Photographing birds is an interesting challenge that can be a lot of fun. For people who already love birding, it can be a deeply satisfying experience. Identifying birds, photographing unusual species or behavior, and capturing just the right moment is endlessly rewarding. However, bird photography comes with some unique difficulties as well.
If you have a bird photographer in your life and are looking for the best gift, you have great options to choose from in equipment that they will likely love but probably don’t have. Be sure to also check out our article on the best accessories for wildlife photographers as well. These photography tools can make a huge difference in a bird photographer’s experience. Let’s get in to it!
1) BINOCULARS
When you’re thinking of buying lenses for a photographer, you’re probably thinking about camera lenses. However, bird photographers also need a good set of binoculars.
Binoculars allow bird photographers to quickly scan for subjects before even touching their heavy camera and telephoto lens. It can be difficult to scan for subjects heavy telephoto lens setup if they are constantly moving around.
Here’s what to look for in the best binoculars for birding:
Here’s what to look for in the best binoculars for birding:
Wide Field of View and a Clear Picture
Birders will be scanning for their subjects, so you want binoculars that offer a very wide range of view so that you can catch a glimpse of birds even out of the corner of your eye. Sometimes you’ll be looking for a specific subject among a bunch of fluttering birds.
This is especially common when birds of different species flock together. Therefore, having a very clear picture so that you can identify subtle differences between birds and identify the right subject is important.
Weather Tough
Bird photographers need binoculars that can hold up to a variety of weather conditions. Sometimes the best time to photograph birds is in light rain or cloudy conditions, so bird photographers need binoculars that they don’t have to worry about in any conditions.
You’ll also find binoculars that have a non-slip grip come in handy so that you’ll be able to hold on to them easily even if they get wet.
Easy on the Eyes
A bird photographer may use their binoculars very extensively during a shoot. You may constantly scan an area looking for birds to arrive. Shooting from slow-moving vehicles or boats requires you to keep your binoculars trained on the moving scenery, looking for subjects. Here are some features of binoculars that won’t burden the photographer’s eyes.
- Multi-layer coatings can make it easier for light to transmit through the binoculars and prevent a reduction in clarity. This especially helps if photographers wear glasses.
- Easily adjustable eyecups enable a custom fit so that all light is blocked except for the light coming from the binoculars, which enables you to keep your eyes wide open and have a clear view without any eye strain.
- Low-light clarity. Many birds are most active at dawn and dusk, so it is essential to choose binoculars that offer superb clarity even in very low-light conditions. Low dispersion lenses reduce any disruption of the view, even in low-light conditions or when colors tend to blend together.
Lightweight
Bird photographers have enough weight to carry with their telephoto lenses. They are not likely to appreciate any binoculars that add a lot of extra weight. A balance between durability and weight is essential in dedicated birding binoculars.
Easy to Focus
Birders are constantly needing to readjust focus as fast-moving birds fly around. It would be frustrating to have to move the binoculars away from your eyes to find the focusing knob. A centered and textured focus knob makes it extremely easy for you to keep your subject in focus for accurate ID.
Our Picks
Nikon Prostaff 3s Binocular
Nikon Monarch 5 Binocular
2) LENS CAMOUFLAGE
Some of the most desirable subjects for bird photography can be the most difficult to approach within a near enough distance to take photographs without startling them. Camouflage allows for photographers to position themselves and keeps birds from seeing them even as they approach quite near. Lens camouflage may also have some other important functions for the photographer:
Water Protection
You will pay a lot more for the same quality long lens that has weather protection as one that does not. Therefore, a bird photographer can save a lot of money by choosing a cover that is waterproof rather than investing in weatherproof lenses or camera bodies. Choose a lens camouflage cover that can also protect your lens from salt spray, sand, snow, and of course rain.
Access to Controls
You still need to be able to use your camera easily when you have the camouflage cover on, so make sure that it gives you full access to any controls that you need on the lens and the body of the camera.
