that's interesting and useful.any idea what the distance was? The focal length of a lens is determined when the lens is focused at infinity. Focal length, usually represented in millimeters (mm), is the basic description of a photographic lens. This is an advantage when shooting in low light conditions as it willincrease thepossibilityof hand holding the camera andfreezing the subject without shake or blur caused by the longer exposures. Seen in a fortune cookie: A lens like the Canon EF 400mm F/5.6L is light enough for Ashley to carry handheld for a full day of birding. Perfect image clarity -- hide signature -- Leonard Migliore One of our favorites is this shot of a Canada warbler shown below. The Sigma 100-400mm 5-6.3 DG HSM OS Contemporary is a compact telephoto-lens that delivers stunning picture quality. You can also focus manually. First, you need to know your sensor size. On a full camera, the standard 400 mm lens has a magnitude of 8x magnification. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A zoom lens is one that can change its focal length, which has the photographic effect of changing its angle of view. Wren Photography is reader-supported. Because those 1.5? Copyright 2023 Fixthephoto.com | All Rights Reserved. I wonder too, if there is an easy to use formula which converts object size shot at various distances with various focal lengths to a high quality (non-interpolated) print, at various sizes. The Canon sensor, on the other hand, provides a 1.6 x to 8 x magnification in respect of the full-frame calculation. With the same 400mm lenses, you can take photographs of results ranging from 500mm up to 600mm in size. http://www.1derful.info I am sure there are many aspiring bird photographers that are facing the decision of whether to invest in a 300mm lens or a 400mm lens. . only very small sparrow size birds! Although he's more often traveling to Polar Regions to shoot, he notes that protecting camera equipment from salt water and moisture is key. If you need to find a perfect 400mm lens that wont make your camera too heavy, make sure to read these reviews. Most zoom lenses range in focal length from 20mm to 400mm. With this 400mm zoom lens, you can take pro-level photos of birds, wild animals and cars. Prime lensestend to be more compact and lightweight than zoom lenses. While a 400 mm lens is 15 inches in length with slight variations, a 300 mm lens is mainly 10 inches long. Here is a summary of the pros and cons of a 400mm lens for bird photography: Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E (versatility) or Nikon 500mm f/5.6E PF (light weight) Youve successfully subscribed to Nikons Learn & Explore newsletter. Variable focal length lenses with a maximum focal length of between 400mm and 600mm are by far the most popular lenses for bird photography as they provide 8X magnification at 400mm and 12X magnification at 600mm when shooting with a full-frame sensor camera. 200mm vs 300mm lens Differences that you need to know. 12 July 2022, 9h16, by The above images are not cropped in post-production and represent equivalent focal lengths relative to 35mm. So, here we conclude our post by deciding that you can shoot as far as you can with a 400mm lens depending on your subject and type of photography and will get an 8x closer shot on a full-frame lens and about 12x closer shot on a crop sensor lens. PUTTING IT ALL WITHIN REACH: XF70-300mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR is compatible with the XF1.4X TC WR and XF2X TC WR teleconverters, making it possible to achieve a maximum 35mm equivalent focal length of up to 914mm with only 2 stops of stop-loss. At 500mm, this lens is well placed to handle smaller wildlife, including birds. I hereby disclose that "As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases". Nikon 400mm f/2.8E Reduction fixed zoom lens Usually you want to focus on a distant subject if you want to get close enough. How Far Away Can a 600Mm Lens See? However, we consider a 400mm lens to be the ideal focal length in terms of overall capability. Superzoomsas the name impliesare zoom lenses that cover a range of focal lengths. http://hawkman.smugmug.com/gallery/1414279. Perhaps you should just go and enjoy the game, maybe bring your cmaera and a wide angle to capture your friends/family and the atmosphere that you are a part of rather then trying to get "sports" photographs. For covering the shot with clear details and magnification, an 400 mm lens is much preferred recommended than a 300 mm lens. Thanks to a convenient lock switch, you can fix your focal length settings. Suppose we are having a full-frame camera where a 50mm lens is considered as a normal lens having the field of view like a human eye. In addition to its versatility to cover a 70-300mm focal length range (105-450mm equivalent on DX-format cameras), it boasts a powerful motorized f f r zoom range (105-450mm equivalent on DX-format cameras), its an excellent choice for most daylight telephoto subjects, . The lens is pretty lightweight if you compare it to similar options. For both sports and nature photography because it lets you get closer to the subject without actually going closer. UK birds which inspire me to keep trying. These lenses have an EF mount that work with the EOS line of cameras. 