Whether photographing in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem or photographing birds, having the right lens makes all the difference.
As digital lenses become more attainable for the public, wildlife photography has gained popularity amongst photographers, and for good reason. Capturing wildlife in a unique moment can be one of the most rewarding feelings. So, what better way to share the moment than to capture a photo?
In this guide, we’ll cover the best wildlife photography lenses for every kind of photographer.
What is the best lens for wildlife photography?
Zoom and prime lenses both offer pros and cons when it comes to wildlife photography. On one hand, zoom lenses are more versatile, allowing you to quickly and easily change the focal length. Zoom lenses are also usually cheaper, so they can be ideal for photographers on a budget.
While prime lenses lack versatility, they usually have much greater maximum apertures, ideal for low-light situations. Also, prime lenses are made of fewer internal elements, resulting in sharper images.
Neither lens is better or worse for wildlife photography. Ultimately, the preference comes down to the photographer.
Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography
Best Lens for Canon: Canon RF 600mm f/4 IS USM Lens
This lens is one of Canon’s most popular choices for wildlife photographers. It boasts a perfect focal length of 600mm and a maximum aperture of f/4. Compared to most zoom lenses, this gives more than a full stop of extra light. Therefore, less noise in your wildlife photos.
Best Lens for Mirrorless Canon Cameras: Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens
For Canon mirrorless RF mount camera users, the 100-500mm was released in September 2020 to fit Canon mirrorless cameras exclusively. Combined with Canon’s lightning-fast autofocus, this lens is ideal for fast-moving subjects when focus is required in a heartbeat.
Best Lens for Nikon: Nikon 600mm f/4E Lens
This Nikon F mount lens is one of the best lenses for wildlife photography. 600mm is an excellent choice for most subjects, including those that are further away. Additionally, f/4 is ideal for capturing the maximum amount of light and background blur.
Nikon designed this lens to reduce the weight to a minimum. So, you can take it easy on longer days of shooting.
Nikon Mirrorless Choice: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR Lens
Specifically designed for Nikon mirrorless cameras, this covers a wide range that can be used for any kind of wildlife. Additionally, should you need more range, this lens is compatible with z-series teleconverters. Go forth and reach focal lengths of up to 1200mm!
Best Lens for Sony – Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS
Like the other major brands, Sony also has a 600mm f/4 lens that can produce spectacular images. Once again, the maximum f/4 aperture is excellent for wildlife, and 600mm is the perfect focal length for various subjects.
Budget Option (Sony/Nikon) – Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Lens
Tamron has released numerous new lenses for Sony, Nikon, and Canon over the past few years. Out of all of them, the 150-500mm remains one of the most popular for both Sony and Nikon shooters. It is cheaper than other lenses on this list but still offers fantastic optical quality. Plus, a maximum aperture of f/5 at 150mm!
Budget Option (Canon/Nikon) – Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens
One of the few 10x optical zoom lenses in the world, this Sigma lens is perfect for photographers who want to capture subjects at all different focal lengths. It can even be used for macro photography with a minimum focusing distance of 60cm or 23.6 inches on the wide end. Not many lenses can genuinely match the versatility of the Sigma 60-600mm.
Best Superzoom – Canon RF 1200mm f/8 Lens
If you need to capture a subject that you anticipate to be very far away, or you want a tight, detailed shot, look no further than this 1200mm lens from Canon. And if you need even more range, you can combine it with the Canon RF 2x Teleconverter for a whopping 2400mm focal length. This lens is going to be far more than most wildlife photographers need, but it is an option for those who want to stay far away from their subject.
FAQs
What Focal Length is Best for Wildlife Photography?
The answer to this question truly depends on the subject you want to photograph. More focal length is generally better for predators like wolves, bears, tigers, and rhinos since you have to stay further away from your subject. Most photographers find 600mm to be a perfect focal length for these situations. Having at least 300mm for birding is recommended, but more is usually better in these situations.
Again, if you’re photographing birds in your backyard, you’ll have a much lighter demand than those in the wild searching for birds high above. For most other animals, at least 300mm is ideal, and having a little zoom can give you a lot of versatility in wildlife photography.
Does Aperture Matter for Wildlife Photography?
A lower maximum aperture is always advantageous when it comes to wildlife photography. An aperture that opens up further allows more light into the camera, and in most wildlife scenarios, light comes at a premium. More often than not, animals are active at dawn and dusk, when it isn’t quite as bright out as in the middle of the day.
Since your subject may be moving, you’ll have to shoot at a faster shutter speed, so ISO and aperture are the only two ways to gain more light. Raising the ISO can result in images with more noise, so the further you can open up your aperture, the less you’ll have to adjust ISO, resulting in much cleaner images.
Should I Get a Teleconverter?
Most camera manufacturers have a teleconverter that you put between the lens and the camera sensor. This allows you to reach greater focal lengths (they typically come in 1.4x or 2x). While this sounds like a great way to save money yet still get those longer focal lengths, teleconverters have a significant drawback. 1.4x teleconverters reduce the maximum aperture by a whole stop, and 2.0x teleconverters reduce the maximum aperture by two stops.
Additionally, you may lose some image sharpness and autofocusing speed when using a teleconverter. Still, they can be valuable tools for those on a budget who want to photograph wildlife that is very far away.
