I Only Photographed Birds at 135mm, Here’s What I Learned

For a month I decided to only use a 135mm 1.8 to capture birds. The results were incredible. Switching up your lens to something out of the ordinary can yield great and unique results.
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#wildlifephotography #birdphotography #sigma135mm

[@Jonathantuba]

Having just ordered a Sony 135mm F1.8 lens in Black Friday sale, this video gives me inspiration to take out wildlife shooting

[@JeremyNeipp]

That’s awesome! Great timing 😎

[@heinsj24]

I love the look of the images from the 135mm. I really like seeing more of the environment that the birds are found in. Great job getting so close.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Same! It’s super refreshing seeing the environments 🙌🏻

[@Wildridefilms]

Stunning shots once again! You never fail to impress, Jeremy. It is a great skill to shoot wildlife at these shorter focal lengths as it means you have to be very good at composition, since you'll get a lot of background in frame and usually not have ultra shallow DOF to hide it, although your sigma 135mm made it a bit easier as it gets very close to the DOF as your other zoom lens. Additionaly, you also need to get close to very shy birds, which is extremely difficult. Truly commendable work.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Thanks so much for the kind compliments! :) it was an incredibly fun lens to use and a new challenge for me.

[@cameraprepper7938]

I do not know the Sigma 135mm 1.8 Lens, but I do have the excellent Sony 135mm 1.8 GM, which if you need to can crop a lot from a 61 megapixels sensor, I have sometimes cropped to an image that is 300+mm equivalent and it still look very good. I like bird and wildlife images where you can see the surroundings where the bird/animal are.

[@JeremyNeipp]

That’s awesome! Very similar experience over here 🙌🏻

[@David_Quinn_Photography]

sometimes environmental photos are better than portrait photos, I have been using my 24-105 more and recently had a reflection photo of a deer taking a sip of water in a scene of the creek running through the bottom 3rd of the photo and woods covering the top 3rds.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Agreed! Great to hear your experience 😎

[@KurtisPape]

I recently went a large bird aviary, it made me realise how easy I could get close up shots of native species with still some greenery around, it really showed the importance of shooting wider to capture the bird in context.

[@JeremyNeipp]

That’s interesting! Yea going wide forces a lot more things to line up in your photo to be good

[@Kellysher]

I think this is a great exercise to do, to give yourself a challenge in order to see things differently. Mallards are common here, but I never get tired of shooting them. I’ve only got 1 lens RF 100-500. But I may try this for a fresh perspective.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Yea I’d definitely encourage doing something like this as a fresh perspective change! Helps challenge you creatively and get you excited in a new way ☺️

[@paullanoue5228]

I switch lenses all the time. On an APS C sensor I use a 100-500mm, 70-200, and a 600 prime. I find it keeps things fresh. I also use the same lenses occasionally on a full frame body for a different perspective.

[@JeremyNeipp]

That’s awesome! I love how you’re switching it up constantly 🙌🏻

[@fellowcitizen]

Excellent!

[@bwss101]

Amazing shots, who knew wildlife photos could look so artistic 🔥

[@JeremyNeipp]

Thank you! 😍

[@luzr6613]

That was cool. The environmental context makes a really pleasing alternative to the interminable whatever of high-res close-ups. I don't typically shoot wildlife as a subject - i have landscape-oriented gear - but you've inspired me to break out the 1972 SMC-Takumar 135 f/2.5, assuming it's not rusted onto the mount of the Spotmatic, of course. All the best... look forward to your next adventure! Cheers from New Zealand.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Most definitely, it’s been a refreshing change of scenery quite literally through the lens. Sounds like a fun piece of lens you have to bring back out 😎

[@luzr6613]

@@JeremyNeipp You're seeing what people without articulating screens never even dream about! More seriously, i think it's an important approach to be taking, and i applaud you for that. It's complicated by the familiar exhortation to 'simplify'... which is fine in the right place, but if we put aside the primacy of aesthetics in photography and shine a light on context - on environment and ecology - then we have images that are usually more complex but far more vital. Etc, but i won't! Anyway... i' expecting some more inspiration from you as i'm new to chasing birds. Have fun.

[@_systemd]

U need 840 and luck for ducks here, and 1200 and camping in a camo tent for 3 days for a goose.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Haha what region are you located?

[@TheApostateTapir]

Brutal. I use 210mm on an APS-C and really can't wait to get a 400mm lens. 135mm on full frame would drive me up the wall.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Haha, it's a challenge! But it's also very different using a 1.8 prime vs. a kit lens at those focal lengths for example, so definitely a factor to consider.

[@GiuseppeGessa]

Great video Jeremy, really interesting. I liked how you used a focal lenght like that, not easy at all, so well done!!