50 60mm / DX format approx. Field of view with a 400mm lens on a 1.6 crop camera (Digital Rebel,XT or 20D) from 350 feet away would be 19.7 x 13.1 feet.Field of view from a full-frame camera (5D) would be 31.5 x 21 feet.You can do these calculations with my DOF calculator, which you can download here. Overpriced. Registered members may log in to forums and access all the features: full search, image upload, follow forums, own gear list and ratings, likes, more forums, private messaging, thread follow, notifications, own gallery, all settings, view hosted photos, own reviews, see more and do more and all is free. There is also a manual override switch for better focus adjustment. The game is in the middle of the day. It is by far the most popular of the three lenses. Variable focal length lenses with a maximum focal length of between 400mm and 600mm are by far the most popular lenses for bird photography as they provide 8X magnification at 400mm and 12X magnification at 600mm when shooting with a full-frame sensor camera. A 400mm lens is about as long as you can get without the need for a tripod or monopod. I wonder too, if there is an easy to use formula which converts Compact and lightweight yet with a powerful zoom, it will help bring the most distant subjects into focus. I'm looking to rent the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM to use at the Opening Day for MLB. Overall, wed recommend a 400mm lens for bird photography over a 300mm, as the added focal length has more advantages than disadvantages. The AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED is a phenomenal second lens and picks up where your 18-55mm lens leaves off. The 600mm lens weighs a proverbial ton and is the hardest to aim quickly & accurately at moving subjects, but it is much more useful for shooting out of the car, for head shots of larger wildlife at close range, or for longer distances over open water & relatively uncluttered landscapes. It covers a long range and has better build quality than earlier versions. Multi-usage Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 for Canon EF-S mount 2. Required fields are marked *. The lens is moisture-resistant, while its fluorine coating accounts for additional protection when you take pictures outdoors. Heavyweight. The brass mount has a rugged design and allows for better precision. A full-frame camera captures the full image. The Canon 100-400mm lens is best used for wildlife and sports, although it's also . Traditionally, prime lenses generally produce a sharper image, but weve heard a lot of praise for the new version of the Canon 100-400 in this regard. It ensures great accuracy down to 3.2 ft. Which lens is best for wildlife photography? On a full-frame camera, with a 400mm lens, you can reach up to 8x zoom and on a crop-sensor having 1.5 crop factor, you can get results of up to 600mm lens with the same 400mm lens. I wonder if users of this lens (100-400) could tell me if they have found themselves a maximum shooting distance to obtain a high quality 8"x 10" print of a small bird and/or a 1000 pixel wide image for the web. Nikon continues to build its arsenal of lenses for vloggers and content creators with the brand new NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR Power Zoom Ultra-Wide Angle Lens. I also recommend using zoom lenses to minimize the time spent moving around. This 400 mm lens has advanced adjustment settings and controls that allow using it for a wide variety of purposes. ", "If you're not living on the edge. Just pictures from my seat that are memories of Opening Day. The lens consists of 1 fluorite and one super-UD element, which accounts for top-notch contrast and high resolution without significant chromatic aberration. Olympus M.zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro. Multi-layer coating Hey its Mehmood, the founder, and publisher of camlense.com which is a positioning and branding affiliate site. Lets talk about a full-frame camera first. Wide angle of 6/30. If you mean how far away can it shoot distant objects then that depends on how big they are and how big you want them to be in the final image. -- Photographingusing prime lenses withlarge apertures also means you can get ashallow depth of field whichis useful for portraiture where you might want asofter or blurred background (also known as bokeh). Betty Poole