My best lens for wildlife

Thank you to those who submitted the details of their best lens for wildlife and the associated images.
This is one way that photographers can see the type of image that can be captured with a specific lens and hopefully help them in their decision making process when buying a new lens.

Let me know what you would like to see next.

JC de Wet

I have been a nature and wildlife photographer for 18 yrs. not full time professional. Have travelled South, East, West and Central Africa extensively.

Before Mirrorless my main lens was the 300 f2.8 that I used most of the time with a TC 1.4 on FF or APS-C bodies. After I bought a 200-400 f4 I discovered the joy of flexibility of a zoom especially when you shoot from a safari truck or your own car.

John Tapuch

I generally used to stick to original and prime long lenses. However with the cost of these faster lenses, I have had to cut my budget and acquire a generic lens, Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm.
I have to admit its quite exceptional for the price. No, it is not as fast or quite as sharp as original equivalent but with the amazing range I have been able to take a number of great shots.

Tim Driman

I have to say that my Sony A1 , on my most versatile, and absolutely awesome 100mm-400mm GM +1.4x TC, is my most favourite, and mostly used lens. It’s pin sharp, totally versatile, and easy to hand-hold.

Marijke Claassen

I just love my Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 Contemporary DG lens, and is thus my shot of the day lens for wildlife!!

Wildlife photography is my passion and I mainly shoot with a zoom lens (don’t own a Prime lens J), using the Canon 7D mark II.

Since the first time I held the lens, I have been very happy with my purchase.
For what you get, the lens is really not expensive – very affordable lens. I was very surprised with the clear and very sharp images.

I mainly shoot in the Kruger National Park, using a bean bag, but also took amazing images while shooting handheld.
The lens focuses fairly quickly, and is not that heavy to take hand held photos.

It is very difficult to select an image.
Settings :
ISO 2000
F7.1
1/800 sec

Johan (Gently Wild Photography)

Images of the Canon EF 300mm f2.8 L MK ii lens at 300mm, 420mm and 600mm using the 1.4 and 2.0mm MK iii converters. All taken with a Canon 7D MK ii, 4 – 5 years ago.

I injured my left arm and as I spend more time chasing birds on foot swapped this lens for the lighter EF 100/400mm MK 11 which performs well on the 7D 11 and excellent on the R5 with adaptor and 1.4 converter.

The EF 300mm was so sharp, can only imagine the RF versions would be excellent and a step up.

David Mierowsky

Beyond a shadow of doubt my Nikon 180-400 f4 with the built-in 1.4 teleconverter. A sharp fast lens with the flexibility of the extra reach when I need it. Easy enough to carry around for reasonable distances and to hand-hold. This particular photo was taken on my last overseas trip before COVID shut the world down. A late afternoon in winter in Yellowstone National Park, we were heading out the park and we came across a pair of coyote. They separated as our vehicle approached. I captured this shot in fading light as one of the pair stood on the roadside, wistfully gazing at the spot where the other coyote had run off into the trees.

Anton Van Niekerk

My favourite lens is the Canon 400mm f2.8 because it is so fast and pretty. It focuses in a snap and is light and compact.

Sue Musto

My favourite lens for wildlife is my 500mm, F4 lens. It is consistent, excellent in low light, super fast, super sharp and amazing with shallow depth of field when necessary.
Here are a few images taken with my 500mm lens. All taken at Lower Sabie, KNP.