[@JeremyNeipp]

Thank you!! It’s been awesome switching up with this lens! ☺️

[@TKnat.]

Great framing 2:16 - looks really fun to take some pictures with that focal length ;)

[@stevesvanderpool8653]

Portrait photographers already know about the 135s. I'm inspired to use mine like this!

[@JeremyNeipp]

Awesome! Yea I love this length, looks amazing ☺️

[@australiannatureexplorerhe9938]

Great video Jeremy. Inspiring how you keep challenging yourself!

[@JeremyNeipp]

Thank you! ☺️ always trying to learn!

[@ryancooper3629]

I have the same Sigma 135 for portrait work and have never considered using it for wildlife. Very nice work. though I'm amazed you didn't get frustrated by how slow it focuses. Thats what would keep me from taking it out for wildlife. Insanely sharp lens though.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Thank you! 🙌🏻😎 I actually manually focused for almost the entire time so I didn’t even really notice it. Really is crazy sharp!

[@przybylskipawel]

Great stuff! I am so glad I recently bought this lens. Can't wait to lay my hands on it!

[@JeremyNeipp]

That’s great you already got it! It’s a challenge but I think you’ll love it 🙌🏻

[@przybylskipawel]

@@JeremyNeipp I intended to use it for portraits but you have inspired me ;) I will have it EF adapted onto my R5 but I believe it will perform equally well.

[@JeremyNeipp]

@@przybylskipawel agreed, like I said, you'll most likely have to MF a lot anyways with the subjects so small in frame. So an adapter should be virtually identical

[@dirkziegler9580]

Really nice shots. Interesting video. Thanks.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Thank you!

[@jonspoard8416]

Your composition is spot on.

[@JeremyNeipp]

😎🙌🏻

[@malonipastroni395]

cropping in makes it not 135, but those are amazing photos, good job

[@dandaninglis]

I've never used the Sigma but I have the Sony 135mm 1.8 and feel the same as you, this is the sharpest lens I've ever used. No issues cropping in at all. I love carrying the 135 if I'm going for a walk in the park or something like that. So much lighter than a larger telephoto or even a 70-200, you don't get as many funny looks either 😆

[@JeremyNeipp]

It's incredible how sharp this thing is. And you're totally right, you don't attract attention in the same way lol

[@karikaru]

Really cool shots! Have you tried out the lumix 70-300?

[@JeremyNeipp]

I haven’t! Thank you though 🙌🏻

[@davelawery4811]

Very interesting, seems to be a forgotten focal length for anything else but Portraits. Benefit in not have to lug around a Fast Giant? Keep Well & Stay Safe 👍🇬🇧

[@JeremyNeipp]

Most definitely, part of what I love about it is the unique perspective for wildlife photos 🙌🏻

[@alexandermatos186]

Game changer! ufff... I guess that I'm going to start saving up. lol

[@JeremyNeipp]

Lol 😂

[@australiannatureexplorerhe9938]

Who else spotted the jumping squirrel around 2:04 in the background?

[@TheTensecondz]

Wouldn't 70-200mm produce the images with similar effects with versatility?

[@JeremyNeipp]

The part that makes this lens most unique from a 70-200 for example is the 1.8 (which the lowest 70-200 that exists is a 2.8) and the glass quality. Both those two factors offer “better” shots, but you do lose a little more versatility of course.

[@gavthane]

@@JeremyNeippin terms of light gathering and compression, o agree. But in terms of how shallow the depth of field is, surely the look of 200mm at 2.8 would roughly equate to the look of 135mm at 1.8 in terms of depth of field?

[@JeremyNeipp]

@@gavthaneI actually did the math before, and at 200mm 2.8 and 135mm 1.8 cropped to a 200mm equiv are pretty negligible in difference. But if you back out with that 70-200mm on your focal length you’ll start to notice a pretty significant difference. As mentioned, it is 4 1/3rd stops less at 1.8 compared to 2.8, which is more than it sounds like. But, each photographer may see the value of DOF differently, so this is just my perspective ☺️

[@ryancooper3629]

Imo the biggest difference you will notice is just how much better image quality the 135 prime delivers. Not just because its an incredible prime. (plenty of 70-200s are nearly as sharp) but also because you will be 2/3 of a stop lower ISO as compared to shooting the 200@2.8.

[@TheTensecondz]

Yeah.. When I tested my 135mm@1.8 and 200mm@2.8, I could not really see much difference on image look other than bit of difference on field of view.@@ryancooper3629

[@Ericbjohnston5150]

One can of they work for it could use a 50 mm for wildlife. I watch a youtuber who has a camp in the woods. He sits in his lawnchair and the birds and animals come up and perch on his hand or really close. Just get the wildlife used to you.

[@WildExposures]

Zoo