. It perfectly combines incredible autofocus, sharpness, and focal length in a super-light package you can take anywhere.
In fact, for most of my travels, I pair this little light lens with my Nikon D500, making it an excellent portable package. In addition, if you use it bare, you get a wide f/4 aperture, which helps you shoot longer, in lower light, and at lower ISOs.
Another great thing about it is that if you use a teleconverter, you can extend your reach to 420mm at f/5.6 (and to 630mm if you use a DX camera, too!). This might be one of the best ways to get to more than 600mm in such a small, affordable package. Compare that to the Nikon 600mm f/4E FL ED VR, which costs $12,999.95!
Although the newly launched NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S has tried to give the Nikon 300 PF a good run for its money, the new lens cannot compete with the 300 PF's lower price and compatibility with both F and Z mount cameras.
To learn more about the Nikon 300 PF, check out my full review of this incredible lens.
Greater yellowlegs | Nikon D500 + 70-300mm | ISO 900, 1/500, f/5.6 @ 300mm
Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR Specifications (2006)
Weight: 745 g/26.3 oz
Focal length: 70-300mm
Maximum aperture: f/4.5-5.6
Minimum focus distance: 1.5m / 4.9 ft
Image stabilization: Yes
Brand new price: $499.95
Used price: ~$200-400
NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR AF-P Specifications (2017)
Weight: 680 g/1 lb 8 oz
Focal length: 70-300mm
Maximum aperture: f/4.5-5.6
Minimum focus distance: 1.2 m/ 3.94 ft
Image stabilization: Yes
Brand new price: $599.95
Used price: ~$400-500
The Nikon 70-300mm was my first wildlife photography lens. Over the years, Nikon has released several versions. I began with the older AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, released in 2006, before transitioning to the AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR, which launched in 2017.
This lens has everything for any beginner wildlife photographer on a budget: excellent zoom range, reliable sharpness, and solid autofocus performance. And it combines them in a compact, hand-holdable package at a fantastic price, making it perfect if you hike or often travel for wildlife photography.
I loved zooming out to 70mm to capture environmental portraits and zooming in to 300mm for tighter ones to isolate my subject.
Like all lenses on this list, the 70-300mm pairs excellent with a crop body. I've used it on my D500 and D7500, and it worked great, as well as adding 1.5x reach to get a maximum effective focal length of 450mm.
These lenses are generally similar: they are affordable, lightweight, and have a great zoom range. However, there are a few upgrades to the newer body. One of the main differences is the AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR's AF-P autofocus. Nikon has optimized this new focus system for fast, silent, and more precise autofocus than its predecessor. It is also marginally lighter (680 g vs. 745 g). These upgrades and novelty come at a trade-off; the price.
As of writing this article, Nikon lists the new 70-300 at $599.95 and the older version at $499.95. You can find used versions of either for cheap on websites like Amazon and other second-hand platforms, such as Kijiji, eBay, and Craiglist.
The 70-300mm lenses are the cheapest on this list, meaning they won't shatter any image quality or build quality records. However, making sharp images is more about the photographer than the gear, so there are ways around that. Additionally, if you properly take care of your lens, the build quality won't be a significant impediment.
To learn more about the Nikon 70-300mm, check out my full review of this affordable zoom lens for wildlife photography.
Killdeer | Nikon D700 + 300mm f/4 AF-S | ISO 1400, 1/1000, f/4
Nikon 300mm f/4 AF-S Specifications
Weight: 1,440 g/50.8 oz
Focal length: 300mm
Maximum aperture: f/4
Minimum focus distance: 1.45m / 4.8 ft
Image stabilization: No
Brand new: Discontinued
Used price: ~$400-700
Also known as the AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED, the 300mm f/4 AF-S could be considered the best prime lens for wildlife photography on a budget. It also holds a special place in my heart since it was the first prime I ever got.
It is an ultra-sharp, fast-focusing lens with an aperture of f/4 that will let you shoot longer and in low light. For a hugely discounted price between $400-700, you can get a professional-grade lens that is still lighter than most super-telephoto lenses.
While it may not have the god-level VR of the 200-500 or the featherweight of the 300 PF, you are getting a professional-grade lens (both in build and image quality) that is still lighter than most and cheaper than most super-telephoto lenses.
The lack of VR can be overcome by using a fast shutter speed, tripod, or Z camera, if you have one, like the Z6 or Z9 (since they have in-body image stabilization). The Nikon 300mm f/4 AF-S also pairs well with a 1.4x teleconverter to get more reach when photographing wildlife.
To learn more about the Nikon 300mm f4 AF-S, check out my full review of this incredibly cheap prime lens for wildlife photography.
Buying older and used lenses can save you lots of money
Eastern cottontail | Nikon D500 + 200-500 f/5.6 | ISO 2800, 1/250, f/5.6 @ 200mm
As much as camera brands try to convince you that you need the latest gear to produce excellent images, that’s far from the truth. Whether you want the incredible reach of the Nikon 200-500, the portability of the 300 PF, or the image quality of the Nikon 300mm f/4 AF-S, there are several affordable lens options available to take your wildlife photography to the next level.
Look out for future articles on APC Wildlife Photography for more creative ways to save money with wildlife photography. Until then, happy shooting!
Where to buy
If you are interested in purchasing any of the gear I used to shoot these photos, check out the links below:
Want to become a better wildlife photographer?
If you are interested in learning more about the technical and artistic side of photography to take your photos to the next level, check out these awesome tutorials that can help you take amazing wildlife photos!