5 things Nikon has given to the world of… NATURE & WILDLIFE

Get the great outdoors closer

Nik on D500

Like a mini D5, complete with the flagship FX camera’s 153-point Multi-CAM 20K autofocus sensor module. The D500’s advantage it that it has a smaller DX sensor, so the area covered by the autofocus sensor stretches right to the edge of the frame.

AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR

Launched in 2013, this VR-enabled 800mm came supplied with a dedicated 1.25x teleconverter, bringing it up to an effective focal length of 1000mm. It includes fluorite elements adopted for ‘superior’ chromatic aberration compensation.

DX crop mode

With a Nikon FX DSLR you can switch to DX crop mode and give yourself extra reach thanks to the 1.5x crop factor, all without affecting the maximum aperture – so a 300mm f/4 gives you the angle of view equivalent to a 450mm f/4. Yes, you lose resolution, but you gain frame-filling impact.

Bin oculars and scopes

Nikon has been involved in the manufacture of binoculars since 1921, with the Mikron 4x and 6x ultra-small-prism binoculars. Its latest WX Series (above) might be aimed more at stargazers than starling spotters, but the optical quality continues to shine.

Creative Lighting System

Whether shooting close-ups of critters, a hummingbird in flight or setting up a camera trap in your back garden, Nikon’s Creative Lighting System makes off-camera flash work clutter-free and painless.