Quick On And Off
You want to be able to quickly camouflage your camera or shield it from the weather without having to worry about a lot of adjustments. Quick cinch straps make it easy to snugly fit a cover around your camera. These straps are versatile for various lens lengths while still enabling a comfortable and snug fit.
Our Pick:
LensCoat Raincoat RS for Camera and Lens
3) TRIPOD GIMBAL HEAD
Bird photographers rely on long lenses to get full-frame shots of faraway subjects. However, handling and photographing with a very long lens can be a challenge, especially in the low light conditions in which birders so often find themselves.
Therefore, a tripod is essential to get a clear, balanced shot. However, bird photographers may find themselves constantly having to reposition the tripod as they try to get birds in flight.
This is where the tripod gimbal head comes in handy. This head is a perfect solution, enabling you to move even a very heavy lens effortlessly without having to worry about the lens dropping under its own weight.
As an added advantage, your camera will go back to a level position when you release it, so it’ll always be ready to go. Here are some important features to look for in a tripod gimbal head:
Rugged Design
Bird photographers using their tripod in rough conditions need a gimbal head that can hold up to the weather. Furthermore, gimbal heads tend to get a lot of abuse as they are swiveling rapidly around, so you need one with a decent weight rating.
360-Degree Pan
The purpose of the gimbal head is to allow you to freely pan and tilt while you get your shots without moving the tripod. Ensure whichever gimbal head you go with can rotate a full 360 degrees. It should be able to cover the entire range of movement smoothly, without any jerkiness or resistance.
Quick-Release Plate
For the moments when the flock suddenly moves and you see the perfect shot a short distance away, you don’t want to have to struggle with your equipment. You want a quick release that enables you to get your camera off the tripod and switch lenses or reposition as necessary.
Quick and Precise Positioning
When set up correctly, gimbal heads enable you to move the camera fluidly with even a very long, heavy lens. However, sometimes it takes some adjusting to get the right center of gravity for your lens and camera. The best gimbal heads have precise gravity positioning to make adjusting your camera on the tripod and getting the shot quick and easy.
Our Picks
Wimberley WH-200 Wimberley Gimbal Head II
Neewer Professional Panoramic Gimbal Tripod Head
4) FIELD GUIDE
Even the most enthusiastic and experienced bird photographer will occasionally come upon a species they don’t recognize, making a field guide an essential part of every bird photographer’s kit. You want a field guide that covers all of the species likely to be found in your geographic area, as well as maps to indicate where they may be found. Here are a few more essential elements of a good bird photographer’s field guide:
Hand-Painted Illustrations
Illustrations are much more useful for bird identification than photographs. Every bird has some small variations among individuals, so an illustration that shows the important identifying characteristics of each species is extremely important for accurate ID.
Vetted by Birding Experts
You want a book that is designed for bird enthusiasts. Choosing a field guide that reflects taxonomy from the American Ornithological Society makes it more likely that the information presented will be easy to read and ID’s will be clear.
Subspecies Maps
You don’t just want to know where birds tend to occur, you want to know how likely it is that you’re seeing one subspecies versus another based on where you are. Accurate subspecies maps make it easier to make accurate identifications.
Our Pick for North America
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 7th Edition
5) TELECONVERTERS
Bird photography is all about trying to get as close to the subject as possible and get as close as you can. Teleconverters are a superb way to provide more magnification without needing a bigger lens.
It can be very difficult to travel with very long telephoto lenses and balance them, so a teleconverter is a superb option for bird photographers that want more magnification without a much more expensive lens and without having to carry a larger, higher focal length lens with them. Things to consider when shopping for teleconverters:
Exposure Loss
All teleconverters reduce the amount of light that your camera can take in, meaning that you’ll need to shoot at a higher exposure to get the same image. There’s nothing you can do to eliminate this limitation entirely, but you want to choose a teleconverter that reduces your exposure loss as much as possible. Don’t consider a teleconverter that causes you to lose more than a stop in exposure.
