GET SPECTACULAR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHS WITH THESE OBJECTIVES
GET SPECTACULAR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHS WITH THESE OBJECTIVES
You love animals. Wildlife attracts you like a mermaid's song to a sailor, you can't help it. It is passion, an uncontrollable desire to capture the brutal beauty of a wild animal in its habitat. You are dying to capture the flight of an eagle or the roar of a bear. Photographing your cute kitten or your neighbor's dog is already insufficient and you want more. You dream of an African safari or going deep into a jungle. It is clear, yours is wildlife photography. And of course, the objectives you have do not reach you. You need one that allows you to capture all that natural essence that fascinates you so much.
Today I am going to dedicate this article to help you find an ideal goal to unleash that passion.
WHAT SHOULD YOU KEEP IN MIND?
It is not the same to photograph an insect, a bird or an elephant. Nor is a dog the same as a panther, no matter how much the first one is huge and in size it resembles the second one because you will not approach the same to one as to the other, why not? That is why we will first analyze what aspects you have to take into account.
CAMERA
What camera do you have? Is it full frame or not? When choosing your goal you should look at whether it is compatible or not . Not all lenses are suitable for all cameras. And if you place a lens designed for a full-format camera in a non-format camera, you have to take into account the cropping factor.
FOCAL DISTANCE
Unless your favorite fauna is insects, the ideal is that you look for a telephoto lens that brings you closer to the subject and fills the frame, while blurring the background to give more prominence to the animal. A focal length around 300mm is usually adequate, however, if you intend to photograph birds with the highest level of detail you should think more about something close to 500 or 600mm
On the other hand, if you need to continuously change the composition and you cannot move, consider the option of a zoom that ranges between 100 and 400mm to gain flexibility and versatility.
Now, wildlife photography does not necessarily have to be an animal filling in the frame. What about the landscape, with the environment? An angular objective that shows the immensity of the landscape compared to the animal in question can, in many cases, be a great option. If you don't believe it, you just have to look at the cover photo;).
OPENING
A larger aperture will allow you to shoot at higher speeds to better capture the action. Because of course, you are not going to tell an animal, still there, right? In addition, it is impressive to see them moving and that is reflected in the image;). For animals that move very fast you will have to use targets with an aperture of f / 2.8 or so.
Another reason to use large aperture lenses is the fact that many of the photographs will be taken at sunset and dawn, either because the light is tremendously attractive or because for many animals it is the moment of greatest activity (or both;)) .
SEALED
If you are going to photograph wildlife beyond the zoo that is next to your home or your friends or family's pets, and you plan to dive into the mud, go through African deserts or get lost in the humid forests, it would be convenient for you to search for a camera objective sealed against the elements. A detail in this regard, the fixed objectives are less likely to get any foreign object (although they are also quite expensive ).
ZOOM OR FIXED
After talking about focal length and sealing, the question may arise: zoom or fixed? The answer is difficult, because in reality it is rather a dependent. If you are looking for quality, definitely a fixed. If what you want is more flexibility, yours would be a zoom. You have to analyze which one is more suitable for your needs or desires.
IMAGE STABILIZER
The image stabilizer reduces shaking, something very necessary with long focal lengths. Although it is normal for you to use a tripod with very long focal points, when the image stabilizer or vibration reduction is not possible, it will help you.
TELECONVERTERS
If you intend to use a teleconverter to increase the focal length of your lens, you should keep in mind that the light input is decreased so that an aperture of f / 4 may become an f / 5.6, for example.
OBSERVATION AND PATIENCE
It can be very frustrating to want a very long focal length TV to cover your desires and not have a pocket. All the mm you add to your goal may seem few. However, there is something that can solve this. It is something rudimentary but it works in many cases. As long as your life is not in danger, observation and patience, with good camouflage, you can achieve that, instead of approaching the animal with a TV, it is this who approaches you.