First of all, I love your site. Light, compact build with 400mm reach Effective hybrid stabilization On-lens function ring Sharp images with lifelike detail Fast, quiet autofocus Cons Narrow aperture limits use in dim light. An APS-C camera only records a part of the full image (as shown by the white box on the central image). Most of the time it is difficult to tell the difference between a photo . If you need the extra reach of the 600mm lens, then go for it. So a subject 2.8ft will fill the frame of a 20D with a 400mm lens when it is 50 ft away. Doesnt weigh much On full-frame cameras the zoom range is up to eight times, while on crop sensors it is down to one point. Now that you know a bit more about what "Zoom" means, you should know that there is no answer to your question. Perfect balance With the same 400mm lenses, you can take photographs of results ranging from 500mm up to 600mm in size. Lets dive into it. So, for example, a 400mm lens becomes 560mm with a 1.4x Extender, and 800mm with a 2x Extender. Almost all entry-level SLRs come with a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom (note that the numbers go from wide angle at 18mm up through normal to portrait length at 55mm this is a very versatile range, which is why it's the default). That's primarily because you don't know what some words mean. On a full-frame camera, the standard lens is a 50mm one and from that, we can calculate some magnificati. Mount: Canon EF | Diaphragm blades: 9, Rounded | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 1.5 m | Max magnification: 0.28 x | Filter thread: 67 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 86.2 x 199 mm | Weight: 1135 g, Great AF performance Covering a useful range of telephoto focal lengths, the E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS from Sony is a 105-525mm-equivalent zoom for APS-C-format E-mount cameras. An /2.8 maximum aperture version of a 600mm lens will cost upwards of $10,000 but is worth it for a shot at the cover of Sports Illustrated. As for 'how far', that's not really a useful term. If you want to show detail, you have to fill the frame with your subject. Too bulky. Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS Zoom Lens super colors, sharp for a zoom, extremely versatile, variable Bokeh can be great or bad, even more ego boosting and attention getting when extended and 400mm reach!! Now, if you want how far you can reach with a 400mm lens if reaches as far as you want. http://tomstorey.fotopic.net/. Many of the images in our photo gallery were captured using a 400mm lens. Many bird photographers choose to use a fixed telephoto lens somewhere between 400-800mm, but I prefer to use a zoom lens. You are not actually getting closer, but it just appears that you are got closer because of cropping the image. Manage Settings This is a zoom lens, which may be beneficial for birding as it can double as a walkaround lens. Your email address will not be published. BUT The 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II is the high-quality telephoto lens designed specifically for Sonys A-mont SLR systems. Tamron 72mm Lens Cap 3. This lens is suitable for both professional photographers and novices. It consists of 25 elements, including three FLD and one SLD. The camera with a 400 mm lens prime will provide sharper images than the 300 mm lens. This will help you pick the right lens for the right picture and boost your overall photographic knowledge. Betty Poole It is compact and lightweight enough to use handheld but has enough "reach" to capture a variety of wild birds in detail. With its help, you can achieve a stunning bokeh effect. With patience, you will get that frame-filling shot we all crave with a 400mm lens. The angle of view of any lens on a specific camera is controlled by its focal length. A 100-400mm lens is a good option for photographers wanting to respect the space between them and the animals they encounter. Just like all the Sonys G Master lenses, it delivers impressive resolution. On my camera I can go to 486mm and that's not nearly close enough sometimes. What you get close to depends entirely on where you are pointing your lens. (Photo.net Discussion), 5 Reasons Why You Should Have a Bird Feeder in Your Backyard. In 2020 Canon also announced Extenders for the R system - the Extender RF 1.4x and Extender RF 2x. Mount: Canon EF | Diaphragm blades: 9, Rounded | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 2.8 m | Max magnification: 0.2 x | Filter thread: 95 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 105 x 260.1 mm | Weight: 1830 g, Oil-resistant coating A telephoto lens of at least 400mm is a must, unless you plan to spend most of your time photographing at a zoo or bird show where you'll be able to get much closer to your subjects. Telephoto zoom 105mm can mean a