Maintain Image Stabilization
The teleconverter fits between your lens and the camera body, so it’s important that it does not interfere with features that you already have such as image stabilization. Keep in mind that teleconverters can affect autofocus performance. For the most seamless autofocus experience, we recommend matching your telelconverter to your lens’ and brand.
Weather Resistance
Bird photographers typically cover their lens with a waterproof cover in heavy weather, but there are many times when you may want to keep shooting in light weather without having to put a cover on your camera. A teleconverter with weather protection can help you shoot longer in light weather, worry free if the rest of your gear is weatherproof as well.
Magnification
Naturally, you don’t want to invest in a teleconverter that doesn’t give you the desired reach. The common teleconverter magnifications are 1.4x and 2.0x, offering you significant magnification without needing a longer lens.
Our Picks:
Canon EF Mount
1.4x Canon Mount
2.0x Canon Mount
Sony FE Mount
1.4x Sony Mount
2.0x Sony Mount
Nikon F Mount
1.4x Nikon Mount
2.0x Nikon Mount
6) TELEPHOTO LENS BACKPACK
One thing every bird photographer needs is a backpack in which to lug around their equipment. The combination of rough terrain and long lenses can make for quite a burden for the average bird photographer. A good backpack allows a bird photographer to bring all of their equipment without a hassle.
Attached Lens and Body
A bird photographer needs as few steps between taking out the camera and getting the shot as possible. Therefore, the best backpacks enable the lens and body to be put into the backpack while still attached, enabling a quick grab to avoid missing the shot.
Tripod Storage
Bird photographers often rely on tripods, so the backpack you choose should have an easy place to attach one. It’s best that the tripod be attached on the outside where it can quickly and easily be detached and attached to the camera.
Weather Resistance
Bird photographers often find themselves working in inclement conditions. Backpacks that can protect delicate lenses and camera equipment from the weather is extremely important.
Versatility
Movable padded dividers let you carry the lenses that you need along with a couple of camera bodies, either attached or detached from lenses. There should also be organization provided for micro SD cards, extra batteries, Etc.
Comfort
Bird photographers often need to wear their backpacks and carry a lot of heavy equipment over very long distances. A backpack that offers comfortable features like padding and sternum support as well as a cooling air mesh layer can make the difference between a difficult trek and a pleasant photography expedition.
Our Picks
Think Tank Photo StreetWalker HardDrive V2.0 Backpack
Think Tank Photo Glass Limo Backpack
If you want more backpack recommendations, check out our article dedicated to the best backpacks for wildlife photographers here.
7) FAST MEMORY
Bird photographers often shoot at a rapid frame rate, so a memory card needs to keep up. A fast card is especially important for bird photography, where long periods of patience are followed by sudden action.
Speed
You want a memory card with the fastest write speed that your camera can support. Each camera may have slightly different results for various memory cards, so it’s not a bad idea to test a couple of different memory cards on the camera to see which one is the fastest.
Type of Card
Not every camera works well with every card, so choose the right kind of memory card for your gift recipient’s camera. It’s not a bad idea to check reviews and forum results for the specific camera to see what kinds of cards have tended to work best for it.
Durable
Your SD card needs to hold up to at least as much as your camera can. Ideally, it will be even tougher, so you don’t have to worry about your SD card when you store it before uploading it onto your computer.
Look for a card that can handle varying temperatures, water, and shocks. If you’ll be going through the airport, it’s not a bad idea to choose a version that also can go through X-ray machines.
Support
Well-made memory card should have a limited lifetime warranty and support for users. You are trusting a lot to the memory card, so you want to feel well supported by the company.
Our Picks
SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card
SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card
Wrap-up
If you have a bird photographer in your life, items on this list can be an extremely helpful gift. Bird photography is an exciting and unique area of wildlife photography that requires specialized tools as well as skills to do well. The right tools can make the difference in one’s success and enjoyment in the rewarding field of bird photography.
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