NEED VS. POCKET
And speaking of frustrations, it is clear that in most cases what (you think) you need and what you can afford do not go hand in hand. As you move forward and discover within this world any team falls short, you always want more. First of all, do not let your mind go because this is escalating, the more you have, the more you want. And each stage has its process. Enjoy every moment of the equipment you have or that you can get without a mortgage for life. There are other aspects much more important than the team and it is not the same as being a newcomer, an amateur or a professional. Let the wisdom reign;).
RECOMMENDED OBJECTIVES
Taking into account the above aspects, analyze what you are looking for or expect in an objective, or which one best suits your needs (and / or your pocket). Here are some examples for beginners or fans:
SIGMA 70-300 / 4-5.6 MACRO DL
The most economical . For the price it has and user ratings it is worth considering. Its major limitations are the lack of stabilizer and excessive noise. It would be indicated to start without being ruined;).
Available for Canon , Nikon and Pentax
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TAMRON 70-300MM, F / 4-5.6 - LENS FOR NIKON
Value for money unbeatable. Solid and robust with very powerful and quiet stabilizer . The level of sharpness and detail is really good considering its affordable price. A must for newcomers or amateurs. Its biggest drawback is the lack of luminosity.
Picture taken with a Tamron SP 70-300 f / 4-5.6
Tamron A005NII SP Di VC USD (XLD) - Lens for Nikon (70-300mm, f / 4-5.6, 4x, optical stabilizer, 62mm), black color * - Electronics
From
Price: € 300.38
(As of: 2020/02/04 5:57 pm - Details)
You save: € 68.62 (19%) (19%)
11 new from € 295.00 2 Second hand from € 222.92
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Also available for Canon: € 311.97
CANON EF 70-200MM F / 2.8L IS II USM
An objective lord of the Canon L series aimed at advanced photographers seeking excellence. It offers a lot of sharpness and bright colors. The users are very happy with it. Here is a sample of a photograph taken for this purpose.
Picture taken with a Canon EF 70-200mm f / 2.8L IS II USM
Canon EF70-20040LIS - Lens for Canon (focal length 70-200mm, aperture f / 4, stabilizer) black and white * - Camera
From Canon (Designer)
Price: € 1,360.99
(As of: 2020/02/04 5:57 pm - Details)
2 new from € 1,336.00 1 Second hand from € 818.64
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CANON EF 100-400MM F / 4.5-5.6L, IS II USM
Very versatile, with excellent image quality and very quiet 4-step stabilizer (with which you can work in 4 positions). Despite not being a sealed target, it is quite robust and withstands dusty situations and bustle well. It includes a tab on the lens hood that allows you to work with filters that you need to move constantly.
Canon EF 100-400mm f / 4.5-5.6L IS II USM - Lens for Canon (Focal Distance 100-400mm, Aperture f / 4.5-5.6L IS II USM), Black and White * - Camera
From Canon (Designer)
Price: € 1,997.00
(As of: 2020/02/04 9:01 pm - Details)
7 new from € 1,997.00 0 2nd hand
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AF-S NIKKOR 200–500MM F / 5.6E ED VR
A very versatile zoom with good value for money that makes it ideal to start in wildlife photography. Its stabilizer is very powerful. Valid for both full-format cameras and those that are not.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500 mm 1: 5,6E ED VR - Objective * - Accessory
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0 new 1 From 2nd hand from € 1,144.00
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SIGMA 150 - 500 / 5.0 - 6.3 DG APO HSM OS
For longer distances. It has stabilizer and is valid for Full Frame cameras and with smaller sensor and is available for Canon and Nikon.
If what you want is to photograph bugs at scary sizes, yours is a macro lens, here you have a very good selection .
Remember, do not let the great offer of brands, prices, focal points and other benefits overwhelm you. Your best team is the one in your hands. If you can't acquire something supposedly better, don't come down. Each moment has its resources and as you grow as a photographer your team can grow. If you are just an amateur do not aspire to buy a professional team. Unless you spend so much money that you don't know what to do with it, if this is your case, congratulations;). If it is not, if you are like other mortals, enjoy what you have and what you can acquire. Take advantage of it and let nothing sleep you.
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