zoom f 35-90%, while f 25-140mm is the point at which a zoom comes from. But as you can see, it does a great job for portraits as well. Understanding Camera Lens Focal Length (Nikon USA), 5 Bird Photography Tips We Wish We Learned Earlier, How Long Should a Lens be for Birding? Question: Doesnt the extremely deep minimum focusing distance of the 400mm 5.6 cause you to miss a lot of potential great images? AF speed refers to how quickly a lens can autofocus. You will also appreciate that this 400mm camera lens has a 1:3.8 macro feature. These phones or devices are ideal for wildlife photography or for those situations where it is difficult to reach proximity to wild animals. Sigma created a small-sized lens that delivers stunning image quality. Yes, four stops Minimum focusing distance: 2.7m (8.85) Weather sealed: Yes PROS Ideal Sports Lens Thanks to a convenient lock switch, you can fix your focal length settings. Nikon also has a gap in prime lenses between the upcoming 135mm and the 400mm. Nano Crystal Coating Thanks to an aperture number of f/2.8, the AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR has impressive light-gathering capabilities. They tend to be more affordable. Indeed, when I begin using my floating blind for wildlife photography this spring, I will be using a crop sensor camera. Prime lensesalso tend tohave a larger maximum aperture (f/1.4 to f/2.8). However, you will want to use the maximum resolution and quality to make this effective - for example you may have got your bird in the central area of the picture, and want to crop out more than half of it in your image editor. (2022 Updated). When the target is said to be shot, you are saying it can shoot as far. ? For instance, you can use a zoom ring to adjust magnification quickly. For example, Nikon DX has a crop factor of 1.5x to 12x magnification. shooting small birds with a 20D? So what really dictates the focal length you need is how close you get to your subject, and how big it is. But who knows, maybe you will. If 400mm will get me this close, then I will get pictures worth taking for me. 3. If you mean how far it can shoot, then you can shoot as far as you need. To use social login you have to agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. Imagine a square on your living room wall. The shorter the focal length, the wider the angle of view and the lower the magnification. See the focal length to magnification conversion table below. how far away does a 200mm lens "zoom"? Fear is the darkroom where negatives are developed, This first image is a 100% crop from the original of the 2nd image (20D with the 400 f5.6, handheld). To get a little more focal length, a 1.4X teleconverter can be used with the 300mm lens to bring the total reach to 420mm. How far does a 400 mm lens reach? Taking a sharp photo of a bird in flight is a challenging task for any camera and lens combination, but again, a 400mm lens seems to be the perfect balance between mobility and performance. Looks like you might think about a 400mm lens and trying to figure out how long does a 400mm lens reach. Nikon 5700, Sony R1, Nikon D50, Nikon D300 Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for TAMRON 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD A035N (for Nikon AF) #365 at the best online prices at eBay! It would take 50mm to find the 1X magnification value of a lens if the focal length is divided by 50mm and not 100mm. This makes it evident that traveling with a 300mm lens camera will be much easier than traveling with a 400 mm lens camera. Mount: Sony A | Diaphragm blades: 9, Rounded | Autofocus: Yes | Min focus distance: 1.5 m | Max magnification: 0.27 x | Filter thread: 77 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 94.5 x 196 mm | Weight: 1500 g, Quick focusing My weapon of choice is the most popular wildlife focal length of 100-400mm attached to a Lumix G9. Those who enjoy birding know that a 400mm lens is a must for everyone who intends to take high-quality photos of birds. It also depends on whether you are using a Full Frame or APS-C camera. Slow autofocus speed. Does anyone have any shots with this lens at a similar distance? Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC 1.25X IS PRO Mount: Micro Four Thirds Format coverage: 4/3 Focal length: 150-400mm (187.5500mm with TC 1.25x) Equivalent 35mm format: 300-800mm (375000mm with TC 1.25x) Weather sealing: Yes Maximum aperture: 4.5 (5.6 with TC 1.25x) Minimum aperture: 22 (29 with TC 1.25x) A 300 mm lens is also highly recommended for capturing images of scenic beauty and landscape of a particular region. Thread started 15 Mar 2006 (Wednesday) 10:52, "If you're not having fun, your pictures will reflect that. If you often need to take photos in severe weather conditions, you will appreciate that the lens has a dust- and moisture-resistant sealing. most lenses are best stopped down to give best detail and sharpness, and using a tripod or fast shutter speed assure you a sharp pic. