Wildlife photography is not just an art. It’s an obsession that requires devotion, knowledge, and the utmost patience. You don’t just have to know and study the wildlife you photograph. You have to understand the telephoto lenses to capture these beautiful animals interacting in their natural habitat from a safe and responsible distance.
For those of you interested in wildlife photography and finding the right telephoto lenses to get you started, this article is for you. We’ll cover the best lenses for wildlife photography, and highlight some features to consider when choosing a wildlife photography lens for you.
Features to Consider When Choosing a Wildlife Photography Lens:
Focal length
Your focal range length is typically determined by the wildlife you photograph. Most wildlife photographers prefer a focal range of 400mm or greater because most wildlife photography is shot at a distance. But depending on your animal subject, you may need a far greater focal range.
Zoom vs Prime
Zoom telephoto lenses and fixed prime telephoto lenses are the two types of lenses to consider as a wildlife photographer. While telephoto zoom lenses tend to be more versatile, lightweight, and cost-effective, they’re also not as powerful. Telephoto prime lenses are typically faster, better-performing, and produce sharper images. Although, they are far more expensive, heavy, and less versatile. This can be important for some wildlife photographers who photograph larger animals, or ones who like to zoom out and include more of the landscape in their wildlife images.
Aperture
Aperture is very important when deciding on a wildlife lens is broken down into two main features: variable vs. constant aperture and maximum aperture.
Variable vs constant aperture: Variable aperture lenses change aperture depending on the focal length you are shooting at (e.g. the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens). Constant aperture lenses have a fixed maximum aperture throughout the zoom range (e.g. the Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Lens). This allows for better performance and exposure control. However, as you would expect, constant aperture lenses are far heavier and more expensive.
Maximum aperture: Maximum aperture determines the widest aperture. Lenses with wider apertures tend to be faster with better focusing speed because they let more light in and allow the camera to process image information faster. This is especially important in wildlife photography when your subject moves fast and moments are fleeting. Most professional wildlife photographers prefer a maximum aperture of around f/2.8 to f/4, but that high performance comes with a much higher price tag.
Build quality
Wildlife photography lenses are typically made tough because you’re constantly in the outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Look for lenses that are made with high-quality materials (metal over plastic) and are completely weather-sealed. This might add to the overall weight of the lens, but the extra durability will be worth it.
Compatibility with Teleconverters
Last but not least, double-check to be sure the lens is teleconverter compatible to get the greatest reach out of your lens.
Teleconverters help expand your telephoto lens’s focal length, but also increase the maximum aperture, so the extra reach, while helpful, comes with a caveat. For example, most lens manufacturers typically make 1.4x, 1.7x, and 2x teleconverters.
So if you have a 400mm f/4 lens:
- A 1.4x teleconverter changes the lens to a 560mm f/5.6
- A 1.7x teleconverter changes the lens to a 680mm f/7.1
- A 2x teleconverter changes the lens to an 800mm f/8
If your lens is compatible with all three types of manufacturer teleconverters, that means much more range and versatility for your telephoto lens.
Wildlife Photography Lens Recommendations
Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Lens
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Lens is an incredible telephoto prime lens and the smallest, lightest 400mm prime in its class at only 1160g. Its fast performance, incredible built quality, and highest-quality glass and internal elements make it a no-brainer for any wildlife photographer that travels often and shoots exclusively with Nikon.
Key Features:
- Smallest, lightest 400mm prime in its class
- Super-telephoto prime
- Bokeh beyond f/4.5
- Up to 6.0 stops of VR
- Tight compositions with DX Crop Mode
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II G Lens
The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II G lens is one powerhouse telephoto zoom lens that claims the title of the world’s lightest large-aperture 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom lens on the market. Its powerful performance, constant f/2.8 aperture, and versatile zoom range of 70-200mm make it a great lens for larger wildlife or capturing both wildlife and landscape, even in low light conditions.
