{"id":7942,"date":"2016-07-26T07:00:31","date_gmt":"2016-07-26T11:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dev.wordpress\/?p=7942"},"modified":"2023-05-24T14:37:05","modified_gmt":"2023-05-24T18:37:05","slug":"buying-guide-best-lenses-for-wildlife-photography-featuring-lloyd-spitalnik","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/buying-guide-best-lenses-for-wildlife-photography-featuring-lloyd-spitalnik\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wildlife photography is not just an art. It\u2019s an obsession that requires devotion, knowledge, and the utmost patience. You don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/strong>, and highlight some features to consider when choosing a wildlife photography lens for you.<\/p>\n

Features to Consider When Choosing a Wildlife Photography Lens:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Focal length<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo from Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Zoom vs Prime<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

Aperture<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Aperture is very important when deciding on a wildlife lens is broken down into two main features: variable vs. constant aperture and maximum aperture.<\/p>\n

Variable vs constant aperture:<\/u><\/strong> 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<\/a>). 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<\/a>). This allows for better performance and exposure control. However, as you would expect, constant aperture lenses are far heavier and more expensive.<\/p>\n

Maximum aperture:<\/u><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

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Photo from Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Build quality<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Wildlife photography lenses are typically made tough because you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

Compatibility with Teleconverters<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Last but not least, double-check to be sure the lens is teleconverter<\/a> compatible to get the greatest reach out of your lens.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

So if you have a 400mm f\/4 lens:<\/p>\n