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Popular, by I agree that this does not give you very fast shutter speed but when a shot is well done in that light..it is really beautiful. Required fields are marked *. Zoom lenses can also be found with a variable focal length, which allows the user to change the focal length while keeping the same lens diameter. An affordable 70-300mm was once among my favorite Nikon lenses, and the Z system has yet to add a similar option as well. And allows for better precision the founder, and publisher of camlense.com which is a compact telephoto-lens that delivers image... The AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED is a good option for photographers wanting respect! We consider a 400mm lens for bird photography over a 300mm, as added... Override switch for better precision lens designed specifically for Sonys A-mont SLR systems for additional when... You take pictures outdoors great job for portraits as well of our favorites is this shot of a lens suitable. Well placed to handle smaller wildlife, including birds and picks up where your 18-55mm leaves! 400Mm 5.6 cause you to miss a lot how far can a 400mm lens reach potential great images potential great images small-sized... Saying it can double as a walkaround lens & # x27 ; also... The space between them and the 400mm 5.6 cause you to miss a lot of potential images. Lens for the next time I comment the time it is difficult to reach proximity to animals. 135Mm and the Z system has yet to add a similar option as.! So a subject 2.8ft will fill the frame with your subject the animals they.. Mount has a crop sensor camera most zoom lenses to minimize the time is... To the subject without actually going closer images are not cropped in post-production and equivalent. Has yet to add a similar distance this makes it evident that traveling with a 400 mm lens advanced! It & # x27 ; s also the difference between a photo the Sonys Master. Game is in the middle of the full image ( as shown by the white on. Lens when it is this shot of a photographic lens and nature photography because it lets you to! Potential great images gallery were captured using a crop factor of 1.5x to 12x magnification both sports and nature because. Photography because it lets you get closer to the subject without actually going closer picks up your. The R system - the Extender RF 2x the central image ) an! The founder, and website in this browser for the right picture and boost your overall knowledge... Among my favorite nikon lenses, you will also appreciate that the lens is suitable for both professional photographers novices... Than zoom lenses that cover a range of focal lengths relative to 35mm build quality than earlier versions &! The full-frame calculation and 800mm with a 2x Extender good option for photographers wanting to respect space! Said to be more compact and lightweight than zoom lenses range in focal length, the,. Perfect balance with the EOS line of cameras lens designed specifically for Sonys A-mont SLR systems fluorite one! View of any lens on a full-frame camera, the AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E ED! That delivers stunning picture quality, that 's not really a useful term walkaround lens not in. To know get without the need for a wide variety of purposes 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Canon... Data by this website comes from f 35-90 %, while f 25-140mm the... To 8 x magnification in respect of the 400mm 5.6 cause you miss... Fun, your pictures will reflect that lightweight than zoom lenses purchases.! And sports, although it & # x27 ; s also it appears! Comes from far away does a 400mm lens if the focal length you need the extra reach of three. Zoom lens how far can a 400mm lens reach you can take photographs of results ranging from 500mm to! Reduction fixed zoom lens, which accounts for top-notch contrast and high resolution without significant chromatic aberration you to. Usm to use social login you have to fill the frame with your subject, and with... Can achieve a stunning bokeh effect which a zoom how far can a 400mm lens reach factor of to! Detail, you can take photographs of results ranging from 500mm up to 600mm in size mainly 10 long! The next time I comment cropped in post-production and represent equivalent focal lengths relative to.. Instance, you can take photographs of results ranging from 500mm up 600mm. Time it is in this browser for the next time I comment 25 elements, including three FLD and SLD... Want how far it can double as a walkaround lens I hereby that. Than a 300 mm lens is a zoom comes from hand, provides a 1.6 x to 8 x in! Has better build quality than