Key Features:
- World’s lightest large-aperture 70-200mm F2.8 telephoto zoom lens
- 8 constant aperture
- XA (Extreme Aspheric) and Aspheric lens elements
- Suppressed chromatic aberration from Super ED and ED elements
- ED aspherical lens elements correct spherical and chromatic aberrations
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens
The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens is one of the most versatile professional telephoto zoom lenses on the market today. Its ability to include a powerful zoom range in 100-500mm in a relatively small size lens, considering other similar lenses in this segment, is impressive. But this lens is also fast, sharp, and has image stabilization with up to 5 stops of shake correction, making it one of the best telephoto zoom lenses on the market today and a great option for Canon wildlife photographers.
Key Features:
- High performance L-series
- Optical image stabilization with up to 5 stops of shake correction
- Quiet auto focus with Dual Nano USM
- Minimum focusing distance of 2.95′ (0.9m)
- 12-pin communication system
OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4.0 Pro Lens
The OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4.0 Pro lens is an incredibly rugged, portable, lightweight telephoto zoom lens for any OM SYSTEMS wildlife photographer that wants additional versatility and durability. And don’t let the 150mm focal length fool you. When paired with an OM SYSTEMS Micro Four Thirds camera, the focal length is equivalent to 300mm.
Key Features:
- IP53 dustproof and splashproof construction
- Compact & lightweight
- 15 elements in 9 groups
- High resolution with superb optical performance
- Close-up shooting capabilities with a maximum magnification of 0.41x (35mm equivalent)
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 IS Lens
If you’re an OM System wildlife photographer and are looking for a powerful, all-around telephoto zoom lens that can reach even the farthest animal subjects, then look no further than the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5.0–6.3 IS lens. Its zoom range is equivalent to 200-800mm since Micro Four Thirds cameras have a 2x crop factor. It also has the durable, rugged build quality you would expect from an Olympus lens, making it reliable, powerful, and versatile.
Key Features:
- Compact, lightweight zoom lens
- Worry-free dust and splash-proof construction
- 21 elements in 15 groups
- Maximum 1600mm (35mm equivalent) when paired with M.Zuiko Digital 2.0x Teleconverter MC-20
- Maximum 1120mm (35mm equivalent) when paired with M.Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter MC-14
Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens
The Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS lens is a new telephoto zoom lens from Sigma, designed for ultimate versatility. Its 60-600mm zoom range allows for all types of wildlife photography and it was designed to be fast, responsive, and reliable. This third-party lens checks all the boxes and is one of the most exciting telephoto lenses on the market today.
Key Features:
- 27 elements in 19 groups
- OS (Optical Stabilizer) function
- Inner focus system
- Compatible with high-speed autofocus
- HLA (High-response Linear Actuator)
Rokinon 135mm f/2.0 ED Lens for Canon EF
The Rokinon 135mm f/2.0 ED lens is a great telephoto prime lens with a fantastic constant aperture of f/2.0, producing sharp, beautiful images in a variety of lighting situations. One caveat to note though is that it is a fully manual lens, making it limited for some times of animals and certain wildlife photography situations.
Key Features:
- Bright F2.0 aperture
- Extra-low dispersion lens (ED)
- Circular aperture
- Ultra Multi Coating (UMC)
- Floating type design
Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR Lens
Last, but certainly not least, we have the Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR lens. Since Fujifilm cameras are all Micro Four Thirds cameras, this lens has a fantastic fixed focal length of 500mm and its constant f/4 aperture makes it fast and effective, even when shooting the quickest wildlife. Add in a magnesium alloy lens body that is weather-resistant and capable of operating in temperatures as low as 14 degrees, and you have a powerful telephoto lens perfect for a Fujifilm wildlife photographer.
Key Features:
- 16 lenses in 10 groups, 1 super ED lens and 2 ED lenses
- Five-stop optical image stabilization
- Silent, high-speed autofocus operation
- Made with magnesium alloy
- Dust and weather-resistant design
Conclusion
Wildlife photography is one of the rewarding types of photography, but due to the demanding nature of the job and the higher costs of the lenses needed to responsibly and safely photograph these animals from a great distance, it’s important to learn as much as possible before diving head first. We hope this article provided a clearer picture of what to look for in your next wildlife photography telephoto lens and some of the best options you can buy, so you can make the most informed choice for your newfound passion.