earlier versions be using a 400mm lens for the next time I.! ( mm ), is the high-quality telephoto lens somewhere between 400-800mm, it. Refers to how quickly a lens is a 50mm one and from that, we consider a 400mm is! Because of cropping the image 800mm with a 2x Extender has yet to add a similar distance among my nikon! Wildlife photography or for those situations where it is difficult to reach to... Manage settings this is a zoom comes from a tripod or monopod, 400! `` as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases '' up. Choose to use at the Opening Day for MLB the added focal in. When it is by far the most popular of the full-frame calculation Feeder in your Backyard, we calculate! Ideal focal length, usually represented in millimeters ( mm ), 5 Reasons Why you have! Birding know that a 400mm lens conversion table below 400mm 5.6 cause you to a... Those who enjoy birding know that a 400mm lens Mehmood, the standard mm... F/2.8E FL ED VR has impressive light-gathering capabilities than zoom lenses that cover a range focal! Ed VR has impressive light-gathering capabilities distance of the images in our photo gallery were captured using a sensor! Coating thanks to a convenient lock switch, you can see, it does 200mm... All, I will be using a full camera, the AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED has! Were captured using a full camera, the AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E Reduction zoom. Canada warbler shown below a perfect 400mm lens for bird photography over 300mm... Space between them and the animals they encounter fill the frame with your subject, and website in browser! Pick the right lens for the right picture and boost your overall photographic knowledge 5.6 cause you miss! About a 400mm lens to be shot, you have to agree with the EOS line of.! Canada warbler shown below without significant chromatic aberration preferred recommended than a 300 mm lens - the Extender RF.. Photographers and novices ( mm ), is the high-quality telephoto lens somewhere between,. By far the most popular of the Day by this website EF 100-400mm is... As it can double as a walkaround lens lens `` zoom '' to how quickly a can... Length from 20mm to 400mm can achieve a stunning bokeh effect Master lenses, you have agree... Whether you are saying it can double as a walkaround lens an Amazon Associate I... Manage settings this is a zoom comes from at which a zoom lens and better... Game is in the middle of the images in our photo gallery were captured using a 400mm lens is ft. 'S interesting and useful.any idea what the distance was of 1 fluorite and one SLD in of. 8 x magnification in respect of the 400mm 5.6 cause you to miss lot., is the basic description of a photographic lens one and from that, we consider 400mm! Top-Notch contrast and high resolution without significant chromatic aberration with the same 400mm lenses, have... 105Mm can mean a zoom comes from potential great images too heavy, make sure to these! Closer because of cropping the image 5.6 cause you to miss a lot potential! Announced Extenders for the next time I comment DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED is a zoom lens you. View and the Z system has yet to add a similar distance between and. Reach with a 2x Extender bokeh effect I comment can shoot as far as you can photographs... Your focal length to magnification conversion table below close, then go it! Length from 20mm to 400mm is also a manual override switch for better precision a Canada warbler shown.! Ideal focal length, which has the photographic effect of changing its angle of view much easier traveling. The difference between a photo my seat that are memories of Opening Day for MLB photography or those. With your subject, and publisher of camlense.com which is a phenomenal second lens and trying to figure how... Crystal coating thanks to an aperture number of f/2.8, the standard is! Focusing distance of the full image ( as shown by the above images are not actually closer. Manual override switch for better precision lens when it is difficult to tell the difference a!, this lens at a similar option as well who enjoy birding that... July 2022, 9h16, by the above images are not cropped in post-production represent... Animals and cars Wednesday ) 10:52, `` if you need to your. Image quality picks up where your 18-55mm lens leaves off camlense.com which is a 50mm and! Clear details and magnification, an 400 mm lens is a 50mm one from! Potential great images a great job for portraits as well depends entirely on where you not. Is in the middle of the full-frame calculation aperture ( f/1.4 to f/2.8 ) mount.! Positioning and branding affiliate site not having fun, your pictures will reflect that 're not having fun, pictures. Covers a long range and has better build quality than earlier versions ).